Kayak & Snorkel La Herradura: Cueva de la Paloma & cliffs

Paddle into a sea cave, then snorkel where mountain goats watch from the cliffs above

A 2.5-hour kayak and snorkeling tour departing from La Herradura Beach into the protected natural park "Los Acantilados de Maro-Cerro Gordo," where you paddle past dramatic cliffs, enter the Cueva de la Paloma, and snorkel in clear Mediterranean waters. The tour includes full snorkel gear (mask, snorkel, fins), wetsuits, life jackets, and a safety briefing. All equipment is cleaned and disinfected after every use. Small groups mean fewer participants per guide, and instructors teach beginners the basics of both kayaking and snorkeling before you depart.

Step-by-step itinerary

Kayak and snorkeling in natural park

• Depart from La Herradura Beach
• Receive kayak and snorkel instructions
• Kayak along coastal cliffs and caves
• Snorkel in protected waters
• Observe marine life and mountain goats
• Enter Cueva de la Paloma carefully

The experience

You start from the beach at La Herradura, where the guides brief you on kayak and snorkel safety and show you how to use the equipment. The natural park is mostly accessible only by water, so the route itself is the point. You're paddling into a protected coastal area famous for its dramatic cliffs, clear water and the variety of life both above and below the surface. The Cueva de la Paloma, a sea cave carved into the rock, is the centerpiece. You enter it with care, respecting the environment and leaving the rocks, plants and wildlife untouched.

Between the cave and the snorkeling stops, watch the steep cliffs above the sea: mountain goats cross them regularly, and the scale of the landscape makes the water feel intimate by contrast. When you drop anchor to snorkel, you're in the same protected waters where the park's marine life stays year-round. The guides carry waterproof walkie-talkies to stay in touch with each other and the shore, so someone is always aware of where the group is and what the conditions are doing.

The tour runs in small groups: few enough per guide that you're not managing a crowd, just paddling and snorkeling. Children from age 2 are welcome, and the operator provides life jackets sized for kids from 15 kg up. If you want a wetsuit shorty for extra warmth, you can request one on site for an additional fee. Otherwise, wetsuits are included. All masks, snorkels, fins and life jackets are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected between every use: the operator emphasizes this because it matters in shared equipment, and it's rare enough that they mention it as a point of difference.

What’s included

• Full snorkel gear including mask, snorkel and fins.
• wetsuits and life jackets cleaned and disinfected after every use.
• safety briefing and basic instruction on kayak and snorkel equipment before departure.
• small group sizes with few participants per guide.
• guides carrying waterproof walkie-talkies for communication.
• children's life jackets from 15 kg.
• civil liability and accident insurance.

Options for this experience

5 options

Tour #4 of Kayak & SnorkelingGuide in English or Spanish · Available from 16 Mar 2027

Tour #5 of Kayak & SnorkelingGuide in English or Spanish · Available from 16 Mar 2027

Tour #2 of Kayak & SnorkelingGuide in English or Spanish · Available from 16 Mar 2027

See 2 more options

Tour #1 of Kayak & SnorkelingGuide in English or Spanish · Available from 16 Mar 2027

Tour #3 of Kayak & SnorkelingGuide in English or Spanish · Available from 16 Mar 2027

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 16 Mar 2027

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (12 to 90 years) · Child (8 to 11 years) · Infant (2 to 7 years)

GroupUp to 20

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Activ8You

Is this one for you?Choose this tour if you're paddling and snorkeling for the first time or bringing children: the small group and all-inclusive gear mean you start directly from the beach without extra logistics.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (8 to 11 years); Infant (2 to 7 years).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Can I kayak and snorkel in La Herradura if I've never done either before?

Yes. The guides give a safety briefing and basic instruction on how to use both kayak and snorkel equipment before the tour departs, so beginners have the knowledge they need to enjoy the trip safely. The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels.

What's inside the Cueva de la Paloma, and how do you enter it by kayak?

The Cueva de la Paloma is a sea cave carved into the cliffs of the natural park. You paddle into it by kayak, staying respectful of the rocks, plants and wildlife inside. Nothing is touched or disturbed. It's one of the most distinctive stops on the route and only reachable by water.

Is all the snorkel gear included, or do I need to bring my own?

Full snorkel gear is included: mask, snorkel, fins, wetsuits and life jackets. All equipment is cleaned and disinfected after every use. If you want a wetsuit shorty for extra warmth, you can request one on site for an additional fee.

How long is the kayak and snorkel tour, and what time does it start?

The tour runs for 2.5 hours and departs from La Herradura Beach. Check your phone for last-minute updates about the exact departure time, as the operator sends confirmations to the number you provide at booking.

What can I see in the natural park besides the cave?

The park "Los Acantilados de Maro-Cerro Gordo" is known for its dramatic cliffs, clear waters and rich marine life. Mountain goats cross the steep cliffs above the sea, and the route passes many coves, rocky areas and corners of extraordinary beauty: most of it accessible only from the water.