Details

Throughout history this salt water lake has been known as the Mar Menor (SmallSea), referring to the description of a phenomenon that nature designed as a great coastal lake (originally, an open bay) of 170 km2 of warm salt water.

For centuries, the wealth of its water, the kindness of the climate and the beauty of the area as a whole attracted many people.  The Iberians and
Phoenicians were the first and later, the Arabs also played a part in the
history of the Mar Menor.

In the Moslem period, it was known as the Mar Chico, and the place known today as Los Alcázares (from the Arabic ´Al-Ksar´, literally translated as "place of residence") was chosen for their recreational houses.

The continuous battles with pirates from Algeria led to the need to construct
watchtowers, some of which are conserved today, such as that of El Ramé or
Rami.  Until the 18th Century, the area was lived in by inhabitants dedicated to fishing and to the exploitation of the salt flats.

From the 19th Century, these centres gradually became centres for recreation and relaxation for the inhabitants of La Huerta, who established their summer homes next to the coast, attracted mainly by the curative properties of its brackish water.  Even today, the Mar Menor remains faithful to the concept of being a residential area, famous for the tranquillity that surrounds it.

The warm waters of the Mar Menor, with a maximum depth of 7 metres, hold the ideal conditions and means for those who enjoy open or group sailing.  Furthermore, visitors to this area can enjoy all the advantages of the Sailing Station of the Mar Menor, which in keeping with the ski station concept, offers a set of sailing, sports and tourist infrastructures together with
hotels, accommodation and establishments for leisure.

This large saltwater lake has ideal climatic conditions (315 days of sunshine per year and an average annual temperature of 18ºC) for the continuous practice of water sports.