Altea: Morro de Toix Kayak Trip

The star of this four-hour trip is Cueva dels Coloms, a sea cave reached only from the water. You paddle beneath the tall walls of Morro de Toix, leave the kayak, and enter a dark cave with galleries, chambers, and freshwater springs that flow toward the sea. I like the route for two reasons: the scenery changes constantly, and the $59 price includes the kayak, guide, snorkel gear, helmet, headlamp, and activity photos.

The important catch is that this is not just a gentle paddle. The cave visit is physically demanding, with a swim from the kayak, a climb over rock, and a return to the water. Non-swimmers, pregnant women, and people prone to seasickness should skip it.

Key points to know before booking

• Cueva dels Coloms is the main event: Expect a real cave visit, not a quick look from the kayak.
• Morro de Toix brings the drama: Vertical cliffs and sea caves make the coastline far more striking than a standard beach paddle.
• You will get wet: Swimming and snorkelling are part of the day, and the cave access involves leaving the kayak.
• Morning trips are calmer: Choose an early start if you want smoother water and less heat.
• The price covers useful extras: Equipment, instruction, snorkelling gear, helmets, headlamps, and photos are included.
• Arrive early: Meet at Altea Beach Club at least 15 minutes ahead, since the guides wait only five minutes after the planned start.

Starting at Altea Beach Club

The meeting point is Altea Beach Club, at C. Rda. del Atardecer, 3, 03590 Altea, Alicante. You will find the beach bar beside a stone car park in front of the beach. Access is by a stone track, so allow a little time to locate the entrance rather than arriving at the last second.

Look for the guides in fluorescent orange Alicante Aventura shirts. The kayaks should be waiting nearby. Arriving 15 minutes early matters here because the group receives a short safety talk and paddle lesson before setting off. If you arrive late, the courtesy wait is limited to five minutes, and the guides may need to leave without you.

The boats are double, self-bailing kayaks with backrests. That setup is useful for a four-hour outing because water can splash aboard and the boat is designed to let it drain. Each pair gets paddles and lifejackets, along with watertight jerry cans for small personal items.

Pack only what you need. Bring water, sunscreen, sunglasses, a sun hat, snacks, beachwear, and water shoes. Closed-toe shoes are also listed, and they make sense for the rocky cave access. Your phone and wallet should go in the provided watertight container, not loose beside your seat.

Paddling past Punta del Mascarat

The route begins by heading toward Punta del Mascarat. The introduction covers how to handle the kayak and explains the route, then you cross the point and follow the coast north.

The first paddle is a useful warm-up. You learn how responsive the kayak feels, how to keep pace with your partner, and how the guide organizes the group around the rocky shoreline. The stop at Punta del Mascarat is short, about 10 minutes, with time for photos and paddling near the point.

From there, the coast becomes more rugged. At Cala Barra Gran, another brief stop offers a chance to take photographs and catch your breath. These early pauses are not long beach breaks, so do not expect to spread out a towel or settle in. Their value is the changing view from the water and the chance to let the group stay together.

A double kayak also means you are sharing the work. That can be fun with a friend or family member, but it requires some cooperation. If one person paddles much harder than the other, the boat can become tiring or awkward. The guide’s opening instructions should help, but you still need to communicate with your partner.

The towering walls of Morro de Toix

The coast near Morro de Toix is the visual payoff before the cave. The cliffs rise sharply from the sea, creating long stone walls with a much bigger sense of scale than you get from the beach.

The route passes Cala del Racó del Corb before reaching the main cliff area. You will see places to pause, sea caves, and rock formations shaped by the water. The scheduled stop at Morro de Toix is short, around 10 minutes, mainly for photos and paddling, but the cliff section surrounds much of the route rather than appearing as a single isolated stop.

This is a good point to be honest about the water conditions. Morning departures are described as calmer, which makes it easier to approach the cliffs and manage the kayak. The cooler start also helps reduce the chance of overheating. An afternoon departure can be more refreshing in the heat, but the sun is stronger and splashing your partner may become part of the entertainment.

The coastline is most enjoyable when you look up from the kayak. The stone walls, narrow inlets, and dark openings in the cliffs give the route its character. You are not simply paddling from one beach to another. You are following a coast that is best understood from sea level.

Entering Cueva dels Coloms

Cueva dels Coloms is the part that makes this route unusual. It can only be reached from the sea, and the visit includes a helmet and headlamp. Inside, you may see galleries, rooms, and springs of different sizes flowing toward the water.

The cave’s water movement is one of its most interesting features. Water is drawn through the stone of Morro de Toix and then appears again through springs inside the cave before flowing toward the sea. The same kind of effect is said to occur in only one other place in the world, on the Greek island of Cephalonia.

Allow about 45 minutes for the cave stop, including the break, guided visit, photographs, and kayaking around the area. That sounds generous, but the time includes more than standing at an entrance. The cave section is presented as a caving activity, with exploration of its inner spaces rather than a quick look into a shallow opening.

This is where the tour description needs careful reading. You must get out of the kayak in the sea, make your way to the cave entrance, and climb along the cliff. The route may also require a jump from rock back into the water before you return to the kayak. One detailed account described this section as close to a survival-style outing, which is a useful warning for anyone expecting an easy family paddle.

