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Welcome to Javea! So, you’re interested in kayaking in Javea, or doing one of Siesta Advisor’s famous kayak excursions or tours? Well, you’re come to the right place! The coast around Javea hosts many secret bays, coves, and caves, only accessible by kayak, and finding these alone can be a challenge. So get ready to discover completely isolated and hidden spots on a kayak tour in Javea and get a more intimate experience than from ship or shore!
Kayaking in Javea allows you to fully immerse yourself with nature, kayaking besides an ancient and Jurassic-like coastline, snorkelling in transparent and crystalline waters filled with life, or exploring breath-taking caves of unimaginable beauty!
Siesta Advisor offers kayak excursions, tours, and rentals from the following locations: Granadella, Portixol, Cala Tango & El Portet! Each of these locations have their unique secrets and treasures, so if you’re unsure about kayaking in Javea, and not certain about where to go, I recommend following the following links to find out more about each location and kayaking in Javea as a whole! You can find more information below:
Kayak Javea - Cala Tango & San Antonio
Kayak Cala Granadella
Kayak Cala Portixol
But if you already know where you want to go, and what each location offers, get ready and read out comprehensive guide about kayaking in Javea! Below you'll find a list of all the topics we will cover!
Kayaking is a versatile water sport, and it is an incredible way to spend quality time with friends and family while exploring nature from a brand-new perspective.
People have fallen in love with kayaking in Javea, a town that is now full of water enthusiasts who have become passionate about adventure that an afternoon of kayaking offers.
If you’re looking for a fun and exciting way to explore Javea’s incredible coastline in kayak, this unique and thrilling sport may just be the perfect sport for you! But before we get started, we’ve put together all the tips and tricks we believe that people like you should know about!
Once you try kayaking in Javea, we’re almost certain you’ll have discovered a new passion! Although there are many other types of water sports in Javea such as paddle boarding or surfing that you may enjoy, we believe that kayaking provides several advantages that make it unique to other activities:
If you’re looking for a new sport or way to exercise that provides a full body workout with low stress and tension on your joints and tissues, kayaking in Javea is a perfect option.
It can significantly improve your cardiovascular health, strengthening your abdominals, arms, back, shoulders and pectoral muscles! It’s the perfect sport for an overall body exercise!
Obviously Javea is very fortunate to have an incredible coastline, with secret bays, caves, and coves around every corner. Nonetheless, our wonderful world is full of diverse environments which can be explored from the seat of your kayak, not just limited to Javea. So, learning to kayak in Javea and exploring here opens a world of opportunities for you, allowing you to visit some of the most beautiful destinations in the world. River, lakes, oceans and more — your possibilities for exploring are endless.
Grab a group of your closest friends and paddle down Javea’s incredible coastline, be it in Granadella, Portixol or Cala Tango, and enjoy a picnic after a relaxing adventure! But don’t worry, kayaking can be as challenging or relaxing as you and your group desire, our tours from Cala Tango being more adrenaline driven, and the one in Granadella and Portixol more calm and relaxing!
The Mediterranean, and more specifically Javea, is blessed with very calm water conditions due to its enclosed nature. Additionally, kayaking in Granadella, Portixol, the Arenal or Cala Tango is perfect as they are allis bays, meaning that even when the open sea is rough, we are protected and sheltered! We are fortunate enough to have some of the best conditions on the Costa Blanca, with crystal-flat waters almost every single day!
Well obviously, the first thing you’ll need to go kayaking in Javea is, you guessed it, a kayak! Siesta Advisor uses only the best kayaks, importing them from the UK! Other than that, you’ll need certain bits and bobs, and here are a few things that you should consider taking with you on your kayak excursion in Javea:
A paddle is just as important as the kayak itself. Obviously, this is your way of propelling your kayak forwards, so without it, you wouldn’t get far! Luckily for you, Siesta Advisor uses lightweight carbon fibre paddles, making it a very pleasant journey for you!
Siesta Advisor use, you’ve guessed it once again, only the highest quality life jackets from Helly Hansen. A Personal Floatation Device is a critical piece of equipment that you should have when kayaking in Javea. A lifejacket should fit comfortably snug, meaning it fits well without feeling too tight or too loose around the chest. If this is the case, let us know and we’ll change it for you!
You’ll be paddling under the sun for quite some time, so it’s best to always be protected from harmful UV radiation coming from the sun! This way, you can prevent things like sun burns, heat strokes, skin cancer, etc.! Javea is almost always sunny, so this is important, and an absolute must when kayaking in Javea.
You should always take some water with you on your excursions to ensure that you and those in your group are always well hydrated!
It could prove to be important to take some smaller snacks with you to ensure that you always have some energy during your kayaking excursions. Be it some smaller snacks like chocolate bars, sweets, or something bigger like sandwiches!
