The 2026 beach season in Bizkaia, which concluded on September 30, attracted a total of 2,654,482 visitors, marking a 2.17% increase from the 2,598,016 recorded in 2025. The season featured 55 sunny days, leading to an overall satisfaction rating of 8.36 out of 10 from beachgoers.
Visitor Statistics and Popular Beaches
Ereaga beach was the most visited, with 454,400 entries, followed by Arriatera-Atxabiribil with 384,255, and La Arena with 360,501. The summer weather was favorable, with 55 sunny days compared to 47 in the previous year, and only six days of rain, a significant decrease from the 20 rainy days recorded in 2025.
Water Temperature and Bathing Conditions
The average water temperature reached 22.39 degrees Celsius, nearly one degree higher than the previous year’s average of 21.46 degrees. August was the warmest month, with an average temperature of 23.77 degrees, followed closely by July at 23.72 degrees. Throughout the season, there were 610 red flags, 878 yellow flags, and 1,317 green flags indicating swimming conditions. Toña beach recorded the highest number of red flags at 119, while Isuntza had the most green flags at 107.
Satisfaction Ratings and Services
The annual satisfaction survey conducted by the Bizkaia Provincial Council revealed that safety was the highest-rated aspect, scoring 9.26. Cleanliness and maintenance received a score of 8.79, while services and facilities garnered an 8.91. The lifeguard service was rated 9.80, and the clarity of announcements received a score of 9.31. The top-rated beaches according to the survey were Arrigorri with 9.84, Laga with 9.31, and Isuntza with 9.04.
Waste Management and Cleanliness
During the four-month season, cleaning services collected a total of 471,555 kilograms of waste, a decrease from 665,780 kilograms in 2025. Of this, 320,420 kilograms were debris washed ashore by tides, while 106,700 kilograms were collected from general waste bins and 44,435 kilograms from recycling bins. Additionally, 50.7 kilograms of forgotten or abandoned plastic toys were collected, with 40 kilograms sent to Koopera for reuse.
Lifeguard Interventions and Assisted Bathing
The lifeguard service recorded 3,731 interventions this season, an increase from 2,843 the previous summer. The most common reasons for assistance included 1,309 injuries, 775 stings from Portuguese man o' war, and 396 from jellyfish stings. There were 184 rescues performed in the water, down from 256 in 2025, primarily due to water currents and fatigue. Tragically, one fatality was reported at Laidatxu beach.
Furthermore, the assisted bathing service was utilized by 4,878 individuals, up from 4,436 in 2025. Among them, 2,492 were from care homes and associations, while 2,386 accessed the service individually. Of those who used the service independently, 77% requested it directly on the beach, 18% through the website, and 5% by phone. La Arena beach had the highest number of assisted bathers at 1,251, followed by Gorliz with 1,104 and Ereaga with 1,018.
