Kayak and paddleboarding by campervan: the best waters near Mataró
A campervan is the perfect base for kayaking and paddleboarding: the boot doubles as gear storage for an inflatable board or kayak, the fridge keeps breakfast cold, and after a session in the water the outdoor shower is perfect for rinsing off wetsuit and salt before hitting the road again. From Mataró, within two hours, you can reach a wide range of very different waters: the rocky coves of the Empordà, the protected Medes Islands marine reserve, the calm freshwater of a mountain reservoir, or the flat immensity of the Ebro Delta.
Each spot has its own best moment. At Begur and Tamariu, go out right after sunrise, when the sea is glass-flat and the cove is still empty. At L'Estartit, the Medes Islands nature reserve is best enjoyed on a guided trip. And if you're after stillness and mountain scenery, Sau reservoir — with its half-submerged bell tower — or the flat horizon of the Ebro Delta offer a kayaking experience nothing like the coast.
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Begur and Tamariu at first light
The coves around Begur — Aiguablava, Fornells, Sa Tuna — and nearby Tamariu are the most rewarding playground for a kayak or paddleboard: clear water, little swell and short distances between coves. The trick is to go early: before 10 am the sea is usually flat as a lake and there's still parking.
Sleeping nearby in the campervan — at the Palafrugell motorhome area or a local campsite — lets you catch the first light without rushing or fighting traffic.
The Medes Islands, from L'Estartit
The Medes have been a protected marine reserve for decades, and it shows: a rocky seabed teeming with life, clear water and an island you can circle by kayak in a couple of hours. Because it's a sensitive area, the best option — especially if you don't know it — is a guided trip with one of the operators based at L'Estartit harbour, who'll show you where you can paddle and where you can't.
For paddleboarding, L'Estartit beach and the nearby mouth of the Ter river offer calm water to practise without heading out to open sea.
Sau reservoir and Susqueda, between the cliffs
Swapping salt water for fresh has its own appeal. Sau reservoir, where the bell tower of the old village of Sant Romà emerges from the water when levels drop, is one of Catalonia's most photographed sights from a kayak. Upstream toward Susqueda, the gorge narrows between rock walls and paddling turns into a trip in complete silence.
Water levels vary a lot depending on the season and the reservoir's state, so it's worth checking before leaving Mataró.
The Ebro Delta, the flat horizon
If you want genuinely flat, endless paddleboarding, the Ebro Delta has no rival: shallow bays, rice paddies stretching to the horizon and almost no swell — ideal for beginners and for anyone after long, calm distances. It's also the only one of the four spots more than two hours from Mataró, so it's worth combining with a night or two in the area.
L'Encanyissada lagoon and Els Alfacs bay are the usual starting points; beyond the paddling, the Delta is pure birdwatching at dawn and dusk.
Autumn: the season almost nobody uses
The Mediterranean stays pleasantly warm well into October, and by then the coves that are packed in August empty out completely. It's by far the best time to combine campervan and kayak: soft light, still-warm water and no queue for parking. With a short wetsuit, you can stretch the season into November.
A couple of practical tips: an inflatable kayak or board fits neatly in the campervan's boot — if yours is rigid, check with us when booking. And always check the wind forecast before heading out: in the Empordà, the tramontana wind can pick up with little warning and make the paddle back to shore harder.
Frequently asked questions
Can I rent a kayak or paddleboard on site?+
Yes — most spots offer local rental: L'Estartit, Llafranc, Sau reservoir... You can travel without your own gear and rent by the hour once you're there.
Can you camp overnight by Sau reservoir?+
Free overnight camping is restricted there. The simplest option is the motorhome area or one of the campsites around Vilanova de Sau, a few minutes from the water.
Isn't the sea already cold by autumn?+
It stays comfortable without a wetsuit well into October. With a short wetsuit, you can extend the season into November.
