Sea Kayaking Barcelona

While it’s possible to get your paddle on right here in the city centre, the best kayaking excursions take place on the crystal clear waters of the Costa Brava…

We preview four fantastic tours that leave daily from Barcelona during the warmer months (a 6-hour trip, an 8-hour one, a 9-hour one with hiking, and a 10-hour trip with beach afternoon); plus we highlight a chance to get in the water without leaving the city limits by selecting this 1 hour excursion.

1. 6-Hour Sea Kayaking Tour to Costa Brava

Explore the rugged and picturesque coastline of the Costa Brava during this 6-hour sea kayaking experience, which leaves daily from Barcelona, and also features cave snorkelling in the crystal clear waters of the Mediterranean sea.

This action-packed day begins with a scenic drive to the seaside village of Sant Feliu, a one time haven of pirates and sea dogs – your guide will have a few stories! The journey time is around an hour and a quarter, and once in Sant Feliu you’ll get into your kayak and set out to explore the bays and beaches of this breathtaking stretch of Spain’s Costa Brava, or ‘The Wild Coast’, ploughing through the ocean with just your paddle.

Undoubtedly one of the day’s highlights will be the chance to snorkel amongst fish, corals and sea urchins in the otherworldly beauty of the local caves – a must for those with an adventurous and active streak.

2. 8-Hour Sea Kayak Tour to Costa Brava

Run by a young adventure company who love the outdoors, this extended day trip up to the Costa Brava follows pretty much the same itinerary at the 6-hour version, with all the same highlights – stunning scenery, fun guides, snorkelling time for those who want to jump out their canoe, and even rock jumping (strictly optional!).

The benefits of this extended tour, is that the extra time allows you to spend more time out on the Mediterranean (a total of 2.5 or 3 hours), making it arguably a better choice for those who fancy a bit more of a work out on the water. The day also features lunch on the beach.

The excursion features two options. The standard tour (€80) leaves at 10:45 from the city centre and guests will explore the craggy coastline in groups of no more than 12 people.

While those who prefer to keep things a little tighter, can choose the “small group” option (€95), meaning you’ll set out in a group of no more than 8 people. This option leaves slightly earlier, at 10am, in a comfortable Mercedes mini van. To choose this option, first select your dates in the Get Your Guide booking calendar and then you should see both the standard and small group options available.

3. 9-Hour Sea Kayaking + Hiking on the Costa Brava

This sensational small-group trip (max. 8 people) takes you all the way to the area around Sant Pol S’Agaro, where you’ll start with a gentle morning hike in the early sun along the famous Camino del Ronda coastal path. Your guide will tell you a little about the history of the region, and point out some of the typical Mediterranean flora and fauna that you encounter en route.

As the day gets hotter it’s time to cool off in the kayaks, and you’ll get to explore not only the classic coves and turquoise bays typical of the Costa Brava, but you’ll even find a secluded lagoon among the sandstone cliffs where you can enjoy a uniquely Mediterranean dip. Those who fancy getting their hair wet, can use the diving masks provided to chase seabreams and picarels and spot starfish and urchins too.

Back on land and can enjoy lunch (not included in the price) at one of the local restaurants, or chill on the beach.

4. 10-Hour Kayak Tour (with Beach Afternoon)

Combine all the adventure of a kayaking trip with a relaxing afternoon on the Costa Brava!

Your morning begins in similar fashion to the aforementioned kayaking trips, with private transport ferrying you from Barcelona up the coast to Sant Feliu de Guixols. Here, you board your kayaks and in no time you’ll be exploring the coves and crags, with the option to snorkel and swim in sea caves.

Being a longer tour you get to spend a full 3 hours on the water, after which you’ll enjoy a picnic lunch on the beach and then have three hours of spare time to hike along the coast, head to a cocktail bar or play volleyball on the sands. Or just sit back and sunbath on the beach!

Fantastic ratings on Get Your Guide, where you can also book.

5. 1-Hour Kayak Rental in Barcelona City Centre

Don’t have time to cruise up the Costa Brava? Then you can also hire a kayak (or paddle surf board!) at the Port Olimpic and enjoy a paddle next to Barcelona’s city beaches, in the company of a professional guide.

While the scenery is not on a par with the stunning nature of ‘The Wild Coast’, it is fun to see Barcelona from the water, and if you have a busy sightseeing itinerary this is an activity you can easily fit around your plans to see Gaudi’s iconic architecture and visit all the best museums.

More details below…