Kayaks and boats on the Costa Tropical – all the trips in one place

Which trip suits you?

The series has six articles. Here is our suggestion of where to start. If in doubt, take a guided tour the first time – the guide knows the wind, the caves and the rules.

All the places in one table

Distances and driving times are from Playa Tropical. Prices are from the operators' own websites and booking sites, as of November 2026. They may change from season to season.

Sea kayaking at Maro – the waterfall and the caves

The most spectacular trip. Between Nerja and La Herradura the mountains drop sheer into the sea, and about 500 metres from Maro beach a waterfall tumbles straight into the sea. You can only see it from the water. Educare Aventura runs 2½-hour guided tours from Maro and Burriana and hires out kayaks to those who want to paddle on their own. The trip from Maro to the waterfall is short and easy in calm weather. The whole coast is a nature area: kayaks may go right in to the cliffs and coves, but you must not take anything home. In summer you park in Maro and take the shuttle bus down to the beach.

Read more: Sea kayaking at Maro – to the waterfall, the caves and the hidden coves.

Kayaking and paddleboarding in Almuñécar and La Herradura

The easiest place to start. In Almuñécar, OpenSea (San Cristóbal) and Náutica Aurori (Puerta del Mar) hire out kayaks and paddleboards – Náutica Aurori also pedal boats. The easiest trip goes round Peñón del Santo and the two small rocks in the water. Another follows the coast past Torre de Velilla to the beach in front of Playa Tropical. In La Herradura, 15 minutes to the west, Kayak La Herradura and Windsurf La Herradura hire out equipment and run guided kayak and snorkel tours along Cerro Gordo. We have not been able to find a hire company on Playa de Velilla itself.

Read more: Kayak and paddleboard in Almuñécar and La Herradura. About diving and snorkelling in the bay: The sea at La Herradura.

Hire a small boat – the new rules

Tourists used to be able to hire a small motorboat without a licence. From 1 October 2026 that is over: under Real Decreto 1188/2025, anyone hiring a motorboat must have a licence – even for the small boats. The easiest is a licencia de navegación: a course of about 6 hours with no exam, about 120–130 € (≈ 970 kr.). It allows boats up to 6 metres, in daylight only and no more than 2 nautical miles (3.7 km) from a harbour or sheltered spot. Without a licence you can hire a boat with a skipper, or take a pedal boat, kayak or paddleboard. There are hire companies in Marina del Este, Motril harbour and Nerja. The most beautiful trip goes from Marina del Este to Cerro Gordo and the anchorage at Cantarriján.

Read more: Hire a small boat at Marina del Este, Motril and Nerja.

Kayaking at Calahonda, La Rijana and Castell de Ferro

East of Motril the coast is wild and quiet: high cliffs, small coves and watchtowers on the headlands. From the small cove of La Rijana, Paddle Surf La Rijana runs a 2-hour guided tour into three sea caves with a snorkelling stop (25 € (≈ 186 kr.)). In Calahonda kayaks and pedal boats are hired out on the beach, and a short trip goes out under the cliff to the Torre del Zambullón watchtower. The sea here is protected (ZEC). We have not found hire companies in Castell de Ferro and La Rábita.

Read more: Kayaking at Calahonda, La Rijana and Castell de Ferro. About the towers: Pirates and watchtowers.

Kayaking and SUP on the lakes

Behind the coastal mountains lie three large lakes with still water. Only at Embalse de Béznar in the Valle de Lecrín can you hire: Centro Náutico Valle de Lecrín has kayaks, paddleboards and pedal boats from 1 May to 30 September and runs beginners' courses. Lake Rules is closer, but nothing is hired out there. On La Viñuela it is unclear whether boating is allowed. If you want to paddle your own kayak on the lakes, you must send a declaration to the Junta de Andalucía 15 working days in advance – it is easier to hire.

Read more: Kayaking and SUP on the lakes – Béznar, Rules and La Viñuela.

Kayaking at El Chorro and Caminito del Rey

Near Ardales lies the Embalse del Conde de Guadalhorce with turquoise water between pine forest and cliffs, right by the Caminito del Rey. Indian Sport hires out kayaks and paddleboards from the beach in Parque Ardales and runs 2-hour guided tours. Your own kayak may not go in the water here because of the zebra mussel, and boating on the river in the gorge is not allowed. It is about 140 km each way, so it is a full day out – ideal combined with the Caminito del Rey.

