Cala Arenas

[3] Its surroundings are largely undisturbed by human activity; the nearest settlement is the coastal community of Getares, a small outlying development of the city of Algeciras located about 1 km to the north.

[4] Geologically Cala Arenas is located within the Algeciras-Los Nogales unit and is part of the Baetic System in the Campo de Gibraltar.

The rocks include various soft minerals, especially clays, marl, calcarenite and sandstones, that have eroded to leave behind the harder limestones and thus form the chain of alternate coves at Cala Arenas.

The area has been inhabited for thousands of years, the result of its strategic position in the Strait of Gibraltar and the easy landing place that it has represented historically.

The 18th century Fuerte de San Diego was also situated in the area[8] but was destroyed in 1811 by British troops from Gibraltar, who sought to prevent the French using it during the Peninsular War.