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These distinctive wooden structures, jutting out into the waters of the Mar Menor from the beaches of Santiago de La Ribera, are one of the characteristic sights of the municipality of San Javier.
Their origins date back to the middle of the 20th century, when the area first started to experience a significant influx of summer tourists and bathing becoming a fashionable occupation both for the élite of Murcia society and for the middle classes, who enjoyed refreshing breaks by the Mar Menor away from the oppressive summer heat of the cities.
Although mainly for public use, some inevitably became the exclusive property of groups and associations, and this practice still continues today.
Simple wooden walkways lead out into the water, supported by stilts, with structures at the end which are designed to support canvas tents. These offered discretion and privacy to those who wished to bathe, and steps led down into the water, enabling users to dress in bathing costumes and walk down into the water, their modesty intact.
Some Balnearios assumed a new lease of life when they were enclosed and converted into restaurants, such as that of Floridablanca on the boundary betewen San Pedro del Pinatar and San Javier, or the Balneario of San Antonio in Los Alcázares, which remains open for business and is a charming example of Mar Menor heritage. Others have inevitably disappeared altogether with the passage of time.
A number of these simple balnearios remain a prominent feature of the San Javier coastline today, echoes of the past which are still used and enjoyed by the visitors of today.
The area around Playa del Atalayón and Playa Colón has a number of Balnearios which are used by the water sports companies and clubs of San Javier.
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