You’re on holiday in Carboneras and you’re wondering what else to do besides lying on the beach?
Let me tell you one thing: you won’t get bored, not even for a moment.
I’ve put together 5 great ideas for you, designed for all kinds of travellers: adventurers, relaxed visitors, families, or incurable romantics.
🚤 1. Diving, snorkeling and boat trip around San Andrés Island
📍 Centro Branquias Diving – Calle las Piececicas, 23
🔗 branquias.es
📞 950 45 44 71
👥 For everyone, even beginners
💰 Snorkeling: €35 | Baptism dive: €80 | Dives: from €45
Why I love it
Because everything takes place around San Andrés Island, just 800 metres off the coast — an underwater paradise declared a natural monument.
The seabed is full of life: fish, corals, volcanic caves, seagrass meadows… It’s wonderful!
“Branquias has an excellent team, quality equipment and they know how to teach without pressure. Perfect for introducing kids or getting started in diving.”
💡 Don’t miss:
- El Cráter (perfect for snorkeling)
- El Motor (with the remains of a World War II aircraft)
- Kids’ courses (from 10 years old)
🐠 2. Boat or glass-bottom catamaran excursion
📍 Puerto de Carboneras
🔗 ola120.es
💰 Adults: from €28 | Children: from €18
⏱️ Duration: 2–3 hours
👥 Perfect for families or couples
Why it’s worth it
Because seeing Carboneras from the sea is a whole different experience. Highlights along the way include:
- Playa de los Muertos
- Cala Arena
- Cala de Enmedio
- Mesa Roldán
- Cala San Pedro (con posibilidad de baño)
“The views, the water, the silence… and sometimes dolphins! A relaxing and unique experience.”
💡 Bonus: some trips feature live underwater cameras.
🛶 3. Kayak or no-license boat: explore at your own pace
📍 La Isla Activa – Departures from the port or beach
🔗 laislaactiva.com
💰 Kayak: €50–70 | No-license boat: from €250 (half day)
👥 For those who like to keep moving
What you’ll love
It gives you freedom: stop wherever you want, swim where no one else goes, and enjoy the natural park without rush or crowds.
“By kayak or by boat, every cove is a hidden treasure. And with a picnic on board… even better.”
💡 Recommended routes:
- Playa de Los Cocones > Cala Galera (full day with lunch)
- Aguamarga > Cala de Enmedio (relaxed kayak trip)
- Rent for the whole day and explore as far as Las Negras
🚨 Book ahead in summer. And don’t forget the cooler.
🧜♂️ 4. Advanced diving with Buceo Carboneras
📍 Av. Faro Mesa Roldán, 74
🔗 buceocarboneras.com
📞 950 13 06 50
👥 Intermediate–advanced level
💰 Excellent prices
For experienced divers
This centre is known for more technical dives:
- Volcanic craters
- Shallow reefs
- Groupers, barracudas
- ven the wreck of a military aircraft!
“They are super professional, serious but friendly. It’s a pleasure to dive with them.”
💡 They also offer PADI and SSI courses if you want to level up or get certified.
⛱️ 5. Starfish mode on secret beaches (relax mode activated)
And if your ideal plan is simply lying in a deckchair with a good book, don’t worry. Here are my favourite beaches:
- Playa de los Muertos (spectacular postcard view, but requires some effort)
- Sopalmo : maximum tranquillity in an unspoilt environment
- Cala de Enmedio (accessible on foot or by kayak — a paradise)
- Cala del Plomo (hard to reach = very quiet)
- Cala de la Galera (my secret spot)
- Playa de las Marinicas(urban, practical, perfect for children and adults)
💡 Nico’s tip: combine a gentle walk along the coast with a swim in a cove. The point isn’t to see a lot, but to really enjoy yourself.
✅ Quick summary
| Activity | Ideal for… | Duration | Price | Useful link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diving & Snorkeling (Branquias) | Families, beginners | 2–4 h | €35–80 | branquias.es |
| Boat trip (catamaran) | Families, relaxation | 2–3 h | €28–38 | ola120.es |
| Kayak or no-license boat | Adventurers, explorers | 2–8 h | €50–250 | laislaactiva.com |
| Technical diving (Buceo Carboneras) | Experts, enthusiasts | 1–2 dives | from €45 | buceocarboneras.com |
| Secret beaches and coves | Everyone | At your own pace | Free | Google Maps & your feet |
✉️ Nico’s word
Carboneras is not just sand and sun loungers. It’s a small world where you can explore, breathe, reconnect with yourself and have fun.
There are a thousand ways to experience this corner of Cabo de Gata. My only advice:
Do it your way, but do it calmly and with your eyes wide open.
And if you stay with me, I’ll prepare for you:
📍 Personalized info and advice
🛶 Local contacts for safe bookings
🍷 And my favourite spots, the ones you won’t find on Google
Because here, we don’t sell empty experiences. We share what brought us to settle on this stretch of coastline.
| Other beaches we recommend (click on the beach name) | Advantages of this beach |
|---|---|
| Playa del Algarrobico | A spectacular, vast, quiet, and little-visited beach |
| Playa de las Marinicas | The beach at the foot of both apartments, the favourite of local families and children |
| Playa Cala del Enmedio | A lost paradise, reserved for those who truly seek it… a short hike required! |
| Playa del sombrerico | A beach at the end of the path… yet close to everything |
| Playa de La Galera | A haven of peace near Carboneras |
| Cala San Pedro | Lose yourself in its unique turquoise waters in Cabo de Gata Natural Park |
| Cala del Plomo | A hidden treasure in Cabo de Gata Park |
| Playa Sopalmo | Our favourite landmark spot near Mojácar |
| Cala de los Toros | An oasis… and then the sea! |
