Rent Kayak on the Costa Brava
Kayak rental in La Costa Brava
Renting a kayak on the Costa Brava to take one of its many routes is an experience that will not only help you have a pleasant time and get in shape, but you will also notice that it enriches you at all levels, as it helps you disconnect. , allows you to live an unforgettable experience, make new and good friends and of course break away from stress and anxiety, so we encourage you to take the step and join one of the fantastic routes that we offer, but rent kayak It is important that you learn its characteristics and peculiarities, just as we will talk about the importance of security.
The best kayak routes on the Costa Brava
Cala Fornells
Leaving the city of Begur, if you value beautiful coves and tranquility (although in July and August the cove is full of people) in the south we can find one of the most beautiful beaches on the entire Costa Brava. Its blue tone in the water leaves you amazed with its beauty, clean and delicious water to take a dip. Nearby we can find a sea pool that is a 5-minute walk from this cove, but it is currently neglected, and no one bathes there anymore. If you want to rent a Kayak, you can go to Aigua Blava beach, which is next door. To park, there is a parking lot where you can leave your car for €3 all day.
Cala Jonca
This time we are going to go to San Feliu de Guíxols to take a fantastic route that will take us to Cala Jonca passing through Cala del Molí.
It is an area that is also very popular because it is frequently used by climbers, so it is quite likely that we will be able to see people practicing climbing when we arrive at the place, making it a more interesting and entertaining trip.
This is an ideal option to explore after renting a kayak.
Cala Pedrosa
To get to Cala Pedrosa you can start from two different towns: l’Escala and l’Estartit, since it is located between them, and in both cases the route is pleasant, safe, quiet and of course also very beautiful.
One of the most outstanding aspects of this cove is that it offers us fantastic crystal clear waters that allow us to see the bottom perfectly.
Gispert Cave
This place is located between Tramadiu cove and Marquesa cove, specifically in Tamariu.
It is a fantastic sea cave with a length of 150 m, thus becoming the longest sea cave on the entire Costa Brava.
It is a dream place where watching the sunrise is undoubtedly a unique and highly recommended experience.
From Montjoi cove to Murta cove
We will start in Cala Montjoi and continue in the direction of Punta Falconera for approximately four hours, ending in Cala Murta, which is a nudist cove.
This route has a notable attraction, which is a sunken ship next to the old marble mines, but to be able to see it, we will have to wear snorkel goggles so we can enjoy this gift for the senses in greater detail.
From Portlligat to Cap de Creus
To carry out this route we are going to explore the Sea of Avall, discovering a completely natural environment that stands out for its rough and immortal appearance.
This route will allow us to see very beautiful areas such as Cala Seca, s’Alqueria beach, Es Jonquet or Guillola Bay.
All of these places have one aspect in common, which is their rock formations that make it a less visited site and, therefore, more virgin.
La isla d’en Carmany
This island is located approximately 2 km from the mouth of the Fluvià, in Sant Pere Pescador.
It offers fantastic views of the Aiguamolls del Empordà Natural Park, with extensive and characteristic forests, and allows you to completely surround it, making this an undoubtedly very fun and beautiful experience.
The Formigues Islands
Otra de las rutas más emblemáticas y recomendables de la Costa Brava que además nos permite elegir entre dos salidas que son la Fosca de Palamós o la playa del Castill, con la particularidad de que en ambos casos se seguirá la costa a lo largo del espacio Natural del Castell-Cap Roig hasta llegar a cala Estreta.
Esta ruta tiene un añadido muy interesante que es que si nos metemos un poco más hacia las islas, podemos aprovechar la escapada para practicar esnórquel.
The Salt Flats
Without a doubt a fantastic place for a different experience and, although quiet, with a slightly spicier touch.
This route will allow us to discover the entire surroundings of Aiguamolls del Empordà.
We have several channels to move between, where we can discover both the flora and fauna of the area.
There are different starting points to choose from, but it should be noted that the most interesting is from Santa Margarita.
Boadella Swamp
This time we are going to go to Darnius, where a quiet and very safe swamp is located, which also offers us the possibility of following the Muga River to San Llorenç de la Muga, an interesting and very attractive route.
However, here it is important to use authorized boats, since if you want to take our own, you have to request a permit from the Catalan Water Agency.
Río Ter
We are going to finish our list with one of the most important and also most famous routes, which is the one that starts from Colomers and goes down to Verges or, if we prefer, we can also reach Sobrànigues.
The main advantage of this route is that it is completely quiet throughout the entire route, risk-free and ideal for doing with the family.
