38.49° N · 0.28° W · Villajoyosa
Three hours paddling along Villajoyosa's southern coast, the one you do not see from the promenade: rocky coves, a 16th-century watchtower and a stop to swim with a mask in a cove you cannot reach on foot. Double, stable kayaks, no previous experience.
Who offers it
Independent companies: you book with them, on their terms. Prices are as they publish them and may change.
Step by step
You sign the consent form, are given life jacket, paddle and dry bag, and the guide explains how to paddle and get into the kayak.
You paddle north hugging the coast, among rocky coves.
In a small cove with no easy access by land: mask, snorkel and a spell in the water.
The group continues to Playa del Xarco, beneath the watchtower.
You paddle back to the starting point. In all, about three hours.
The Villajoyosa coast south of the port turns to rock: small coves between rocks and an old watchtower above Playa del Xarco. From the water you see what the road hides.
The route leaves from Playa Paraíso, at the southern end of the municipality, next to the Alicante Aventura base. From there you paddle north, hugging the shore, past Cala del Bon Nou, l'Esparrelló and La Caleta. If the sea allows, the group continues to Playa del Xarco, beneath the Torre del Xarco, a historic watchtower. Then you return to the starting point. The exact route is decided by the guide according to the wind and the group's pace.
Halfway, if the weather cooperates, you stop in a small cove that is hard to reach by land. There you get out of the kayak, put on the mask and snorkel that are included and swim for a while over the rocks. The tourist office highlights these southern coves for snorkelling: clear water, rock and posidonia meadows.
You do not need to have paddled before. The kayaks are double, self-bailing and with backrests, very stable, and the guide is with you the whole time. Children aged 4 to 9 sit between two adults, without a paddle; from age 10 they pay as adults and paddle. It is a good first kayak outing for a family, as long as the children are comfortable in the water with a life jacket on.
It does ask for some conditions: not being pregnant, not having drunk, being able to stay calm in the water, not getting seasick easily and reasonable fitness. Before starting, everyone signs a consent form; without it you do not go out and the money is not refunded.
€39 per adult and €12 per child aged 4 to 9. It includes the qualified guide-instructor, double kayak with paddle, life jacket, snorkel mask and tube, a dry bag for your things, photos of the outing, which are sent by link and expire after a month, and accident and civil liability insurance. It does not include transfer, food or drink.
Book on the company's website. Arrive at least 15 minutes early: the guides wait five minutes and leave. If you cancel more than 48 hours ahead, they refund the amount or exchange it for another date or a voucher; within 48 hours they only change the date, and with less than 24 hours there are no changes except for justified cause. If they cancel because of the state of the sea, they refund everything.
The base is at Partida Paraíso, 66, on Villajoyosa's south coast, towards El Campello. Park outside and walk in to reception. Without a car, TRAM line 1 stops in the town, but Playa Paraíso is far from the centre: a car is the practical option.
Who it's for
What to bring
More to do
Itineraries
Tips
The company advises against bringing it. They send you the photos.
The company does not let you go out in flip-flops: footwear must hold the heel.
If they never wear a life jacket or do not like getting their face wet, the snorkel stop will feel long.
After the outing, go up to the old town and colourful houses or eat at the Hogar del Pescador, next to the port.
Questions
€39 per adult and €12 per child aged 4 to 9, with snorkelling included.
From age 4, with an adult. Up to age 9, children sit between two adults.
No. The kayaks are double and very stable, and the guide goes with the group.
About three hours, from setting out to returning to Playa Paraíso.
Only if the sea allows. If not, the guide shortens the route along the coves.
If the company cancels the outing, it refunds your money or offers another date or a voucher.
Geocaliahttps://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/valencian-community/villajoyosa/things-to-do/south-coves-kayak
