#LoveTheBeach: Snorkelling in Xàbia, Spain
As part of our #LoveTheBeach campaign, we hope to shine a spotlight on some of the wonderful coastal locations around the world. It is also an opportunity to highlight the various initiatives that run throughout the globe to help raise awareness of the importance of keeping our oceans clean and protecting sea life.
Earlier this year, a landmark decision was taken in Spain to help preserve its rich marine biodiversity. Seven new marine protected areas (MPAs) were declared as part of the Natura 2000 network. The Natura 2000 Network is a network of natural areas in Europe that promotes the protection of wild and semi-natural species and habitats, while also allowing for human activity.
The coast of Dénia encompasses the Cabo San Antonio Natural and Marine Reserve, which is a protected area of high environmental value. A short distance away is Cala Sardinera, which is near Xàbia. We visited this area to explore the waters and the sea life beneath the surface of the ocean as part of our #LoveTheBeach campaign.
Whether you are staying inland or at one of the coastal towns further away, it is easy to hire a boat in Denia or Xàbia in order to get out onto the water. The sea is very warm and the visibility is excellent for snorkelling in Xàbia.
It is a delight to see healthy seagrass covering the seabed and to spend time watching the creatures beneath the surface of the water. A variety of fish dart in and out of swaying reeds and you can tread water above sleeping shoals, or swim alongside hundreds of saddled seabream, which are a silvery colour with a distinctive black spot at the base of their tail.
The snorkelling in Xàbia and this particular area of Spain is very impressive for European waters. It is like the Maldives in monochrome at times in terms of the volume of fish. Of course, the diversity of the sea life is not quite the same, but it is a special experience and well worth it for those who find the underwater world fascinating.
Xàbia also offers some stunning caves and these can easily be explored when taking a boat trip down the coastline. The sea is very buoyant and, even on a rough day, it is relatively easy to swim from the boat to a cave. Once inside the cave, your eyes will be transfixed on the beauty above, rather than below. The sound of the crashing waves against the rocks is also something to behold.
The seabed and the coastline of Xàbia are pretty special. There are 25 kilometres where you can enjoy diving (this is very popular for those with the appropriate qualifications) and exploring the marine reserve. It is also possible to have a courtesy mooring at the yacht club in Xàbia for those who are visiting the area for the day and wish to stop for a spot of lunch.
In terms of family-friendliness, this kind of activity is suitable for a wide range of ages. During our trip for snorkelling in Xàbia, we were accompanied by children aged four and seven. The seven year old is a very competent swimmer and was able to reach the caves with ease and also snorkel in the calmer waters. The four year old was also able to swim off the boat at times too. Life jackets are provided if needed and it is helpful to bring all of the usual snorkelling equipment, such as flippers and masks.
Another helpful tip for our readers when snorkelling in Xàbia is to consider a lunchbreak, especially if you are doing this activity with children. It helps to give them some time on land and breaks up the day nicely. An experienced skipper is also vital because they have so much local knowledge about the conditions are also able to take you to the best spots for water activities.
The Little Sloaney Verdict
Following the launch of our Little Sloaney editorial section, we now cover many luxury experiences with children in mind to help feedback to our readers who have young family members.
Our Little Sloaney team share their highlights in their own words….
“The best part about this experience for me was swimming in the cave. It was amazing to see something like that from the inside. It was very noisy and I loved swimming from the boat to reach it. The snorkelling was also really good.” – *Rose, aged 7
“Going on the boat was so much fun. It was really bumpy at times. I also jumped off the boat into the sea. The boat ride was just brilliant and a great experience. I felt very safe with a lifejacket on in the water and loved looking at all of the big rocks on the shore.” – *Michael, aged 4
Don’t miss our feature with tips for Snorkelling with Children: #LoveTheBeach: Tips for snorkelling with children – The Sloaney
Words: LT; Photography: SB and G
