This swimming pool, located right by the sea between the beaches Platja de Fornells and Platja Fonda in Begur is marked as a local attraction on Google Maps, known to the world as Piscina natural Es Cau (the natural pool Es Cau). The water in it is definitely from the sea, but the way it gets in is not natural. Rather, it is replenished by a pump hidden in a small stone enclosure on the side. Calling it “natural” is a bit of a stretch, but the desire of passersby and tourists strolling along Camí de Ronda1 to take a dip is anything but!
Just as natural is the annoyance it causes the apartment owners nearby to whom the pool actually belongs—the seemingly brilliant idea to put smooth rocks on the shore to good use occurred to local residents about half a century ago. Today, explaining that the pool is, in fact, private property is a bit of a drag, and the problem is made worse by the fact that thousands of new people encounter the beautiful spot every day of the season.
Fencing it off isn’t an option due to the municipal law prohibiting any construction within 20 meters off the sea. The residents could disconnect the pump entirely, but thankfully it hasn’t yet come to that.
1)Camí de Ronda is a hiking route running between Blanes and Portbou along the Costa Brava coast.