Sotogrande once again demonstrated the strength of its community and its long-standing commitment to sustainability during the celebration of World Oceans Day, held on 5 June 2026.
Organised by Sotogrande S.A., San Roque Town Hall, Puerto Sotogrande S.A., Fundación Navega and the Real Club Marítimo de Sotogrande — with the collaboration of Fireballs GC — the initiative brought together dozens of volunteers of all ages for a day dedicated to environmental awareness, community engagement and coastal clean-up.
A collective effort to protect the sea
This year’s edition highlighted the power of collaboration across local associations, companies, institutions, artists, schools and residents, all united by a shared goal: to preserve and protect the marine ecosystem.
According to data provided by ARCGISA (Agua y Residuos del Campo de Gibraltar), a total of 3,300 litres of waste were collected throughout the day. Of this, 2,200 litres corresponded to general waste and 1,100 litres to light packaging, underscoring both the scale of the challenge and the importance of continued awareness and action.
Fireballs GC leads by example
A standout contributor to this year’s event was Fireballs GC, the LIV Golf team led by Sergio García. Alongside David Puig, Josele Ballester and Luis Masaveu, the team actively participated in the clean-up and engaged with attendees, particularly younger participants from La Cañada, Fundación Valderrama and Sotogrande International School.
Their presence reinforced an essential message: caring for the environment is a shared responsibility that transcends generations.
A new approach: The Solidarity Treasure Hunt
One of the most exciting additions this year was a gamified experience titled “The Solidarity Treasure Hunt.” This initiative transformed the clean-up into an engaging activity, where collected waste symbolically became “recovered treasure” for nature.
Participants formed teams and competed in a friendly challenge to collect as much waste as possible. Winners received prizes and gifts from Fireballs GC, Sotogrande S.A. and Puerto Sotogrande, reinforcing the connection between sustainability, sport and community participation.
A day for the whole family
The programme offered a wide range of activities designed for all ages, including:
- Beach and marina clean-up actions
- Boat trips
- Educational and artistic workshops
- Exhibitions and environmental awareness sessions
- Live DJ entertainment
Experts from the nautical and diving sectors also took part, sharing their knowledge on marine conservation and highlighting the importance of protecting our oceans.
Adding an international dimension, Croatian students currently completing vocational training internships in Sotogrande — through a partnership between AFEPI and Fundación Navega — joined the initiative, combining education, inclusion and environmental responsibility.
Supported by an entire community
The success of the event was made possible thanks to the involvement of numerous organisations committed to sustainability and marine conservation. These included Verdemar Ecologistas, San Roque Turismo, Asociación Subacuática Casares, Sotoaudio, Mosayko, Alavela Yachting, Turismo del Campo de Gibraltar, Caetaria, Puerto de Acuarelas, Sotojets, Wewhale, Jugarnia Nautic, Securitas, Max Mar, Typical Alternative Group and El Pañol, among many others.
Beyond on-the-ground participation, many partners, collaborators and media outlets helped amplify the initiative through digital content, photography and video across social media platforms. In particular, Marinas de Andalucía played a key role in extending the message of ocean conservation beyond the local community.
Artists and content creators — including José Luis Biedma, Katarina Nizanova, Pamela Naranjo, Pedro Terol, Alejandro López, Laura Cortés, Supyoga, Walter Lee, Little Paris – Casas Flotantes, Samantha Morris and Fresco — also contributed to increasing the visibility and impact of the event through their channels.
A long-term commitment to sustainability
Sotogrande S.A. has upheld a strong commitment to sustainable development for over six decades, based on low-density planning, landscape integration, renewable energy, efficient mobility and the active protection of the natural environment.
The company has also been a pioneer in water management in Spain. As early as 1974, Sotogrande launched one of the country’s first water treatment and reuse plants, later expanding its capacity in the 1990s. Today, these facilities enable the reuse of treated water for irrigation across golf courses, gardens and polo fields, helping preserve local water resources.
This ongoing commitment to environmental, social and governance excellence (ESG) was recently recognised with the award for “Best ESG Progress Company” at the ASPRIMA-SIMA 2026 Awards, one of Spain’s leading real estate industry distinctions.
Puerto Sotogrande S.A. has also achieved key sustainability milestones, becoming the first marina in Andalusia and Cádiz to receive both the Sustainable Tourism “S Flag” (ICTES) and Blue Flag (ADEAC). It also holds ISO 9001, 14001 and 45001 certifications, reinforcing its position as a benchmark for quality and sustainability.
Fundación Navega continues to promote environmental education and social inclusion through initiatives such as its inclusive sailing school at Puerto Sotogrande, while the Real Club Marítimo de Sotogrande supports year-round sailing programmes and sustainability initiatives in collaboration with local partners.
Meanwhile, San Roque Town Hall continues to demonstrate its strong environmental commitment, recently renewing its six Blue Flags for beaches across the municipality.
World Oceans Day at Sotogrande is more than a one-day event — it is a reflection of a community that understands that preserving the natural environment is essential to its identity and future.