#444 European Rank Blue Flag Certified
Tossa de Mar
Costa Brava, Spain•Balearic Sea• Best Season: June, July, August, September
Photo: Txllxt TxllxT (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Wikimedia Commons source
Day-of-Visit Snapshot
3-Second Operational AnswersEDITORIAL SCORE
4.46/ 5.0
SEA TEMPERATURE
24.6°C
August 30-year average
DAILY BUDGET
€65/day
SAND & SHORELINE
Golden Sand
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 Tossa de Mar shelter the shoreline from winds coming out of W. The airflow passes over top, suppressing surf breakers.
Morning Coastal Brief for Tossa de Mar: 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) · Costa Brava, Spain
Ideal Swimming
Early August
24.6°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 · 24.6°C
| Month | Sea Surface Temp | Air Temp | Thermal Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 13.4°C | 19°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| February | 12.9°C | 20°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| March | 13.2°C | 22°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| April | 14.2°C | 25°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| May | 16.6°C | 28°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| June | 20.2°C | 31°C | Refreshing |
| July | 23.2°C | 33°C | Ideal Swimming |
| August | 24.6°C | 33°C | Ideal Swimming |
| September | 23.1°C | 31°C | Ideal Swimming |
| October | 20.1°C | 28°C | Refreshing |
| November | 16.9°C | 24°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| December | 14.7°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 23 Jun – 6 Oct (>21°C) · 105 days
Planning around peak water warmth (24.6°C)?
Lock in coastal villas and boutique stays near Tossa de Mar for the optimal June–July–August–September swimming window.
Share with your group
Send today's water temperature, wind shelter, and beach access straight into your chat.
Quick Summary
Preview
🏖️ Tossa de Mar (Costa Brava, Spain)
🌊 Water temperature: 24.6°C
⛱️ Beach access: 75% free public sand • Sunbeds: €16–€30
🧭 Wind & shelter: Faces E (sheltered from W winds)
📍 Guide: https://shores.cc/beach/tossa-de-mar-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 & Setting4.1 / 5
Water Clarity & Cleanliness4.6 / 5
Sand & Shoreline Quality4.7 / 5
Atmosphere & Safety4.8 / 5
Accessibility & Entry Ease4.5 / 5
Affordability & Fair Pricing4.2 / 5
About Tossa de Mar
A golden crescent beneath the honey-coloured medieval walls and clifftop tower that make Tossa the Costa Brava's icon.
Key Beach Facts
Official Records•Access: Direct municipal access along Passeig del Mar in central Tossa de Mar
•Protected Status / Environment: Coastal bathing reserve beneath the declared Historic-Artistic Monument of Vila Vella
•Notable Feature: Crescent-shaped golden sand beach overlooked by the 12th-century medieval fortified town and castle towers of Vila Vella
Official Tourism Authorities:spain.info
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
Unnecessary (Soft Natural Sand)
Fine powder or golden sand allows comfortable barefoot wading into shallow depths.
Amenities & Facilities
Bathrooms
YesShowers
NoFree Parking
YesFood / Tavernas
YesGood for Kids
YesDog Friendly
NoLifeguard on Duty
YesSunbed & Umbrella Rentals
YesNatural Cliff/Pine Shade
NoWheelchair Accessible
YesSnorkeling & Watersports
NoNudist / FKK Friendly
NoGetting There & Local Notes
Getting there:
Located near Costa Brava. Accessible via regional coastal roads (41.719°N, 2.932°E).
•Sheltered and calm below the walled headland.
•A crescent beneath a medieval walled old town and its clifftop castle.
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 Tossa de Mar?
Promote your beach club, summer residency, or submit photo & data updates to Shores.
Frequently Asked Questions about Tossa de Mar
What is the water temperature at Tossa de Mar?
The peak summer sea surface temperature at Tossa de Mar averages 24.6°C (76°F), based on 30-year NOAA satellite climatology.
What type of coast or sand is Tossa de Mar?
Tossa de Mar is classified as a golden sand shoreline located in Costa Brava, Spain.
Is Tossa de Mar good for families with kids?
Yes, Tossa de Mar is suitable for families and children with manageable water entry.
Are there parking and facilities at Tossa de Mar?
Free parking is available. Restroom facilities are present.
Head-to-Head Destination Matrix
Algarve vs Costa Brava: Portugal vs Spain Coastlines
More Beaches in SpainRegional Guide
4.9
Balearic Islands (Ibiza), Spain•Balearic Sea (Mediterranean)
Warmest water in Balearic Sea (Aug)
26.5°C sea
70/day
Golden Sand
30°C• Kids
Stays from €70/n
4.8
Galicia (Rías Baixas / Cíes Islands), Spain•Atlantic Ocean
3rd Highest scenery score in Atlantic Ocean
18.5°C sea
38/day
White Sand
24.5°C• Kids
Stays from €38/n
4.7
Mallorca (Santanyí / Cape Ses Salines), Balearic Islands, Spain•Balearic Sea (Mediterranean)
2nd Longest swim season in Balearic Sea · 147 days
26.2°C sea
46/day
White Sand
30.5°C• Scenic
Stays from €46/n
Warmest European Beaches this SeasonNOAA Climatology
4.7
Alanya, Turkey•Mediterranean Sea
Warmest water in Mediterranean Sea (Aug)
29°C sea
44/day
Golden Sand
37°C• Kids
Stays from €44/n
4.5
Antalya, Turkey•Mediterranean Sea
2nd Warmest water in Mediterranean Sea (Aug)
29°C sea
43/day
Pebbles
37°C• Kids
Stays from €43/n
4.8
Antalya (Kalkan), Turkey•Mediterranean Sea
3rd Warmest water in Mediterranean Sea (Aug)
28.9°C sea
45/day
White Sand
32°C• Kids
Stays from €45/n
4.8
Antalya (Kemer), Turkey•Mediterranean Sea
3rd Longest swim season in Mediterranean Sea · 200 days
28.9°C sea
20/day
White Sand
33°C• Kids
Stays from €20/n