Javea has become a kayaking hotspot, and we are not surprised why! We’re here to share with you why Javea is so special, and why kayaking in Javea has become so enormous. We will tell you all about the little secrets that Javea’s coastline has to offer, from underwater sea caves, to underground waterfalls, as well as go into a lot of detail about all the places where you can go kayaking in the area.
But you may be wondering, why kayaking in Javea? Well, we will go into a lot more detail, but in short, Javea’s coastline is absolutely incredible, hosting many secret bays, coves, and caves... nonetheless, finding these places alone can be a challenge, and also impossible, as a lot of these places are completely inaccessible unless you have a kayak!
So sit back, relax, and get ready to find out about all that you need to know if you want to go kayaking in Javea! Here’s a list of all the topics we will cover;
If you’re looking for a new sport or way to exercise that provides a full body workout with low stress and tension on your joints and tissues, kayaking in Javea is a perfect option. It will improve your cardiovascular fitness significantly, all whilst increasing muscle strength, particularly in the back, arms, shoulders and chest, from moving the paddle. You can also expect to work out your torso and legs, as the strength to power a kayak comes mainly from rotating the torso and applying pressure with your legs!
Obviously, Javea is very fortunate to have an incredible coastline, with secret bays, caves, and coves around every corner. Nonetheless, our wonderful world is full of diverse environments which can be explored from the seat of your kayak, not just limited to Javea. So, learning to kayak in Javea and exploring here opens a world of opportunities for you, allowing you to visit some of the most beautiful destinations in the world. River, lakes, oceans and more — your possibilities for exploring are endless!
Kayaking can be very peaceful and meditative, requiring very fluid and continuous movements throughout kayaking. These motions help calm your nervous system and reduce stress, as your attention will be focused on paddling and nothing else. Exercise causes your body to release endorphins, the chemicals in your brain that relieve pain and stress. It also reduces the levels of stress hormones, cortisol, and adrenaline. Studies have shown that 20 to 30 minutes of exercise each day can make people feel calmer, happier... so imagine being on the water for almost three hours and all the good that can do you!
In relation to the previous point, practicing kayaking in Javea is a formidable way to keep stress, anxiety, and a host of common mental health challenges at bay. The water has a positively soothing and calming effect on our minds. It does by focusing the attention solely on the activity, which can help you leave your own head for a while, feel grounded at the moment, and enhance your cognitive skills. When practiced regularly, aquatic sports can work to reduce your likeliness to feel down or depressed.
Luckily for you, kayaking is the kind of water sport that can be practiced by absolutely everybody, from all backgrounds and from any experience and skillset! This is especially true for kayaking in Javea, where we are blessed with some incredible conditions (something we will discuss in the next sections!), meaning that it is within the capabilities of absolutely everyone to carry out a kayaking excursion or tour!
If you want to learn more about the specificities of kayaking, here you can find a comprehensive guide about how to kayak, how to hold your paddle, what to do if you capsize, etc. etc.!
Nonetheless, here’s a breakdown of all the groups that kayaking is absolutely perfect for in Javea!
Families
Kayaking in Javea gives families the unique opportunity to do something utterly different, yet safe, even when your children are very young! You can sit in a double kayak with your children, letting them cruise along and observe the beautiful landscapes fly by, all whilst you enjoy this special moment with your child. It will also allow you to experience adventures and experiences that you couldn’t imagine, such as cliff-jumping for the first time, visiting underwater sea caves, or simply snorkelling in the life-abundant waters!
Couples
What a unique way to spend the afternoon than with a loved one in a kayak together. You will be rowing in a double kayak, where you can coordinate each and every movement, like a slow and rhythmic dance. It is the perfect way to mess around a little and have some fun, splashing each other here and there, as well as teasing each other by paddling wrong! Nonetheless, it is an overall magical experience where you will be able to spend a lot of time together, experiencing every moment side by side!
Groups of Friends
What better way to spend the afternoon that with a group of friends doing something different and unique? From splashing each other, to competing in little races & cliff jumping, it is the perfect way to spend your time together. Don’t worry, you’ll finally be able to see who really knows what they’re doing.
Oh... keep this a little secret... but kayaking does help tremendously with hangovers... shhh!
