The Best Kayaking and Canoeing in Andalucia on the sea, on the rivers and lakes
By Nick Nutter | Updated 19 Mar 2022 | Andalucia | Extreme Sports |
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White water canoeing in Andalucia
Andalucia is an awesome place to rent a kayak or canoe. Kayak trips are great for fitness-focused travellers, families, and groups of friends. You can rent a kayak on your own to explore a local lake or take a guided kayak tour out into the Atlantic Ocean, or rent a canoe by the day in the Mediterranean Sea. As a weekend activity or part of a vacation, Andalucia is the perfect kayak rental destination.
Sea Kayak in Andalucia
Andalucia also has its share of white water for those who like the thrill of paddling down the rapids. We have chosen the best areas in Andalucia for kayaking, canoeing and white water canoeing.
White water kayaking Andalucia
Combining relaxation, adventure and exploration, kayak excursions are available for all levels of experience with guided tours of the parks dramatic coastline.Cabo de Gata headland for kayak excursions. A prime example and highly popular kayak trip is the La Fabriquilla - Arrecife de las Sirenas, its starting point is from the Fabriquilla beach on the southern coastline, and its route traverses the headland of Cabo de Gata through Sirenas reef, an area of stunning rock formations both under and above the water.
Kayaking in the Parque Natural del Estrecho in the Gibraltar Straits is a unique experience. The Park is a protected space within the Mediterranean Intercontinental Biosphere Reserve and is the corridor between the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. Between Sanlúcar de Barrameda and Algeciras the coast varies from pure white sandy beaches backed by huge dunes to rugged cliffs and coves. Cádiz province also has four lakes that permit canoeing, including Zahar-Gastor lake in Grazalema Natural Park.
Coves and channels
Córdoba province has no coastline at all. It does however have the Rio Guadalquivir flowing through it. Known as the ‘Rio Grande’, kayaking down the Guadalquivir is safe for the entire family. Nearby you will find the embalse at Iznajar at the foot of the Sierra Subbéticas, this is the largest reservoir in Andalucia.
Kayaking at Seville
With its very short coastline, canoeing and kayaking in Granada is concentrated on the inland rivers and lakes. The most popular destination is the Negratin lake. White water canoeing is available on stretches of the Rio Genal at Benameji for novices and those with more experience. There are also a few businesses that offer sea kayaking based at La Herredura and La Rijana.
The eastern half of the Huelva coastline, from the estuary of the Rio Guadalquivir to the estuary of the Oriel and Tinto, is part of the Donana Natural Park and coastal activities are restricted. However the western part of the coast from the Portuguese border to Huelva itself is a fascinating coast of shifting sandbars that has created sheltered coves and hidden channels through the marismas. The whole coast is a haven for wading birds so, if you want to combine kayaking with twitching, Huelva is the place to make for.
Jaén province does not have a coastline but the upper reaches of the Guadalquivir, in the beautiful Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas Natural Park, have some fine white water stretches that will stretch even the experienced kayaker.
Sea kayaking is available from just about every marina on the Costa del Sol, from Nerja in the northeast to Puerto de la Duquesa in the southwest. For something a little more exciting try canoeing in El Chorro Gorge, the location of the famous Caminito del Rey, or on the Embalse de la Concepcion near Málaga itself.
By the time it reaches Seville, the Rio Guadalquivir is a broad, tidal river. It offers canoeing and kayaking opportunities that vary from the stretch through the city, with fantastic views of some of Seville’s most emblematic features, such as the Torre del Oro, to scenic stretches through the orange groves further upstream.