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Accommodation nearby

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Platja Aiguablava is one of the most famous coves in the Begur region. The rocky islet and the small cave carved into the cliffs that border the east of the beach make it a fabulous underwater adventure playground for young and old. While swimming in the bay’s turquoise sea, you may spot many starfish, sea urchins, sponges and schools of fish.

Platja Aiguablava snorkeling area
Platja Aiguablava boasts calm, clear waters, perfect for first-time snorkelers.

How to get to the Platja Aiguablava snorkeling spot

Platja Aiguablava is near Begur, in Girona region. By car, it is well signposted from Begur and Palafrugell. Paid parking, with limited spaces, is available on site.

Platja Aiguablava snorkeling map

Water entrance for snorkeling Platja Aiguablava

We advise you to enter the water on the right of the beach, in front of the small rocky islet. You can get in the water either directly from the sandy beach or from a concrete platform.

Platja Aiguablava snorkeling exploration tips

You can snorkel all over the cove, but we recommend especially the rocky areas that stretch to the right of the beach. Once in the water, first explore the rocks that surround the small islet (↕2-4ft/0.5-1m). Striped red mullet, red-black triplefin and several species of blenny appreciate these sheltered areas.

Red sea star at platja Aiguablava
Red starfish are common and easy to spot in the rocky areas edging the cove.

Along the cliff, you will then discover a small submerged cave, in which a few grey mullets come and go above the pebbles. Continuing along the cliffs, you will come to a small rocky drop-off (↕3-9ft/1-3m) bordered with Posidonia meadows.

On the rocks, you can see red starfish, sea urchins, and small colorful sponges. Schools of salema and peacock wrasses are easy to spot in the seagrass.

School of salema at platja Aiguablava
Juvenile fish find shelter in the cove’s shallow, calm waters, like this school of small salema.

Platja Aiguablava is a well-sheltered beach, where the sea is generally perfectly calm. In addition, the beach is supervised in summer. It is a good spot for first-time snorkelers and kids.

Restaurants and accommodation nearby

Several restaurants are set above the beach: the Mar i Vent Restaurant & Beach Club, the Garreta restaurant, the Mar I Vent and the Toc al Mar. The Parador de Aiguablava hotel overlooks the cove.

 

  • Level required Beginner
  • Maximum depth10ft/3m
  • Water entranceFrom a sandy beach
  • LifeguardYes, in summer
  • Visitor numbersHigh
  • Access costsFree
  • Restaurants nearbyYes

MAP Spot

These snorkeling spots are accessible to beginners and kids. You will enter the water gradually from a beach, or in a less than 3ft. deep area. The sea is generally calm, shallow, with almost no waves or currents. These spots are usually located in marked and/or monitored swimming areas. It is not necessary to swim long distances to discover the sea life.

This level only apply when the spot experiences optimal sea and/or weather conditions. It is not applicable if the sea and/or weather conditions deteriorate, in particular in the presence of rough sea, rain, strong wind, unusual current, large tides, waves and/or swell. You can find more details about the definition of our snorkeling levels on our snorkeling safety page.