Kayaking through the coves of Cabo de Gata

Stands out for

  • • Enter by sea into coves with no road access: Cala de Enmedio, del Plomo, San Pedro
  • • Protected volcanic coast of the Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park
  • • Snorkeling stop over posidonia meadows in crystal clear water
  • • Stable kayaks with a guide: no previous experience required
  • • 2 to 3 hour route, suitable for families
AdventureEcotourismFamily

Description

Cabo de Gata holds some of the best coves in the Spanish Mediterranean, and some of them are inaccessible by car: you can only enter on foot via long paths or, much more easily, by sea. Kayaking is the way to get ahead of them—Cala de Enmedio, Cala del Plomo, Cala San Pedro, Cala del Tomate, and Cala del Chico—paddling close to a volcanic coastline of black cliffs, rock arches, and water so clear that you can see the bottom beneath the paddle.

These are guided routes along the protected coast of the Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park, 50 kilometers of virgin coastline with hardly any construction. You paddle in stable kayaks, single or double, and no previous experience is required: the guide explains the paddling before setting off and sets the pace. Most routes last between two and three hours and include one or more snorkeling stops over the Posidonia meadows, where the water is teeming with life.

The starting point and the stretch of coastline depend on the operator and, above all, the time of day: Cabo de Gata is an exposed coast and the wind decides where you paddle. From Los Escullos and San José, you access the southern coves; from Las Negras and Agua Amarga, the northeastern ones—Cala San Pedro and Cala del Plomo—which are the most isolated and the ones people seek out because they lack road access.

It is a mid-morning or afternoon plan, suitable for families, that completely changes the idea of the beach: here, the cove is not shared with a parking lot; you reach it by paddling.

Key Info

Difficulty

Easy

Setting

Outdoors

Best season

Spring, Summer, Autumn

Kid-friendly Booking required

Practical Guide

Everything you need to know about Kayaking through the coves of Cabo de Gata

This is general information about this type of experience. Specific details will be confirmed during the booking process

Location

How to get there

By car Public transport

In this area

NíjarMunicipioAlmeríaProvincia
Expert Recommendations

Book in advance and confirm the trip the day before: in Cabo de Gata the wind rules and routes are adjusted to the forecast. Wear a swimsuit and bring dry clothes; footwear with grip for stone ramps that can get wet. Waterproof sunscreen and a cap: there is no shade at sea. Put your phone in a dry bag. If you are with children, let us know when booking so we can assign you the double kayak.

Physical Requirements

No special fitness required: you paddle in generally calm seawater at a gentle pace with a guide for two or three hours. It is advisable to know how to swim and be comfortable in the water, as it takes place in the open sea. Suitable from an early age in a double kayak with an adult. On windy days, the route may require more effort or change area.

About the Area

The Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park, in southeast Almería, is the largest marine-terrestrial protected area on the Andalusian Mediterranean coast: 50 kilometers of volcanic coastline, pristine coves, cliffs, and Posidonia meadows, as well as the most arid area in continental Europe. The key settlements are San José, Los Escullos, La Isleta del Moro, Las Negras, and Agua Amarga, small villages with low-rise buildings. Almería city is about 40 minutes away by car, as is the airport. It is a destination for nature and diving, with seasonal services.

Offers

Best available offers for Kayaking through the coves of Cabo de Gata

Kayak tour through Los Escullos coves, 2 hours

2-hour guided route departing from Los Escullos pier, through the coves of southern Cabo de Gata with a snorkel stop.

