Mazarron beaches: Playa Negra

A semi-urban beach close to Puerto de Mazarrón

A half hidden 160-metre-long cove close to the Puerto de Mazarrón

Playa Negra is the third beach from the boundary between the munciipalities of Mazarrón and Cartagena, is slightly closer to Puerto de Mazarrón than Isla Plana and is considered to be the first of the semi-urban beaches corresponding to the port of Mazarrón.

In some ways it is an “invisible beach” as it is almost completely hidden from the gaze of passers-by and drivers despite being just metres from the much transited E-22, which links Puerto de Mazarrón to Cartagena via the coast, and the N-332. This is due to it being almost underneath the overhang of the cliffs on this part of the shore. 

Roman remains have been found on this outcrop and on the shoreline, dating from the period when the port of Mazarrón was a production centre for the "garum" fish sauce which was widely produced along the Murcia coastline for export throughout the Empire. It is logical to assume that this small, attractive cove was used by Roman settlers, garum manufacturers and fishermen.

Playa Negra is 160 metres long and averages only 10 metres wide, with relatively coarse natural sand and shingle shoreline.

It also accumulates posidonia sea grass deposits during the winter months, as substantial meadows of this valuable plant are to be found just offshore, but the beach is cleaned during the summer so these are not noticeable during the peak season.

It enjoys relatively low occupancy as the municipality has such an extensive offering of fine sandy beaches, including the neighbouring one of El Alamillo. This is opposite a large area of residential and holiday accommodation and tends to absorb most of the bathers walking down onto the beach, and also offers services and a beach bar for refreshments. At the end of El Alamillo beach a larger selection of restaurants and a pharmacy are available (500 metres).

Parking is another consideration, as although there is some room on the unmade parking area above the beach, the walk down is over rougher surfaces, which makes the carrying of chairs and picnics harder work. In the summer of 2019 plans were announced to replace the old concrete steps with a wooden structure, but even so many will continue to park alongside El Alamillo beach and walk around the headland. Even those of limited mobility can reach Playa Negra in this way. 

There are basic services during the summer with bins, footwashes, toilets and a snack bar during peak weeks, and sun loungers are usually available for hire at the "chiringuito" which is set up every year.

Bathing advice:

The neighbouring Playa Alamillo is popular with windsurfers and during the summer a jet-ski hire service is in operation there. For this reason care should be exercised when swimming offshore on windy days; inexperienced sailors can be dangerous as it is extremely difficult for a sailor on a windsurfing board to spot a swimmer snorkelling just below the surface in choppy water. 

Connections

There is a bus stop nearby is on the Mazarrón - Cartagena route. 

Click here for an overview of all 33 beaches in the municipality of Mazarrón, or for more information relating to Mazarrón go to the home page of Mazarrón Today.