Corporate Groups
Would you like to see your boss falling out of a kayak and struggling to climb back on all whilst laughing? Would you dare to steal his oar and leave him to paddle with his hands all alone? Or how about seeing the quietest person from the office stand up on a paddle board and race ahead? Well, kayaking in Javea is a perfect way to bond with your fellow colleagues and teammates, and do something truly unique.
Geographically, Javea’s coastline is surrounded by peaking mountains and rock formations, some reaching over one hundred meters from the sea level. Other than that, every section of Javea is in a encircling bay, meaning that the coastline in Javea is extremely protected and sheltered. Why is this important from a kayaking perspective?
Well, first of all, it means that you get to enjoy the protection of the cliffs and shoreline around you, sheltering you from strong gusts of wind that would normally make kayaking very difficult! Each location that we operate from is very unique, as it is almost always sheltered from the wind, making each kayak excursion & tour very smooth and simple.
Just as with the wind, the natural geographic shape of Javea, as well as the Mediterranean as a whole, is fairly enclosed, meaning that you are protected from strong waves.
That's to say that just outside the bay there could be a raging storm, however Javea itself remains calm and protected! This is another reason why Javea is perfect for kayaking and carrying out different types of water sports as the sea always tends to remain flat and safe!
Overall, what this means is that Javea is absolutely perfect for kayaking. You should never have to worry about not having enough experience, or being with your family and young ones, as you never really have to worry about big waves, strong currents, or an overall dangerous environment. Javea truly is heaven on earth for kayaking!
Siesta Advisor runs kayak excursions, tours & rentals in the morning, the midday and in the afternoon. The reason behind this is that kayaking in Javea is perfect all day, every day, and each part of the day has its specific advantages! Here’s a list of each of these time periods!
Kayaking in the morning
In the morning you can expect the calmest water conditions, and when the sea is at its quietest period. Kayaking in the morning will give you a very peaceful experience as you will not see much traffic out on the water, and this also means that there might be a lot more fish and sea life around! It is usually people’s favourite period to go kayaking, and it’s arguably the best way to start your day!
Kayaking midday
Midday is when the temperatures are at their hottest, meaning it is perfect for those who tend to get cold whilst swimming & snorkelling in the sea, and who can enjoy the refreshing sunlight warming your body whilst you float around! Equally, with there being direct sunlight, the visibility underwater gets a lot clearer and transparent, making the snorkelling experience all the more magical!
Overall, it is the best time of the day for those who want to have a very comfortable and enjoyable experience!
Kayaking in the afternoon
Well, similar to the morning, you can expect some calm water conditions, and for all the traffic to start reducing. By the end of your tour, you will be one of the last ones on the water, meaning you can enjoy the tranquillity of the coastline all to yourself, all whilst you enjoy beautiful sunsets and prepare yourself for a calm and refreshing (or crazy one if that’s your thing... ;)) night with the family or friends!
Additionally, kayaking in Javea can be done all-year! Javea boasts with having around 330 sunny days a year, meaning that even winter temperatures can reach 25oc! Let’s not forget, out of season there is significantly reduced tourism, meaning that you will be able to enjoy more private and intimate tours with your friends and family, often having a guide just to yourself!
Don’t worry, you will not be going on your kayaking excursions & tours alone, in fact, you’ll be accompanied by some of the most experienced monitors on the entire coastline. They will always be there to answer any & all of your questions regarding absolutely anything, from general inquiries and touristic facts to more sophisticated questions about kayaking.
Siesta Advisor has extensive history operating and offering their kayak services in Javea. Having started kayaking from Javea over a decade ago, Siesta Advisor is by far the most experienced and professional company to be offering kayaking excursions and rentals.
Our customers speak for themselves, and with over one thousand five star reviews on both Google AND TripAdvisor, our monitors must be doing something right with our kayaking excursions.
What this extensive experience means is that you are in very good and competent hands, where your attentive guides will always be paying attention to you. Let’s just say that over the past ten years of operating, we’ve never had any serious injuries or accidents... so that must say something about us!
Granadella, located in Javea in the Alicante region of Spain, is one of the most beautiful beaches on the entire Spanish coastline according to multiple national surveys. Surrounded by an incredible pine forest and known for its steep hills and crystal-clear waters, Granadella beach has been awarded with the prestigious Bandera Azul (Blue Flag) every year since 1989.
