Lorraine Williamson
Tourists and locals can breathe a sigh of relief along the Valencian coast this week as green flags return to the beaches of Dénia and Vinaròs. After a brief but concerning closure due to separate pollution incidents, the waters have now been deemed safe for swimming following government testing.
With summer in full swing, both Costa Blanca and Costa del Azahar are under pressure from soaring visitor numbers. The reopening of these key bathing spots comes as a welcome update. This is especially during the peak holiday season when tourism is vital to the local economy.
Sudden closures spark concern
The temporary beach closures were prompted by two unrelated pollution alerts. In Dénia, popular stretches like Molins, Marines, and Punta del Raset saw elevated levels of faecal bacteria, detected in routine testing by the regional Ministry of the Environment. Red flags were hoisted as a precaution, and lifeguards advised visitors against entering the water.
Further north in Vinaròs, the issue stemmed from oily residues spotted near Fortí beach. This is possibly linked to a fuel leak or industrial discharge. Again, access to the water was suspended until further notice, prioritising public health.
Clean bill of health from water inspectors
Technical teams were swiftly dispatched to both locations. In Dénia, new samples confirmed that bacterial levels had dropped back to within safe parameters. Vinaròs, meanwhile, was given the all-clear after inspections revealed the disappearance of oil traces.
Both municipalities received their test results shortly after midday, enabling the flags to be lowered and swimmers to return.
Ongoing monitoring to protect coastal waters
Although both beach closures were brief, the incidents underline the growing challenges facing Spain’s coastlines—from pollution and rising visitor numbers to climate-related strain.
Officials in the Comunidad Valenciana have vowed to maintain close surveillance of water quality in the coming weeks. Regular testing will continue across popular tourist beaches to prevent similar episodes and reassure beachgoers that safety remains a top priority.
Coastal hotspots facing tourism pressure
Dénia, located in Alicante province, is a mainstay of the Costa Blanca with its broad sandy beaches and vibrant seafront. Vinaròs, further north in Castellón, is one of the jewels of the Costa del Azahar. Both destinations rely heavily on summer tourism and have seen growing strain on their infrastructure—particularly as climate change and pollution issues grow more frequent.
With international travel back in full swing, the region is feeling the effects of intense seasonal demand. The swift action and transparency shown during this latest health scare could maintain visitor confidence through the summer.
Safe to swim again—but for how long?
The beaches of Dénia and Vinaròs may be open once more. However, the back-to-back pollution incidents serve as a warning for the future. As tourism intensifies and environmental pressures mount, coastal safety protocols and long-term infrastructure investments will be critical to keep the waters clean—and the flags green.
Spain´s blue flag beaches