Furthermore, being a quiet area with abundant vegetation, it has another point in its favor which is the fact that it is a cooler environment, making it ideal if you are thinking of renting a kayak on the Costa Brava and taking a route of great beauty. with friends and family.
What is a Kayak
The kayak is a type of canoe oriented especially toward sport and recreation, coming in a multitude of models that adapt to very different needs. It has an elongated shape and is narrow, thus guaranteeing good stability but without compromising maneuverability. The crew member is located in the approximate center, and facing the direction of travel. Currently there are models adapted for from one crew member to a maximum of four, thus being able to offer an experience that will adapt much better to what we are looking for.
Types of KAYAK
To rent a kayak, it is important to keep in mind that, depending on the type of navigation we are going to do, there is a more suitable type of kayak, the main ones being the following that we are going to list below:
- Closed Kayak
It is the most traditional type of kayak, since it is inspired by the initial model that was born more than 4,000 years ago.
This allows it to have a great capacity to adapt to different uses, with dimensions starting at 3.50 m long and 60 cm wide, and you can opt for much larger designs. It is a tall model with fantastic stability, highlighting that it is a closed type of kayak.
- Whitewater Kayak
It is known as a surf kayak, and its most notable feature is the fact that it is a very small design with the aim of offering maximum lightness and maneuverability when the athlete moves through complicated waters.
It is an ideal model for performing very precise movements at high speed, but on the other hand, it does not have space to store practically any object.
- Competition kayak
It is the most elongated and thinnest kayak model, since its main objective is to guarantee a more hydrodynamic design that favors reaching high speeds.
The problem is that this makes it inevitable to reduce stability, so it tips over very easily. Therefore you have to have a lot of experience to use them.
- Sea racing kayak
This model is also called a kayak surf ski, and is especially designed for competitions in the open sea. Its length is approximately 6 m and it is characterized by being very resistant and at the same time a very light boat. It can be even narrower than normal racing kayaks.
- Fishing Kayak
It is a type of self-bailing kayak (see Sit on top kayak) that is designed to be able to implement fishing accessories. It generally incorporates pedals or you can even add a combustion engine.
- Kayak Polo
Quite standard boat designed for practicing kayak polo, a sport in which kayaking is combined with water polo. They are small models with no space to store objects.
- Kayak Sit On Top
If you want to rent a fishing kayak, keep in mind that It is also known as a self-bailing kayak, and it is a model that is wider and lower in height and has an important characteristic, which is the fact that it is an open boat, so that the feet will be on the outside. It offers fantastic stability, in addition to preventing the interior from filling with water, but it is inevitable to end up soaked. It is an ideal model for long journeys in which we do not want to stop or use alternative emptying systems.
- Kayak Slalom
It is also known as a slalom kayak, and it is a small model, with a medium width and which reduces its top speed in exchange for offering greater stability and maneuverability. This model is designed for practicing slalom, a sport in which you have to do circuits avoiding rods.
- Kayak surfski
It is the sea kayak, which has a very thin and long shape, with bare feet. It is a self-emptying kayak model, something very necessary since the waters at sea are usually somewhat more turbulent. It offers fantastic stability, but it is not the most suitable model for beginners.
kayak parts
In addition to knowing that there are different types, it is also important to know the main parts when you are going to rent a kayak:
- Hatch: watertight compartment that floats and allows objects to be carried safely.
- Rudder: it is not present in all models, since it is optional, but basically it is a piece through which the direction of the boat can be modified without doing it with the oar.
- Seat: not all kayaks include it, but it is known as a seat when the place where we sit includes a backrest.
- Lifeline: it is a safety rope that is strategically placed around the canoe with the aim of being able to hold on if we fall from the kayak.
- Bow: is the front part of the boat.
- Stern: is the rear part of the boat.
- Port: is the left side of the boat.
- Starboard: it is the right side of the boat.
- Bathtub: this name is known as the space we occupy when we navigate with the kayak.
- Hatch: is the area that allows access to the interior of the kayak.
- Hull: is the bottom part of the boat.
- Keel: rear part of the hull that is submerged.
- Pedals: it is an optional element, so it is not available on all kayaks. They serve to activate the blades and be able to move the kayak without using the paddle.
- Deck net: optionally, some models allow you to install a net in the deck area so that you can carry objects throughout the adventure and have them within reach at all times but without getting in the way.
- Handles: these are fastenings that are generally installed on the stern or bow in order to be able to move the kayak.
