Along the same stretch of coastline below the town of Begur are the coves of Sa Riera and Sa Tuna. Sa Riera is a small cove with coarse golden sand, a moderately sloping shelf and lovely views out to the Medes Islands, whereas Sa Tuna's beach is pebbly and gently sloping. Both offer a small selection of popular bars and restaurants.
Sa Riera and Sa Tuna were originally the most important source of fish for the local inhabitants of nearby Begur. Before the days of motorised fishing boats, families would gather at night and light large bonfires at each end of the beach to attract fish into the protected coves. The womenfolk would wade out into the bay up to their necks, between them carrying a long, heavy fishing net gathered in their arms, with each end of the net attached to a sturdy rope that led back to the beach. As the shoals of fish swam past them, the women would drop the nets to the seabed and shout to the men folk, grouped around the fires, who would then heave on both ends of the rope, hauling the fish onto the beach.
Nowadays the little whitewashed houses that were primarily used for storing fishing tackle are private residences with two or three of them serving as restaurants and bars. However, the tradition of fishing has not died out and elderly men with weather-beaten faces can still be spotted sitting on a stall or rock mending their nets. Both Sa Riera and Sa Tuna offer excellent snorkelling, and the beaches shelve moderately into the sea, making them suitable choices for families with young children.
