Cartagena beaches: Cala Roja in Cabo de Palos

A south-facing stony beach near the lighthouse in Cabo de Palos

Popular with snorkelers, Cala Roja is a seventy-metre south-facing stretch of shoreline with a mixture of grey sand and rocks, and is very narrow, averaging just 4 metres wide on the rocky Mediterranean coastline of Cabo de Palos.

Close to the lighthouse, it lies amidst a series of rocky coves and is low occupancy due to the difficulty of access and availability of other larger, serviced beaches nearby.

Parking in the immediate vicinity is not easy, especially in the height of summer – the best bet is either on the main road up to the lighthouse outside the old post office or at the lighthouse itself – and access is down winding stone steps. As is the norm in the small craggy coves of this stretch of the Costa Cálida, there are no services, which is hardly surprising as there are virtually no bathers on this tiny beach.

However, the main attraction is one which Cala Roja shares with all of those between the marina and the lighthouse, consisting of some of the clearest water in the Mediterranean. Dive centres and schools abound in Cabo de Palos, and this is due to the ideal conditions in the protected area around the headland and the Islas Hormigas a few kilometres offshore. Amateurs find scuba diving particularly rewarding here, and Cala Roja, where the dark rocks provide an interesting underwater seascape, is the prefect venue for anyone who enjoys snorkelling.

Beaches in Cabo de Palos:

Cabo de Palos lies at the eastern end of the municipality of Cartagena on the headland of the same name which juts out into the Mediterranean, and as a result the beaches and coves face south, east and north, depending on their location. 

It is also at the southern end for La Manga del Mar Menor, which acts as the land barrier between the Mar Menor and the Mediterranean, and just outside the town is "kilometre 0" of La Manga.

The beaches of Cabo de Palos range from tiny coves to long stretches of golden sand, many of them dominated by the imposing lighthouse or cliffs. There is also a marina, which is bustling with life all year round as it doubles as a fishing port. 

The coastline of Cabo de Palos lies on the edge of the Islas Hormigas marine park, one of the most important areas of protected coastline in Europe, teeming with marine life and hugely popular with divers, and the regional park of Calblanque.

Click for further local information about Cabo de Palos or Cartagena, or for an overview of the beaches of Cartagena.