Kayak at Los Escullos
Castle, volcanic reefs and virgin coves of the Natural Park
Highlights
- San Felipe Castle: 18th-century defensive tower seen from the kayak
- Virgin coves unreachable by land, with volcanic seabeds and turquoise water
- Snorkelling in Neptune grass meadows and volcanic rock
- Exceptional marine biodiversity: bream, moray eels, octopuses and starfish
- Panoramic views of the black volcanic cliffs of the Natural Park
What's included?
- High-stability sea kayak (single or double)
- Certified life jacket
- Paddle
- Snorkel included (mask and snorkel tube). We recommend bringing your own if you have one for extra comfort.
- Expert guide trained in water rescue
- Activity insurance
- Hydration stop mid-route
- Experience photos
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need prior kayaking experience?
Can children participate?
What happens if the weather is bad?
Is insurance included?
Where is Los Escullos and how do I get there?
Can you see San Felipe Castle from the kayak?
How many people are on each departure?
Can I book the tour exclusively for a private group?
Tour information
- Duration: 3 hours
- Difficulty: All levels
- Price: Adults €35 · Children (up to 12) €20
- Snorkel: Mask and snorkel tube included. Bringing your own is recommended.
- Schedule: Departures at 9:30 and 16:30 (high season). Check availability.
- Meeting point: Los Escullos Beach, next to San Felipe Castle, Los Escullos, Almería
- What to bring: Swimwear, biodegradable sunscreen, water (minimum 1 litre), water shoes or sturdy sandals.
- Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. In the event of adverse weather, rescheduling at no cost.
About the departure point
The day before your excursion we will contact you with the exact departure point. We depart from La Fabriquilla (Levante wind) or Las Negras (Poniente wind), depending on sea conditions that day.
Please don't worry. We will send you all the information about the departure point by email the day before your excursion.
Online booking coming soon.
Certified & authorised activity
The ecosystem you will see
The Los Escullos route runs through the heart of Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park, facing one of the Marine Reserve's most biodiverse volcanic reefs. The coastal stretch between Los Escullos and La Isleta del Moro combines sandy beaches, volcanic cliffs and posidonia oceanica beds that have earned it Special Conservation Zone status within the Natura 2000 Network.
Volcanic geology
The name "Los Escullos" derives from the Arabic "escollos" designating submarine rocky shallows, and perfectly describes this area's geology. The volcanic reef bordering the coast is a platform of Miocene andesitic and basaltic rock that emerges at multiple points forming islets, natural arches and volcanic chimneys. The stratified layers from different eruptions create a geological mosaic of extraordinary complexity, making these beds among the most fascinating in the Spanish Mediterranean.
Marine fauna
The Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park Marine Reserve reaches one of its greatest biodiversity densities at Los Escullos. The caves and recesses of the volcanic reef harbour colonies of large spiny lobsters (Palinurus elephas), an emblematic reserve species that has recovered notable populations here. Grouper, meagre, triggerfish and giant octopus are common snorkel sightings. Sandy areas harbour rays and sole, and in summer loggerhead turtles on the surface are not uncommon.
Posidonia oceanica
The posidonia oceanica meadows extending east of La Isleta del Moro are among the best preserved in the entire Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park. Carpeting the seabed between 3 and 25 metres depth, these meadows filter and oxygenate the water, creating the characteristic transparency of these coves. They are the home and nursery of hundreds of species and an infallible indicator of the Mediterranean ecosystem's health: their presence confirms you are snorkelling in one of Spain's cleanest seas.
Route highlights
From the shadow of San Felipe Castle to La Isleta del Moro, this route combines history, nature and the best snorkelling in Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park.
Los Escullos Beach — Departure beneath the castle
The route departs from Los Escullos beach, one of the calmest and least crowded in Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park, presided over by the imposing silhouette of the 18th-century San Felipe Castle. The volcanic reef surrounding the beach creates a semi-protected water area that facilitates kayak departure even with some swell. Water quality at this point, thanks to posidonia oceanica meadows, is exceptional.
