Moraira swimmers dive into one of Costa Blanca’s favourite summer traditions

The turquoise waters of Moraira provided the perfect backdrop as hundreds of swimmers gathered on Sunday, August 2, for the 30th Crossing to the Port of Moraira, one of the Costa Blanca’s best-loved open water swimming events.

Now firmly established as a highlight of the Marina Alta’s summer sporting calendar, the annual race attracted competitors from across the region to tackle the 1.8-kilometre course between El Portet beach and L’Ampolla beach. The event is organised by Teulada Town Council and forms part of the Marina Alta Open Water Circuit, which brings together six races across the comarca throughout the summer.

A test of endurance in spectacular surroundings

The race began at 9am, with swimmers setting off in staggered waves from the sheltered bay of El Portet before navigating the Mediterranean coastline towards the finish on Moraira’s main beach.

Although the distance is manageable for experienced open water swimmers, competitors must contend with sea conditions, navigation and endurance, making the event an enjoyable challenge for athletes of all abilities. For safety, every participant was required to wear a brightly coloured swim cap, timing chip, whistle and an inflatable tow float throughout the crossing.

Registration sold out ahead of race day, with organisers capping the field at 250 competitors, underlining the growing popularity of open water swimming on the Costa Blanca.

Part of a growing Marina Alta circuit

The Moraira crossing is one of six events making up the Marina Alta Open Water Circuit, alongside races in Benissa, Xàbia, Dénia and Calpe. The series was created to encourage participation in open water swimming while showcasing the area’s spectacular coastline, with competitors able to earn points across multiple events during the season.

As swimmers crossed the finish line on L’Ampolla beach, medals and trophies were presented to the fastest competitors across a range of age categories, while many others simply celebrated completing one of the Costa Blanca’s most scenic swims.

With another successful edition complete and places once again in high demand, the Crossing to the Port of Moraira continues to prove that the town’s stunning coastline is just as suited to sporting challenges as it is to relaxing summer holidays.