#430 European Rank
Platja de Castell
Palamós, Costa Brava, Spain•Balearic Sea• Best Season: June, July, August, September
Photo: Jordi Carceller Comas (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Wikimedia Commons source
Day-of-Visit Snapshot
3-Second Operational AnswersEDITORIAL SCORE
4.46/ 5.0
SEA TEMPERATURE
23.5°C
August 30-year average
DAILY BUDGET
€44/day
SAND & SHORELINE
Golden Sand
Gradual Drop
Live Open-Meteo European Feed
Morning Beach Pulse & Marine Telemetry
Sheltered Cove
Gentle Wave Action
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
...
Good 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 Platja de Castell shelter the shoreline from winds coming out of W. The airflow passes over top, suppressing surf breakers.
Morning Coastal Brief for Platja de Castell: Light coastal break; family friendly with standard water awareness. 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) · Palamós, 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 Platja de Castell for the optimal June–July–August–September swimming window.
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Quick Summary
Preview
🏖️ Platja de Castell (Palamós, Costa Brava, Spain)
🌊 Water temperature: 23.5°C
⛱️ Beach access: 100% free public sand • Sunbeds: €0–€0
🧭 Wind & shelter: Faces E (sheltered from W winds)
📍 Guide: https://shores.cc/beach/platja-de-castell-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: Good
Microbial Water Purity
95th-Percentile Compliant
Escherichia coli & intestinal enterococci within statutory limits.
Bathing Directive Tier
Tier 1: Sufficient & Safe
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 & Cleanliness4.5 / 5
Sand & Shoreline Quality4.7 / 5
Atmosphere & Safety4.6 / 5
Accessibility & Entry Ease4.5 / 5
Affordability & Fair Pricing4.6 / 5
About Platja de Castell
Pine-backed sand and hidden coves that locals voted to save from developers, the Costa Brava's great unspoilt bay.
Key Beach Facts
Official Records•Access: Paved access road with parking, coastal footpath access along the Camí de Ronda from Palamós (2 km)
•Protected Status / Environment: Espai d'Interès Natural Castell-Cap Roig; preserved from urban development following a landmark 1994 local referendum
•Notable Feature: Broad 300m virgin sandy bay backed by pine woodlands, with the Iberian Settlement of Castell on the rocky eastern headland
Official Tourism Authorities:spain.info
Sand Transparency & Sunbed Index
Public sand quota, private lido density, and legal towel placement rights
Wide Open Public Sand
Free Public Sand (100%)Private Concessions (0%)
2-Sunbed + Umbrella Set Rate
Free (100% Public)
No commercial loungers; bring your own parasol and beach mat.
Towel Bather Guidance
Abundant unencumbered shoreline. Free towel placement everywhere with minimal commercial footprint.
Legal Shoreline Rights: 100% open public coastline. No commercial sunbed concessions or umbrella installations permitted.
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
Unnecessary (Soft Natural Sand)
Fine powder or golden sand allows comfortable barefoot wading into shallow depths.
Amenities & Facilities
Bathrooms
NoShowers
NoFree Parking
YesFood / Tavernas
YesGood for Kids
NoDog Friendly
YesLifeguard on Duty
NoSunbed & Umbrella Rentals
NoNatural Cliff/Pine Shade
YesWheelchair Accessible
NoSnorkeling & Watersports
YesNudist / FKK Friendly
NoGetting There & Local Notes
Getting there:
Located near Palamós, Costa Brava. Accessible via regional coastal roads (41.869°N, 3.176°E).
Discreet Utility: Rough Road & Trail Access
Reaching Platja de Castell involves dirt tracks or steep trails. Booking a rental SUV or 4x4 provides higher clearance for unpaved coastal roads.
•Clean and calm in the sheltered bay.
•One of the Costa Brava's last undeveloped bays, saved by referendum.
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 Platja de Castell?
Promote your beach club, summer residency, or submit photo & data updates to Shores.
Frequently Asked Questions about Platja de Castell
What is the water temperature at Platja de Castell?
The peak summer sea surface temperature at Platja de Castell averages 23.5°C (74°F), based on 30-year NOAA satellite climatology.
What type of coast or sand is Platja de Castell?
Platja de Castell is classified as a golden sand shoreline located in Palamós, Costa Brava, Spain.
Is Platja de Castell good for families with kids?
Platja de Castell has steeper entry or natural coastal features better suited for confident swimmers.
Are there parking and facilities at Platja de Castell?
Free parking is available. No public restrooms directly on-site.
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