Well, kayaking is a water sport, and you are in Javea where it tends to get pretty hot... so in short, you want to wear something appropriate! Kayaking in Javea doesn't require a lot of special equipment, however, here's a small list of the following things you should consider!
We would almost always recommend some swimwear, be it a bikini or swimming shorts. This will mean that you can get wet without any issue! Also, during our kayaking excursions, we will be stopping and getting in the water to do some snorkelling, where once again, having swimwear will help a lot!
Wearing a hat is also advisable, as it will help keep the sun out of your eyes, as well as protect your head and face from the direct sunlight! This will help reduce the chances of you getting sunburnt whilst kayaking!
Sunglasses are also super handy, as they will reduce the strain on your eyes from the sunlight, and also protect it from harmful sunrays! If you do bring sunglasses, either bring an attachable lace that you can put around your neck to avoid losing them, or come with a cheap pair that you don’t mind losing!
A white UV protection t-shirt could also come in extremely handy, as if you start feeling yourself getting a little bit burnt, you can always put it on to keep yourself nice and safe during your kayaking excursions!
You will be walking across some rough terrain, so it's best to be well prepared! We recommend you to bring some rock shoes, or water shoes, with you for your kayak excursion, as they will make walking on the private little bays and beaches a lot easier!It will also help against the few sea urchins that we have, giving you extra protection should you encounter pne!This is for sure one of the most important pieces of clothing to bring with you on your trip!
Are you curious about which specific type of kayak you’ll need for your adventure with Siesta Advisor? Luckily for you, the answer is very simple – we use simple sit-on-top kayaks for our kayak excursions, essentially the easiest and most efficient form of kayaking for your tours with us, but we’ll give you a little list of all the other kayaks that you may come across in the future. Here’s a quick overview of the different types:
Many people are familiar with this type of recreational kayak. It does not have an enclosed seat, so it’s easier to enter and exit compared to other variations. They are wider, provide a lot more stability and are generally better for beginner kayakers and explorers.
Touring kayaks are long with small cockpits. Their narrowness and length make them a good choice for a more involved kayaking experience such as taking longer trips across lakes.
(Don’t worry, we won’t be doing any of this hopefully haha!) Whitewater kayaking is a more challenging endeavour than leisurely paddling across Javea’s calm coastline. There are four different types of white-water kayaks — playboats, river runners, creek boats and longboats — each of which has advantages depending on where you plan to use it.
Inflatable kayaks are convenient as they can be transported easily, nonetheless, they are not efficient, and with the smallest bit of wind, they are very hard to manoeuvre and control! Still, like sit-on-top kayaks, inflatable kayaks are easy to transport and operate. They are best used for a more relaxed kayaking experience in calmer waters.
Before you embark on a kayak excursion or you learn how to ride in a kayak in Javea, you first need to learn how to get in and out of a kayak. Getting in and out of a kayak can seem tricky, nonetheless, with the right technique and teaching, you’ll catch on within no time! Simply put, you only must focus on two different ways of getting into your kayak – from the beach, or from deep water in case you capsize.
Getting into your kayak from the shore is much easier, especially for those who are learning to kayak. This will always be how we start our kayak excursions, be it from Granadella, Portixol or Cala Tango, that have ideal areas to climb into your kayak. The best way to begin this sequence is to move the kayak as close to the shoreline as possible. You can then sit in the kayak using your bum first, lifting your legs over afterwards! This is important because if you put your feet in first, the kayak may capsize or float away from you, resulting in you falling in the water! If you’re concerned about scratching your hull on the ground, move the kayak into the shallow water and climb in there.
There may be occasions where you will need to get into your kayak from deeper water due to capsizing or exiting your kayak during the kayak excursion. This is probably the most difficult kayak entry method, but with patience, it can easily be done. The biggest thing is to make sure your kayak is stable between each movement you make. Here's how you can do just this:
1. First, put one hand on handle of the kayak's side closest to you, and put your other hand on the opposite side handle - so your arm will be extended across the kayak and above the seat.
2. Pull yourself up onto your kayak so that your belly button is over the seat. Your legs will still be about halfway in the water.
3. Next, twist around to get your bottom on the seat. Your legs will still be dangling in the water, but you should have most of your body in the kayak now.
4. Make sure the kayak is stable, pull your feet in and put them in front of you.
5. If you are in a double kayak, make sure that the other person occupying the kayak is putting counter-weight onto the other side of the kayak, helping you climb in!
The instructions for how to get out of a kayak are very easy to remember. In essence, it is just the complete opposite of how to enter a kayak, but just reverse. When exiting on the shore, paddle your kayak into shallow water or as close to the land as possible. Swing your legs out of the kayak, gain your footing and stand up. And there you have it, you have made it back in one piece!