Duration 2 h
Min. 1
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Duration: The duration of the route is approximately two hours.
Description

We invite you to visit one of the most beautiful coasts in the Spanish territory: the Almería coast; you will be fascinated by the beautiful ecosystem that you will be able to see during the route. You can carry out the route accompanied or alone if what you prefer is to disconnect and have time for yourself. For this activity, we offer you everything necessary: the rental of a single or tandem kayak, individual paddles, life jackets; additionally, you will always be accompanied by technical monitors specializing in nautical sports. It is not necessary for you to have any kind of experience; the route will be done calmly and at the pace of the participants. Likewise, the monitors will give you brief instructions at the beginning of the route regarding the operation of these vessels. The starting point will be the Los Escullos pier, located in Cabo de Gata in the Andalusian town of Níjar. We traverse the saline waters that bathe the coastlines of southern Spain, passing by beautiful coves: Cala Tomate Cala Chica Cala Grande These coves will remind you of Caribbean settings due to their crystalline waters and their rocky systems anchored in the sea, which we will also pass by. In Cala Tomate, we will make a stop so that you can go snorkeling. And, once reached this point, you will return to the starting point, in the town of Los Escullos. You will be accompanied by the sea breeze that surrounds all the Almería coves, and you will be able to see a great variety of marine fauna, among which we highlight sea sponges, mollusks, crustaceans, and the occasional cetacean. As you will be able to see, this two-hour maritime route is carried out throughout the Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park. *Check the offer for children between 6 and 12 years old on our website: yumping.com *Children between 3 and 5 years old can perform the activity free of charge if they are accompanied by two adults.

Included Services
  • Kayak boat rental
  • Individual paddling
  • Specialist technician
  • Description of the activity
  • Photo and video coverage
  • Civil Liability Insurance
Group size: min. 1
Languages:
🇪🇸 Español
Meeting point: Los Escullos Pier, Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park (Almería). Meeting point confirmed upon booking.
Kayak route with snorkel and photo report, 2h30

2.5-hour guided route along the Cabo de Gata coast, including a snorkel stop and a photo report of the experience.

Duration 2 h 30 min
Min. 1
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Duration: The estimated time for the kayak and snorkel route will be approximately 2h and 30 min.
Description

Kayaking is one of the most fun and relaxing activities you can do, as you usually go with friends with whom you have a great time and enjoy yourself like a child. Almería is one of the most beautiful places where you can undertake a wonderful kayak route, as its coasts hide large gaps between the rocks, where the waters are calm and you can navigate, discovering breathtaking corners. This activity is perfect for everyone, as it is not physically demanding, so you will have a great time. In addition to the kayak trip, we will provide you with the full equipment to go snorkeling. It is a very simple and fun way to be able to appreciate the seabed and discover the secrets hidden in the waters beneath the surface. This route will have a duration of 2 and a half hours, to carry out the outbound trip, the return trip, and the snorkeling. You will have a great time. And remember… the more you come, the better! *You can buy your route individually, although it will be subject to a minimum group size.

Included Services
  • All activity equipment
  • Motorized support boat
  • Specialized guide
  • Snorkel gear
  • Civil liability insurance
  • Accident insurance
  • Photo report
Group size: min. 1
Languages:
🇪🇸 Español
Meeting point: Los Escullos Pier, Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park (Almería). Meeting point confirmed upon booking.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers about Kayaking through the coves of Cabo de Gata

No. You paddle in stable kayaks in generally calm seawater, and the guide explains the technique before setting off. It is suitable for beginners and families; younger children go in a double kayak with an adult.
That is the beauty of kayaking: Cala de Enmedio, Cala del Plomo, or Cala San Pedro can only be reached on foot via long paths or by sea. Which coves are visited depends on the operator's departure point and the sea conditions that day.
Most routes last between 2 and 3 hours and include the kayak, paddle, life jacket, snorkel equipment, and the guide. The snorkel stop over the Posidonia is usually part of the tour.
From spring to autumn is the best time, with warmer water. Cabo de Gata is a coastline exposed to the wind, so the departure and schedule are confirmed according to the weather report.
Swimsuit on, clothes that can get wet, footwear with good grip that can get wet, a cap, and waterproof sunscreen. A waterproof bag for your phone is recommended; many operators include a photo report of the route.