#509 European Rank
Playa de El Palmar
Vejer de la Frontera, Cádiz, Spain•Atlantic Ocean• Best Season: June, July, August, September
Photo: Andreas Ostheimer (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Wikimedia Commons source
Day-of-Visit Snapshot
3-Second Operational AnswersEDITORIAL SCORE
4.35/ 5.0
SEA TEMPERATURE
22.7°C
August 30-year average
DAILY BUDGET
€50/day
SAND & SHORELINE
Golden Sand
Gradual Drop
Live Open-Meteo European Feed
Morning Beach Pulse & Marine Telemetry
Wind-Exposed
Moderate Surf
Exposed to Onshore Surf & ChopCove aspect: Faces W (270°) · Wind: W (270°)
Onshore wind (12 km/h) is pushing open-sea swell directly into the bay, creating active breaking waves and reduced visibility.
Significant Wave Height
...
Exercise Caution
Swell Profile
...
Reading buoy...
Live Surface Wind
...
W (270°) · ONSHORE
UV & Air Temperature
...
UV 5 · Moderate (SPF 30)
Cove Aspect & Shelter Compass
Seaward Orientation vs. Live Wind DirectionCove Faces W (270°)
Onshore Wind • Waves and surface chop pushed into the beach
Shoreline Facing (θ_aspect)
W (270°)
Open Sea Exposure
Surface Wind Vector
W (270°)
12 km/h · Δθ = 0°
Spatial Geometry: Wind from W pushes unobstructed over the open sea directly onto the W-facing coast, generating breaking chop.
Morning Coastal Brief for Playa de El Palmar: Noticeable shorebreak; recommend caution for small children and non-swimmers. Onshore wind (12 km/h) is pushing open-sea swell directly into the bay, creating active breaking waves and reduced visibility. 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) · Vejer de la Frontera, Cádiz, Spain
Ideal Swimming
Early August
22.7°C
Air ~34°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 · 22.7°C
| Month | Sea Surface Temp | Air Temp | Thermal Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 16.3°C | 20°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| February | 15.7°C | 21°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| March | 15.8°C | 23°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| April | 16.5°C | 26°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| May | 17.9°C | 29°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| June | 20.0°C | 32°C | Refreshing |
| July | 21.9°C | 34°C | Refreshing |
| August | 22.7°C | 34°C | Ideal Swimming |
| September | 21.9°C | 32°C | Refreshing |
| October | 20.5°C | 29°C | Refreshing |
| November | 18.7°C | 25°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| December | 17.3°C | 22°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 – 4 Oct (>21°C) · 95 days
Planning around peak water warmth (22.7°C)?
Lock in coastal villas and boutique stays near Playa de El Palmar for the optimal June–July–August–September swimming window.
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Quick Summary
Preview
🏖️ Playa de El Palmar (Vejer de la Frontera, Cádiz, Spain)
🌊 Water temperature: 22.7°C
⛱️ Beach access: 75% free public sand • Sunbeds: €16–€30
🧭 Wind & shelter: Faces W (sheltered from E winds)
📍 Guide: https://shores.cc/beach/playa-de-el-palmar-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 & Setting4.2 / 5
Water Clarity & Cleanliness4.5 / 5
Sand & Shoreline Quality4.7 / 5
Atmosphere & Safety4.6 / 5
Accessibility & Entry Ease4.5 / 5
Affordability & Fair Pricing4.2 / 5
About Playa de El Palmar
An unbroken sandy beach break with chiringuito sunsets and no high-rises, Andalusia's surf village.
Key Beach Facts
Official Records•Access: Direct vehicular access along the coastal road from Vejer de la Frontera with designated parking lots and wooden dune walkovers.
•Protected Status / Environment: Semi-natural coastal ecosystem with protected dune cordons; certified with the 'Q' de Calidad Turística quality mark.
•Notable Feature: 4 km of golden sand famous for world-class Atlantic surfing conditions and a historic 16th-century coastal watchtower (Torre de El Palmar).
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
Full-Day Unobstructed Sunlight
Open shoreline with full solar exposure from mid-morning through evening twilight.
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
NoGood for Kids
NoDog Friendly
YesLifeguard on Duty
NoSunbed & Umbrella Rentals
YesNatural Cliff/Pine Shade
NoWheelchair Accessible
NoSnorkeling & Watersports
YesNudist / FKK Friendly
NoGetting There & Local Notes
Getting there:
Located near Vejer de la Frontera, Cádiz. Accessible via regional coastal roads (36.224°N, -6.067°E).
•Fine between the flags on small days; rips form near the peaks when swell runs.
•A low-rise strip of surf schools and sunset chiringuitos on the Costa de la Luz, still fronted by fields.
Nearest Airport & Transit Gateway
INTL · 40m driveConvenient highway or local transit access across Vejer de la Frontera, Cádiz, Spain.
Are you a Venue Owner or Promoter at Playa de El Palmar?
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Frequently Asked Questions about Playa de El Palmar
What is the water temperature at Playa de El Palmar?
The peak summer sea surface temperature at Playa de El Palmar averages 22.7°C (73°F), based on 30-year NOAA satellite climatology.
What type of coast or sand is Playa de El Palmar?
Playa de El Palmar is classified as a golden sand shoreline located in Vejer de la Frontera, Cádiz, Spain.
Is Playa de El Palmar good for families with kids?
Playa de El Palmar has steeper entry or natural coastal features better suited for confident swimmers.
Are there parking and facilities at Playa de El Palmar?
Free parking is available. No public restrooms directly on-site.
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