Kayak excursion to Cova dels Coloms from Platja Mascarat

The cave is only part of the adventure. This 2.5-hour kayak trip from Platja Mascarat combines sea paddling, a climb into Cova dels Coloms, a possible jump back into the water, and snorkeling near the starting point. I like the active mix, and I like that the group is limited to 16 people.

The $62.31 price feels fair for an outing that includes the kayak activity and snorkeling equipment, especially since the trip packs several distinct moments into one short morning or afternoon. The main caution is physical: getting back into a kayak from the sea can be hard, and the cave floor may be slippery.

Key points at a glance

• Cova dels Coloms adds real adventure: You paddle to a sea cave, climb inside, and return to the water rather than simply viewing the cave from a distance.
• Platja Mascarat is both start and finish: You meet at Campomanes, receive your gear and safety briefing, and return to the same meeting point.
• Snorkeling equipment is included: You do not need to bring your own mask and snorkel for the activity.
• The group is capped at 16 people: That keeps the outing more manageable than a large boat excursion, though it is not a private tour.
• Wear secure water shoes: Sports shoes suitable for water are a better choice than flip-flops or loose swim shoes on the slippery cave floor.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can cancel the trip, with a choice of another date or a full refund.

Why this kayak trip feels different from a standard beach outing

Many coastal activities ask you to sit back and look at the water. This one asks you to work a little. You paddle from Platja Mascarat, reach Cova dels Coloms, climb into the cave, and take part in a more active route before returning to the sea.

That sequence gives the outing its appeal. You are not only looking at the Alicante coast from a kayak. You are handling the kayak, moving through the water, negotiating a cave entrance, and finishing with snorkeling. The pace should suit you if you want a half-day activity with several changes of scene but do not want a full-day excursion.

The tour lasts about two hours and 30 minutes. That is long enough to feel like a proper outing, but short enough to fit around other plans in Benidorm or along the coast. You will not spend an entire day in the sun, which is helpful if your schedule includes beaches, a meal, or a trip elsewhere in the area.

The experience is offered in English. Confirmation arrives when you book, and the activity accepts a maximum of 16 people. That limit matters because kayaking near a cave requires some organization. You will still be part of a group, but the number is not so large that the activity becomes a floating crowd.

Starting at Platja Mascarat in Alicante

Your meeting point is at Campomanes, C. Currica, 25, 03590 Pueblo Mascarat, Alicante, Spain. The activity starts at Playa del Mascarat, where the guides provide the equipment and explain how the outing works.

The opening briefing lasts about 15 minutes. Expect basic safety instructions, an explanation of the route, and guidance on the equipment. Treat this part as useful preparation, not wasted time. You will have a better outing if you understand how to handle the kayak and what to expect before reaching the cave.

The supplied information does not include private transportation. You need to make your own way to the meeting point. That is an important cost and planning detail, especially if you are staying in central Benidorm rather than near Pueblo Mascarat.

I would allow extra time to reach Campomanes. The meeting point is specific, and rushing into a water activity is not ideal. Bring your booking confirmation on your phone, since the tour provides a mobile ticket.

Paddling out from the beach

The sea kayak is the first active part of the route. You leave from Platja Mascarat and paddle toward Cova dels Coloms. The trip is not presented as a sightseeing cruise, so you should expect to participate rather than simply sit in a boat.

That makes the excursion a good match for you if you enjoy hands-on activities. It is less suitable if you want a completely relaxed coastal ride with no effort or water entry. The exact kayaking distance and water conditions are not specified, so the physical demand may vary with the day.

The small group limit helps at this stage. A group of up to 16 people can receive a clearer briefing and stay more organized than a much larger outing. Still, 16 is not an intimate private lesson. If you want a one-to-one pace, this is not that kind of trip.

One practical point matters right away: you should be comfortable around open water. The activity later involves leaving the kayak and getting back into it, so basic confidence in the sea is more useful here than polished kayaking technique.

Entering Cova dels Coloms

The cave is the main reason to choose this trip. You do not simply paddle past Cova dels Coloms for a photograph. The route includes an adventurous climb into the fairly large cave, followed by a return to the water.

That climb gives the trip a stronger sense of exploration, but it also creates the clearest safety concern. The cave floor can be slippery. Bring sports shoes that can get wet and still give you a firm grip. Water shoes may work, but the practical advice from the experience is to choose something with better hold than flimsy swim footwear.

Do not wear flip-flops. They are a poor choice for a wet, uneven surface, and they can come off at the wrong moment. A shirt suitable for swimming may also be useful, particularly if you prefer more coverage from the sun or from contact with the cave surface.

The available details do not specify the height or difficulty of the climb. For that reason, I would not present it as an easy walk into a cave. You should be ready for a short adventure that involves wet footing and some physical movement. Most people can participate, but the outing is not designed around sitting still.

The jump, the water, and getting back in

One of the most memorable parts of the route can be a brave jump into the sea from the cave area. The wording of the experience makes this sound like part of the adventurous appeal, but you should not assume you must perform a jump if you are uncomfortable. The supplied information does not state whether it is compulsory, so ask the guide during the briefing.

The bigger practical issue is getting back into the kayak. A participant specifically warned that you should be able to manage this after returning to the water. That is excellent advice. Climbing from the sea into a kayak is not the same as stepping into a boat from a dock.

