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Accommodation nearby

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Playa El Portús is located in a small bay, about 10km southwest of Cartagena. The beach offers a very mineral setting, where the cliffs and golden sand contrast with the crystal blue water. The rocky areas bordering the bay are home to drop-offs, caves and overhangs, where wrasse, sea urchins, seabream and blennies are easy to spot.

Rocky shore at Playa El Portús
El Portús rocky shore, with the beach in the distance.

How to get to Playa El Portús snorkeling spot?

Playa El Portús is located 11km southwest of Cartagena. By car, the beach is well signposted, but parking spaces are limited. The beach is also served by bus from Cartagena in July and August.

Playa El Portús snorkeling map, Spain

Water entrance for snorkeling Playa El Portús

We advise you to enter the water near the rocks, on the left (most recommended area), or on the right end of the beach.

Playa El Portús snorkeling exploration tips

We advise you to focus on the rocky areas located on either side of the beach, with a preference for the East area (on your left when you are facing the sea).

Violet sea urchin at Playa El Portús
A violet sea urchin (Sphaerechinus granularis). This species has two distinct color forms, purple or white.

From the beach, swim along the rocky shore that borders the east of the bay. You will first discover many small caves and overhangs carved into the rock. A wide variety of algae, as well as polyps and sponges, have colonized the rocky walls. Several species of sea urchins can be seen in this area, including black sea urchins and violet sea urchins.

After about 50m, you will arrive in kind of a small shallow creek, with seabed covered with pebbles. Brightly colored ornate wrasse twirl around the rocks. If you wish, continue along the edge after the creek. The depth increases and a few clumps of Posidonia punctuate the seabed.

European barracuda at Playa El Portús
Juvenile Mediterranean barracudas (Sphyraena sphyraena) noted near shore.

You will meet at this location dozens of species of Mediterranean fish. Two-banded seabream and salema are very common here, as are East Atlantic peacock wrasse and ocellated wrasse, which rarely stray away from seagrass beds. Schools of juvenile Mediterranean barracudas sometimes visit the shallows.

Watch out for other swimmers, especially those having fun jumping into the water from the cliffs.

Restaurants and accommodation nearby

There is no restaurant on the beach. Beyond the rocky point, the entire eastern part of the bay (including Playa de la Morena) is part of a naturist camp.

 

  • Level required Beginner
  • Maximum depth12ft/4m
  • Water entranceFrom a pebble beach
  • LifeguardNo
  • Visitor numbersHigh
  • Access costsFree
  • Restaurants nearbyNo

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.