San Pedro del Pinatar beaches: Playa de la Mota
Playas de San Pedro del Pinatar, La Mota
The Playa de la Mota in San Pedro del PInatar is alongside the Mr Menor edge of the salt flats on the spit of land which almost but not quite connects with La Manga del Mar Menor, the failure to do so being the only thing which makes it impossible to walk almost du esouth all the way to Cabo de Palos!
The beach effectively starts at the corner where the edge of the town meets the regional park of the salt flats and dunes of San Pedro, next to the windmill known as the Molino de Quintín, and runs for 2.7 kilometres to a second windmill, the Molino de la Calcetera.
It has a maximum width of metres at the northern end, with a mixture of sand and pebbles. the beachis also opposite the zone known as Las Charcas, which includes the popular Baños de Lodo, or mud baths, a magnet for those seeking natural healing, the mineral rich muds used for centuries as a natural and gentle healer for all types of complaints including rheumatism and arthritis. (See Baños de Lodo.)
During the summer the areas nearer to the town (and parking facilities) enjoy higher occupancy, and there are a range of facilities available, including hire of pedalos, sunshades and loungers, toilets which are adapted for disabled use, parking areas for disabled drivers, cars and bicycles, as well as chiringuitos (beach bars). But parking is limited, especially in summer, and for this reason many locals use bicycles, so there are bicycle racks provided.
There are also lifeguards and medical personnel on the beach between 11.00 and 20.00 during peak occupancy, which is the beginning of July to the end of September, but please check with the tourist office on 968 182301 if this is an important consideration when selecting a beach, as this does vary year on year.
The parking facilities at the northern end of the beach include spaces for disabled vehicles.
Ramps are provided onto the beach itself but there are no wooden walkways.
Safety precautions at Mar Menor beaches
As this is a Mar Menor beach, it´s advisable to observe the following safety precautions when bathing.
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 also leads to a situation which can be life threatening, as the safety of the beaches results in many elderly bathers bathing alone. This in itself is not dangerous, but every year there are unnecessary deaths when bathers suffer a heart attack, stroke, faint or have a dizzy spell of some sort whilst bathing alone, slipping into the water without anybody else being aware that this has happened.
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 into the Mar Menor or Mediterranean.
Even though there are lifeguards, accidents happen and every year there are unnecessary fatalities, the simple rule being if you have a medical condition, are taking medication, or are of advanced age, don't bathe alone, no matter how shallow and calm the water is.
Click for more information about the beaches of San Pedro del Pinatar, or for more local news, events and information in the San Pedro del Pinatar section of Murcia Today.