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Mazarrón beaches: Playa de Las Chapas

A 300-metre-long cove near the beach of Percheles in Mazarrón

Among the south-westernmost of the 33 beaches which are to be found along the 35-kilometre coastline of Mazarrón is Playa de las Chapas. This stony beach is 300 metres long and just 10 metres wide and is used very little, as the rough surface is neither comfortable for sunbathers nor much fun for swimmers.

This area is characterized by a series of open beaches backed by rough ground and tomato greenhousing, and Playa Cabezo de Pelea is 1.75 kilometres long. The surface is a mixture of pebbles and fine, soft, greyish sand, interspersed with deposits of posidonia seagrass washed up onto the shore.

The track running behind the beach here is flat, wide and easy to drive on, making it a popular area among wild campers and those who enjoy privacy. There is plenty of space to park but there are no services.

At the southern end of Playa de Cobaticas the geography of the coastline changes with the headland of Punta Negra ("black point", due to the colour of the rock). Around here three beaches can be accessed on foot or with a 4x4 vehicle: Playa de Las Chapas, Playa del Ballenato, and the one considered by many to be the most attractive in the whole of Mazarrón, Playa Percheles. Access is from the corner of Playa Cobaticas by driving along the coast, or when entering Cañada de Gallego from the motorway there are signs to Playa Percheles.

The run of wild beaches in Mazarrón

Mazarrón is blessed with an extraordinary range of beaches, with everything from wide swathes of sand to rocky coves, dog-friendly areas and nudist beaches.

Between Bolnuevo and Percheles the coast is wild and stunning, and the run of beaches from be accessed only via a rough dirt track on foot or by bicycle, with a succession of secluded bays. From 1st July 2017 most of the track has been closed to motor vehicles and the only access is via cycle or on foot.

None of these beaches is equipped with special disabled access, although once the coastline reaches Percheles and Cañada de Gallego it is possible to walk out of the car and straight onto the sand/shingle. Here the coastline is accessed from a rough, bumpy road which runs along for around 12 kilometres.

If you’re the type of person who loves to get away from the crowds and appreciates wild beauty, then you’ll love this stretch of coastline.

The stunning scenery is peppered with abandoned ruins, and there is a huge choice of rocky bays, sandy coves, and secluded corners to bathe privately, even in the busy summer period. The area is popular with naturists and it’s not uncommon to see the odd gleaming bronzed buttock or two, and a couple of the nudist beaches are also very popular with the gay community. But the area is so large that it is always possible to steer away if you choose: you can stop anywhere and be as private, or as public, as you want.

There are absolutely no facilities, so bring everything and remember to take litter home.

It’s also very popular with local cyclists, especially mountain-bikers, and walkers.

For more local information go to the home page of Mazarrón Today, or click here for an overview of all 33 beaches in the municipality of Mazarrón.