If you are unsure about your upper-body strength, balance, or comfort in open water, ask about the process before leaving the beach. The guide briefing is the right time to understand what you will be expected to do. This is also where a secure swimsuit, water shirt, and well-fitting footwear can make the outing less awkward.

I like that the activity does not hide its physical side. You get a proper sense of adventure, but you should book with realistic expectations. The cave, jump, and kayak re-entry are the parts that separate this from a gentle paddle along the shoreline.

Snorkeling near the starting point

Snorkeling equipment is included. After the cave portion, the route includes snorkeling at or near the original launch area, giving you a calmer way to finish the active part of the trip.

The supplied details do not promise a particular marine species, underwater site, or visibility level. That is worth noting because sea conditions can affect what you see. Think of snorkeling as an included water activity rather than a guaranteed wildlife encounter.

You should bring swimwear and a water bottle. The equipment is supplied, but personal comfort items are not. A shirt that can get wet may be useful, and secure footwear remains important if you need to move over a slippery surface.

This final water section also gives you a chance to cool down after the climb and paddle. If you prefer one activity with several stages, it rounds out the excursion well. If you dislike switching between kayaking, climbing, swimming, and snorkeling, the format may feel busy.

What the $62.31 price really covers

At $62.31 per person, the cost is reasonable for a guided outing lasting about two and a half hours. You are paying for more than a kayak rental. The price includes the activity equipment and snorkeling equipment, plus the organization and safety briefing that connect the separate parts of the route.

The value is strongest if you plan to use the full experience: paddle to the cave, enter it, return to the sea, and snorkel. If you only want to sit in a kayak for an hour, you may find a simpler rental better suited to you.

Private transportation is not included. You should add the cost and effort of reaching Campomanes to your budget. The price also does not mention food, drinks, or personal footwear, so bring a water bottle and arrive prepared.

Photos are taken during the excursion, which means you do not need to carry your phone into the water. That is safer and less stressful than trying to protect a phone while climbing through a cave. The available experience information suggests that the photo coverage may focus on the main activity, so do not count on a large collection of cave and viewpoint images.

What to bring for a smoother outing

Keep your packing simple. You need items that can get wet, stay secure, and help you move safely.

• Swimsuit
• A shirt suitable for water, if you want extra coverage
• Sports shoes that can get wet and grip a slippery surface
• A water bottle
• Your mobile booking confirmation

Skip the flip-flops. They are specifically a poor choice for the cave floor. I would also avoid bringing valuables or a phone onto the water, since the activity takes photographs and the route includes swimming and a cave climb.

You do not need to bring snorkeling equipment because it is supplied. You also do not need to arrange a private transfer through the operator, because private transportation is not included and you are responsible for reaching the meeting point.

Weather, cancellation, and group size

This activity requires good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. That policy is useful for a sea excursion, where wind and water conditions can change the safety and enjoyment of the route.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before the experience are not accepted for a refund, and the cut-off follows local time.

The maximum group size is 16. That is a practical middle ground. You get a guided outing rather than an unsupported rental, but the activity is not private and the pace may need to suit a mixed group.

The tour is recommended by 97 percent of people who rated it, with an overall rating of 4.8 from 37 ratings. Those numbers point to strong satisfaction, especially for an activity that asks you to paddle, climb, swim, and re-enter a kayak. I would still give the physical warnings more weight than the score if you are unsure around water.

Who should book this experience

I would recommend this trip to active visitors staying in or near Benidorm who want a short coastal adventure. It works particularly well for people who enjoy trying several water activities in one outing rather than spending the day on a beach.

It should suit you if you can swim, feel reasonably comfortable in the sea, and can manage a kayak re-entry with guidance. You should also be happy wearing wet sports shoes and moving over a slippery cave surface.

You may want to choose another activity if you need private transportation, want a completely passive boat ride, or dislike jumping, swimming, and physical movement. The information says most people can participate, but that does not remove the need for sensible judgment about your own strength and water confidence.

Families and mixed-age groups should consider the cave and water sections carefully. The tour is not described as a children’s activity, and no minimum age is provided. Ask the provider about suitability before booking if a young participant or anyone with limited mobility will join.

Should you book the Cova dels Coloms kayak trip?

Book it if you want a compact, active outing with a clear sense of adventure. The combination of kayaking from Platja Mascarat, entering Cova dels Coloms, returning to the sea, and snorkeling gives you good variety for the price.

Skip it if your ideal coastal activity involves no climbing, no swimming, and no effort. The key question is not whether the cave looks interesting. It is whether you will be comfortable getting wet, walking on a slippery surface, and climbing back into a kayak.

For the best chance of enjoying it, wear secure sports shoes, bring swimwear and water, leave your phone behind, and allow time to reach Campomanes. With those points handled, this is a lively way to spend two and a half hours on the Alicante coast.

FAQ

How much does the kayak excursion cost?

The listed price is $62.31 per person.

How long does the experience last?

The excursion lasts approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Where does the tour begin?

It begins at Campomanes, C. Currica, 25, 03590 Pueblo Mascarat, Alicante, Spain, at Playa del Mascarat.

Where does the activity end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Is private transportation included?

No. Private transportation is not included.

What language is the experience offered in?

The experience is offered in English.

How many people can join the group?

The maximum group size is 16 people.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You can choose a different date or receive a full refund if poor weather causes the activity to be canceled.