🛶🤿 What better way to explore the beautiful clear waters of Javea than by a kayak and snorkelling tour… below we review the BEST tour for your trip!
Javea is one of the most beautiful destinations in Costa Blanca… that is for sure. Perhaps Javea’s charm lies in the dramatic landscape in which it is surrounded. Impressive miradors or views, steep cliffs, small calas or bays, all contribute to Javea’s appeal. And because of this rugged coastline, many of these small bays are inaccessible by foot. Therefore a kayak and snorkelling tour is the ideal way to explore everything Javea has to offer, that otherwise can’t be reached by car, or via a hike.
Below we explain what you can expect from three seperate kayak tours in Javea, including Cala Tango, Granadella and Portixol. If you are wondering about the logistics of taking kids on a kayak tour, how much a kayak tour costs, and what to bring on a kayak tour, then read on.
Our kayak tour review below highlights the overall experience with Siesta Advisor, our thoughts on value for money and level of professionalism. So if you’re thinking about booking a kayak tour for your stay in Javea, then look no further as we explain it all below. Choosing a kayak tour in Javea has never been easier… we even share the booking links below!
Also Get Our: Best EVER Holiday Guide to Javea!
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Javea Water Sport Activities
The beautiful clear Mediterranean waters in and around Javea BEG to be explored. In fact if you’re in Javea for the holidays then you’ll be looking for a few water activities. A water activity that provides more than just a little light entertainment… one that helps you cool off from the hot Spanish sun.
And you’d be in luck! Because we have put together some awesome Javea travel guides for you, more than just a few that include the ocean. From the best beaches, to the best day trips, a boat tour and even a walk that includes a cave snorkel.
But if you are here to learn more about the options for a kayak and snorkelling tour in Javea, then read on. This kayak and snorkelling tour is the perfect way to cool down AND to explore the best Javea has to offer both on and under the water!
Kayak Options in and Around Javea
One of the best things about a holiday in Javea are the options available in terms of beaches and bays. Not only do you have the sandy beach and kid friendly Arenal, but you also have many small bays or calas to explore. And let me just say, that these calas are what make Javea stand out among all the other little towns and villages along Costa Blanca. In Javea you’re truly spoilt for choice when it comes to picturesque calas.
To name just a few of the prettiest calas and beaches in Javea, you have Granadella, Portixol and Cala Tango… but there are also more. Check out our post on the best beaches in Javea for more information.
I mention the above three beaches in Javea as they are no more than a 10 to 15 drive from the main beach or Arenal. And they are some of the best kayaking locations in and around Javea. What’s more the kayak tour that we review here, provide guided tours to each of these three calas in Javea.
Click above to learn more, or to book a kayak and snorkel tour of Cala Tango, Granadella and Portixol. Or carry on below to continue reading our review and what to expect from these kayaking tour options.
It’s relevant to note that getting a car park close to Granadella and Portixol beaches in the height of summer, can be very difficult. Near on impossible actually. In which case, when you book these tours above you should discuss transport options with the tour provider. Alternatively, arrive very early (before 9am) to get a park, walk in, or go for the easiest option and book the Cala Tango kayak tour.
Cala Tango Kayak Tour
The Cala Tango kayak launch point is a short walk from the Javea Port. From the beach you’ll head north towards Cap de Sant Antoni to explore the Cala Tango marine reserve. Boats and jet skis are not permitted into this area which makes it a peaceful and very protected area to kayak through.
There are some beautiful snorkelling spots, as well as a few exciting cliff jumping rocks. Read more about Cala Tango below for our complete review of this kayak and snorkelling tour in Javea.
Granadella Kayak Tour
The Granadella kayak tour leaves from Granadella beach just 8km or a 15 minute drive from Arenal Beach in Javea.
The main feature of the Granadella kayak tour are the secret caves and calas. Forget trying to find these by yourself, it takes a local to find them! The electric blue water inside Cova del Llop Marí makes for a memorable snorkelling and swimming experience.
The snorkelling in and around Granadella is some of the best we’ve experienced in the Mediterranean. The fish life is great and the crystal clear waters make it fantastic for beginner snorkelers.
Portixol Kayak Tour
This is one of my personal favourite bays in Javea, and only 6km or a 12 minute drive from the Arenal Beach.
On this kayak tour you’ll explore Portixol Island and the Blue Lagoon. As well as the impressive and sprawling cliffs of Cap Negre and smaller cave of Cala el Pom.
When you’re finished you can stop at Cala Clemence for some tasty lunch! But don’t forget to make a reservation, it gets busy.
Kayaking with Kids in Javea
Can you take kids with you on a kayaking tour in Javea? In short, yes you can. But you’ll need to consider their level of water confidence and how many adults will be joining your tour.
Children will be required to kayak with an adult. This included our ten year old who has some experience kayaking. Taking a seat at the front of the kayak, they’ll be able to take a paddle, but also take a break when needed.
Our youngest two kayak adventurers were aged seven and six and they took it in their stride. Actually one of the benefits of these kayak and snorkelling tours in Javea is that it includes other water activities. That way the littles don’t get restless sitting in one place for a prolonged period.
Tips for Kayaking with Kids:
- We recommend if you’re taking kids, bring a lollipop or sweet for when the wriggles set in.
- Give them a GoPro or water camera… let them document the trip from the front seat.
- Avoid giving them their own paddle and instead let them occasionally try your own. Otherwise you’ll find yourself carrying an extra paddle when they’ve lost interest.
🚸 Read our guide of rad things to do in Javea with the kids. It’s fun for the whole family!
What to Expect on a Kayak & Snorkelling Tour in Javea
The kayak and snorkelling tours run from the three beaches throughout the day as per the following schedule.
