#434 European Rank
Playa de Zahara de los Atunes
Cádiz, Costa de la Luz, Spain•Atlantic Ocean• Best Season: June, July, August, September
Photo: Killeando (CC BY 3.0) · Wikimedia Commons source
Day-of-Visit Snapshot
3-Second Operational AnswersEDITORIAL SCORE
4.46/ 5.0
SEA TEMPERATURE
22.4°C
August 30-year average
DAILY BUDGET
€42/day
SAND & SHORELINE
Golden Sand
Gradual Drop
Live Open-Meteo European Feed
Morning Beach Pulse & Marine Telemetry
Mild Chop
Gentle Wave Action
Moderate Cross-Breeze & Light ChopCove aspect: Faces SSW (210°) · Wind: W (270°)
Wind (12 km/h) blows diagonally along the coastline, creating surface chop and gentle lateral drift. Comfortable for casual swimming.
Significant Wave Height
...
Good Swimming
Swell Profile
...
Reading buoy...
Live Surface Wind
...
W (270°) · CROSS-SHORE
UV & Air Temperature
...
UV 5 · Moderate (SPF 30)
Cove Aspect & Shelter Compass
Seaward Orientation vs. Live Wind DirectionCove Faces SSW (210°)
Cross-shore Breeze • Mild surface chop along the bay
Shoreline Facing (θ_aspect)
SSW (210°)
Open Sea Exposure
Surface Wind Vector
W (270°)
12 km/h · Δθ = 60°
Spatial Geometry: Breeze out of W blows obliquely across the SSW-facing cove, generating manageable lateral drift.
Morning Coastal Brief for Playa de Zahara de los Atunes: Light coastal break; family friendly with standard water awareness. Wind (12 km/h) blows diagonally along the coastline, creating surface chop and gentle lateral drift. Comfortable for casual swimming. 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) · Cádiz, Costa de la Luz, Spain
Ideal Swimming
Early August
22.4°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 · 22.4°C
| Month | Sea Surface Temp | Air Temp | Thermal Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 16.4°C | 20°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| February | 15.7°C | 21°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| March | 15.7°C | 23°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| April | 16.4°C | 26°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| May | 17.8°C | 29°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| June | 19.7°C | 32°C | Refreshing |
| July | 21.6°C | 34°C | Refreshing |
| August | 22.4°C | 34°C | Ideal Swimming |
| September | 21.6°C | 32°C | Refreshing |
| October | 20.3°C | 29°C | Refreshing |
| November | 18.6°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 6 Jul – 29 Sep (>21°C) · 85 days
Planning around peak water warmth (22.4°C)?
Lock in coastal villas and boutique stays near Playa de Zahara de los Atunes for the optimal June–July–August–September swimming window.
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Quick Summary
Preview
🏖️ Playa de Zahara de los Atunes (Cádiz, Costa de la Luz, Spain)
🌊 Water temperature: 22.4°C
⛱️ Beach access: 100% free public sand • Sunbeds: €0–€0
🧭 Wind & shelter: Faces SSW (sheltered from NNE winds)
📍 Guide: https://shores.cc/beach/zahara-de-los-atunes-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 Playa de Zahara de los Atunes
A wild golden ribbon beside an old tuna-fishing village, the Costa de la Luz at its purest.
Key Beach Facts
Official Records•Access: Direct village street access and coastal footpaths extending south to Cabo de Plata / Atlanterra
•Protected Status / Environment: Coastal conservation area of the Costa de la Luz / Barbate maritime sector
•Notable Feature: 5 km expansive stretch of fine golden sand, crystal-clear Atlantic waters, historic Almadraba tuna heritage, and the 1902 steamship Gibralfaro shipwreck remains
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
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
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 Cádiz, Costa de la Luz. Accessible via regional coastal roads (36.130°N, -5.850°E).
Discreet Utility: Rough Road & Trail Access
Reaching Playa de Zahara de los Atunes involves dirt tracks or steep trails. Booking a rental SUV or 4x4 provides higher clearance for unpaved coastal roads.
•Open and breezy with gentle shelving; levante wind some days.
•An old tuna-fishing village on the windswept Costa de la Luz.
Nearest Airport & Transit Gateway
INTL · 40m driveConvenient highway or local transit access across Cádiz, Costa de la Luz, Spain.
Are you a Venue Owner or Promoter at Playa de Zahara de los Atunes?
Promote your beach club, summer residency, or submit photo & data updates to Shores.
Frequently Asked Questions about Playa de Zahara de los Atunes
What is the water temperature at Playa de Zahara de los Atunes?
The peak summer sea surface temperature at Playa de Zahara de los Atunes averages 22.4°C (72°F), based on 30-year NOAA satellite climatology.
What type of coast or sand is Playa de Zahara de los Atunes?
Playa de Zahara de los Atunes is classified as a golden sand shoreline located in Cádiz, Costa de la Luz, Spain.
Is Playa de Zahara de los Atunes good for families with kids?
Playa de Zahara de los Atunes has steeper entry or natural coastal features better suited for confident swimmers.
Are there parking and facilities at Playa de Zahara de los Atunes?
Free parking is available. No public restrooms directly on-site.
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