Mar Menor (little sea or small sea) is a salty lagoon, in the south-east of the autonomous Community of Murcia, in Spain, separated from the Mediterranean sea by La Manga, a sandbar 22km in length and with a variable width from 100 to 1200m.
It belongs to four municipalities: Cartagena, Los Alcazares, San Javier and San Pedro del Pinatar. With a surface area of nearly 170kmm, a coastal length of 70km, and warm and clear water which does not exceed 7m in depth, it is "the largest swimming pool in the world" according to the opinions of the famous swimmer and Hollywood actress Esther Williams.
Its relatively high salinity, which aids flotation, and remarkable sporting infrastructures make this one of the most popular places in Europe for the practice and training of all kinds of water sports. Phoenicians initially, then the Moorish Kings, chose this "small sea" to install their summer residences here. Today, this place attracts all those who seek a quiet place to rest and relax, with ideal climatic conditions all year round.
The Mar menor is a watersports haven and offers sailing, kayaking, windsurfing, kiteboarding, powerboating and scuba diving.
This area of Murcia is unique and is also famous for its mud baths which are great for the skin.
Located only 5 minutes from the south of mar menor is La manga Club which is a 5 star English resort and has exceptional world class golf courses, tennis academy, football academy.
This area of Murcia Is very close to the San javier Airport or Murcia Airport and some low cost airlines like ryan air offer cheap flights here.
If you like to vacation in Spain, The Mar Menor is a must.
