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Hi All

has any body been to nautic almanta in castello d'empuries in spain. All comments welcome.

Hi All

Some body must have been here before.We would like to know what it is like before we book.

Gary - this was a posting last year - looks like 'Mattsurf' went there - but he's not posted anything since his return. 

"I am now in my mid thirties, however, as a kid, we went to camping Aquarius on the Costa Brava (next door to camping Las Dunas ) for 15 consecutive years. Now that I have 3 kids of my own, we went to Las Dunas 3 years ago and will go to Nautic Almata this year (just down the road)

This part of the Spanish coast is one of the best in the world: The whole area is a nature reserve, lots of orchards and farming, no big resorts / hotels. As a result, the beachs are very uncrowded, and due to the size of the beach, most of the campsites have private access.

Being so close to the Pyrenees, the climate is slightly cooler, which is great for camping.

In terms of the local camp sites, Las Dunas is excellent, and has great facilities and a night club. Pitches are very large, and Eurocamp operate from there, as do a number of companies renting mobile homes and Caravans. The only problem is getting a site with shade.

We will visit Nautic Almata, partly to see another sites, and also because it is better for water-sports, It is on the mouth of the river Fluvia, which is a small, clean river, and the camp site itself has a series of canals. It is a big site, however, it has really excellent reviews. A company called Canavas operate from there (similar to Eurocamp) however, we are hiring a caravan from Caranvan Inn

My personal favourite is Camping Aquarius, which is run by the same family who ran it when I was a Kid 30 years ago. It is a small camp site, however, the owners are fanatical about providing a more personal experience. most of the pitches have shade, and the facilities are a good as you would ever want. Although there is no one like Euro Camp operating from there yet. I notice that they now have some mobile homes, however, these were reserved before I got round to booking.

There is more than enough to do for 2 or 3 weeks, the beach and mountains are excellent, Port Aventura is a day trip, there are other similar attrations and water parks in Rosas, which is 30 minutes away. Barcelona is 1 1/2 hours drive, there are numerous towns some with lots of tourist attractions and many without. The Dali Museum in Figueras is worth a visit (but very busy)

In terms of travel it is 1 1/2 days drive from Calais. My wife and kids are flying and I am driving alone as our 2 year old daughter won't stay in the car for that long - although given the costs of flying these days, it is not too expensive to do that

I usually cross the channel through the tunnel, however, this year I am taking the Speedferries crossing from Dover to Boulogne, and will drive down, via Le Mans and Toulouse (where I am picking up the family)

All of the bookings were made via the internet, and everything mentioned here can easily be found using search engines

When I get back in early September, I will let you know how it went"

It might just help you decide - as no one has replied to your posting again this time.  Have you  had a look at the reviews on the Alan Rogers website?    Canvas Holidays have campsite reviews on their website, too - you may be able to find something there.

I have not stayed on the sight but did have a nosey round when staying on the site next door (Lamfora).The site is next to the beach and to waterways and nature reserves. It is ideal for water sports etc.

It seems to be an excellent site and  have everything you would expect.

It is a little way from shops etc,although there is a shop on sight.

You don't say what sort of sight you like and it would not be everyones cup of tea so I hesitate to recommend it. When I visited it it had only just openned.

I would be happy to stay there and the only reason I havn't is that I tend to go out of seaon and it doesnt open till mid may.

Hi Gary,

Yes! We've stayed there!

Went in 04 - May/June half-term time. We booked through canvas and rented one of their tents as we decided to fly (£4.99 each way Ryanair!) and hire a car.

It is surrounded by a nature reserve which has protected that part of the coast from the development you see on other stretches of the coast. It has a very laid-back feel to it and when we were there the entertainment hadn't really kicked off - just an early evening disco at the beach bar for the kids. There is a restaurant/bar along with takeaway, supermarket, etc.

The pool area is lovely - the water was cold but warms up as the season progresses (apparently!) But with the beach on your doorstep you don't really need the pool. There aren't water slides and all that theme park stuff so the pool is relaxing to sit by.

You can do sailing and canoeing, and horseriding in season. There is mini golf, tennis courts.

This site has no mobile homes which adds to its natural feel.

The toilet /shower blocks are immaculate and I even took photos of them!

There were groups of french schoolchildren staying in the site's own tents-for-rent, but they weren't a problem at all.

This site is good if you like natural surroundings and don't need too much in the way of entertainment. I wouldn't be able to comment on how it operates when full - and there are a lot of pitches.

Would I go back?

Definately!

Hi caroline

Thanks for your reply . Its sounds just what we are looking for and we have just had our reservation confirmed. many thank .

Hi I am still here, although not posted recently - no summer holiday after setting up new business this year.

We had a great holiday at Nautic Almata - I do love this part of Spain. Don't shop in the supermarkets - visit the farm shops, it is all grown locally and without doubt the best fruit and veg anywhere in the world.

If you have young children and like to go to sleep before 10pm make sure that you are not too close to the pool area as there is noisy entertainment there every night (Not a problem with older kids as you will be there!)

We met several families from the UK, however, we got on best with our German neighbours (may have had something to do with Windsurfing) they also had kids of the same age - even though the kids didn't speak each other's language this was not an issue. We also had a really nice dutch family opposite

The pool is OK - a bit cold, and not as nice as the wonderful beach - however, the beach can get very windy in the afternoon (great for me as I am a keen windsurfer) so you will probably use the pool

Try to get a pitch close to the beach as the site is about 1/2 mile deep (not very wide) we were approx 100m from the beach which was excellent. most pitches do have some shade.

Take a good gazebo with sides that can shut - it can get windy / rainy, during the day you will probably find that the awning will get too hot.

If possible take bikes St Pere Pescadore is a 2mile ride down tracks and makes a great moring / afternoon trip

The river Fluvia next to the site is an excellent venue to learn to Windsurf, it is also clean so fishing is an option. Many people canoe down there - and there is an excellent abandoned marina to explore

On balance I think that Camping Aquerias is my favourite spot (2 miles down the coast) however, it has no pool and is more difficult to cycle to as you have to go on busy roads, however, the site has more charm, and the beach is a little nicer there. It also has the best children's play area. The wind is less of a problem as the beach has massive sand dunes which act as wind breaks, also, the wind blow straight on shore at Nautic Almata so it feels windier, whereas at Aquarias the wind is cross shore

Las Dunas is also nice - a very big site with massive pitches which are separated by hedges so more private - however, it has a very noisy night club and the pool is terrible (I think that they are redeveloping the pool area) but we did have a great holiday there as well

If you drive you can make it in one day without a caravan,however, if you are towing it will take 2 days. It took me 14 hours to Calais with 5 windsurf boards on the car and 3 bikes on the rack