Sand had to be moved ahead of this year’s bathing season, rebalancing the profile of the coast after the impact of Storm Harry in January, which caused a loss of sediment and saw the shoreline along all beaches recede between 3 and 10 metres. Some 4,000 cubic metres of sand from the Sant Miquel beach and 2,0000 cubic metres from the Somorrostro beach has been shifted to the Barceloneta beach. In keeping with goals of the Climate Plan, work continues on the contribution and distribution of sand to preserve the city’s coastline against maritime storms and the rise in the sea level.

The start of peak bathing season at the beaches brings a whole series of services, which will be in place until 13 September.

Lifeguard and rescue

The Lifeguard and Rescue Service, tasked with surveillance, prevention and support for bathers. The operation includes 22 watchtowers and 54 lifeguards in peak season, from 10.30 am to 7.30 pm.

Bathing Support

The Bathing Support Service offers personal and technical assistance for people with reduced mobility, facilitating access to the water at the four regular support points: El Fòrum, Bogatell, Nova Icària and Barceloneta.

Public toilets

All public toilets at the beaches are open (Espigó del Gas, Somorrostro, Mar Bella, Llevant and El Fòrum) from 10 am to 7.30 pm. Similarly, the toilets at beach bars are for public use and are open throughout the season.

Beach bars, loungers and parasols

The city’s beaches will be offering their usual services of beach bars, loungers and parasols under a new contract (2026-2029) that prioritises quality, sustainability and social responsibility. This new period opts for improved gastronomy options and the renovation of toilet spaces. It also consolidates the zero-waste strategy and the use of reusable cups at all beach bars, a key measure for reducing waste with the help of members of the public.

Cleaning service bolstered

The service to clean the sand is being stepped up in response to the increase in bathers and the activation of the rest of the services along the coast. While the service operates all year round, now it is being stepped up with teams working three daily shifts (morning, afternoon and night), tasked with manually sweeping, sifting the sand and emptying litter bins.

Public information

This year’s public information service focuses on the organisation of sporting uses, the use of entrance and exit channels for boats, the promotion of smoke-free beaches and awareness relating to the prevention of sexist violence and good practices to reduce waste.

The Beach Centre, the environmental education facility relating to the sea and the coast, will be operating from 7 April to 31 October. It is located at the Somorrostro beach, by the sand, and offers a programme of free activities from Tuesdays to Sundays, from 10 am to 2 pm.

More security

The City Police is stepping up its presence at the beaches to guarantee safety and prevention on the coast and preserve public space as a place of coexistence.

Smoke-free beaches

The city’s beaches have been smoke-free since 2022, a regulation that prohibits the consumption of tobacco at all beaches, include the bathing zone at the Fòrum.