This post is also available in:
Latest update: 14 July 2023
With the infinite number of beaches that Ibiza has, you can easily sunbathe at a different beach every day. But, if you’re feeling a bit guilty about absolutely nothing: let’s get moving. On the water, of course: time to kayak.
Kayaking in Ibiza it is!
I am going kayaking with two friends with Anfibios Ibiza. Actually, kayaking is the second choice. The plan was to SUP (SUP = Stand Up Paddling). Unfortunately, the Dutch owner Nicky has to disappoint us: there is too much wind. Fortunately, Anfibios offers many more water sports options. Windsurfing, diving, and snorkeling, for example, and also kayaking. So we decide to go kayaking for about two hours near Playa d’en Bossa.
Clubs and fishermen’s houses of Playa d’en Bossa
We are a group of five, and Nicky takes us on the road, uhm, ocean. We choose the double kayaks. To be honest: I’m very quick to say that’s what I want, and luckily, everyone agrees. I’m not that sure about my muscle strength. But it all goes pretty well as there is plenty of time to take some breaks while Nicky points out important sights.
We kayak past the well-known hotels and clubs Ushuaïa and Hard Rock Hotel that (in 2016) aren’t even 10 years old. Previously the buildings were also hotels, but hotel guests complained about the low-flying planes. The party people couldn’t be less bothered.
At the end of Playa d’en Bossa beach in the Ses Salines Natural Park is the Torre de Sal Rosa defense tower. The tower protected the inhabitants of Ibiza from pirates. Below the tower are fishermen’s houses that you can find everywhere in Ibiza. Officially intended for fishermen to store their boats and gear, but sometimes illegally rented out to weekend guests. You can’t really tell from its looks, but such a hut is now worth a lot of money thanks to the high house prices in Ibiza.
Tip! Need more action? Try one of the other active tours and activities in Ibiza.
Visit a cave
We follow the coastline a bit further, where we then paddle our way into a cave. Since the water is quite high, we have to lay back as flat as possible and propel the kayak forward by pushing ourselves against the ceiling with our hands. Not suitable if you have some claustrophobic tendencies. At first, it is very dark in the cave. Nicky shines a flashlight, and slowly my eyes get used to the dark. It’s quite big inside, and I expected it to be freezing, but it’s not that bad. After floating around for a while, we start the way back.
Snorkeling in Ibiza
We stop again at the fishermen’s houses on the way back. This time for a snack, a juice, and for snorkeling. There is mainly seagrass to be seen. This grass also washes up on the beach. Tourists don’t like that: it looks dirty, and it also smells a bit. That is why the beach is always cleaned of washed-up seagrass. Strangely enough, the grass does not end up in the garbage but is stored. As soon as the tourist season is over, the people bring back the seagrass. In this way, the beach is better preserved in a storm: the sand does not blow away; only the seagrass does.
Enough about that grass: how’s the snorkeling? I’m about to give up when Nicky beckons us further into the water to see fish. And sure enough, they are there. Not many, but there are a few nice ones. We also see sea urchins, and when we get out of the water, Nicky has a baby starfish in her hand. I never knew they were almost liquid!
Tip! Discover all Ibiza tips for a top holiday.
The other side of Playa d’en Bossa
We kayak back to dry land. I now feel my shoulders a lot, and I expect some calluses on my hands the next day. Well, that gives me another good excuse to relax on the beach, doesn’t it? I really enjoy seeing Playa d’en Bossa from this side, especially with all the insider information. Now, I look at this part of Ibiza’s party beach differently. And next time, I will definitely make another attempt to SUP at Anfibios. The kayaking was absolutely lovely, with Nicky as a guide.
Kayaking options in Ibiza
If Anfibios does not have any availability, please try your luck with these other kayaking tours in Ibiza:
More Ibiza inspiration?
Useful links for your upcoming Ibiza trip
- Accommodation. All-time favorite: Booking.com. Rather stay in a hostel? Try HostelWorld.
- Activities. You book the best tours and activities with GetYourGuide and Viator. WithLocals also has good options. And Freetour.com and GuruWalk offer ‘free’ walking tours. Try Baja Bikes for bike tours.
- Boat. Get to Ibiza by boat from Barcelona or other places from the Spanish mainland. You can also travel between Formentera, Menorca, and Mallorca. Please check Omio for options.
- Car rental. Compare prices at Rentalcars and Discover Cars.
- Clubbing. Buy your club tickets here.
- Flights. Compare your options. Be sure to check Skyscanner and Kiwi.
- Guidebooks. Although I love the practical guidebooks from Lonely Planet, for my Ibiza holiday I choose inspirational books. Check out Amazon‘s offer.
- Package deals. Rather go on a catered trip? Expedia and CheapOair have offers.
- SIM card. Beware of unexpectedly high calling and internet costs. Buy a local SIM card when you arrive, or arrange one online via Airalo.
- Yoga retreat. Or, treat yourself to a lovely yoga retreat in Ibiza.
Some of the links on this site are affiliate links. If you buy something through these links, I might receive a small commission.
First published: September 2016. The article has been updated since.
