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Costa Blanca North

Turtle camp returns as 230 volunteers guard Dénia’s tiny summer arrivals

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Dénia’s beaches have become one of the most important nesting sites for loggerhead sea turtles in the Valencian Community, and this summer hundreds of volunteers are stepping forward to help protect the next generation.

The town has officially launched its annual Campamento Tortuga (Turtle Camp), where 230 volunteers will take turns guarding four loggerhead turtle nests on Les Albaranes beach until the hatchlings emerge later this month. The conservation initiative, led by Dénia Town Hall alongside environmental organisations and researchers, aims to ensure the vulnerable nests remain safe day and night.

Four nests from two familiar turtles

This year’s nesting season has already been remarkable. Two of the nests belong to Diana, a loggerhead turtle that has returned to Dénia to lay eggs in consecutive years, while the other two were laid by another tracked female known as Mona.

Until a fifth nest was recently discovered in El Campello, Dénia’s four nests were the only confirmed loggerhead nests recorded across the Valencian Community this summer. Experts estimate the first hatchlings could begin emerging by the end of this week or early next week, making August one of the busiest periods for the conservation team.

Volunteers keeping watch day and night

The volunteers will work in afternoon and overnight shifts, monitoring the protected nesting area for any signs of hatching while ensuring the eggs remain undisturbed.

To support those giving up their time, organisers provide food and drinks during shifts, while evening educational workshops have also become part of the experience, helping volunteers learn more about marine conservation while keeping spirits high during the long night watches.

Local officials have praised the overwhelming public response, describing the volunteers as the heart of the project and highlighting the growing community commitment to protecting marine wildlife.

Dénia leading turtle conservation

The project is supported by conservation association Eucrante, the University of Valencia and regional environmental authorities, who work together to monitor the turtles, study their behaviour and coordinate volunteers.

The town has also developed an international partnership with Costa Rica’s Parque Natural Tortuguero, allowing experts to exchange knowledge on nesting behaviour, volunteer management and conservation techniques. That collaboration has helped improve predictions of when turtles are most likely to come ashore, including links between nesting activity and lunar cycles.

Since 2023, conservation teams have recorded 14 loggerhead turtle nests in Dénia, more than anywhere else in the region. Scientists believe the town’s beaches are becoming an increasingly attractive nesting destination as the species gradually expands its breeding range in the western Mediterranean, making local conservation efforts more important than ever.

Costa Blanca North

More than 200 people get potentially lifesaving skin cancer advice on Dénia beach

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Part of the ninth Solar Campaign for the Prevention of Skin Cancer Credit: AjuntamentdeOndara

A day at the beach became an opportunity to potentially save lives in Dénia this weekend, as more than 200 people stopped for expert advice on protecting themselves against skin cancer.

Doctors and health professionals swapped consulting rooms for the sand at l’Estanyó beach in Les Marines on Sunday, August 9, as part of the ninth Solar Campaign for the Prevention of Skin Cancer organised by the Ondara branch of the Spanish Association Against Cancer (AECC).

Throughout the morning, holidaymakers and local residents were able to ask questions about sun exposure, learn what changes in their skin they should be looking out for and receive personalised advice on reducing their risk.

More than 200 people visited the information point, making this year’s event one of the campaign’s best-attended editions in recent years.

Taking skin cancer prevention onto the beach

Rather than waiting for people to seek information in a medical setting, the annual campaign takes the message directly to one of the places where sun protection matters most.

Health professionals at the l’Estanyó stand offered guidance on caring for the skin, protecting against harmful solar radiation and recognising possible warning signs that could require further medical attention.

Doctors Ana Morell, Joana Grunayes, Juan Montes and Almudena Monteagudo took part alongside FarmaOndara, providing specialist advice to visitors.

The campaign particularly stressed the importance of early detection of melanoma, encouraging people to become familiar with their own skin and pay attention to changes in moles or suspicious lesions.

Ahead of the event, organisers highlighted three simple precautions: avoiding direct sun exposure between 11am and 5pm, wearing suitable clothing and a hat or cap, and using sunscreen with SPF 50 or higher.

Simple habits can make a difference

The timing of the campaign is particularly relevant during August, when beaches across the Costa Blanca are packed and residents and visitors can spend hours outdoors under the Mediterranean sun.

Organisers used the event to reinforce the message that sun protection should become part of everyday summer life rather than something people think about only after suffering sunburn.

Regularly applying appropriate sunscreen, seeking shade during periods of intense radiation and checking the skin for changes were among the preventative habits promoted during the event.

Mª Carmen Bisquert, president of the AECC’s Ondara branch, welcomed the strong public response, saying the turnout demonstrated growing awareness of the importance of looking after the skin and preventing cancer.

She also stressed that prevention remains one of the most effective tools available and encouraged people to regularly check their moles.

Nine years of raising awareness

Now in its ninth year, the campaign has become a familiar summer health initiative organised by the AECC’s Ondara branch.

This year’s event was held under the slogan “Está protegida, pero su piel no”, roughly meaning “She’s protected, but her skin isn’t”, with the aim of reminding beachgoers that enjoying the sunshine safely requires active protection.

The initiative was supported by Ondara and Dénia councils as well as the Red Cross, with Dénia mayor Rafa Carrió and Ondara mayor José Ramiro visiting the information point during the morning.