As with any sport in the industry, using the proper techniques to kayak, paddle and turn can keep you safe and help you prevent any form of injury. But don’t worry, we will teach you all of these things before each kayak excursion in Javea.
First and foremost, sit in your kayak with a very straight back, pushed all the way into your seat, with your legs directly in front of you! Make sure to sit comfortably, putting a slight bend in your knees and resting them against the side of your kayak.
Your kayaks with Siesta Advisor have some foot pegs where you place your feet – you need to place your feet on the foot pegs and that maintain a slight bend in your knees. This is important because if your knees are too close to your body, it may impede you paddling properly! Equally, if your legs are too straight, you may struggle maintaining a good posture! Look at the following image below for reference!
Before getting on the water, all beginners need to be aware of how to handle a paddle. First, the part of the paddle you hold in your hand is called the shaft. The proper way to hold a paddle is to place your hands slightly wider than shoulder width apart, creating a trapezius shape with your hands and the paddle. Oftentimes, one very common mistake that beginner kayakers make is holding the paddle incorrectly, so try to focus on this.
One side of the blade is concave (or as we like to call it, spoon-shaped) and has a black logo on it – this side of the paddle should always be facing you. When you place the blade in the water, it must be vertical in the water, maintaining a relaxed grip on the shaft. Paddling in this manner will allow you to put more power into your strokes without exerting more energy.
You need to use your core a little bit to twist your torso while keeping a straight back and leaning forward ever so slightly, placing the paddle into the water close to your feet in front of you. After you have managed to position yourself correctly, it’s time to take a stroke, pulling your blade towards your seat, continuing the stroke, and removing from the water once the blade starts coming out of the water behind you.
It’s best to stroke from your feet all the way to your seat. This action has to be done on both sides obviously, and if you are in a double kayak, it’s important to paddle at the same time as your partner!
If you want to stop your kayak very quickly, be it to avoid collisions with another kayak, the coastline or simply to stop off at one of the special little bays like Cala en Caló, Cala el Pom, or Cala del Pope - simply put your paddle in the water and hold it there.
It will drag against the water. Your kayak will slow down and eventually come to a complete stop!
This is probably one of the simplest manoeuvres when kayaking. In short, if you want to turn your kayak to the left, then paddle on your right, and if you want to turn your kayak to the right, then paddle on your left.
In other words, paddle on the opposite side to the direction to which you want to turn!
The Mediterranean is blessed with very calm water conditions due to its enclosed nature. Additionally, Cala Granadella, Portixol, the Arenal and even Cala Tango are all small and protected bays, meaning that even when the open sea is rough, we are protected and sheltered! We are fortunate enough to have some of the best conditions on the Costa Blanca, with crystal-flat waters almost every single day!
In other words, you never have to worry about having a kayak tour in Javea in bad conditions as there is an intensive list of things that our monitors focus on before your kayaking trips! Here’s a little list we focus on and pay attention to when planning your kayak excursions;
• We always plan trips to locations where the conditions align with the skills and capabilities of each client – we never access areas that could be considered as dangerous to any kayaker that comes with us! Some of these locations are Cala en Caló, Cala el Pom, or Cala del Pope!
• We double...triple-check the weather forecast before each adventure, always being aware of the meteorological conditions ahead of your kayak excursions and tours in Javea
• We always ensure that everyone is wearing the appropriate safety gear such as a flotation device
• Communication and buddy system, having a walkie talkie at hand and always communicating with other monitors out on the water!
• Siesta Advisor has a safety and rescue boat, meaning that we are always able to come and help our adventurers in case of any scenario!
• We are very experienced knowing all potential hazards, such as rocks beneath the surface or currents that are stronger than they look, something that we will always be letting you know about and ensuring that they don’t cause any issue during your kayaking excursion.
Be it in the morning when it’s less busy, or later in the afternoon to experience beautiful sunsets, doing a kayaking excursion with Siesta Advisor is exceptional all-day. In the morning people can enjoy the privacy and the tranquillity of the sea, at midday those who tend to get cold in the sea can enjoy the refreshing sunlight warming your body whilst you float around, and in the afternoon, you can enjoy the beautiful sunsets and prepare yourself for a calm and refreshing night with the family or friends!
Additionally, kayaking in Javea can be done all-year! Javea boasts with having around 330 sunny days a year, meaning that even winter temperatures can reach 25oc! Let’s not forget, out of season there is significantly reduced tourism, meaning that you will be able to enjoy more private and intimate tours with your friends and family, often having a guide just to yourself!
Kayaking out on the open water in Javea means that we’re out in the open, so we can sometimes expect some amount of wind, from a small breeze to a huge gust. These gusts will have some effect on your kayak, but don’t worry, this is normal, and you can easily compensate for it with the right knowledge!