- Granadella and Cala Tango – options of 10am, 12.30pm and 3pm
- Portixol – one tour per day at 12.30pm
We recommend the earlier kayaking tours as the seas are often calmer at this time of the day.
It’s best to arrive 15 minutes ahead of your kayak tour. This way you can get fitted for a life jacket and snorkel and mask without the rush. But as mentioned above, if you’re kayaking at Portixol or Granadella, it’s best to get there even earlier to ensure you get a carpark.
The team will also give a quick demonstration on how to hold the paddle and what do if you roll out of the kayak.
What to Bring on a Kayak & Snorkelling Tour
Remember everything is likely to get wet, so you need to think carefully about what you actually need to take on a kayaking trip. It is best to apply sunblock before you depart and to wear swimming costumes under a t-shirt.
Here are some of the things we took and recommend –
- Waterproof shoes or beach shoes – the stony beaches can be really hard to walk on
- Dry bag – if you don’t have one, your guide will, and can take a few things
- Mobile phone, GoPro or water proof camera
- Sun hat
- Snorkel and mask if you have them
Renting a Kayak in Javea
If you prefer to avoid the guided tour thing… I get it. We are the same kind of travellers, preferring to explore on our own. However, for a kayak and snorkelling tour of Javea then I recommend you go with an expert for the first time. And then when you know the lay of the land, then rent a kayak after that.
These guys know their stuff, they have been kayaking these bays for more than a decade. In which case, they know all the secret spots, the hidden caves, the best jumping rocks and the clearest places to snorkel. It really helps to know things like, where you can pull your kayak up onto the rocks and where to tread carefully for sea urchins.
We had considered renting a kayak by ourselves and were so glad that we ended up going with the professionals.
How Much Does a Kayak Tour Cost in Javea
If you book through our links here with Viator, the kayak and snorkelling tour with Siesta Advisor costs 45 Euros per adult and 30 Euros per child. It doesn’t matter what time of the year you book, winter to summer, the price remains the same.
We definitely recommend that you book in advance as one thing is for certain… kayak tours will book out. This is a great price and an experience worth every penny. Just check these reviews on Trip Advisor to hear other traveller’s positives reviews and experiences.
Our Experience & Review
We opted for the Cala Tango tour. The cliff jumping and snorkelling in the Marine Reserve was high on our list of interests. To add to this, we had previously taken a boat tour to Portixol and snorkelled Cala el Pom. We had also swam many times in Granadella and taken the loop track walk out towards Cap Negre. Therefore we wanted to head north to see something a bit different.
Communication Before Booking
So, what did we think? How did we rate our kayak and snorkelling tour in Javea, Costa Blanca. As alway we did our research of kayak and snorkelling tour providers in Javea, before jumping in and booking something. We wanted to know that the kids could join and we were looking for some reassurance from the tour providers that we were in the BEST hands.
After sending a few emails to the different tour operators in the area, we got that sense that Siesta Advisor was the best on the market. They were quick, professional and communication was super easy.
Professionalism of the Guides
Just to complicate our tour further, we were booking as a group of nine. And within our party, ages ranged from late 60’s, through to six. With four of our group under the age of 10, and two over the age of 60, we might have been seen as a challenge.
Though at no point did the team from Siesta Advisor appear to struggle. The guide was loads of fun, especially with the kids, and what’s more was full of local knowledge. Actually, he was great at recommending further places of interest, so we left with a long list of things to do in Javea!
The Overall Kayak and Snorkelling Experience
The tour took just under three hours, which in terms of value for money was perfect! We kayaked across the bay which gave our arms a good stretch and a feeling like we had earned our snorkel.
After pulling into the first small bay for a snorkel, it wasn’t long before the kids were lining up for the cliff jumping. There were several jumps available at varying heights. And these staggered jumps meant we could work up the courage in order to attempt the bigger ones. Starting at 3m they gradually increased to 5m, 7m and I believe even higher. However, stopping at 7m we maxed out our adrenaline levels.
We continued on the kayak tour further around the coast, admiring everything the marine reserve had to offer from above. Our guide lined us up for a few group photos, which was a nice added bonus. Then we parked the kayaks up for another snorkel. Honestly this was some of the best fish life I’d seen in these waters. There was also a little cave to explore.
Would I recommend Siesta Advisor, yes I absolutely would. They are experts at what they do, super friendly and the kayak tours are well organised. In addition to this, the steep cliffs in and around Javea can only be accessed from the sea. And so when you take a kayak and snorkelling tour in Javea, you know that you’re visiting areas that can’t be visited on foot. In our opinion, it’s one of the best water activities and tours you could choose!
More on Javea
So if you have a holiday or family vacation planned for Javea, then you are going to want to know more about this beautiful coastal town of Costa Blanca. We have visited two summers, each time staying for three months, and as such have loads of content to come. Stay tuned for our full guides to Javea and sign up through our Join the List section below!
- Check out our review of Villa Riu Blanc a stunning boutique hotel near Calpe. This is the kind of place you need to book if you are looking for a Spanish romantic getaway!
- For the best beaches in and around Javea, then read our complete guide. We tell you everything you need to know about the beaches of Javea and beyond.
- Get our essential guide to all the best walking trails in and around Javea. We did them all and give a full review with maps to each trail.
- Read here for a full guide to the Cova Tallada sea caves. Including how to reserve your permits and trail safety.
- DON’T MISS THIS! – 21 summer fun things to do and activities for Javea! This guide contains it all!
- 💎 Planning your stay, then browse through our full hotel and accommodation guide to Javea – there is something for everyone!
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