The European Foundation for Environmental Education, through the Association for Environmental and Consumer Education (ADEAC-FEE), selects the best beaches in the world every year, awarding the Blue Flag badge. This mention highlights the best prepared ones, adapted for the bathroom and of high quality. In 2025, the Marina Alta has received 17 of these awards, renewing most of them.
Next you have an index with all the points that we are going to deal with.
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What is the Blue Flag?
The Blue Flag was created in 1985 in France by the FEE as a national award for marinas and boats that have worked hard in the area. protection of the marine environment. Since then, it has become an internationally recognized distinctive, not only for marinas, but also for beaches.
Spain became part of the international environmental education program in 1987 along with Denmark and Portugal. The expansion of the Blue Flag seal was supported by the European Commission with the aim of encourage compliance with environmental regulations and promote awareness on the quality of water on beaches.
In this way, with the economic and technical support of the European Commission, Blue Flag became international and incorporated countries in Africa, America and Oceania. Its scope currently reaches 47 countries located on the five continents.
Blue Flag Beaches in the Marina Alta
This summer season 2025, the Marina Alta has 17 Blue Flag beaches:
Baladrar cove
The Baladrar cove in Benissa achieved the Blue Flag for the first time in 2022. It owes its origin to the Sesters ravine and is divided into two sections, the Baladrar and the Goleta, due to a rocky inlet located at sea level. To go down to it, some stairs descend the path to its shore.
It is a beach of pebbles, crystal clear water and rich marine fauna and flora. Among the services it offers, the parking area, a beach bar and the various water activities that can be practiced there stand out.
Fustera Beach
If there is something well known in Benissa, it is the Fustera beach, contained between two rock outcroppings. Nearby is the Cova de la Fustera, 10 meters high. The area is highly valued for the micro reserve of vegetation it houses. In addition to the Blue Flag, it has received the Ecoplayas award on numerous occasions. Towards the south begins the Benissa ecological walk that connects it with the Bassetes cove.
It is made of fine sand, an attractive quality when combined with the rocks at its ends. Being the busiest beach in Benissa, it has numerous services such as bathrooms, a children's play area, picnic area, beach bar and access for people with reduced mobility.
Cantal Roig
Cantal Roig beach gets its name from the large red rock that presides over this small strip of the Calp coastline. It is 200 meters long and in its vicinity is the promenade. It is a very visited place in the summer time because there are many bars and restaurants nearby where you can eat while contemplating the sea.
It is a beach of fine sand, semi-urban. Due to its location and the rocky corners that can be found in it, it is perfect for diving, snorkeling or other water sports. It is easily accessible and has bathrooms, games for children or surveillance by land and sea.
The Pit
La Fossa beach is the best known in Calp. It is characterized by its proximity to the urban area of the municipality, making it perfect to enjoy with the family at any time of the day. Being delimited by the seafront promenade to the north of the city, near the Salinas, it enjoys having abundant entertainment venues, restaurants, bars and ice cream parlors nearby.
La Fossa is a beach of fine sand, with calm waters with great vividness of blue colors and almost 1 kilometer in length. It has some corners of vegetation from the Peñón de Ifach, which gives the beach very original views. In addition, being one of the busiest areas, it has numerous services.
L'Arenal-Bol
L'Arenal-Bol is one of the most popular and visited beaches in the region. It has a promenade, which is located in the urban area of Calp, therefore, it is also an area with a lot of atmosphere and various leisure and hospitality venues.
The fine sand of the Arenal-Bol beach covers its 1.200 meters in length. The landscape of this coastal strip is attractive to visitors, since it has numerous palm trees that are very characteristic of the place. It is equipped with several services and advantages for bathers and visitors, such as a children's play area, awnings and hammocks.
Punta Negra
Punta Negra Beach is the newest Blue Flag beach in Marina Alta in 2025. It's a rocky cove measuring approximately 1.400 meters in length, located in the Les Rotes area. It can be accessed via the pedestrian promenade, where you'll find its characteristic clear waters.
The Bovetes
On the coast of Dénia Les Bovetes beach is located. It is one of the largest on its coastline, which makes it, in turn, one of the most visited. It is close to Dianense venues and leisure areas, making it perfect to complete a day of vacation.
It is a beach of fine sand with an extension of 1.800 meters, approximately. It stands out, above all, for its easy access for people with reduced mobility and for the numerous activities that can be practiced in it. It also houses an area with hammocks and umbrellas and sports facilities for practicing volleyball.
Les Deveses Beach
Les Deveses beach belongs to the municipality of Dénía, although it is closer to other municipalities such as Els Poblets or El Verger. It has a large area, ideal for walking and discovering all the varied corners it houses, such as the innumerable sand dunes and vegetation that protect it.
On a fine sand beach almost three kilometers long. Being the longest on the Dianense coastline, it has countless accesses, some hidden between the houses on the beachfront and others more adapted with wooden walkways. In 2024, the regeneration of the beach severely damaged by storms was completed, significantly expanding the meters of sand to the sea and creating new dunes so characteristic of this corner of the coastline in the region.
Marines
The name of Les Marines is how the set of beaches north of Dénia has traditionally been known, since the road that runs through them receives the same name. However, Les Marines beach is made up of only one section of this entire extension, between Les Bovetes and Les Albaranes.
It is a beach of fine sand, of great extension and wide stretches where you can choose a place. In Dénia, it is usually one of the most frequented, since it is surrounded by shops and leisure areas that complete its tourist offer.