The Blue Flag is a unique award given by the Foundation for Environmental Education, which shows that Granadella beach meets its standards of safety, information, and quality assurance. Here's a little fun fact: since the awards began in the year 1987, Spain has had more blue flags than any other country, Granadella playing a huge part in them!
Siesta Advisor has been operating their kayak services in Granadella, Javea for over a decade now... so we really do know all the things that can be done! When you book an excursion with us, we will meet you directly at the picturesque bay of Granadella, where we prepare all the equipment directly there for the adventure just after having a short health and safety talk.
We will meet with you on the far-left side of the Granadella, next to the traditional fishermen boats from the local people of Granadella. Here’s a breakdown of all the things you can expect to encounter on your kayak excursion or tour in Granadella, Javea!
Kayaking to Cova del Llop Marí, Javea
If you decide to do your kayak tour & excursion from Granadella, one of the first spots our highly experienced and professional Siesta Advisor team will take you to the amazing Cova del Llop Marí. Legend has it that this cave’s name comes from the fact that long ago sea lions used to visit this cave while they were migrating, and local fishermen named it on behalf of these animals! Despite this no longer being the case, this cave still holds a wide variety of secrets!
Cova del Llop Marí is an incredible naturally formed cave that holds a secret or two! But as a little spoiler, Cova del Llop Marí is a cave in which we can find a great variety of wildlife: starfish, octopuses, sea urchins, barracudas, as well as hundreds of fish. In fact, we have even seen stingrays there, which use the cave as a mating place.
From a geological perspective, Cova del Llop Marí has the different coloured rocks encompassing the inside of the cave, depicting all the natural processes occurring inside of it, being a great educational tool for those interested in geology! And that’s not to mention the abundance of stalactites as well as underwater tunnels!
Cala en Caló, the hidden paradise within Javea
You can find a more comprehensive guide on Cala en Caló here, however we’ll still tell you all the things you need to know about kayaking to Cala en Caló and why it is such an incredible place!
First and foremost, Cala en Caló is very hidden and secretive. It is geographically located in a very sneaky spot in Javea, to the extent where it wasn’t even labelled on Google Maps until recently! What makes Cala en Caló even more camouflaged is the fact that it is hidden behind a huge island in the middle of the bay, obscuring a lot of the bay itself... so to an outsider, you wouldn’t even be able to find it! That’s why doing a kayak tour & excursion is an absolute must there!
On top of that, this bay is only & uniquely accessible by sea, meaning that there is absolutely no way to walk, hike or climb down there! This is because it is located at the bottom of a huge canyon that measures over 100 meter in height! You could try swimming here, but you wouldn’t get very far, as Granadella is around 2 kilometres away from this little gem! Thus, the only way to access Cala en Caló is by kayaking!
But what this also means is that Cala en Caló has had very little contact with humans, meaning that it has remained very protected from human deterioration and impact. This means that the beach remains abundant with marine flora and fauna, where you can expect to find some of the most incredible life imaginable. Cala en Caló, in short, has all the characteristics of a beach in exotic countries such as Thailand or Vietnam, however don't worry, we won't make you go so far to experience something just as beautiful, where all you need to do is sit in a kayak and experience this truly unique kayaking experience in Javea!
Oh... and that’s not to mention the absolutely incredible underwater sea cave that you can find there... but I won’t spoil that here... (click here if you want to find out more)
Cala Ambolo, Javea, a kayaker’s heaven!
On your kayak excursion from Granadella, Javea, you would also visit the incredible & picturesque Cala Ambolo, a peaceful and beautiful beach with some silky-smooth sand and some jaw dropping views. It is one of Javea’s most exclusive, as well as beautiful beaches, a little gem that you must visit whilst in Javea.
Nonetheless, accessing Cala Ambolo can prove to be somewhat difficult as it is currently closed to the public. This is because the walking path accessing Cala Ambolo has sometimes experienced some loose rocks and rockslides that can make the walk down a little dangerous...however, luckily, we completely avoid this risk when accessing Cala Ambolo by kayak, where we don’t walk across the risky walk paths!
But what this also means is that, as it is currently closed to the public, this beach remains a peaceful place to enjoy the sun from and to go for a swim, away from all the popular tourist hotspots! So, if you’re interested in accessing Cala Ambolo, a kayak or paddle board excursion with Siesta Advisor is the way to go!