Volunteers from the AECC also helped deliver the campaign, which forms part of the organisation’s wider summer efforts to raise awareness of skin cancer and the dangers associated with excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

For organisers, attracting more than 200 people was an encouraging sign that the message is getting through.

And with weeks of Mediterranean sunshine still ahead, the advice from l’Estanyó was simple: enjoy the beach, but make protecting your skin as routine as packing your towel.

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Altea

Fireworks disaster at Costa Blanca spectacular leaves 27 injured in Altea

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A spectacular Costa Blanca fireworks display ended in chaos after a pyrotechnic failure left 27 people injured during the famous Castell de l’Olla in Altea.

Thousands of spectators had gathered for one of the Valencia region’s best-known summer fireworks events when something went badly wrong during the display in the early hours of Sunday, August 9.

Around 100,000 people were reportedly watching the fireworks in Altea for the annual event, which has been held for around 40 years and sees fireworks launched from the sea.

27 people injured during Altea fireworks display

According to the organisers, 27 people required medical attention following the incident. Fourteen people were taken to IMED Hospital, with 11 of those patients subsequently transferred to the burns unit at Alicante General University Hospital. Another 13 people were treated at Altea Health Centre and released.

Emergency medical teams stationed at the event also dealt with several casualties before further transfers were arranged. Three patients were taken from the health centre to other hospitals. A 55-year-old man and a 24-year-old woman suffering burns were transported by basic life-support ambulance to Hospital Marina Baixa, while a 19-year-old man with bruising was taken to IMED.

Emergency, medical and security teams were involved in dealing with the incident and evacuating those affected. Organisers of the Castell de l’Olla expressed their deep regret over what happened and thanked emergency workers and security personnel for their response.

Fireworks controversy growing across Spain

Altea’s incident comes as fireworks are facing increased scrutiny in parts of Spain, particularly during the summer wildfire season. Valencia has an unusually strong connection with pyrotechnics, with fireworks and firecrackers forming an important part of celebrations such as Las Fallas. Restrictions on their use can therefore be highly controversial.

Fire safety has nevertheless become a growing concern as periods of extreme heat and dry vegetation increase the danger of wildfires. El Campello, in Alicante province, cancelled a professional fireworks display in July because of extreme wildfire risk after the Valencian authorities raised the region’s fire emergency level.

Catalonia faces a similar debate, with pyrotechnics forming an important part of traditional celebrations while animal welfare campaigners and fire prevention authorities have called for greater restrictions.

Are fireworks becoming too dangerous?

Professional displays such as Castell de l’Olla are subject to safety measures, with fireworks launched from controlled areas and emergency services deployed around major events. Accidents can nevertheless have serious consequences when large crowds are gathered close to a pyrotechnic display.

Animal welfare concerns are also adding another dimension to the debate. Campaigners in Catalonia have argued that loud explosions can cause fear, panic and injury among pets and wildlife.

Public concern has also increased over the use of powerful firecrackers by individuals rather than organised professionals. Authorities in Valencia have previously warned about dangerous behaviour involving modified or excessively powerful fireworks. Questions over pyrotechnic safety are, however, likely to receive renewed attention following an accident that left people requiring hospital treatment, including specialist care for burns.

For the moment, emergency services are continuing to deal with those injured, while the organisers have expressed their concern for everyone affected by the incident.

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Costa Blanca North

Voramar Street Music Festival brings free live concerts to Moraira’s coastal streets

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Moraira hosts the Voramar Street Music Festival with open-air concerts.
Photo Credit: Teulada-Moraira Tourism

In August, the charming coastal town of Moraira comes alive with sound during the annual Voramar Street Music Festival, an event designed to bring cultural open-air entertainment to residents and summer visitors alike. This vibrant series of concerts will transform the town’s picturesque streets, historic squares, and seaside avenues into an accessible stage for diverse, local musical talent.

A diverse musical lineup for every taste

Held every August on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursday evenings, the festival offers an eclectic lineup that spans a wide range of genres, ensuring there is something for every musical preference. From the lively rhythms of Dixieland and tropical steelpan bands to soul, latin jazz, swing, and contemporary saxophone ensembles, the performances will each represent a rich variety of artistic styles.

Iconic town squares host intimate summer performances

The Voramar Street Music Festival is particularly special due to its intimate, open-air setting. Rather than taking place in traditional indoor venues, concerts are hosted in special gathering points throughout Moraira. Highlights include performances at the Plaza de la Iglesia, the bustling Calle Dr. Calatayud, Calle La Mar, Avenida de la Paz, and Plaza La Sort. These iconic, idyllic locations in the municipality will allow spectators to enjoy live acoustic and amplified sets framed by the Mediterranean evening breeze, traditional coastal architecture, and Moraira’s vibrant dining scene.

Open-air concerts transform the streets of Moraira: Residents and visitors should not miss out

Whether you choose to listen while taking a relaxed evening stroll through the town centre, sitting at a local café terrace, or gathering directly in front of the stage, this festival will foster a warm, communal atmosphere. It will bridge the gap between artists and audiences, making world-class live performance an integral part of everyday summer life in Teulada-Moraira.

For anyone spending their summer holidays along the Costa Blanca, the Voramar Street Music Festival is a highlight not to be missed. Combining high-quality musical acts with the relaxed charm of a Spanish coastal resort, it offers an enchanting way to experience the charm of Moraira by the warm summer night.

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