What do I need to use a kayak
Now we know well the different types and the most important parts of the canoe, so it is time to move on to studying the equipment we need to use a kayak:
- Paddle: also known as a paddle, it is an essential piece since it is what we are going to use both to move and to direct the kayak. There are different models depending on the use for which it is intended, so that a paddle for competition will not be the same as another for enjoying a quiet canoe ride. They are normally made up of two pieces, although there are also four-piece models that take up very little space since they can be disassembled, but at the same time are more fragile, and one-piece models that cannot be disassembled, but offer the maximum guarantee. resistance and comfort. There are also different lengths as well as adjustable models.
- Cockpit cover: this is a piece of waterproof material that is placed on the hatch and around the user, in order to prevent water from entering the interior of the canoe. It has a safety system so that, in the event of a capsize, just by pulling a rope, the cockpit cover is instantly released from the kayak.
- Appropriate clothing: it is very important to be equipped with clothing suitable for sports, and above all that they are well adapted to the climate and weather conditions. For very cold waters, thermal and waterproof clothing is recommended, as well as neoprene clothing and good booties or footwear adapted to water. Remember that to practice in white water, there is specific equipment to guarantee different levels of safety.
It is also important to think about safety, in which case there are some useful articles that can accompany us on our adventure, such as the following:
- Reflective bands: ideal for being seen even in low lighting situations.
Waterproof bag: this is a type of bag that is designed to be able to put objects inside and, in this way, carry them with us in the kayak knowing that they will not get wet. - Pump: especially if they are long routes or in more complicated conditions, it may be interesting to carry a pump to drain the water that enters the kayak.
- Compass: essential for every adventure lover.
- Helmet: if we are going for a quiet walk, the helmet is usually not necessary, but if we are going to go into white water or areas that may be more complicated, then it is essential.
- Life jacket: there are different models with and without sleeves, being an essential piece even if we know how to swim, since it allows us to stay afloat and this will avoid unnecessary risks.
- Boots: it is a type of footwear specially designed for activities in the water. Improve safety and comfort during the experience.
- Mirror: can help you signal in case you need assistance.
- Cap: a cap or hat is essential to protect us from the sun and even other inclement weather.
- GPS: it is the most interesting alternative to guarantee that you will not get lost and that you will always stay on the right course. If you carry a GPS, the compass is not necessary in principle, but it is always advisable to carry one since, if the GPS runs out of battery, is lost, damaged by anything, we will be happy to carry the compass with us.
- Thermal blanket: it can keep you warm in case hypothermia occurs or you find yourself in difficult conditions.
- Whistle: another element that helps draw attention to our position in case we need assistance.
- Smartphone: it is recommended to always carry a smartphone to be reachable, or even to be able to contact emergency services if necessary. Remember that it must be fully charged to guarantee autonomy.
- External battery: very useful for recharging your smartphone and GPS.
- Thermos: throughout the practice you should be well hydrated, so a thermos with water or even a sports drink will be very useful.
- Food: unless it is a short and short tour, it is always good to bring some food with us.
- Additional safety material: there is another type of safety material that is especially focused on risky practice, including carabiners, ropes and other elements that may be necessary at a given time.
Safety tips for using a kayak?
- The perfect climate and conditions for kayaking
The most important thing we must take into account in terms of safety when renting a kayak to begin the adventure is to be sufficiently foresighted, and in this sense, we place special emphasis on the importance of the climate and meteorological conditions.
Remember that there is an essential piece of information that is the temperature of the water, since it can be decisive in avoiding serious problems such as hypothermia, to which we must add that in rainy seasons it will be necessary to wear a raincoat and have dry clothes to change into. at the exit.
If the days are going to be sunny, we will use a light-colored, long-sleeved T-shirt, without forgetting a hat or cap and the essential sunscreen.
What should we keep in mind?
Now that we are clear about how important it is to dress appropriately, we are going to add some safety tips that must be taken into account to enjoy a positive and smooth experience:
- If you don’t know the area, it is recommended that you go with someone who has already visited it, preferably a professional.
- If you are going to practice alone, it is important that you leave your route plan and schedules with someone you trust, and you must notify when you start and finish your route.
- Do not go into areas that are prohibited, and respect the paddling schedules.
- Drugs and alcohol are serious enemies of kayaking, as they can pose a serious safety risk.
- Always wear a life jacket or personal flotation device as it is mandatory when kayaking. Remember that the vest not only allows you to float if you find yourself in the water, but it can also protect you from blows and at the same time add extra insulation in cold waters.
- The helmet is essential if you are going to travel through dangerous areas with currents and especially if there are rocks in the environment.
- Always check all equipment before leaving.
- Don’t overload your kayak.
- Hydration is one of the essentials for kayak safety, so you should always carry plenty of water.
- If you are going to be out for many hours, it is also important to bring some food.
With all this information you can now rent a kayak and enjoy the adventure of touring the Costa Brava.