Sandy Bay

Sandy Bay is one of Gibraltar's less-visited beaches, and that relative obscurity is exactly what makes it worth the trip. Situated on the eastern side of the Rock, south of Catalan Bay and accessible by road through the tunnels, Sandy Bay is a reconstructed beach that was significantly improved in the late twentieth century to provide a calmer swimming area for residents and visitors. The beach is smaller than Catalan Bay and more sheltered. The water tends to be calmer here, making it a better choice for families with young children or anyone who prefers a gentle swim to the sometimes choppy conditions further north along the eastern face. The seabed shelves gradually and the water quality is generally excellent. Unlike the main tourist areas of Gibraltar, Sandy Bay has virtually no commercialisation. No rows of sun loungers for hire, no beach bars doing a roaring trade in overpriced cocktails. What you get instead is a clean stretch of sand, clear Mediterranean water, and the view of the Rock from below, with its cliff faces and vegetation dropping almost vertically to the shoreline. For anyone staying in Gibraltar for more than a day, Sandy Bay offers a different pace from the town. The area around Sandy Bay is also of historical interest. The eastern face of the Rock contains a number of wartime fortifications and tunnel entrances, and walking along the coastal path in either direction brings you past evidence of Gibraltar's centuries of military history. Birdwatchers find the eastern side productive, particularly during migration seasons in spring and autumn when the narrow Strait creates a natural bottleneck for birds crossing between Europe and Africa. Access is straightforward by car or taxi, and there is a small car park at the beach. The walk from the town centre through the Rock is possible but takes around thirty minutes.