Jávea has only one sandy beach, and that is no drawback. It is precisely the pebble coves and rock platforms that make this coastline so special, with water you can see metres down into in summer. Below is everything you need to know, including the honest truth about parking. At the end we also highlight Cala El Portet, a sheltered bay in neighbouring Moraira that is worth the short drive.
The town's only sandy beach, about four hundred and eighty metres of golden sand backed by a promenade full of restaurants. Shallow and safe, so ideal with children, and fully staffed with lifeguards in high season. The beach has a Blue Flag.
The most famous cove in the area, and deservedly so: a white pebble beach between pine-covered slopes and water that shifts from turquoise to deep blue. Perfect for snorkelling, or for seeking out the sea caves on a guided kayak trip; there is no standalone kayak hire here. There is a restaurant by the beach that is known for its paella.
In summer the access road is closed off with a barrier. There are only about a hundred and thirty paid parking spaces at around nine euros a day, and you cannot reserve one, so arrive before nine or paddle in from the sea.
The cove with the white fishermen's huts and blue doors you know from every postcard. The snorkelling around the little island just offshore is the best in Jávea. You can also walk there beautifully from the Creu del Portitxol mirador.
Here too a barrier controls summer access, with fewer than sixty parking spaces, fewer than at Granadella. Come early or walk in, that is the rule.
Cala El Pom is a rocky cove between Portitxol and the Cap Negre cliff, with crystal-clear water, rock formations and small sea caves. There is no road or path leading to it: the cove can only be reached from the sea, by kayak, paddleboard or engineless boat. From Portitxol or Cala Barraca it is about a twenty minute paddle away, the same route used by guided kayak trips to the sea caves. Nearby lies the Cova de l'Aigua Dolça, a small freshwater cave that is part of the same trip.
The beach of the port district, within walking distance of terraces and shops. Gravel rather than sand, which means clear water and far less fuss. Handy if you are staying nearby or want to end the day on the promenade.
Two small coves of pebbles and white rock at the end of the coast road, linked by a rocky point. No facilities and no lifeguard, but crystal-clear water and peace. Arrive early, as the roadside parking spots fill up fast.
Quite possibly the loveliest cove of them all, beneath the cliffs of Cap Negre. But be warned: access by land has been officially closed for years because of falling rock, and the closure is enforced. If you still want to swim there, go by kayak or boat from the sea.
Two kilometres of flat fossil rock between the port and the Arenal, where the locals swim. In summer the wooden chiringuitos appear, and they are an institution in themselves: a glass of wine at sunset with your feet almost in the water. Water shoes are no luxury here.
Another two kilometres or so of tosca rock south of the Arenal, with traces of Roman quarries. No lifeguard, no bars, few people. In summer small steps are installed to make getting into the water easy. This is the place for anyone tired of the crowds.
This sheltered bay sits in Moraira, a coastal town a short drive from Jávea, and ranks among the loveliest along this stretch of coast. The water is shallow and turquoise, clear all the way to the bottom. On either side, hills covered in white villas run down to the sea, and palms line the promenade. On the right, the rocky headland of Cap d'Or closes off the bay, so the water stays calm even in a breeze. A fine spot for a day of swimming and snorkelling.
Jellyfish turn up mainly in summer along the Jávea coast, carried in by wind and currents from the sea. The strongly stinging Pelagia noctiluca is the species that has also been reported at Xàbia's beaches. The fried egg jellyfish appears mostly in summer and autumn, and Rhizostoma pulmo from late spring into autumn.
Other species you might come across are less of a concern. The moon jellyfish is virtually harmless, and the by-the-wind sailor, with its small transparent sail, does not sting at all. The Portuguese man of war is genuinely dangerous, but it is rare here and has not been specifically reported at Jávea. Since presence varies by day and by bay, checking the current status is always a better guide than the season alone.
Where can you check whether there are jellyfish today?
For the current situation, there are two channels worth checking: the council's Info Estado Playas Telegram channel, active from June to September, and Meduseo, which shows a live, time stamped jellyfish status for each beach, including the Arenal, La Grava and Granadella.
Don't expect a dedicated jellyfish flag: on the supervised beaches, the official flags are green, yellow and red, and they say nothing about jellyfish. If you want to know for certain how your bay stands, Meduseo is the quickest starting point. At the Arenal, Red Cross first aid posts are also staffed in season at both the north and south ends, in case you do get stung.
What should you do if you're stung by a jellyfish?
Rinse the area straight away with seawater, never fresh water, and don't touch or rub any tentacle fragments left behind. Cool the skin with a cold compress or ice in a bag, never applied directly to the skin, and don't use ammonia, vinegar or urine. Afterwards, go to the first aid post or health centre.
If you feel nauseous or dizzy, or have trouble breathing, call 112 straight away rather than waiting. This approach follows the official Spanish first aid guidelines for jellyfish stings.
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