A total of 250 kilometres (155 miles) of coastline from the beach of Carolina in Águilas to El Mojon near the Alicante border outline the coast of Murcia, known as the Costa Calida (the warm coast). This denomination finds it reason to be in the 320 days of sun per year and average temperature between 12-22ºC (53-71ºF) in winter and 18-35ºC (64-95ºF) in summer. Yearly average is 18ºC (64ºF).

Mar Menor and La Manga
The Mar Menor is Europe’s largest salt water lake, though the locals prefer to call it a sea. Its name refers to the traditional denominations of the lake (the Little Sea) and the Mediterranean (the Big Sea). With more than 170 square kilometres (65 square miles) of shallow, warm water, it is perfect for all kinds of water sports all year round.

Its warm waters welcome not only families with small kids but also those looking for the soothing effect of its healing mud baths and spas.

The nature lovers will also find in the Santiago de la Ribera salty flats natural park a wonderful opportunity to observe the local birds and, if lucky, the migrating flamingos and other exotic species. Be careful, as for animal protection it is not allowed to wander freely through the park, but only thorough the signalled paths and bird-watching hides.

Cartagena
The coast around the city of Cartagena is rugged and rocky, with some astonishing beaches to be found off the beaten track. The diving lovers will enjoy enormously the daily trips offered by a range of diving clubs in the village of Cabo de Palos, named after the cape where it is located.

The Calblanque natural park offers you the opportunity to visit both fossilized and actual sand dunes and envisage the endangered species adapted to this habitat. The Salinas del Rasall area is specially beautiful with its traditional salt extracting flats. Sunset is breathtaking in this area, as the red sunlight turns the air into a nearly magical fluid over the pink surface of the salt and the deep blue horizon of the sea. Take protection, as the magic of this moment is sometimes broken by itchy mosquito bites. Please note that the park will be closed for motor vehicles during the nesting period.

Another beach worth visiting is El Portús, a series of hidden rocky coves that are among the locals top favourites. One of them features a nudist camping and rock-sheltered cove that is said to be the one of the most beautiful hidden beaches in the Region of Murcia. The camping is open all year round, though the beach can be accessed through a path of stone-carved steps from the adjacent cove. The camping has access and facilities for the handicapped and a wide range of sports and activities… including Spanish lessons!. For more information, visit the camping's website at http://www.elportus.com .

Mazarrón
It is difficult to summarize the great variety of activities that can be enjoyed along the Mazarrón’s 35 kilometres of coast: from sailing, rowing, parakiting or skiing to the more peaceful walking, swimming or simply sunbathing. Let us recommend Cabo Tiñoso, Cala Cerrada or the Punta de los Valientes for scuba-diving, and La Isla, La Reya, Bahía, Nares or Castellar for the classical swimming-sunbathing relaxing scheme.

Mazarrón's days are at least as interesting as its nights. During the day, its clean and well-infrastructured beaches are just hors d’oeuvres for its lively summer nightlife.

The Ciudad Encantada (Enchanted City) of Bolnuevo is not a city, as its name may suggest, but a series of capricious sandstone formations erased by the wind in fantastic-looking shapes.

You can also get a touch of the few untouched and unspoiled areas of the Mediterranean nature: the Regional Park of Cabo Cope-Puntas de Calnegre.

Águilas
In Águilas, just 20 minutes from Lorca, the castle of San Juan de Águilas watches over its 35 kilometres of coastline. Dive (or learn to dive!) near the Isla del Fraile (Monk Island) for rocky slope sea bottoms and seaweed colonies.

And for pretty streets, palm-tree lined beaches suitable for children go to the near village of Calabardina, just 10 minutes north from Águilas.

Interesting Facts

• 250km of coastline in Murcia (73km on the Mar Menor)
• In Roman times the Mar Menor did not exist.  Its present shape is only one thousand years old
• 320 days sunshine a year
• Max depth is 7m, with an average depth of 3m