Playas de Oleiros y Los Botes, beach in Cudillero, Spain

Playas de Oleiros y Los Botes lie in the Asturian council of Cudillero, by the village of Salamir. Oleiros is a 510-metre-long, 35-metre-wide cove of coarse golden sand with many rounded pebbles; Los Botes, east of it and reachable only at low tide, is a 170-metre stone beach about 30 metres wide. Cliffs of Punta Mal Perro and Punta de El Cabo shelter both.

The beaches lie within the Costa Occidental de Asturias and are among the few in the region catalogued as Paisaje Protegido, ZEPA and LIC, three overlapping environmental protection figures. The designation covers the rural stretch of coast belonging to Salamir, in the council of Cudillero, where the cliffs of punta Mal Perro and punta de El Cabo enclose the coves.

The name Los Botes refers to small boats, and the eastern rocky shore is reached only at low tide. At the far end of Oleiros, naturism is practised, and the beaches are known for underwater fishing and rod fishing. Neither beach has any facilities or services.

You reach the beach by following a path from the Monte Balsera area and descending stairs to the shore. Part of the rocky section floods during high tide, so checking tide conditions before visiting helps you make the most of your time there.

Los Botes, the eastern rocky strip, can only be reached at low tide; at high tide it is submerged and the way back is cut off. Bathers have been trapped there for hours, so time your visit to the tide.