The Tangó or Pope beach in Jávea is an old cove that was under the cliffs of the Cape San Antonio next to the Levante breakwater in the port of Jávea. For generations, this was an emblematic place for the locals, who enjoyed crystal clear and calm waters.
Next you have an index with all the points that we are going to deal with.
Features
This corner of Jávea was considered one of the most charming places in the Valencian Community, but unfortunately nature has made it disappear. Bathing is currently not allowed as only part of the rock remains and there is a danger of landslides.
The cove was 50 meters long and was made of pebble stone and rock. Now, only rock remains, the one that has come off the cliff of Cabo de San Antonio. The fact that the sea has appropriated this small cove has caused this corner to be totally isolated.
History
It was around 2006 when this cove completely disappeared. The sea was gradually swallowing the gravel of the beach due to the storms. Cliffside falls and erosion have done their job as well. Between sea and mountains, Tangó beach or Pope beach is only a memory for those who have been able to enjoy it.
It was in 2014 when it was definitively closed due to the risk of landslides. As of 2017, the strong storms suffered have further deteriorated the situation of this cove. And already in 2020, with the 'Borrasca Gloria', we can say that the last goodbye has come to this historic cove.
The strong storm destroyed a large part of the margin and although the citizens expressed their concern about recovering this small beach, finally the study carried out by the Generalitat confirmed its unfeasibility and in September 2022 they proceeded to bury la Cala with the placement of large breakwater stones to reinforce the breakwater and safeguard this area from future storms.
With these new works, a viewpoint is recreated, which was destroyed due to storm Gloria. The new balcony overlooking the sea provides magnificent views of Cap Prim, Cap de Sant Antoni, the old cove and, of course, the Mediterranean Sea.
In the image provided by Vicente Doménech, from Xàbia Meravellosa, we can see the Bar Tango and observe the difference between the passage of time and the disappearance of the cove (compared to the photo below).
Their names
Pope
The name of the beach has its history. The name of Pope It is awarded by neighbors between 1989 and 1965, on the occasion of a Russian Orthodox priest. The story goes that this religious man who went every day of the year to bathe in this cove, even in winter, from there, the Pope beach.
Vicente Doménech, has lent us this beautiful image of the cove in the 60s.
Tango
The other name, Tango, it also has its history. Its origin alludes to the shipwrecked rescue platform that was built in 1899 in the 'Morro de la Creueta' and that was in operation until 1972. The footbridge was located on a rock, a few meters from the beach. A pole is a kind of perch that warships carry on each side when they are at anchor. Due to similarity, the same name is given to the platforms of the coastline and hence this beach was known since then as the Tango.
Location
La Cala or Playa del Tangó is located in the Duanes de la Mar area, on the inner road of the port. It is located at the eastern end of the Reserve and next to the North breakwater of the port of Xàbia. Access to the cove can be done by car to its surroundings.
Activities
Diving
This cove, being located very close to the Cabo de San Antonio Marine Reserve is an ideal place to practice the snorkel and scuba diving. In fact, one of the diving routes in Jávea that we find today is called the Tangó route. This route is accessed from what was the beach, it has a low difficulty and a maximum depth of -12 meters.
Trekking
On the other hand, bordering this cove and ascending the cliff, through a hiking route, you arrive at Cabo de San Antonio itself, another option to enjoy the surroundings.
This route can either be started from the beach itself, right next to what used to be Bar Tangó, there is an access that starts the path (PR-335) or, from the Cabo San Antonio Lighthouse, descending until you reach the cove.
Services
Currently, in this area only gastronomy service is provided. To the left of the cove is the Bar Tango, which has survived, for years, erosions and marine storms.
Views
Regarding the views, from this point, and after the construction of a small viewpoint, when the beach disappears, although it is currently deteriorated by the last storm, part of Cabo de San Antonio, the sea and Cap Prim. At the back is the marina.
Photos
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Cala del Tangó between 1958 and 1966
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Cala Tangó in the 70s
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Cala del Tangó or Pope
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Rocky part of Cala del Tangó
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Sunrise from Cala del Tangó
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Cap Prim seen from the Cala del Tangó
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Tangó Creek
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Cala del Pope or Tangó
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Tangó Xàbia cove
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Direction of the hiking route from Cabo de San Antonio
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View of the Cala del Tangó
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Sunrise from Cala del Tangó
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Cala del Tangó or Playa del Pope
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Tango
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Tangó Creek
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Prohibition of passage and bathing due to detachment
In the 2021 photo you can see how there was still a piece of PUBLIC beach in which anyone could bathe perfectly and the unpleasant restaurant did not allow anyone to pass, why is it that these characters have not received any fine? Taking into account that they have built on a beach, ending almost all of it and prohibiting the passage of anyone who wanted to go through that PUBLIC place that was outside the restaurant, for that there is no environmentalism and climate change? You will tell me how a restaurant manages to bear the expenses when most of the time it is closed and on the beach, which is where you pay the most, while other restaurants opening always have a hard time paying all the expenses and, above all, why throw away the Siesta already this restaurant and the Montgo di Bongo right?
I find it amusing how the editor of the news tries to make us believe that the Cove has disappeared due to storms, the Cove has disappeared due to building a restaurant occupying the entire place and later placing breakwaters, do not hide the reality
Totally agree
That's how they want it because that's how they will have it, instead of providing solutions and trying to fix it, the only thing they do is destroy our beauty.
Welcome to the new world of environmental sustainability but then merits are made that reduce square meters and such.
The game of sustainability and progress that Bon Xic boasts so much about.
No one had done as much damage to our people as Chulvi.
11 years of evil.
How not? And the previous ones what? They have killed Javea among all.