Just days after more than a million cubic meters of sand were added to Sagunto’s northern beaches, residents sounded the alarm: the first impressive waves were already sweeping it away. Rapid erosion has left sharp drops along the shore, with sand cliffs up to a meter and a half high in parts of Corinto. The sudden changes make getting to the water difficult, especially for people with limited mobility, including older residents and children.
Funded by European sources, the replenishment was intended to restore Almardà, Corinto, and Malvarrosa after years of coastal retreat. Reports on the work put the amount transferred at approximately 1.3 million tonnes of sand. Many locals had long called for the project. But with summer approaching, the rate of erosion has renewed concerns about safety and the effectiveness of replenishment without measures to retain sediment.
Steep Drops and Safety Risks
Amparo Peris, president of the Asociación Vecinal de Almardà, Corinto y Malvarrosa, called the situation a “cold shower” for the community. She described the new sand formations as “enormous steps” that keep residents from enjoying the beach as intended. The association says the beaches face persistent erosion and lack adequate natural sediment retention. It links their vulnerability partly to the loss of sediment that once provided natural protection, and to the Almenara groynes, which residents say altered local shoreline dynamics. The group says replenishment was necessary, but, in its words, “the sand supplied by the Ministry for Ecological Transition is not enough to guarantee protection of the coastline.”
Fears Ahead of Autumn Storms
Residents are especially worried about the arrival of autumn and winter storms. Past erosion has left beaches nearly vanished and damaged infrastructure; seawater has even reached homes and campsites. The Ministry for Ecological Transition has acknowledged severe erosion along this stretch of coast, driven by disrupted sediment flows and urban development, as well as changes to local port infrastructure. The ministry also reports rising gravel deposits, which affect beachgoers’ comfort and safety.
Later autumn storms put the regenerated coastline under renewed pressure. Residents reported strong waves reaching the dune belt in parts of Almardà, while the association singled out Corinto as particularly exposed to storm damage. The group says these impacts show the limits of relying on added sand alone. Replenishment can restore beach volume, it argues, but cannot guarantee the sand will stay in place or provide lasting protection for nearby homes and coastal assets.
Calls for Structural Solutions
The local association says the erosion makes clear that periodic replenishment alone will not suffice. It wants authorities to study submerged breakwaters or artificial reefs running parallel to the shore, which could reduce wave energy and help retain sediment. The group has described the options as “submerged dikes or artificial reefs parallel to the coast” and says any proposal needs technical studies and environmental safeguards. It also cites potential gains for marine biodiversity and tourism linked to diving.
Residents are pressing the Ministry for Ecological Transition, the Demarcation of Coasts, and other competent administrations. They want a clear timetable and firm commitments on additional protection, not a declaration that regeneration has finished the job. The association says it does not want the project merely to “gain a few months or a few years.” It is calling for urgent measures to reduce wave energy and encourage sediment retention.
Coastal erosion is a growing challenge for Mediterranean towns, as climate change and human activity reshape Spain’s beaches. In Sagunto, residents say the basic issue is restoring sand and keeping it in place amid altered shoreline dynamics and recurring storms. They are calling for a long-term strategy that combines replenishment with protective measures while balancing environmental concerns with social and economic priorities.
