On July 16 the sea procession is celebrated, by land and by sea, in honor of Our Lady of Carmen, Patroness of Estepona. The procession, one of the most deeply-rooted traditions in Estepona, departs from the Iglesia de Ntra. Sra. Del Carmen and continues along the Paseo Marítimo, where two crowds await you, one of tourists and devoted esteponeros on the seashore, and another of boats of all sizes decked out for the occasion, which come to receive the Virgin, all in an atmosphere of joy and festivity. The head of the procession goes into the water, until the bearers of the image feel their bodies and their clothes covered by the sea, while they sing "La Salve Marinera". Then, they lift the Virgin and put her on a boat. The Lady of Carmen continues her procession by sea, Then followed by all the boats crowded with people and sailors, who, among cheerleaders and mermaids, come to accompany their patron saint on her journey through the waters of Estepona. Once back on land, she continues her journey along the Paseo Marítimo, until she returns to settle in her hermitage, and wait until July 16 of the following year to walk among her people once again.