Beaches that welcome dogs
Dog owners who wish to visit a dog-friendly beach are spoilt for choice
News Staff Reporter
IT'S not only humans who have had to be locked-in due to coronavirus, and those short walks certainly haven't made up for our four-legged friends need for activity.
So now we can all got to the beach, its time to find those where we can also take our dogs for a well-deserved day out too and the Costa has plenty to choose from.
The common rules for all beaches include cleaning up after your dog, keeping your pet under control at all times, and putting a muzzle on dangerous dog breeds.
Some of the beaches will have guards checking your dog's pet passport and microchip to see that its rabies vaccination is up to date. Use common sense and don't take unvaccinated puppies or unspayed females in season to the beach. The owner is always responsible for whatever damage their dog causes.
Alicante province
Denia, Escollera Norte: Stony beach, unpopular with lots of seaweed.
Benissa, Cala Llobella: a peaceful cove surrounded by pines. Mainly rock and pebbles, popular with scuba divers. Difficult access. Wear diving boots and check your dog’s paws afterwards.
Altea, Playa Mar y Montaña, La Olla: Nice pebble beach. Park near Meliá hotel and walk. Close to ‘chiringuitos’.
Villajoyosa, Cala El Xarco: very quiet pebble beach with natural rock pools. Careful with fishing hooks, as it’s a fishing beach. Access by car only. Turn down opposite Venta El Charco on N332 road.
Campello, Playa del Punta del Riu Sec: The first dog beach in the area. Near dry river bed, with natural rock pools with no undercurrents. Easy access.
Campello, Playa del Barranc in Cala del Barranc d’Aigües located North of Campello near the Llomes de Reixes nudist beach. Quiet pebble and sand beach, surrounded by nature, very quiet.
Alicante, Aguas Amargas: Between Alicante and Urbanova. 250 metres of sandy beaches with some pebbles, with all services available including food and drink (available during the June to September only). A guard at entrance scans all microchips. Dangerous breeds must be on leash at all times. Dogs can be loose on the beach but must swim with their owners and be on a leash if in the ‘chiringuito’ (beach bar).
Santa Pola, Caleta Els Gossets (near lighthouse): Sandy beach. One of the best beaches. Maximum two dogs per person. No bitches on heat allowed or unvaccinated puppies. No dog training allowed. No gazebos permitted between March and October, only parasols can be used for shade.
Torrevieja, Cala del Moro, small sandy and rocky beach located at the south end of Cabo Cervera, near a residential area, one of the best in the area.
Torrevieja, Punta Margalla: a rocky stony strip, located up the coast from the marina.
Valencia province
Valencia, Playa de Pinedo: A sandy beach located south of the city near the port, the sea is usually calm here.
Playa de Alboraya, located north of Valencia city opposite Norauto and south of Saplaya port. Not suitable for human bathing.
El Puig, Playa de la Torreta – Santa Elvira: Rocky sandy beach north of Valencia city. Easy car access. Usually has calm seas.
Cullera, Playa El Brosquil: Fine sandy beach, surrounded by private urbanisations. Sea with some waves.
Castellón province
Vinarós, Playa de Les Llanetes: Small 150m beach. Gravel and pebbles. Located north of Vinarós.
Vinarós, Playa de Aiguaoliva: Small pebble beach. South of Vinarós.
Alcossebre, Playa L’Estany in Punta Capicorb: Small beach at mouth of San Miguel river. Very stony. Not a popular beach.
Playa Belcaire (Moncófar): A 30-metre wide gravel and sand beach for all year round use, located next to the Belcaire river outlet.
Benicarló, Playa El Barranquet: opens as a dog beach in June. It is the only sandy dog beach in Castellón province. It’s located near the town next to El Barranquet dry river bed. Dogs must be on the town register, wormed, vaccinated and microchipped and also accompanied by someone over 18.
Murcia region
Mazarrón, Playa de Las Moreras: Natural sandy beach with pebbles around 500 metres long.
Mazarrón, Playa del Gachero: Small stony urban beach next to the port, not popular with regular beach goers.
Mazarrón, Playa de Cobaticas: Beach with stones and pebbles located between Bolnuevo and Percheles, difficult access but very beautiful location. It is around a kilometre long. Also a fishing beach – so be careful with fish hooks.
Águilas, Playa de la Cañada del Negro: 150 metres long and 19metres wide, mainly stones, gravel and sand. Sea usually has waves. Has parking nearby for around 50 cars, access is via an unsurfaced road.
Águilas, Cala Mijo (Cueva de las Palomas): Small 60-metre beach with fine grey sand, located off the Vera road, km. 3.
Lorca, Playa Larga de Garrobillo: a 600-metre long beach with sand and gravel, sea has moderate waves.
Cartagena, Playa La Calera: located between Isla Plana and La Azohia, the beach has gravel, rocks and coarse sand, it is located away from the town, near the Mazarrón dog beaches.