The area
The Mar Menor, an inland sea close by
A lagoon of some 135 km² with warm, shallow and usually calm water, separated from the Mediterranean by the La Manga sandbar. A ten-minute drive from the penthouse.
A sea behind a sandbar
The Mar Menor is the largest saltwater lagoon in Spain. La Manga, a narrow strip of land about 22 kilometres long, separates it from the Mediterranean, and a few channels connect the two seas. Five small volcanic islands rise from the lagoon.
The water is nowhere deeper than about six or seven metres and is often only knee-deep near the beaches. It warms up quickly and there are hardly any waves: lovely with small children.
From above
What it looks like from space
In this photo from the International Space Station you can see the Mar Menor, the thin La Manga sandbar and the cape of Cabo de Palos. The penthouse is just out of the picture, above the northern tip of the lagoon.
Beaches
The beaches at Lo Pagán
The nearest part of the Mar Menor is at Lo Pagán, in San Pedro del Pinatar.
Villananitos
A beach of about 840 metres with full facilities, a gently sloping seabed and calm water. Accessible via boardwalks.
La Puntica
About 520 metres of beach with warm, calm water and a sailing school.
La Mota
A narrow 2.7 km beach running past the mud baths and the salt-pan nature park.
Activities
Things to do
Kayak and paddleboard
The Murcia region describes a beginners’ paddleboard route off La Mota beach (from age six) and a kayak trip past the windmills. Ask local rental companies about options.
Boat trips
In season, boats sail from Santiago de la Ribera to the islands in the lagoon.
Lo Pagán seafront
A walk along the water with restaurants and ice-cream parlours, ending at the mud baths.
Good to know
A fragile lagoon
The Mar Menor has faced serious environmental problems in recent years; since 2022 the lagoon has legal personhood under Spanish law to protect it better. In the official samplings of May and July 2026, the Villananitos, La Puntica and La Mota beaches at Lo Pagán were rated ‘excellent, suitable for bathing’.
The official bathing season runs from 15 May to 30 September. Before you swim, check canalmarmenor.carm.es for the latest situation.
Frequently asked questions
Can you swim in the Mar Menor?
How is it different from the Mediterranean?
How far is the Mar Menor from the penthouse?
Your base on the Costa Blanca
After a day out, the roof terrace is waiting. See when the penthouse is available.