#376 European Rank Blue Flag Certified
Cala Aiguablava
Begur, Costa Brava, Spain•Balearic Sea• Best Season: June, July, August, September
Photo: Isidro Jabato (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Wikimedia Commons source
Day-of-Visit Snapshot
3-Second Operational AnswersEDITORIAL SCORE
4.50/ 5.0
SEA TEMPERATURE
23.5°C
August 30-year average
DAILY BUDGET
€48/day
SAND & SHORELINE
Pebbles / Shingle
Gradual Drop
Live Open-Meteo European Feed
Morning Beach Pulse & Marine Telemetry
Sheltered Cove
Calm & Glassy
Calm & Sheltered (Offshore Wind)Cove aspect: Faces E (90°) · Wind: W (270°)
Cliffs and inland terrain shelter the bay from 12 km/h winds. Surface chop is suppressed; water remains clear and flat.
Significant Wave Height
...
Optimal Swimming
Swell Profile
...
Reading buoy...
Live Surface Wind
...
W (270°) · OFFSHORE
UV & Air Temperature
...
UV 5 · Moderate (SPF 30)
Cove Aspect & Shelter Compass
Seaward Orientation vs. Live Wind DirectionCove Faces E (90°)
Offshore Breeze • Cliffs block the wind; water is calm and flat
Shoreline Facing (θ_aspect)
E (90°)
Open Sea Exposure
Surface Wind Vector
W (270°)
12 km/h · Δθ = 180°
Spatial Geometry: Cliffs behind Cala Aiguablava shelter the shoreline from winds coming out of W. The airflow passes over top, suppressing surf breakers.
Morning Coastal Brief for Cala Aiguablava: Minimal chop, safe for wading, snorkeling and paddleboarding. Cliffs and inland terrain shelter the bay from 12 km/h winds. Surface chop is suppressed; water remains clear and flat. Models update sub-daily via Open-Meteo European marine models.
Interactive Oceanographic Climatology
Seasonal Sea Warmth & Bathing Climatology
30-Year NOAA OISST v2.1 Monthly Normals (1991–2020) · Begur, Costa Brava, Spain
Ideal Swimming
Early August
23.5°C
Air ~33°C
Comfortable, prolonged bathing for all ages
Water temperature is well above the 20.0°C bathing threshold. Prolonged leisure swimming, snorkeling, and family wading are comfortable with zero thermal shock.
Drag to scrub 12-month temperature curveEarly August · 23.5°C
| Month | Sea Surface Temp | Air Temp | Thermal Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 13.3°C | 19°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| February | 12.8°C | 20°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| March | 13.1°C | 22°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| April | 14.0°C | 25°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| May | 16.2°C | 28°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| June | 19.6°C | 31°C | Refreshing |
| July | 22.3°C | 33°C | Ideal Swimming |
| August | 23.5°C | 33°C | Ideal Swimming |
| September | 22.0°C | 31°C | Ideal Swimming |
| October | 19.1°C | 28°C | Refreshing |
| November | 16.5°C | 24°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| December | 14.5°C | 21°C | Crisp & Bracing |
NOAA OISST v2.1 30-year climatological normal (1991–2020).Explore all Spain Sea Temperatures
Swimmability Window · NOAA Climatology
Swimmable 1 Jul – 25 Sep (>21°C) · 87 days
Planning around peak water warmth (23.5°C)?
Lock in coastal villas and boutique stays near Cala Aiguablava for the optimal June–July–August–September swimming window.
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Quick Summary
Preview
🏖️ Cala Aiguablava (Begur, Costa Brava, Spain)
🌊 Water temperature: 23.5°C
⛱️ Beach access: 75% free public sand • Sunbeds: €16–€30
🧭 Wind & shelter: Faces E (sheltered from W winds)
📍 Guide: https://shores.cc/beach/cala-aiguablava-es/Tip: Add this beach to your home screen to quickly check morning wind and water conditions before heading out.
