On the beach
Right now
Live conditions from Open-Meteo, refreshed hourly.
7-day outlook
7-day marine forecast from Open-Meteo.
Sea temperature
Next 7 days, °C
Wave height
Next 7 days, metres
View as table
| Day | Sea temp (°C) | Wave height (m) |
|---|---|---|
| Wed 2 | 21.8 | 0.5 |
| Thu 3 | 22.1 | 0.4 |
| Fri 4 | 22.8 | 0.4 |
| Sat 5 | 23.0 | 0.4 |
| Sun 6 | 23.1 | 0.6 |
| Mon 7 | 23.7 | 0.4 |
| Tue 8 | 24.0 | 0.2 |
Water quality history
Official EEA classification, one rating per bathing season, 2015–2025 — real data reported by national authorities.
- 2015: Not classified2015
- 2016: Not classified2016
- 2017: Not classified2017
- 2018: Not classified2018
- 2019: Excellent2019
- 2020: Excellent2020
- 2021: Excellent2021
- 2022: Excellent2022
- 2023: Excellent2023
- 2024: Excellent2024
- 2025: Excellent2025
Excellent in the most recent season, and 7 of 7 classified years rated Excellent or Good.
- Excellent
- Good
- Sufficient
- Poor
- Not classified
View as table
| Year | Classification |
|---|---|
| 2015 | Not classified |
| 2016 | Not classified |
| 2017 | Not classified |
| 2018 | Not classified |
| 2019 | Excellent |
| 2020 | Excellent |
| 2021 | Excellent |
| 2022 | Excellent |
| 2023 | Excellent |
| 2024 | Excellent |
| 2025 | Excellent |
Typical sea temperature by month
Modeled estimatePlausible seasonal climatology derived from latitude, for illustration — not a measured average.
Monthly sea temperature
Typical range across the year, °C
View as table
| Month | Typical sea temp (°C) |
|---|---|
| Jan | 17 |
| Feb | 16 |
| Mar | 17 |
| Apr | 19 |
| May | 21 |
| Jun | 24 |
| Jul | 26 |
| Aug | 27 |
| Sep | 26 |
| Oct | 24 |
| Nov | 21 |
| Dec | 19 |
Location & nearby beaches
Nearby beaches
- 1.2 km
- Playa Sotogrande4.2 kmCádiz
- 5.1 km
- Playa Torreguadiaro7.2 kmCádiz
Distances calculated as straight-line (haversine) from official coordinates.
Getting there & around
- Easy by car — there's parking close to the beach.
- Bus stop: Marbella Centro, about ~390 m away.
- Ferry: Ferry to Puerto Banus, about ~190 m away.
Food, stays & town
- Nearest city: Marbella, about ~600 m away.
- 99 places to eat within 1 km Closest is Oasis, about ~40 m away.
- 12 places to stay mapped nearby Closest is El Faro, about ~220 m away.
- 15 shops nearby, the closest about ~380 m away
What kind of beach is this?
This is a town beach, woven into the everyday fabric of a city or larger settlement — expect company on warm days, especially through July and August, alongside easy access to shops and services.
Estimated from OpenStreetMap surroundings data (ODbL).
- Families
- Water sports
Is the water clean at Playa el Faro?
Thinking of swimming at Playa el Faro? The short answer: its official EU Bathing Water rating for 2025 is Excellent — the highest official classification under the EU bathing-water assessment. That rating is set once a year under the EU Bathing Water Directive, from a full season of testing for intestinal enterococci and E. coli reported to the European Environment Agency the following spring, so the 2025 season's grade appeared in spring 2026 and the 2026 season won't be graded until spring 2027. In addition to that yearly rating, some national authorities — for Croatia, the national environmental authority — publish individual water sample results during the season itself, ahead of the annual report. It's been a consistently reliable spot too — the rating has held at Excellent for 7 straight years. There's parking about ~200 m from the beach.
Looking to avoid the busiest weeks? The water is typically warmest around August, with the most reliable swimming window running July–September; outside that stretch you'll find a cooler sea but a quieter beach. That rating has been consistent: every one of the 7 classified seasons on record has come back Excellent or Good. On site you'll find Lifeguard, Sandy shore, and Showers. The nearest town, Marbella, is about ~600 m away.
Worth remembering: “Excellent” isn't a live reading, it's an annual grade — Excellent, Good, Sufficient or Poor — set once a year from that season's water samples and describing the average, not this afternoon's conditions. For what the sea is doing right now, check the “Right now” panel and 7-day outlook above. It sits in Cádiz. There are 99 places to eat within a kilometre — Oasis is the closest, about ~40 m away.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to go in the water at Playa el Faro?
Yes — Playa el Faro carries the top EU Bathing Water classification, Excellent, for 2025, and 7 of its 7 classified seasons have rated Excellent or Good. It's also held steady at Excellent for 7 straight years.
What is the sea temperature at Playa el Faro today?
Playa el Faro's sea temperature currently sits at around 21°C, based on the latest update — check the “Right now” panel above for the full live picture. That's the reading right off Cádiz. On the modeled climatology here, August usually runs warmest.
When does Playa el Faro have the warmest water?
For the warmest water, aim for July–September — that's when the modeled sea temperature is typically at its best. That applies to the water around Cádiz. Within that window, August is typically the single warmest month.
How is bathing water quality actually assessed?
Behind the annual grade: a season of testing for intestinal enterococci and E. coli, reported to the European Environment Agency each spring under the EU Bathing Water Directive. A few countries, Croatia via IZOR included, also publish individual in-season samples ahead of that report, but Playa el Faro doesn't have one published yet.
What's the easiest way to reach Playa el Faro?
By car, it's easy — parking is right by the beach. By bus, the nearest stop is Marbella Centro, about ~390 m away. By ferry, the nearest landing is Ferry to Puerto Banus, about ~190 m away. The nearest town is Marbella, about ~600 m away.