Marineta Cassiana
Marineta Cassiana beach is the closest to the town of Dénia. It is distinguished by hosting a large promenade that runs through it. Since 2020, the area of La Marineta located further south, the Marge Roig, is considered a smoke-free beach.
It is the first beach in the southern area of Dianense and the only one with fine sand in this location. It is characterized, above all, by its calm waters contained between two breakwaters and for being shallow. In addition to numerous services and good access, the beach has a beach bar next to the shore.
Els Molins
Els Molins is part of the beaches that are home to the Les Marines de Dénia road. It is further away from the urban center and, although it has a large area, it is usually not crowded and surrounded by dunes with a great variety of vegetation characteristic of the area.
It has an extension of 2,7 kilometers of beach among which numerous services are distributed. Footbridges, hammocks, parasols, safety beacons for bathers, entry and exit area for boats and numerous play areas.
Punta del Raset
Punta del Raset Beach is located next to the port area of Dénia and is the closest to the urban center of the town. Its location allows it to offer many leisure areas and restaurants typical of the port area.
The fine sand extends between its 600 meters in length and is one of the most spacious with approximately 75 meters in width. It is also characterized by containing numerous well-known natural dunes on the coast of the region.
Cala Moraig
The Moraig cove in Poble Nou de Benitatxell is the best known in the municipality. Its cliffs behind Puig Llorença give it magnificent views and a unique location. The best known of the cove is the Cova dels Arcs, an aquatic cave of great attraction for visitors.
The Moraig cove is a gravel cove, which is accessed through a large paved descent. A beach bar is located there and it has numerous services and water activities to complete a beautiful day. In addition, it is also perfectly adapted for people with reduced mobility.
El Portet
Next to the Cap d'Or peninsula or Punta de Moraira is Portet beach. Due to its location, it is located on the coast of Teulada Moraira and usually stands out for its crystalline, blue waters that blend with the light blue colors.
El Portet is a beach of fine sand, with some rocky sections and semi-urban. It is bordered by a promenade along its 300 meters in length. From there you can start the ascent to the Cap d'Or watchtower or the viewpoint route of this area of the Marina coastline.
The Platgetes
The coast of Teulada Moraira has its second distinctive feature in Les Platgetes. These are two small coves separated by a rocky inlet, one with fine sand and the other with rock. They are accompanied by a small promenade as a viewpoint with a garden area.
They are not very extensive, they are 200 meters long and approximately 20 meters wide. However, its crystal-clear waters are enough of an attraction for them to be two coves with a great deal of occupation. It has various services such as parking, bathrooms and footbaths, among others.
granadella
One of the most visited and photographed coves on the Marina Alta coastline is, without a doubt, Granadella Cove in Xàbia. It is located in the Forest Park that receives the same name. From the parking area, a hiking route begins that leads to the Castell de la Granadella.
It is made of boulders that extend for its 160 meters in length with views of its famous crystal clear waters. In it there are some services such as bathrooms, great accessibility and a wide range of water sports to practice in it. In addition, it has a reduced offer of restaurants in which to complete a day totally dedicated to the sea.
the gravel
La Grava beach is part of the well-known fishing neighborhood of Xàbia Aduanas del Mar. It is surrounded by two joined promenades that merge it with the urban center of the Xabienc port. Its uniqueness is granted, among other things, by its impressive views of Cabo de la Nao and Cap Prim.
It is an urban beach with an area of 290 meters in length. As its name suggests, on a gravel beach, although it contains some areas where it mixes with sand and rock. It has a rental service for sunbeds and umbrellas, a nearby tourist office and offers a wide variety of water sports.
How do you get the Blue Flag on the beaches?
The FEE is based on four criteria when granting a Blue Flag. Taking into account that the main purpose of the badge is promote respect, care and conservation of the marine environment, the requirements of the European Foundation for Environmental Education are:
- Information and Environmental Education: good signage about the beach, ecosystems, protected areas or areas of environmental interest. Also, the municipality must commit to carrying out five environmental education activities per year.
- Water quality: Water quality samples taken periodically during the previous season should determine an excellent result. Likewise, the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive must be complied with.
- Environmental management: The beach must comply with all legislation, especially the Coastal Law, be clean, with correct waste management and selective collection. In addition, it must have public bathrooms and at least one urban beach per municipality must be adapted for people with reduced mobility.
- Security and Services: Access must be easy and safe, with a first aid, rescue and surveillance team.
Blue Flag Ports in the Marina Alta
In 2025, the FEE has granted six badges Blue Flag for the following marinas:
- Yacht Club Jávea
- Les Bassetes Nautical Club (Benissa)
- Moraira Yacht Club
- Marina Dénia
- Real Club Nautico Calpe
- Real Club Nautico Denia
What requirements must a marina meet?
The requirements to grant the Blue Flag to a marina are similar to those for beaches. Without having the requirement of water quality, the same requirements are expected for environmental information and education, environmental management and safety and services. In addition to first aid and rescue equipment, they must include other firefighting equipment.
When are badges delivered?
The European Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) makes public the document with the Blue Flag points in the world before the summer season. This 2025, the official announcement was on May 7.
If you cut each kilometer of beach into 10 beaches of 100 meters, you'll have 10 beaches eligible for the Blue Flag. Denia could have 200 beaches of 100 meters each, with a Blue Flag.