Mazarrón beaches: Playa de las Minas

A small cove in the Ifre-Cañadas de Gallego section of the Mazarrón coastline

Lying almost at the south-westernmost extreme of the 35-kilometre Mazarrón coastline, Playa de las Minas is tucked away at the side of the Playa de Percheles, which is considered to be the most attractive bay in the municipality, located at the end of a long run of wild and naturist beaches. It is best accessed via Cañada de Gallego.

North of this point the coastline runs for nearly three kilometres of open, wild beach, but once the end of the vast expanse of Cobaticas beach is reached, the geography of this coastline changes as it hits punta negra, or "black point", an area of strikingly black, volcanic rock.

There are four beaches here which can be accessed on foot or with a 4x4 vehicle: Playa de Las Chapas, Playa del Ballenato, Playa Percheles and Playa de las Minas. These can be accessed from the corner of Playa Cobaticas by driving along the coast, or when entering Cañada de Gallego from the motorway there is signposting to the Playa Percheles.

Playa Percheles is a sandy bay, enclosed by black rock, and measures 290 metres by 16. Playa de las Minas is separated from it by a large boulder at the southern end, and is 100 metres long and 14 wide.

There are no services other than bins and wooden ramps leading onto the sand on Playa Percheles, but there is normally a beach bar (chiringuito) set up here in summer, and there is plenty of parking behind the beach.

The run of wild beaches in Mazarrón

Mazarrón is blessed with an extraordinary range of beaches, with everything from wide sandy urban beaches with a full list of catered services to rocky coves, dog beaches, nudist beaches and long wild swathes of sand.

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.

If you love natural, beautiful places, this is for you, but there’s not a beachcomber for miles around and you won’t find anyone selling ice lollies!

None of these beaches are 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 and never want to go anywhere else.

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 favoured by naturist bathing, so 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 the mountain-bikers, and walkers have many options, particularly on a summer evening with stunning views and sea breezes.

Access

From Bolnuevo, drive along the seafront, past the wind-eroded rocks to the end of the road next to Playa del Rincón, where limited parking is available. From here, the beaches can only be accessed on foot or by bicycle.

From Puntas de Calnegre, just keep the sea on your right!

From Cañada de Gallego, simply head downhill on one of the many dust tracks from the road and the tomato plantations to the coastline. Once there, if the sea is on your right you're heading towards Mazarrón, if it's on your left you're on your way to Puntas de Calnegre!

Click for an overview of all 33 beaches in the municipality of Mazarrón, or for more information relating to Mazarrón.