Marbella Breakwaters Project.

Marbella will finally get its breakwaters to save its iconic beaches.

The Marbella Breakwaters Project is a strategic coastal intervention aimed at combating severe beach erosion affecting Marbella’s central shores. Approved by Spain’s Ministry for Ecological Transition in June 2025, this €8.5 million initiative marks a significant step toward safeguarding the region’s tourism-dependent economy.

1. Background and Urgency

Local protests in November 2021 saw nearly 500 residents and business owners demand stabilization after storms drastically reduced beach widths. Meanwhile, the association “Espigones Emergidos para Marbella” highlighted repeated sand theft and removal across multiple beaches—including El Cable and Cabopino—criticizing winter-time operations that exacerbate erosion.

2. Project Scope and Design

The plan targets the stretch between La Venus beach and Punta El Ancón. It includes constructing two submersed breakwaters (≈200 m each) located about 145 m offshore and the deposition of roughly 200,000 m³ of sand sourced from the Serranía de Ronda. This is part of a larger coordinated coastal restoration project, including work in San Pedro Alcántara with five perpendicular breakwaters and another 200,000 m³ of sand, totaling nearly €16 million.

3. Environmental Considerations

A protected limpet species, Patella ferruginea, was found near the marina area, leading authorities to exclude that section from maritime work and restrict interventions to sand re-profiling. The breakwater at La Venus was initially rejected due to environmental concerns, but local authorities later advanced a Y-shaped structure under municipal approval.

4. Implementation Timeline

Following government approval, the project entered public tender in mid-2025. Construction is set to begin later this year, with an approximate duration of eight months for the Marbella section and nine for San Pedro Alcántara.

5. Expected Benefits

These breakwaters are anticipated to attenuate wave energy, slow coastal retreat, and rebuild beach massifs—restoring the width and quality of Marbella’s most iconic beaches. The added sand will reinforce these efforts, directly supporting tourism and coastal ecosystems.

6. Conclusion

The Marbella Breakwaters Project exemplifies a well-coordinated, science-based response to coastal erosion. With substantial investment, environmental safeguards, and technical design, it offers hope for the long-term protection and revitalization of Marbella’s beaches, ensuring they continue to serve locals and tourists alike.