• To conserve energy: You need to always keep your kayak directly in line with the wind where possible, regardless of whether you are paddling into the wind, or cruising with it. This will cause the most efficient trajectory on your kayaking expedition, and this is how you’ll be able to save and conserve the most amount of energy.
• To compensate for gusts of wind: You will realize that gusts of wind can push and tilt your kayak if they come from the side (another reason why we always try to paddle into/with the wind). If this happens, all you need to do is slightly lean into the wind to compensate for the additional force exerted on your kayak!
• If you lose control: Don’t worry, it can happen! The most important is to not panic and to simply relax, readjust, and regain control! However, if you follow the tips and trick, you’ll never have this issue!
Siesta Advisor uses some of the most stable kayaks on the market... nonetheless, there’s a very small chance that your kayak may roll over and capsize during kayak excursions! If this happens, don’t worry, it’s completely normal. Your life jacket will always keep you afloat, the paddles that we provide you also float, and obviously, the kayak will continue to float!
Therefore, we always recommend having everything secured and safe in your kayak. Nonetheless, should something sink to the bottom of the water, our kayak monitors are very experienced at freediving, almost always being able to retrieve things from the bottom of the water! Still, it’s best to pay attention and avoid the risk full-stop!
Back to the capsizing... once you are in the water, simply flip your kayak back over, something you shouldn’t have an issue with, and once the kayak is upright properly, just follow the steps below:
1. First, put one hand on handle of the kayak's side closest to you, and put your other hand on the opposite side handle - so your arm will be extended across the kayak and above the seat.
2. Pull yourself up onto your kayak so that your belly button is over the seat. Your legs will still be about halfway in the water.
3. Next, twist around to get your bottom on the seat. Your legs will still be dangling in the water, but you should have most of your body in the kayak now.
4. Make sure the kayak is stable, pull your feet in and put them in front of you.
5. If you are in a double kayak, make sure that the other person occupying the kayak is putting counter-weight onto the other side of the kayak, helping you climb in!
Well, let’s just say that it is not something that you should be worrying about as flipping a kayak is more difficult than you might think. Most models are designed to be extremely stable, and the ones we use, Perception Gemini, an imported UK kayak, this is even more so the case, being one of the most stable kayaks on the market!
This will be hard to believe, but there have been times when people have wanted to intentionally capsize their kayak on our excursions just for a laugh, but were eventually unable to due to just how difficult it is! That should give you a bit of an idea just how hard it is to flip your kayak!
Nonetheless, as we’ve already mentioned, this really shouldn’t be an issue when kayaking in Javea or doing a kayak excursion with Siesta Advisor because the Mediterranean around the area is blessed with very calm water conditions due to its enclosed nature. Cala Granadella, Portixol, the Arenal and even Cala Tango are all small and protected bays, meaning that even when the open sea is rough, we are protected and sheltered, utterly minimising the probability of flipping over! We are fortunate enough to have some of the best conditions on the Costa Blanca, with crystal-flat waters almost every single day!
Safety should never be an issue when doing a kayaking excursion or kayak rental with Siesta Advisor in Javea as we have been in the business for over 10 years, dealing with tens of thousands of customers... and I am proud to say that we have never had an accident! Nonetheless, it is still important to be aware of your safety, and always respect the sea!
Just like paddle boarding, surfing, and any other water sport out there, kayaking can place you, and your health and safety at risk, especially if you fail to practice responsible safety precautions that your kayak monitors will teach you before each kayak excursion in Javea. Even though these dangers exist, you can still have a fantastic adventure in your kayak. We have a safety checklist that we brief you on before each adventure, something that can help you have a safe and fun experience on the water! Here’s a little checklist that you should keep in mind when kayaking with Siesta Advisor;
Can everyone in your group swim on their own, and if not, have you notified Siesta Advisor that they cannot?
Have you put on sun cream / any form of sun protection to prevent injury and damage from harmful UV rays?
Do you have enough water with you to keep you hydrated for the duration of the kayak tour?
Do you have some snacks to nibble on to ensure that you have enough energy for your tour?
Are you sober and not under the influence of any drugs or alcohol?
Are you honest about your fitness level and your kayaking capabilities? In other words, are you sure that you are physically capable of carrying out this kayaking adventure?
But apart from this, the main thing you need to focus on is that you have fun and enjoy yourself! You monitors will always be there to ensure that you are safe and sound during your kayaking excursion with us!
Do you have any additional questions about your kayaking adventure with us? Well, don’t hesitate and ask away! We are more than happy to put you in contact with some of our most professional monitors who will be able to answer all your questions and queries without issue! So... if you are unsure or uncertain about something, ask away and we’ll always be there to answer your questions! You can contact us via email on info@siestaadvisor.com, or equally on phone & Whatsapp on +34 639 908 367
