The wild beach and birdlife reserve of Playa de la Hita in Los Alcazares and San Javier

This rare protected area on the shore of the Mar Menor is home to stilts, herons and reed warblers

Located on the northern boundary of Los Alcázares, which is shared with the municipality of San Javier, is the Playa de La Hita, where an area of 28.5 hectares is designated both a wetland and a ZEPA birdlife protection zone.

This is the smallest wetland of those around the Mar Menor and is characterized by a sand barrier on the shoreline, behind which are various areas of vegetation and small pools of water caused by both the runoff of freshwater and the filtering of seawater from the lagoon. There are therefore two kinds of vegetation depending on whether the water is salty or fresh, the latter giving rise to reedbeds. Also present is a kind of sea lettuce (Limonium cossonianum) which eliminates excess salt from the water and acquires a white colour.

Along with other natural areas around the Mar Menor, such as those of El Carmolí and Lo Poyo, La Hita forms part of the protected landscape of the islands and open ground in the Mar Menor area, and is classified not only as a ZEPA birdlife protection zone but also a Site of Community Importance, a RAMSAR wetland and a Site of Mediterranean Importance (ZEPIM).

In the past there were salt flats here but now the land is populated by sempervivum plant species which are able to withstand the testing conditions. In addition, the birdlife includes stilts, little terns, reed warblers, grey herons and others. Visitors interested in ornithology are advised to bring binoculars!

Access to Playa de la Hita is from the road between Santiago de la Ribera and Los Narejos and from the road leading to the Camping Mar Menor campsite. Those arriving on foot can make their way by following the seafront promenade of Los Narejos to the north.