Cala Ambolo in Javea is also interesting as it has a nudist tradition, being one of the very few beaches in Spain that is renowned as a nudist beach, making it a very unique beach on the coastline of Spain. However, we do offer a warning, if you see any sea snakes around, be careful not to grab it, as you might find an angry man attached to the other end of it! 😂
But jokes aside, Cala Ambolo is an incredible beach that is of immense beauty and really worth visiting. Historically, Cala Ambolo owes its name to the watchtower built in the 16th century, whose function was to watch over and defend the sea from pirate attacks. Find out more about Cala Ambolo here!
Portixol beach is famously known for its unique fishermen houses with white facades and blue bright doors, something you have surely seen on Instagram!
In other words, these little Greek-looking houses can be found everywhere on social media, and now represent not only this spectacular beach, but symbolize the true Mediterranean lifestyle Javea is renowned for. The little houses, named “barracas” in Spanish, also give this beach the secondary name that it often goes by – La Barraca Beach! But let’s not get confused, so we’ll stick to Portixol! (Full guide of Cala Portixol here!)
Nonetheless, what makes Portixol even more spectacular is all the secrets it holds, and all the things you can do if you have access to a kayak. In other words, kayaking in Portixol is incredible, and I am here to tell you why!
Cala El Pom, Portixol
Similar to Cala en Caló in Granadella, Cala el Pom is also extremely hidden and secretive, completely out of sight of Portixol beach. It is hidden in the corner of the Portixol bay area, and often gets completely overlooked by tourists who happen to be near there. Cala el Pom has only recently been labelled on Google Maps too, portraying just how hidden it is...
But what makes kayaking in Portixol to Cala el Pom so special? Well, once again, we only take you to the most spectacular and exclusive places that Javea has to offer, this bay being one of them! Cala el Pom is only accessible by sea, meaning that it is a beach that always remains peaceful and calm, away from the tourist hotspots, and preserved from the detrimental effects of unsustainable tourism!
In other words, get ready to experience a completely isolated bay all to yourself and those with you on your kayaking excursion. And most importantly, what makes Cala el Pom so special is the mysterious and camouflaged underground waterfall! But we won’t spoil too much yet!
Kayaking across to Portixol Island
One of the main reasons why kayaking in Portixol is so special is because of Portixol island, the true highlight of your kayak trip. It is an incredible place filled with natural wildlife and vegetation, being one of the best places in the whole of Javea for snorkelling! However, the fun doesn’t stop there! In fact, Portixol island is filled with history and mystery, to the extent where it is plagued with ancient Roman artifacts underwater that have been discovered over the years.
Just so for your information, in the most recent discovery in September 2021, 53 gold Roman coins were found! So perhaps your kayak adventure from Portixol could make you the next treasure hunter of Javea, allowing you to walk away with your ancient fortune!
Equally, on Portixol island, we visit a completely hidden and naturally formed cave where you can take some absolutely breath-taking photos (take a look for yourself ) a place where we'll take a chance to relax and reconnect with nature!
And finally, after having enjoyed the tranquility of the cave, your kayak excursion from Portixol will take you to our famous "blue lagoon", a little water pool separated from the sea by land, measuring ten meters in depth, and portraying some of the most pristine water conditions you could ever imagine. It is also perfect for those who enjoy a bit of adrenaline and adventure, being able to do some cliff jumping! In short, our adventures and kayak excursions from Portixol are an absolute must for those craving an unforgettable experience!
Cala Tango, located in Javea in the Alicante region of Spain, has been renowned for decades for its breathtakingly pristine water quality, calm water conditions, and its remote and exotic location. It is one of the most secretive and exclusive bays in Javea, barely known by the everyday tourist that comes to this part of Spain. This makes Cala Tango one of the best beaches in Javea, as it still remains off the radar for almost everybody which has allowed it to preserve all its natural beauty and magic.
For those interested in a little bit of art & history, Cala Tango retains tremendous amounts history and is so artistically famous that it managed to capture the heart of one of Spain’s, if not the world’s, most famous artist, Joaquín Sorolla. He was so in love with the Javea, and more specifically Cala Tango, that he dedicated one of his oil paintings to the little bay, going by the name of “Niños bañándose entre rocas. Jávea” (1905). Translating to “Children swimming amongst rocks, Javea”, it depicts a nostalgic and playful scene of a group of children playing in the little bay that we now call Cala Tango.
