Kayaking at Maro-Cerro Gordo Cliffs

About Kayaking at Maro-Cerro Gordo Cliffs

The Paraje Natural Acantilados de Maro-Cerro Gordo protects about 12 km of cliffs, coves and Posidonia seagrass between Nerja and La Herradura, shared by Málaga and Granada. Much of it is visible only from the sea, and paddling past the cliffs has become one of the most popular activities on the eastern Costa del Sol.

Trips start from the east end of Playa de Burriana. The standard guided route of 2.5 hours heads east past the Cueva del Lobo Marino, the small Cascada de la Doncella and a plant-covered wall called the Jardín Vertical, stops for a swim at the Cala de Maro and ends beneath the Cascada de Maro, which falls straight into the sea about 3.5 km from the start. Most kayaks are doubles, and a short lesson comes first.

Educare Aventura, which runs the authorised guided routes from Burriana, charges €30 per adult and €20 for ages 8–15 from March to May, and €35 and €23 from June to September (2026); kayak hire costs from €15 an hour. Kayak Maro (MKN) offers trips and rentals from El Playazo. You must be able to swim; children from 4 sit between two adults in a double. Trips are cancelled in rough sea or strong easterly wind. Lockers cost €3, and parking near Burriana fills early in summer.

May, June and September combine warm water and fewer people; book ahead for July and August. Mornings are usually calmest. Bring swimwear, a hat, sun cream, water and a snorkel mask for the swim stop.

Kayaking at Maro-Cerro Gordo Cliffs in pictures

What you’ll find

• Equipment hireGear rental (€15–€26)Buy
• Family friendlyEasy for childrenFree
• Guided activityGuide or instructor (€30–€35)Book
• KayakingKayak or canoe (€30–€35)Book
• Stand-up paddlePaddleboardingBook
• Swimming spotRiver or sea swimFree
• ViewpointScenic viewpointFree

Nearby places to visit

The launch point is on Playa de Burriana, and lunch at Chiringuito Ayo, Nerja is a few steps away (0 km). The Nerja Caves, with their vast stalactite halls, lie 2 km inland, while Playa de Maro, 3 km east, is the closest beach to the waterfall and a quieter alternative base for rentals. Further along the same protected coast, Kayaking in La Herradura Bay (11 km) explores the Granada end of the cliffs around Cerro Gordo and its sea caves, and the guided canyon descent of Río Verde Canyoning in Otívar is 16 km north-east as the crow flies, in the mountains behind the coast.