Playa De La Espasa Pm1

Spain Coastal 1 - Excellent

Playa de la Espasa is a natural sandy beach located in Caravia, Asturias, with a length of 1,150 metres and variable width of around 60 metres. The beach is characterized by golden sand and experiences a macrotidal regime with tides exceeding 4 metres. Water quality has been consistently classified as excellent for bathing in recent years, despite the influence of the Espasa River at its mouth. The beach is moderately urbanized and experiences high occupancy during swimming season.

Reviews

No reviews yet.

Write a review

Photos

Upload a photo

Water

Coastal water body, 1,150 metres long and 60 metres wide (variable). Macrotidal regime with tidal range exceeding 4 metres. Golden sand composition. Water renewal time is less than 7 days. Average wind speed is 5.24 metres per second. Current direction is west-northwest. Strong wave and windy conditions.

Location

The beach is located in La Espasa locality, Caravia municipality, Asturias, Spain. Parking is available with capacity for over 100 vehicles. Pedestrian access is good.

Facilities

Lifeguards, toilets, showers, disabled access, good pedestrian access, parking with capacity for over 100 vehicles.

Water Quality

Water quality classified as excellent for bathing. Sanitary microbiological parameters show excellent results. The Espasa River is the primary contamination source, potentially introducing enterobacterial contamination through seepage and runoff from adjacent agricultural properties. Risk of short-duration contamination episodes is low. Fuel residue from a pipeline rupture at the Aboño thermal power plant was detected and removed in July 2012.

Risks

Espasa River introduces potential contamination through agricultural runoff, seepage, and stormwater discharge. Risk classified as low with biennial frequency and duration less than 8 hours. Jellyfish presence occurs occasionally during spring and summer months but at natural density levels for the Cantabrian Sea. Portuguese man o'war (Physalia physalis) sightings are typically isolated specimens. Macroalgae proliferation risk is low due to sandy substrate and beach orientation. Microalgae and cyanobacteria proliferation is unlikely given rapid water renewal and absence of estuarine conditions.