The iconic central rock that the beach is renowned for is clearly visible on the painting, a part of the beach that still remains intact and unmoved till this very day. So get ready to jump back in time with your kayak excursion to Cala Tango in Javea.
Cala Tango
Visiting Cala Tango is one of those things you don’t want to miss doing whilst in Javea, but also the kind of thing that you’ll almost certain miss, as it is so hidden and exotic, almost impossible to access by land as it requires a somewhat difficult and dangerous hike to reach it. However, going to Cala Tango by sea with a kayak tour or rental provides us with the best of both worlds: avoiding the necessity to take the hike, all whilst being able to enjoy the exclusivity of this incredible beach!
Nonetheless, despite Cala Tango not being the biggest or the most prestigious beach around, it certainly is the beach that will give you the most fun and adrenaline-filled adventure whilst in Javea.
This is because when kayaking to Cala Tango, you’ll enter a little secluded bay, next to which there is an incredibly unique slanted and elevated platform that is perfect for cliff jumping (the sport of jumping from somewhere high into the water without any equipment!).
What the slant of this platform means is that Cala Tango provides the perfect jump height for absolutely everyone and of different levels, making it so unique. If you want to just take it easy, or perhaps practice some backflips, there are some small jumps. Or if you want to improve your confidence and push your limits, there are some intermediate jumps! However, if you really wish to test yourself and experience something unlike ever before, there are some extremely high rocks to jump from! In other words, there is something catered for absolutely everyone!
Equally, Cala Tango is renowned for having some incredible underwater rock structures and formations, making it perfect for snorkelling for those who’d rather give the rock jumping part a miss! But brace yourself, because the next section of your kayak tour in Javea is where the real underwater fun begins!
San Antonio
If you happen to be a water fanatic and enjoy the underwater world as much as we do, this kayaking excursion is perfect for you. That is because we visit the beautiful and magnificent San Antonio cape, a famous natural wildlife reserve of unimaginable beauty. Being inaccessible by land (making this kayak excursion all the most spectacular), you can expect to find some of the most pristine and life-abundant sea conditions imaginable.
This is partly because boats and recreational motor vehicles are prohibited from entering this area as a preventive mesure to safeguard the flora and fauna of the area. In other words, the anchors of the boats can be extremely damaging to the seabed, and the noise of the engines of boats can disturb marine life significantly, upsetting their reproductive cycles and overall damaging the ecosystem. Nonetheless, with this prohibition, it makes San Antonio unimaginably peaceful and unique!
It is said that snorkelling and kayaking near San Antonio is one of the most unique experiences in the entirety of Javea, as you can see life that is almost impossible to see anywhere else in Spain such as: dolphins, whales, and sea horses (amongst all the other incredibly unique creatures that live there). So not only do you get to experience the exhilarating activity of cliff jumping, but you're also able to immerse yourself in one of the most vibrant snorkelling locations in the whole of Spain.
So... have we convinced you yet? Or do we still need to say more about why kayaking in Javea is the most unique and unforgettable experience someone could experience? Well, I hope we’ve made it very obvious why kayaking in Javea is so incredible, and how it is the best way to make the most out of your holiday experience in Javea.
If you are still a little bit unsure about things, please check out our location pages where we go into a lot more detail about each location.
Cala Granadella
Cala Portixol
Cala Tango & San Antonio
On these pages you will find all the relevant information (even more than on here as we’ve just been focusing on kayaking in Javea here). And if you’re interested in the products themselves, here’s a list of everything we’ve been talking about! You can equally scroll down and find the related activities underneath!
Kayak Granadella
Kayak Portixol
Kayak Cala Tango & San Antonio
We hope to see you soon on our next kayaking adventures!
Do you have any additional questions about your kayaking adventure with us? Well, don’t hesitate and ask away! We are more than happy to put you in contact with some of our most professional monitors who will be able to answer all your questions and queries without issue! So... if you are unsure or uncertain about something, ask away and we’ll always be there to answer your questions! You can contact us via email on info@siestaadvisor.com, or equally on phone & Whatsapp on +34 639 908 367