EEA Bathing Water Directive 2006/7/EC
Bathing Water Purity & Statutory Standards
Status: ExcellentCertified Blue Flag
Microbial Water Purity
95th-Percentile Compliant
Escherichia coli & intestinal enterococci within statutory limits.
Bathing Directive Tier
Tier 1: Excellent Quality
Monitored across the official European bathing season.
Official European Environment Agency (EEA) water monitoring verifies recreational cleanliness, sewage absence, and safety standards across all 31 member and partner coastal nations.
Score Breakdown
Scenery & Setting4.6 / 5
Water Clarity & Cleanliness4.8 / 5
Sand & Shoreline Quality4.2 / 5
Atmosphere & Safety4.8 / 5
Accessibility & Entry Ease4.5 / 5
Affordability & Fair Pricing4.2 / 5
About Cala Aiguablava
A jewel-box turquoise cove tucked beneath the pine-clad cliffs of the Costa Brava.
Key Beach Facts
Official Records•Access: Located south of Begur in Baix Empordà (Costa Brava), accessible by car, local shuttle, and coastal walking paths (Camí de Ronda).
•Protected Status / Environment: Sheltered cove surrounded by pine-covered coastal cliffs within the Costa Brava protected littoral zone.
•Notable Feature: Luminous turquoise waters, fine light sand, prestigious Parador de Aiguablava on the clifftop, and Blue Flag status.
Sand Transparency & Sunbed Index
Public sand quota, private lido density, and legal towel placement rights
Balanced Concession Mix
Free Public Sand (75%)Private Concessions (25%)
2-Sunbed + Umbrella Set Rate
€16low season→€30August peak
Daily set (2 loungers + umbrella). Front-row loungers may command premium surcharges.
Towel Bather Guidance
Regulated municipal umbrellas alongside spacious free public sectors. Ample towel space available.
Legal Shoreline Rights: Spanish coastal law classifies all sand as public domain (dominio público). Concession zones are strictly demarcated.
Arrival Logistics, Parking & Sun Exposure
Micro-logistics, parking payment taxonomy, and topographic shadow schedules.
Parking Payment & Rates
Free Parking
Free Verge / Unpaved Roadside
Follow local municipal parking signage to avoid fines during summer peak hours.
Sun Exposure & Cliff Shadows
Direct Sun Cutoff: ~15:30 in August
Limestone walls cast shade over the sand 2 to 4 hours before sunset. Arrive early morning for warm swimming light.
Footwear & Karst Protection
Recommended for Shingle / Pebbles
Pebbles and dark sand become scorching hot by midday and challenging under barefoot tread.
Amenities & Facilities
Bathrooms
YesShowers
YesFree Parking
YesFood / Tavernas
YesGood for Kids
YesDog Friendly
NoLifeguard on Duty
YesSunbed & Umbrella Rentals
YesNatural Cliff/Pine Shade
YesWheelchair Accessible
NoSnorkeling & Watersports
YesNudist / FKK Friendly
NoGetting There & Local Notes
Getting there:
Located near Begur, Costa Brava. Accessible via regional coastal roads (41.934°N, 3.208°E).
•Calm, sheltered and family-friendly.
•Pine-cloaked cliffs and whitewashed villas.
Nearest Airport & Transit Gateway
GRO / BCN · 35m drive30-45 min transfer from Girona Airport or 75 min from Barcelona-El Prat.
Are you a Venue Owner or Promoter at Cala Aiguablava?
Promote your beach club, summer residency, or submit photo & data updates to Shores.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cala Aiguablava
What is the water temperature at Cala Aiguablava?
The peak summer sea surface temperature at Cala Aiguablava averages 23.5°C (74°F), based on 30-year NOAA satellite climatology.
What type of coast or sand is Cala Aiguablava?
Cala Aiguablava is classified as a pebbles / shingle shoreline located in Begur, Costa Brava, Spain.
Is Cala Aiguablava good for families with kids?
Yes, Cala Aiguablava is suitable for families and children with manageable water entry.
Are there parking and facilities at Cala Aiguablava?
Free parking is available. Restroom facilities are present.
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