If you landed here looking for the Cueva de Neptuno in Playa Honda, let us be upfront: there is no cave in Playa Honda. It is a flat beach on the Mar Menor, sandy with no rocks. The Cueva de Neptuno does exist, but it is on another coast, next to El Portús, on the side of Cartagena that faces the open Mediterráneo. Here we explain what it is and how to get there, and also what Playa Honda really offers, which is quite a lot.
Quick fact
The Cueva de Neptuno, also known as Cueva de la Virgen after the figure inside, lies east of Cabo Tiñoso, near El Portús (Cartagena). From Playa Honda it's about 45 minutes by car, on the other side of the city.
What the Cueva de Neptuno is and where to find it
According to the official tourism blog of the Región de Murcia, it is one of the most visited sea caves on the Cartagena coast. You get there by sea or by walking from El Portús along the coast to the Cala Aguilar area. Entering from land means climbing down a vertical drop of about five metres on a rope, so it is not a visit for flip-flops or small children.
Divers enter through an underwater mouth at about fifteen metres. Inside there is a chamber with an inner lake and, when the sea is calm, you can feel the mix of fresh and salt water from the change in temperature.
The easiest way to see it without equipment is by kayak: there are guided routes that leave from El Portús beach, follow the coast to Cala Aguilar and stop for a swim in the cave; the Region's tourism website features one of them. If diving is more your thing, in Cabo de Palos there are diving schools that run trips all along the coast.
Playa Honda: what there is
Playa Honda is a district of Cartagena on the shore of the Mar Menor, right at the entrance to La Manga, with just over 1.300 registered residents, a number that multiplies in summer. It's mainly a development of holiday apartments and terraced houses, with a neighbourhood feel: supermarkets, bars and restaurants along the promenade, and plenty of peace and quiet outside July and August.
The beach is about 700 metres of fine golden sand, with the seabed sloping very gently and no waves. To the east it runs seamlessly into Playa Paraíso and, further on, into Los Alemanes and the Marchamalo salt flats; to the west it ends at the campsite. In front there is a wide seafront promenade, which is where life happens as evening falls.
It is also one of the most accessible beaches in the area. According to the official tourism listing, in 2026 it had an accessible point with assisted bathing from 1 July to 30 August, from 11:00 to 20:00, with amphibious chairs and crutches, adapted changing rooms and toilets, and reserved parking spaces.
What to do in Playa Honda
The list
- 1Swim with children without worrying about waves: the seabed slopes very gently for dozens of metres. More ideas in Mar Menor beaches for children.
- 2Walk or cycle along the promenade to Playa Paraíso and the Marchamalo salt flats, great for birdwatching at sunset.
- 3Try paddle boarding or kayaking on flat water; you will find companies under activities and sport.
- 4Take the dog to the dog beach on the Los Alemanes stretch, the closest one to La Manga: its listing with the rules.
- 5Doing sport at the Playa Paraíso municipal sports centre, a short walk away: padel, tennis, 7-a-side football and a gym.
- 6Slip away to Calblanque, the undeveloped beaches of the Mediterráneo, a few minutes along the RM-12. Its listing explains summer access.
If you are staying here, the directory has beachfront apartments such as Shorehouse Playa Honda, and everything in La Manga is a couple of minutes away by car.
How to combine Playa Honda with La Manga
Playa Honda sits right next to the RM-12 motorway, the one that leads into La Manga. Many people use it as a base: they sleep here, where parking is usually easier, and head to La Manga or Cabo de Palos to eat or go out. You will find the other beaches along the strip in our guide to La Manga del Mar Menor beaches and what to see in the area in what to visit.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Cueva de Neptuno in Murcia?
On the Cartagena coast, east of Cabo Tiñoso, next to El Portús and Cala Aguilar. It is not in Playa Honda or in La Manga.
Can you visit the Cueva de Neptuno without diving?
Yes, by kayak on a guided route from El Portús, or on foot along the coast with care and a rope for the step at the entrance. If the sea is rough, better leave it for another day.
Is Playa Honda part of La Manga?
No: it's a district of Cartagena at the entrance to La Manga, on the shore of the Mar Menor. They're so close that many people treat them as the same area.
