Los Alacazares beaches, Playa de la Hita
An unspoilt natural beach on the Mar Menor between Los Narejos and Santiago de la Ribera
Playa de la Hita is a stretch of the inward shore of the Mar Menor which is not clearly defined or demarcated, and although it is more often claimed by the municipality of San Javier the authorities of Los Alcázares believe it is shared between the two!
Legal ownership aside, though (and in truth all beaches in Spain are public property, so it doesn't make much difference!), this beach is equally accessible from Los Narejos in Los Alcázares to the south and Santiago de la Ribera in San Javier to the north, as well as through the well-established campsite which is located behind it.
The campsite is next to the Islas del Mar Menor natural conservation area, which is listed as a Specially Protected Area of Mediterranean Importance (SPAMI) and is on the boundary between the two m unicipalities. The unique ecosystem here exists due to the special conditions and temperaturesof the Mar Menor and is a stopover point for many migratory birds. if you’re lucky you may see stilt, rail, warblers or herons among the reeds.
Access to the shore is via walkways through the reedbeds, accessed from the campsite, and usually the Playa de la Hita is used almost exclusively by campers, It is a natural beach with no artificially introduced sand, and the surface is coarse and sandy with pebbles.
Safety precautions at Mar Menor beaches
Most of the Mar Menor beaches have very gently sloping shelves, meaning that bathers can walk a considerable distance from the shore and still only be waist high in the water. These shore fringes are also very warm, heating up more than the deeper water and the Mediterranean, particularly during the hot summer months.
Many beaches are also protected by netting to exclude jellyfish. This creates safe bathing areas for families but there is also a danger as the calm water means that many elderly bathers bathe alone. This in itself is not dangerous, but every year there are unnecessary fatalities when bathers suffer heart attacks, strokes, faints or dizzy spells, slipping into the water without anyone else being aware.
The transition from hot beach to cold water can shock the body, causing dizziness or fainting, so it is advisable to splash the body with water to cool down before wading out!
