Playa De Aritzatxu Pm1

Spain Coastal 1 - Excellent

Aritxatxu is a beach located on the isthmus of Bañerie island in the municipality of Bermeo, situated within the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve. The beach measures 75 metres in length and 15 metres in width, with a low-tide surface area of 4,500 m² and a high-tide area of 1,875 m². The beach is composed of sand and gravel and is protected from heavy seas by two large rocks at its entrance. It has good pedestrian access but poor vehicular access.

Reviews

No reviews yet.

Write a review

Photos

Upload a photo

Water

Coastal water body belonging to the Matxitxako-Getaria water mass, within the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve. The beach is 75 metres long and 15 metres wide. The low-tide surface area is 4,500 m² and the high-tide surface area is 1,875 m². The composition is sand and gravel. Astronomical tidal range is 4.80 metres with a minimum tide of 1 metre. Wave action is strong. Water renewal is less than or equal to 7 days.

Location

The beach is located in Bermeo municipality, Bizkaia province, Spain, away from the urban centre. Pedestrian access is good. An area for vehicle parking is available.

Facilities

Two toilets, two washbasins, three showers, one foot-washing station, three drinking fountains, four waste bins, two lifeguards, one beach attendant (Hondartzaina), first aid kit, medical equipment accessible by telephone, wristbands for lost children, parking area.

Water Quality

Water quality was classified as EXCELLENT for the 2008-2010 bathing seasons according to Directive 2006/7/CE. Only 2% of control samples would have received an INSUFFICIENT classification when compared to sufficiency thresholds (500 NMP/100 ml for E. coli and 185 NMP/100 ml for intestinal enterococci). The peri-beach area was classified as GOOD for the 2008-2010 bathing seasons. The Matxitxako-Getaria coastal water mass has a very good ecological status and good overall assessment, with no risk of failing to achieve good status by 2015.

Risks

A diverted stream including wastewater from canning factories discharges approximately 250 metres east of the beach, though no adverse impact has been detected in monitoring. Future treated wastewater from the Lamiaran treatment plant will discharge through an outfall behind the port.