Playa de Estaño, Sandy beach in Gijón, Spain

Playa de Estaño is a shell-shaped beach in the municipality of Gijón, Asturias, part of the Costa Central asturiana and one of the few in the concejo with environmental protection as a Site of Community Importance. Its bed mixes gravel, pebbles and fine toasted sand, and a large rock near the waterline appears to split it in two, becoming a small islet at high tide.

The sources document no fishing history for Playa de Estaño; what they record is its protection. It lies on the Asturian Central Coast and is one of the few beaches in the municipality of Gijón designated a Site of Community Importance (LIC) for environmental protection. Its shell shape, gravel-and-sand bed and the large rock near the waterline are the features the sources describe.

The beach lies within the Costa Central asturiana and is one of the few in Gijón with environmental protection as a Site of Community Importance (LIC). In summer it has lifeguard and rescue service; the rest of the year it is a working stretch of coast where the tide reveals the rock that splits the sand in two.

There are no toilets; showers, litter bins, cleaning service, public telephones and danger signs are provided, with lifeguard and rescue cover in summer. The cove is reached on foot, and the rocks in the water call for care when swimming. The Catalan source also notes access for people with disabilities.

A large rock stands in the middle of the beach, close to the shore, so the sand appears split in two; at high tide it becomes a small islet. The beach is one of the few in Gijón with environmental protection as a Site of Community Importance.