How to Enjoy September's Empty Beaches Near Roda Golf With Kids

Right, confession time. Last week I drove down to Playa Barnuevo at half ten on a Tuesday morning and parked the car close enough to the sand that I could hear my own kids arguing over a bucket from the driver's seat. In August that would've meant queuing for forty minutes and paying a fortune for the privilege. September near Roda Golf is a different world, and if you've got kids, it might just be the best month of the year to be here.

The Spanish school term kicks back in around the second week of September, so by the time you're reading this most of the local families have vanished from the sand between 9am and 4pm. Foreign visitors thin out too once the summer season officially "ends" in everyone's head, even though the water's still warm enough to swim in until well into October. That leaves the beaches near Roda Golf in a weird, brilliant limbo: full sun, empty sand, and none of the elbow-to-elbow nonsense you get in July.

But not all beaches are created equal for a September family day out, so I thought I'd run through the two obvious options for anyone staying near the resort: the calm Mar Menor side, or the punchier Mediterranean side. Both have their place. Here's the honest comparison.

The Mar Menor side: still the safe bet for little ones

If you've got toddlers, nervous swimmers, or a child who thinks a wave the size of a dinner plate is a near-death experience, the Mar Menor beaches win every time. Los Alcázares, Santiago de la Ribera and the stretch down towards Lo Pagán all offer the same trick: warm, shallow water that barely moves, so you can wade out thirty metres and still touch the bottom.

In September the water's actually at its warmest, since the shallow lagoon has spent all summer soaking up heat. It's like a very large, slightly salty bath. There's less jellyfish bother than in peak summer too, though I'd still keep an eye out, especially after a windy spell that pushes them in against the shore.

The practical stuff matters here as well. Parking along the Los Alcázares seafront, which is a nightmare in August, is suddenly no bother at all. The chiringuitos are still open but you won't be fighting for a table, and the paseo at Santiago de la Ribera is lovely for a wander with an ice cream once the kids have had enough sand for one day. If your lot are under about eight, or you just fancy an easy, low-stress beach morning, this is your side.

The Mediterranean side: better once the kids get bored of flat water

Now, if your children are older and have started complaining that the Mar Menor "isn't a proper beach" (mine went through this phase around age nine), the Mediterranean coast a short drive away is worth the effort. Think the outer strip of La Manga, or the coves down towards Cartagena. The water's clearer, there's actual wave action for jumping about in, and it's noticeably cooler, which is honestly quite refreshing after a Murcia summer.

What you trade off

The catch is it takes a bit more planning. You need proper swim shoes for some of the rockier coves, there's less shade unless you bring your own, and a few of the smaller beaches don't have lifeguards once the official season winds down in mid-September, so keep a closer eye on confident swimmers who fancy heading out further than they should. It's not hard work, just a different kind of day out than rolling up to the Mar Menor with a windbreak and forgetting about it.

So which one wins?

Honestly, for September specifically, I'd lean Mar Menor for families with younger kids and Mediterranean for anyone with teenagers who want a bit more excitement. The good news is that from anywhere near the resort you're rarely more than twenty minutes from either, so there's no reason to pick just one. We tend to do Mar Menor mornings, home for lunch and a siesta, then a Mediterranean sunset dip if anyone's still got energy left.

It's also worth saying that September mornings are brilliant for golf if one parent fancies sneaking off while the other does beach duty. The courses are quieter than August too, without the brutal midday heat that makes the back nine feel like a punishment. Worth checking what's on offer at the golf courses near Roda Golf if that's part of your plan.

Making the most of the quiet month

If you're weighing up whether to book a September trip rather than fighting the August crowds, I'd say do it. Flights and rentals tend to be cheaper, the weather's still reliably 27 to 30 degrees, and you get the added bonus of actually being able to hear yourself think on the beach. Have a look through the holiday rentals near Roda Golf if you're still deciding on dates, and the area guide is handy if you want a proper rundown of what's within reach of wherever you end up staying.

And if you're new to the area and not sure which beach fits your family best, drop us a line through the contact page. We're happy to point you in the right direction based on the ages of your kids and how much sand-related drama you're willing to tolerate. There's also more family-friendly ideas over on the family blog if this has got you thinking about the rest of the trip.

September doesn't get talked about enough round here. Everyone's obsessed with the August rush, but this is the month when Roda Golf actually feels like the relaxed little corner of Spain it's supposed to be. Get the kids down to the water while it's still this quiet. You won't regret it.