- EDITIONS:
Spanish News Today
Murcia Today
Alicante Today
Date Published: 08/08/2025
A dip in the Med for everyone: Cartagena expands free assisted bathing this summer
San Ginés, Playa Honda and La Manga beaches now offer daily support for swimmers with reduced mobility

The service runs every day from 11am to 7pm and is designed for people of all ages with reduced mobility, making it easier and safer for them to enjoy the sea. Bathers are supported by trained instructors who help them into the water using special amphibious chairs and other adapted equipment.

So far this summer, 179 people have already used the service: 81 in La Azohía, 70 in Puerto Bello, and 28 in Playa Honda. The initiative is part of a wider push by Cartagena City Council to make its beaches more accessible and welcoming.
Councillor for Social Policy, Cristina Mora, visited Playa Honda this week alongside regional officials and representatives from FAMDIF, the disability support organisation. “This project doesn’t just remove physical barriers, it also helps people overcome emotional ones,” said Mora. “It creates a space of equality and enjoyment on our beaches.”
Cartagena is one of the first places in the region to offer this kind of service, and this year the programme has been extended to cover more days. It began on Saturday June 15 in La Azohía and from Monday July 1 in Playa Honda and Puerto Bello. It will continue until Saturday August 31, in line with the peak tourist season.
The scheme also includes a light-hearted emotional wellbeing activity inspired by the Smurfs, aimed at adding a bit of fun and personality to the experience.
The programme is run in partnership with the City Council’s Civil Protection team and FAMDIF, with instructors specially trained for the role. Additional funding has come from the "la Caixa" Foundation, which donated €8,000 towards new amphibious chairs and walkways. This brings the total investment this year close to €30,000.

Images: Ayuntamiento de Cartagena
staff.inc.and
Loading
Sign up for the Spanish News Today Editors Roundup Weekly Bulletin and get an email with all the week’s news straight to your inbox
Special offer: Subscribe now for 25% off (36.95 euros for 48 Bulletins)
OR
you can sign up to our FREE weekly roundup!
Read some of our recent bulletins:
Discount Special Offer subscription:
36.95€ for 48 Editor’s Weekly News Roundup bulletins!
Please CLICK THE BUTTON to subscribe.
(List price 3 months 12 Bulletins)
Read more stories from around Spain:
Contact Murcia Today: Editorial 000 000 000 /
Office 000 000 000