In summary: Cala Paradís is the newest and least well-known cove in Jávea: it was uncovered by Storm Gloria in January 2020, at the foot of the Cap Negre cliff, between Cala Portitxol and Cabo de la Nao. There is no access by land: it can only be reached by kayak, stand-up paddleboard or boat, when the sea is calm.
In Jávea there are famous coves, secluded coves and a cove that didn’t even exist a few years ago. Cala Paradís is a tiny gravelly spot at the foot of Cap Negre that appeared after a storm, and which remains almost deserted because it can only be reached by rowing. Here’s what it’s like and how to visit it without overcrowding it.
Index
Cala Paradís: what it’s like
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Cove details
Paradís Cove
- Where
- Cap Negre, south of Cala Portitxol
- Access
- By sea only
- Type
- Gravel and stone, beneath the cliff
- Size
- Tiny
- Services
- None
- Coordinates
- 38.741818, 0.232027
It appeared in 2020, following Storm Gloria. That is why it does not appear on older maps.
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You’ll like it if…
- Are you looking for
- A deserted cove
- Do you like it?
- Kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and snorkelling
Best as a stop on a tour of Cap Negre.
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Perhaps another cove would be better…
- Do you want to
- Walk there or spend the day there
- There are
- Waves: the cove has almost disappeared
Cala Portitxol, just next door, is the most accessible option.
The inlet left behind by Storm Gloria
In January 2020, Storm Gloria battered the entire Alicante coastline. In Jávea, it flooded the seafront promenade and beachfront restaurants, and churned up the seabed along half the coastline. When the sea calmed down, at the foot of Cap Negre there was a small pebble beach that hadn’t been there before. It was formed naturally, without anyone’s intervention, and that is how it has remained: with no official name, no facilities and no access road.
How to get to Cala Paradís: by sea only
- Set off from Cala PortitxolIt’s the nearest beach with access. In summer, parking there is regulated: find out how it works in the guide to the Cala Portitxol car park.
- Row southwards, towards Cap NegreHugging the coast, passing beneath the cliff. Along the way is the Cova dels Òrguens, a sea cave which you can enter when the sea is calm.
- The coveRight at Cap Negre, a strip of gravel at the foot of the cliff. Step ashore carefully: there’s no sand and the stones are slippery.
Boat trips travelling along the southern coast of Jávea towards Cabo de la Nao also pass by here. If you have no experience of sea kayaking, go on a guided tour: this stretch of cliff is exposed to the east wind.
The neighbouring coves
- Cala Portitxol or Barraca. To the north, with the island opposite and the famous blue gate. This is the starting point.
- Cova dels Òrguens. The Cap Negre sea cave, between Portitxol and Cala Paradís.
- Ambolo Cove. To the south, towards Cabo de la Nao. Closed due to landslides: it can be seen from the sea, without having to go ashore.
Routes along this coast
The specific kayaking route to Cala Paradís is not currently operational, but the trips from Cala Portitxol that skirt Cap Negre pass right by it. Here are all the activities in Jávea.
Trips and activities near Cala Paradís, Jávea’s new hidden gem
Tips for your visit
- Only when the sea is calm. When there’s an easterly wind, this coast takes the waves head-on and there’s no room left in the cove.
- Water shoes and snorkelling goggles: it’s all rock, and the seabed is the best bit.
- There’s nothing in the cove. Just water and something to eat in the waterproof bag, and you take your rubbish back with you.
- I wore my lifejacket the whole way and was never alone: below Cap Negre, there’s nowhere to get out of the water.
- Look after it. It’s so small that just one inconsiderate group can ruin it.
More coves in Jávea
Frequently asked questions
Where is Cala Paradís in Jávea?
On the southern coast of Jávea, next to Cap Negre, between Cala Portitxol and Cabo de la Nao. It lies at the foot of the cliff and cannot be reached by land: the approximate coordinates are 38.741818, 0.232027.
How do you get to Cala Paradís?
Access is by sea only. The usual way to get there is by kayak or stand-up paddleboard from Cala Portitxol, skirting Cap Negre, or on boat trips that tour this coastline. There are no footpaths or steps.
Why is Cala Paradís said to be new?
Because it didn’t exist before 2020. Storm Gloria, in January of that year, battered the entire coast of Jávea and, as it receded, revealed this small cove at the foot of the cliff.
What is Cala Paradís like?
It is a tiny cove of gravel and stones, nestled beneath the cliff, with crystal-clear water and no facilities whatsoever. It can only accommodate a very small number of people, and when there are waves, there is hardly any space left.
Is it possible to go snorkelling at Cala Paradís?
Yes, it’s one of the best spots in the area: a rocky seabed with Posidonia at the foot of Cap Negre, and very close by is the Cova dels Òrguens, a sea cave that can also be accessed from the water.
Are there any excursions to Cala Paradís?
The guided kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding tours from Cala Portitxol that skirt Cap Negre pass right by it. At the moment, the specific excursion to Cala Paradís is not running; the alternative is the stand-up paddleboarding tour to Cova dels Òrguens and Cap Negre.
