For young children, the Mar Menor side is the clear winner: no waves, water around a metre deep for a hundred metres out, and temperatures several degrees warmer than the Mediterráneo. This makes a real difference for little ones who can't swim on their own yet.
Not every Mar Menor beach is equally suitable. These are listed from south to north, kilometre 0 to 21, the reference system used for everything here.
Quick fact
The Mar Menor stays at 26 °C well into September, four to six degrees warmer than the Mediterráneo. This gives families with young children a longer swimming season here.
By kilometre point
| Km | What you'll find | Shade |
|---|---|---|
| km 3-5 | Fine sand, lifeguards and beach bars close by | Little; bring a parasol |
| km 9-12 | Wooden walkways and an amphibious wheelchair in season | Little |
| km 13-17 | Fewer people and a very even seabed | Almost none |
| km 16 | Inflatable water park, ages 6 and up | Little |
| km 18-21 | Veneziola, the quietest stretch of the strip | Almost none |
Always bring water shoes: some stretches of the Mar Menor have broken shells along the shore. Bring your own shade after 12:00, too, as there are very few trees on the strip.