Read more: Kayaking and SUP at El Chorro and Caminito del Rey. More day trips: Excursions.

Safety and weather – in brief

• Check the weather on AEMET's forecast for the beaches and the sea the evening before and in the morning. White horses or a red flag: stay ashore.
• Go in the morning. The east wind levante and the west wind poniente can make the sea rough, and the wind often picks up in the afternoon.
• Watch out for offshore winds. The sea can look calm by the beach while you are being pushed out. Paddle into the wind first, so you have the wind behind you on the way back.
• Wear your life jacket all the time. It is included in the hire.
• Caves only with a guide. Waves can lift the kayak against the rock. Also keep your distance from the foot of the cliffs – rocks can fall.
• Swimming zones: paddle out and in through the channel between the buoys, and give swimmers plenty of room.
• Phone in a waterproof bag. The emergency number is 112. Tell the hire company where you are paddling to.
• Sun and water: there is no shade on the water. Bring a hat, sun cream, sunglasses on a cord and a bottle of water.
• The nature areas: at Maro-Cerro Gordo you must not take anything home, and at Punta de la Mona you may not land on the rocks.

Who can join in? The short trips and the guided tours suit most people who can swim, including the over-60s, when the sea is calm. The hard part is often getting into the kayak from the beach and out of the water again. Choose a double kayak – it is more stable, and you can take turns paddling. If you have back or shoulder problems, try a short trip first.

The season

The beach hire companies are mostly open in summer. Educare Aventura in Maro operates from March to October, Lake Béznar from 1 May to 30 September and Ardales from April to the end of October. Many hire companies do not say which months they are open – ring before you drive outside July and August. June and September are best: warm water, fewer crowds and room in the car parks. See also The seasons on the Costa Tropical.

How to get there

• Almuñécar: walk west along the promenade past Torre de Velilla, about 30 minutes. By car there is pay parking at El Altillo just above Puerta del Mar.
• La Herradura and Marina del Este: west on the N-340, 15–19 minutes. Parking along Paseo Andrés Segovia and by the harbour.
• Maro and Burriana: west on the A-7, about 30 minutes. In summer you cannot drive down to Maro beach – park in Maro and take the shuttle bus. At Burriana there is municipal pay parking. Come before 10.
• Motril, Calahonda and La Rijana: east on the A-7, 23–34 minutes. Free parking by the beach in Calahonda and by the N-340 above La Rijana.
• Lake Béznar: via the A-7 and A-44 towards Granada, about 45 minutes. Parking at the picnic area.
• El Chorro: about 2 hours via the A-7, A-357 and MA-5403. Access to Parque Ardales costs 2 € (≈ 14.92 kr.).
• By bus: the coastal buses run to La Herradura, Maro and Nerja. See Buses and Parking.

The buttons below the map open the route from Playa Tropical to each starting point directly in Google Maps.

Toilets, food and what to bring

• Toilets: at Playa de Maro and Burriana, on the promenades in Almuñécar, La Herradura and Calahonda and in Parque Ardales. Not confirmed at La Rijana and Béznar. Whether the hire companies have changing rooms is rarely stated on their websites – arrive with your swimwear on.
• Food: beach bars at almost all the sea starting points, restaurants by the harbour in Marina del Este and by the lake in Ardales. At Béznar a packed lunch is the safest bet. The individual articles give the names.
• Bring: swimwear, a towel, shoes that can get wet, sun cream, a hat, water, a waterproof bag for your phone and keys, ID card for the hire company and cash.

Maps and routes

Red star = Playa Tropical. Click on a point for the name and distance. Map data © OpenStreetMap.

Good advice

• Start small. Hire for an hour in Almuñécar before you drive a long way for a trip.
• Take a guided tour the first time – especially to the caves and the waterfall.
• Book ahead in July and August. The early departures fill up first.
• Mornings are best. Calmest sea, fewest crowds and room in the car park.
• The lakes are plan B. If it is windy on the coast, Lake Béznar is only 45 minutes away.
• A motorboat requires a licence. Ask the hire company what applies after 1 October 2026 – or take a skipper.
• Check prices and opening hours with the hire company before you drive. Many websites are not up to date.

See also the beaches, Maro-Cerro Gordo, Peñón del Santo and active holidays.

Krone amounts are converted at 1 € ≈ 7.46 kr. and rounded.