Beaches in Oliva
Oliva's long, sandy beaches are some of the finest on the east coast. They're
quite unique in so far as they're in a beautiful, unspoilt natural setting, well
served with water sports, bars and restaurants and yet never get over crowded.
The vast majority of
foreign tourists tend to flock to the neighbouring resorts of Denia, Javea and
Moraira (and the beaches of the latter two are extremely crowded in high
season).
Oliva is still very much a Spanish resort and this fact, coupled with the sheer
length of the local beaches - more than 10 kilometres in all - give this stretch
of coastline a completely different feel from the popular Costa Blanca which
starts at Oliva's southern boundary.
The beaches are flanked by sand dunes which reach to a maximum height of seven
metres and width of 40 metres. Small tracks intersect the dunes which provide
hundreds of perfect picnic hideaways (for young lovers or those simply
sheltering from the sea breeze which is often quite strong here!).
The dunes have created a special eco system which provides a natural habitat for
a wide variety of plant and animal life. You'll often come across the most
beautiful wild flowers growing (impossibly it seems) in the dry sand of the
dunes.
Some of the beaches are bordered by charming, traditional Mediterranean summer
houses which tend to be closed up all year until the Spanish flock here for
their August break. Another charming characteristic of Oliva's beaches is that
they're separated at intervals by rivers which provide ideal, natural play areas
for children. The fresh water and sea water here are a delight for swimmers and
fishermen alike.
The longest beach is Pau Pi, to the south of the yacht club, which provides all
the usual tourist facilities - foot showers, children's play areas, shops,
restaurants and ice cream parlours.
A particularly picturesque beach is Aigua Blanca, bordered by the dunes and the
Alfadali and Bullent rivers.
All the main beaches have been adapted for handicapped access, with long slatted
wood paths leading from the road (in some cases through the dunes) down towards
the sea.
Playa Pau Pi
The beach of Pau Pi is traditionally the oldest and most central beach in Oliva.
Pau Pi is where the first residential buildings sprung up. Thankfully in keeping
with the rest of Oliva's beach areas, the houses are very low-rise with only two
floors. Pau Pi beach has lots of market stalls, restaurants, ice cream parlours
and small bars including beach bars.
What is significant about Oliva Pau Pi beach is that unlike the other Oliva
beaches it does not have the sand dunes because the houses have been built right
up to the sand of the beach whereas at the other Oliva beaches the houses are
behind the high sand dunes and so they are much less noticeable and discreet.
However Pau Pi beach is the busiest and has the most facilities so you much
decide what you are looking for and at least you have different choices.
The Pau Pi beach is fine golden sand. To the left (north) known as Alfonso el
Magnanimo you have the marina called Club Nautica, a very pretty spot with the
boats and yachts, there is a walkway with a restaurant and bars. There are
facilities for the handicapped, volleyball nets and also some beach football
pitches with goals which is a nice touch.
Playa Aigua Blanca
The Aigua Blanca beach with natural dunes lies between two rivers, the mouth
of the Alfadalí and the Bullent. On this beach they where you can have a drink
in the shade without losing sight of the sea. It is not crowded even in the
ideal spot for the practice of water-sports.
Immediately when you walk onto Aigua Blanca beach you have the first beach bar
and just to the right is a good children's play area as well as volleyball nets.
Running along to the right of Aigua Blanca beach is a walkway or promenade which
is also very good for cyclists and roller skaters.
Also to the right of the entrance to Aigua Blanca beach the sand dunes start
again. As you walk south along Aigua Blanca beach it becomes more remote, more
natural and quiet as you are leaving the main centre of Oliva beach behind.
Playa Aigua Morta
Here we find the residential areas Oliva-Nova and San Fernando with an
attractive sports offer: 18-hole golf course and four internationally renowned
football pitch. The beach leaves behind rustic and camping areas and opens to
give way to the Bullent river so that you can alternate between seawater and the
sweet water and fishing of the river.
Playa Terranova
It is worthwhile enjoying the few virgin beaches remaining on our Mediterranean
coast. On this beach, which conserves its dunes intact and whose quality has won
the European Union´s Blue Flag on many occasions, there is a sweet water spring
called "Tou" or "Clotal" that is suitable for bathing.
Playa Rabdells
We can say that the Rabdells is a "virgin beach" surrounded by a perfect line of
dunes. There is a path on the dunes so that you can take a walk and enjoy the
extraordinary views. In this area there are campsites with direct access to the
beach and beach-bars in which you can enjoy music by the sea on the long summer
nights
L'Aigua Morta
L’Aigua Morta gives name to the stretch comprising from river Vedat to the
residential area San Fernando. Open fine sand beach of rustic aspect with an
important dune cordon being one of its main attractions. (»up)
Les Deveses Beach
Located on the most southern extreme of the province of Valencia, it reaches
river Molinell and beaches in Denia. Beach of fine sand with an environment
marked by dunes covered with vegetation. In summer, Llebeig wind usually
blowing in the afternoon, attracts several windsurfers.
