Playa del Puntal is the nearly four-kilometre sandbar that separates Santander Bay from the Cantabrian Sea, in Somo (Ribamontán al Mar). You can get there by boat from Santander in about fifteen minutes with Los Reginas, or by road along the Trasmiera coast to Somo.
Seen from the air, Santander Bay has a sandy border that looks hand-drawn: a long, narrow strip that reaches out to sea and separates the calm waters of the bay from the open swell of the Cantabrian Sea. This is Playa del Puntal, and anyone who has ever crossed by boat from the centre of Santander knows the view, with the city behind and the Cantabrian Sea ahead, is unlike any other stretch of the Cantabrian coast.
It belongs to Somo, in the municipality of Ribamontán al Mar, just over half an hour by car from Bareyo along the road that follows the Trasmiera coast. But the most common way to arrive — and still the most recommendable — is the ferry that crosses the bay from Santander, a short crossing that's as much part of the experience as the beach itself.
El Puntal de Somo: a sandbar nearly four kilometres long
El Puntal de Somo is Spain's first natural surfing reserve and part of the protected area of the Dunas del Puntal and the Miera estuary, a zone of high ecological and scenic value, as noted by Turismo de Cantabria itself. The sandbar stretches almost four kilometres facing the bay, with low dunes along its inner stretch and a beach fully open to the Cantabrian Sea on the outer side, where the swell that draws surfers year-round breaks.
The Miera estuary and the dune reserve
On the stretch closest to Somo, El Puntal borders the Miera estuary, a tidal marsh where the river's fresh water mixes with the bay's salt water. It's a fragile ecosystem, with sand-fixing plants and birds that use the area as a refuge, so it's worth sticking to the marked boardwalks and never camping or lighting fires on the dunes, something local authorities are especially keen to remind visitors of during the busiest months.
Getting there by boat: the Los Reginas route
The most distinctive option is crossing the bay by boat. Los Reginas runs the Santander–Somo/Pedreña line all year round, with a crossing of around fifteen minutes from the Paseo Marítimo pier in Santander. In high season the service to Playa del Puntal itself runs daily, with departures every 15-20 minutes, and continues until the first weekend of October; outside those dates, the boat arrives at the Somo pier and from there it's a walk or a cycle to the beach.
Getting to Somo by car or bike
For those who'd rather go by road, Somo is reached by following the Trasmiera coast west from Bareyo, passing through Galizano, Langre and Loredo before arriving at the village. There are car parks near the centre of Somo, though in the busiest months it's worth arriving early or leaving the car a little further back and covering the last stretch on foot or by bike along the path that runs the length of the beach. If you enjoyed our guide to the area's most charming villages, the Seven Villages of Trasmiera make a good extra stop to add to the route before or after the beach.
What you'll find when you arrive: dunes, surf and quiet
The end closest to the village of Somo has the most activity: surf schools, board rental and seasonal beach bars. As you head further out towards the point, the beach empties out and the dunes take over, with long stretches that are nearly deserted even in summer. It's a particularly rewarding spot outside July and August, when the swell is still good for surfing but the beach isn't as busy, and September evenings invite you to stay until sunset over the bay.
What you need to know
- Getting there: Los Reginas ferry from Santander (about 15 minutes), or road/bike along the Trasmiera coast to Somo.
- Service to Playa del Puntal: daily in high season, until the first weekend of October; outside that period, weekends only.
- Approximate ticket price for Santander-Somo/Pedreña: around €4 one way and €6.50 round trip on weekends (worth confirming the current fare before setting off).
- What to bring: sunscreen, footwear suited to sand, and something warm in case it's windy on the crossing, even if it's hot on land.
- When to go: outside July and August for more beach space per person, without missing out on the swell that draws surfers year-round.
"Crossing the bay by boat and watching the city fall away as the sandbar comes into view is, for many, the first real moment of a holiday in Cantabria."
From Bareyo, a trip to Playa del Puntal fits well as a half-day plan: a morning of beach and bay, an afternoon back on the Trasmiera coast. It's exactly this mix of open sea and quiet corners that defines this part of Cantabria, and the reason why guests staying at Bareyo Residences tend to stretch their visit longer than planned. The villas in the development, with availability already open for September 2027, are designed for those looking for that same balance of beach, nature and quiet all year round.
