Cala Granadella: Kayak & Snorkel Cave Tour with Local Guide

4.83

(724 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

I almost missed the start because I couldn’t find parking near Cala Granadella — classic summer chaos. By the time I finally squeezed into a spot (with some creative reversing), I was already sweating and a bit flustered. Our guide, Marta, just grinned and handed me a cold bottle of water like she’d seen it all before. She said something about “Mediterranean timing” and everyone laughed. It felt like we were all in on some local secret already.

The first few minutes paddling out were honestly wobbly — my arms aren’t exactly made for kayaking, but Marta kept close and joked about “Granadella arms” being a real thing. The sea was glassy blue, with that salty tang in the air and cicadas buzzing somewhere up in the pines. We hugged the cliffs until suddenly we were at Cala en Caló, this tiny bay you can only get to by sea. The water looked almost fake — so clear you could count every pebble on the bottom. When I ducked under with my mask, it was like swimming through an aquarium. Little silver fish everywhere, light flickering on rocks, and someone behind me shrieked when they spotted an octopus tucked into a crack.

I didn’t expect to actually go inside Cova del Llop Marí — thought I’d chicken out — but Marta coaxed us in one by one. It’s dark at first, then your eyes adjust and you see these wild rock shapes overhead, dripping cold water onto your shoulders. One guy tried to name all the colors in the stone but gave up halfway through; it’s just too much to describe. There was this weird silence inside except for our breathing and water slapping against the kayaks — kind of eerie but also peaceful? Hard to explain.

On the way back we floated for a while without paddling, just letting the current drift us along under these huge cliffs that make you feel tiny in the best way. I caught myself thinking how different Javea looks from out here — more raw somehow. My hands smelled like salt and neoprene for hours after (not complaining). If you’re even half-curious about kayaking or snorkeling around here, this Cala Granadella kayak tour is worth getting lost for.