For a weekend in June, the marina at Club Náutico Villa de San Pedro fills with cruising yachts rigging up for a couple of days' racing off the Pinatar coast. Saturday and Sunday each bring coastal courses, with crews handicapped under the international ORC system, plus a second division that exists mainly to coax newcomers onto the start line. You don't need a boat to enjoy it. Wander out along the marina or the shore and you can watch the fleet beat back and forth against the flat Costa Cálida horizon.

The shore side is half the appeal. There's a barbecue, a live band, and a tasting of caldero, the local rice and fish stew, before the prizes are handed out around five on the Sunday afternoon. Easy to drop in on, and free to spectate.