You do not need to be an expert cave explorer based on the information provided, but you do need to be comfortable swimming in open water and moving over rocks. The helmet and headlamp are supplied, and a guide leads the group, yet the equipment does not remove the physical challenge.

Swimming and snorkelling at Cala de Gasparet

After the cave, you return to the kayaks and continue north toward Cala de Gasparet. This stop is shorter, around 10 minutes, and is meant for a break, photographs, swimming, and snorkelling.

The snorkelling gear is included, which saves you from carrying your own mask and breathing tube. Still, keep your expectations sensible. The advertised value here is the chance to cool off and look around in the sea, not a formal marine-life excursion with a specialist briefing.

Cala de Gasparet also gives you a chance to recover before the return paddle. Four hours on the water can feel long if you are not used to kayaking, especially after the cave work. Use this pause to drink water and eat a snack from your pack.

The route then returns toward Cala del Racó del Corb. This is the longer rest stop, listed at around 30 minutes, with time for swimming, snorkelling, photographs, and free time. It is a welcome contrast to the narrow cave and steep cliffs. You can enjoy the water at a more relaxed pace before getting back into the kayak.

Returning to Mascarat Beach

The final paddle brings you back to Altea Beach Club. By this stage, the route has included cliff walls, coves, a sea cave, a swim, and snorkelling, so the return is less about seeing a new attraction and more about finishing the circuit.

The guide remains important on the way back. Sea conditions can change, and tired paddlers may need help keeping a steady pace. Guides speak Spanish, English, and French, so you can receive the route explanation and safety instructions in one of those languages.

One guide named in the tour material is Vincent, also written as Vicent in a customer comment. He was praised for being attentive, cheerful, and helpful. That matters on a route with a demanding cave section because a calm guide who watches the group can make the day feel much more controlled.

A set of activity photos is included. That is a small but useful extra, since your hands will be occupied with paddles and you may not want to risk your own phone near the water. The photos also preserve the cliff and cave portions of the day, which are difficult to capture while managing a kayak.

Is $59 a fair price?

At $59 per person, the value is good if you plan to use the full program. You are paying for four hours, a live instructor, a double kayak, paddle, lifejacket, watertight storage, snorkelling equipment, cave equipment, and photos.

The price is less attractive if you want only a calm coastal paddle. The demanding cave access is the main reason to book this particular trip, and the cost makes more sense when you intend to take part in that section rather than sit in the kayak and watch.

There are also practical savings built in. You do not need to rent a kayak and snorkel gear separately, and you do not need to arrange an independent route along the cliffs. The guide handles the route and provides the equipment needed for the cave.

The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and a reserve-now, pay-later option. Those terms help if your Altea plans are still shifting, but they do not change the need to arrive on time. Once the five-minute courtesy wait has passed, a late arrival can mean missing the departure without a refund.

Who should book this Morro de Toix trip?

I would recommend it to confident swimmers, active couples, families with older children who are comfortable in the sea, and anyone who wants more than a basic kayak outing. You should enjoy climbing over rock, getting wet, and handling a little uncertainty around the cave entrance.

Choose a morning departure if you want calmer water, cooler temperatures, and a gentler approach to the cliffs. Afternoon departures can work well on hot days, but bring plenty of water and expect the sun to make the physical effort feel stronger.

I would not choose this trip for a non-swimmer, someone who gets seasick, or anyone hoping for a dry sightseeing ride. Pregnant women are also specifically advised not to take part.

You should also think about the double-kayak format. It is social and practical, but you and your partner will need to paddle together. For a family or pair of friends, that can be part of the fun. For two people with very different fitness levels, it may add strain.

Should you book it?

Book this Morro de Toix trip if Cueva dels Coloms is the reason you came. The mix of cliff paddling, sea access, cave exploration, swimming, and snorkelling offers much more variety than a short beach rental, and the equipment package makes $59 reasonable.

Skip it if you want an easy, passive outing. The cave access includes swimming from the kayak and climbing over rock, and that detail should guide your decision more than the attractive photographs. For a fit swimmer ready for a wet and active half-day, this is one of the more memorable ways to see the coast near Altea.

FAQ

Where does the kayak trip meet?

Meet at Altea Beach Club, C. Rda. del Atardecer, 3, 03590 Altea, Alicante. The beach bar is beside a stone car park in front of the beach, reached by a stone track.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive at least 15 minutes before the activity begins. The guides allow a maximum five-minute waiting period after the planned start.

What languages does the guide speak?

The live tour guide service is available in Spanish, English, and French.

Is snorkelling equipment included?

Yes. The tour includes snorkelling equipment, along with a double self-bailing kayak, paddle, lifejacket, and watertight containers for small belongings.

What equipment is provided for the cave?

You receive a helmet and headlamp for the Cueva dels Coloms visit. You should also bring water shoes and closed-toe shoes for the rocky parts of the route.

Can non-swimmers take part?

No. The activity is not suitable for non-swimmers. It is also not suitable for pregnant women or people prone to seasickness.