Eastern Beach

Eastern Beach is the largest of Gibraltar's beaches, a long stretch of imported sand on the eastern side by the isthmus with the Rock rising directly behind it and aircraft coming in low over the northern end on approach to the runway. It is where Gibraltar swims in summer. The water is Mediterranean and calm on most days and facilities run along the back. Gibraltar covers only about six and a half square kilometres in total, which is why beach space matters as much as it does here. The sand is topped up periodically because the sea takes it.

What you actually see

• The long sand - the largest beach in the territory.
• The Rock behind - the eastern face rising directly from the shore.
• The aircraft approach - planes passing low over the northern end.
• The summer crowd - the territory's main swimming beach.

When to go

June to September is the swimming season and when facilities operate. Levanter wind can make the eastern side unpleasant. Weekends are crowded.

Honest expectations

The sand is imported and replenished rather than natural. It is crowded through the summer. Levanter conditions bring cloud and chop to this side.

Nearby

Catalan Bay is south, and the airport is north.