Dunes de Xeraco
Behind the sand of Xeraco beach survives a protected dune cord of great ecological value, part of the 'Dunes de la Safor' Site of Community Importance, which gathers the last surviving dune cords in the region. Wooden boardwalks cross it without trampling it and shelter some 35 plant species, including the dune bindweed and the sea daffodil (Pancratium maritimum). This system of fixed and mobile dunes is what halted the concrete boom of the 1960s and 70s and shields the beach during every storm.
Behind the last beach bar on Xeraco beach begins a strip of sand the wind has been shaping for centuries. The Dunes de Xeraco are part of the 'Dunes de la Safor' Site of Community Importance, which holds the last dune cords left in the La Safor region, within the boundaries of Xeraco.
What to see
Around 35 species grow here, adapted to salt and wind. One is the sea daffodil (Pancratium maritimum), a white flower that appears in late summer; another is the dune bindweed. Wooden boardwalks cross the dunes down to the shore so you can reach the water without trampling the plants.
Why they matter
This system of fixed and mobile dunes is what halted the construction boom of the 1960s and 70s, when the coast was filling with apartment blocks. They still do their work: with each easterly storm they absorb the sea's force and shield the front line of the beach. Keep to the boardwalks and leave the flora alone.
Frequently asked questions
Do you have to pay to visit the Dunes de Xeraco?
No, access is free. Wooden boardwalks cross the dunes down to the shore so you don't trample the vegetation.
What is special about the Dunes de Xeraco?
They are a protected dune belt within the 'Dunes de la Safor' Site of Community Importance, holding the last dune systems left in the region.
What plants grow on the Dunes de Xeraco?
Around 35 species adapted to salt and wind grow on the sand, such as the sea daffodil (Pancratium maritimum) and the dune bindweed.
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