San Felipe Castle — History from the water
Moving away from the beach and looking towards land, San Felipe Castle reveals itself in full majesty from the kayak. Built in 1771 during the reign of Felipe V to defend the coast from Berber corsair attacks, this volcanic stone bastion presents its cannon ports and embrasures oriented towards the sea, exactly where we find ourselves. It is a perspective that tourists visiting the castle by land never achieve: the sea view exactly as the castle guards had it.
La Isleta del Moro — The authentic fishing village
La Isleta del Moro is one of the most authentic fishing villages in the Spanish Mediterranean, with its whitewashed houses perched on a small volcanic promontory and wooden boats beached on the sand. Arriving at La Isleta del Moro by kayak is a completely different experience from arriving by road: the village is seen from the sea exactly as the fishermen returning from fishing saw it, with the scent of brine and the sound of water hitting boat hulls.
Los Escullos reef — The Park's snorkel
The Los Escullos volcanic reef is the natural destination of the route and one of the best snorkelling spots in Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park. The submerged volcanic rock platforms create labyrinths of caves, tunnels and passages harbouring exceptional fauna. The combination of rocky beds, posidonia oceanica meadows and the Marine Reserve's water transparency make each dive unique and unrepeatable.
History and curiosities of the area
From the Arabs to 18th-century corsairs, the coastline of Los Escullos and La Isleta del Moro holds centuries of maritime and cultural history within the Natural Park.
La Isleta del Moro — Arab origins and fishing tradition
The toponym "La Isleta del Moro" (The Moor's Islet) evokes the Arab past of this small fishing community settled on a volcanic promontory. The village appears in historical documents from the 17th century as a settlement specialising in almadraba tuna fishing, which for centuries was the main livelihood of its inhabitants. The fishing tradition lives on today, though transformed: the artisan fishermen of La Isleta del Moro are the last guardians of traditional fishing techniques in Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park.
San Felipe Castle (1771) — Against the pirates
San Felipe Castle was built in 1771 on the orders of King Fernando VI as part of the coastal defence system against Berber piracy. The castle's design, with its star-shaped plan and cannon ports oriented towards the sea, responded to the military tactics of the era for covering the maximum coastal angle with artillery. During the 18th century, its garrisons repelled several corsair landing attempts in the Los Escullos area. Today it is one of the best-preserved historic-artistic monuments on the Almería coast.
Marine Reserve: lobster and grouper recovery
The Marine Reserve declaration of Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park in 1987 has spectacularly transformed the Los Escullos seabed. In barely three decades, populations of spiny lobster (Palinurus elephas) and grouper (Epinephelus marginatus) have recovered densities not recorded since the mid-20th century. Scientific studies by the Spanish Institute of Oceanography place Los Escullos among the points of greatest marine biodiversity in the entire Spanish Mediterranean. This recovery confirms that strict seabed protection produces tangible results within a few decades.
What our clients say
“We had a brilliant excursion! The instructors were friendly and fun. We had a good tour of the coastline and then stopped for snorkelling which was incredible.”Google
“Los mejores monitores, muy pendientes de todo el grupo. Una experiencia increíble y 100% recomendada. El recorrido por cabo de Gata espectacular.”Google
“SOIS LOS MEJORES!! Mágica experiencia que hemos tenido mi familia y yo. Espectacular paseo y belleza de fondo marino que hemos disfrutado. GRACIAS a Lucas y Joaquín por la dedicación, seguridad y el cariño que transmiten.”Google
“Experiencia muy linda! Los guías muy predispuestos y simpáticos! La pasamos muy bien con mi familia, la zona del snorkel fenomenal. Lo disfrutamos mucho! Recomiendo la empresa.”Google
“Experiencia en familia inolvidable! En todo momento nos sentimos seguros, íbamos con dos niñas de 9 y 5 años y los monitores estaban muy pendientes de todos.”Google
“Nos lo hemos pasado estupendamente!! Una gran experiencia, tanto la ruta en kayak con unas vistas preciosas, como el snorkel. Los monitores siempre atentos y muy simpáticos. 100% recomendable!!”Google
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