We start our paddle today with enthusiasm and good sea, to reach one of the best known coves of the Costa Blanca, the Granadella. Over 8 miles full of surprises, coves and headlands, including the Cap de la Nau await us.
We will embark on La Grava beach, just after the port of Xàbia, and we will sail along the length of the bay, passing by the different beaches of Xàbia: Primer Muntanyar or Benissero, l'Arenal, Segon Muntanyar and Cala Blanca, just at the end of the bay.
We will spot Cala Blanca quickly by the whitish colour of its cliffs. Two contiguous coves will take us to Cala Sardinera and the first of the capes of our stage: Cap Prim.
After managing this first cape we will find ourselves confronted with Els Pallers, waiting for us like soldiers lined up to defend the island of Portitxol. We cross in search of La Barraca cove to face the second cape of the day, Cap Negre. The passage between this and the Foradà cove is great fun and breaks the monotony of the journey.
Just opposite the island of Portitxol is another of the watchtowers: the Torre del Portitxol.
After passing Cap Negre we will continue in search of l'Escull de Sant Pere or El Bergantí, which is the promontory of a completely submerged mountain. We go round the cliff and arrive at the challenging Punta Plana, before reaching the cape and its caves.
Once under Cap de la Nau and its impressive cliffs, we can enter dels Òrguens cave, the cape's first cave, where we can peacefully look around the inside and enjoy the large number of speleological formations: stalactites, stalagmites and great flow tracks. It is a highly recommended stop.
We resume our journey and after a large islet we will find a second impressive cave with crystal clear waters, the cova dels Coloms or cova del Cap. Entering on the left there is a small channel that takes us to the back of the rocks where we can disembark.
We will leave the cape and its caves behind to continue towards Cala Granadella. The Torre d'Ambolo will come into view, the second lookout tower of our route today and which gives its name to the Cala d'Ambolo, a nudist beach with virgin sands and crystal clear waters. Between the cove and l'illa del Descobridor we will have a our work cut out navigating close to the cliffs.
After this stretch, and sailing under this small cape, we will find the cove of the Llop Marí, a must visit and stop in the water.
We will continue close to the cliff to reach a small cove with a large rock in the centre: Encaló; an idyllic cove which is only accessible from the sea.
We will continue to the cliffs, passing a small ledge called El Morro del Pi and we will go to the beautiful Cala Granadella, the final point of our stage today.