The best kayak route in Jávea – GRANADELLA – PORTIXOL
By Samuel • Pata Negra Adventure
The entire coast of Jávea is beautiful, but the Cap de la Nao area in particular is a sight to behold for kayaking enthusiasts. There are many stretches worth paddling and exploring in our small, maneuverable kayaks, which allow us to get just a few centimeters from the cliff walls and venture into their countless nooks and caves. But for us, the best kayaking route in Jávea is undoubtedly the stretch between Granadella Beach and Portitxol Beach.
Trip Details and Logistics
This is a route that’s about 5 km long. It’s a one-way route, so you’ll need to plan accordingly. Starting at a different location than where you finish can be quite a hassle when it comes to coordinating vehicles, wait times, and so on…
But since it’s a fairly manageable distance, if you’re used to paddling, it’s not that big of a deal to do a round trip to make things easier for you.
Departure from Granadella Beach
We begin our route at Granadella Beach. This cove is considered one of the most beautiful in Spain, so right from the start of your adventure, you’ll feel like you’re in a true paradise.
You can enter the water from the beach itself or from a small pier located on the left (be careful—the concrete ramp is very slippery). Neither option usually presents any difficulty, since the entire beach is located in a small bay and the cliff walls on both sides protect the beach from inclement weather.
Discovering the Secret Cala en Caló
Once in the water, we’ll start paddling out of the bay and turn left. We’ll stay close to the rock wall, enjoying the scenery, and after about 15 minutes, we’ll reach a small cove hidden behind a huge boulder. This is Cala en Caló.
It’s one of those dreamy places that are still more or less untouched, since it’s only accessible by sea. We took the opportunity to take a quick dip and do some snorkeling in this cove—it’s definitely worth it.
Llop Marí Cave and Discoverer Island
We continue our journey, as always close to the cliff. Not far ahead, we’ll reach the Cova del Llop Marí. It’s a large sea cave that we can enter with our boats to explore. There aren’t many options for getting out of the boat inside, although if the sea is fairly calm, a quick snorkel might be a good option.
After visiting the cave, we headed toward Cala Ambolo. We had the option of going through a narrow channel between the cliff and Isla del Descubridor, or—if you were really eager to paddle—going all the way around the island.
It is an elongated island with high, vertical cliffs that make it nearly inaccessible. According to popular legend, it is named in honor of a local sailor named Bartolomé, who was part of the crew of one of the ships commanded by Christopher Columbus during his discovery of the Americas.
Stop at the legendary Cala Ambolo
Once past the island, we arrive at Cala Ambolo. It’s a wide pebble beach where it’s easy to go ashore. A great spot for a quick stop to grab a light lunch or take a dip in its crystal-clear waters.
It is the only nudist beach on the Jávea coast, although road access to it is currently closed due to the risk of landslides. Cala Ambolo owes its name to the watchtower built in the 16th century, another of the “conquest towers” constructed during that period to monitor the arrival of pirates on our shores.
Rounding Cap de la Nao and Cova dels Òrgues
After this stop, we continued on our way to the tip of Cap de la Nao—it’s a slightly longer stretch with no place to go ashore, but it’s beautiful. When you look at a map of Spain, it’s the little point that juts out the farthest to the east along the Mediterranean coast. Well, that’s where we’re headed!
Once at the tip of the cape, if we turn around, we’ll see the Cova dels Òrgues. It’s a spectacular cave with a rocky area where you can go ashore. Furthermore, the waters inside are always crystal-clear and calm because there’s a large rock in front of the entrance that acts as a natural barrier, making it a perfect spot for snorkeling.
Single Fishing Spots and the Untouched Cala Paradis
After this mandatory stop we continue shoveling a stretch of cliff where we can see ancient remains of wooden ladders, ropes and platforms. These are the old “Pesqueras de Single”. Also on this stretch, remember to look back from time to time because the views of the headland and the lighthouse are spectacular.
There are also several interesting nooks along this stretch that are worth kayaking up to and exploring. But we won’t get out of the kayak again until we reach a small cove that formed in a hidden corner a few years ago due to a major storm. It’s “Cala Paradis, ” a dreamlike spot thanks to its hidden location—barely noticeable unless you know it’s there. Its crystal-clear waters are incredible. Although, because it’s so small, it loses some of its charm if you don’t enjoy it in a “small group.”
Arrival at Portixol Bay and Portixol Island
We’re almost at the end of this fantastic trip. After sailing around Cap Negre, we’ll be in Portixol Bay, where we’ll be able to see the beach of the same name in the distance. Its little white houses with blue windows and doors give it a special charm.
But if you still have some energy left, we recommend one last stop at Portixol Island. Landing there can be tricky if the sea is rougher than usual, but if you manage it, the visit is well worth it. There, you can explore a small cave with a natural window offering spectacular views and enjoy a natural pool where a quick dip is always worth it.
Tips and Notes for the Route
As in previous posts, finally, some small tips and observations:
- This route can be done in both directions, check the weather and depending especially on the wind, decide from where it is worth leaving.
- Be careful where you leave your kayak. Do not leave it “parked” in passing areas or other places where it may disturb other boaters.
- Please pick up your trash before you leave.
- Be careful not to run over swimmers when entering and exiting crowded areas with your kayak.
- We haven’t told you about all the secrets and wonders you can discover on this route, since we’re saving the most hidden and exclusive ones to show you in person. So if you want to make the most of your adventure, you can book an organized tour with AVENTURA PATA NEGRA.
Check out the video of the route!
To wrap up this post, here’s a link to a video of this route. If you watch it, you won’t be able to resist the temptation to come on an adventure with us! We promise!