Exploring the wild side of the Costa Blanca
Exploring the wild side of the Costa Blanca
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Soon after moving to the Costa Blanca, I fell in love with Paddleboarding in the crystal-clear Mediterranean Sea. I love the hot weather, and spend most of my time in water.
However, in the summer, I am not keen on crowds of people that flock to the beaches, and the difficult car parking, which usually results in me having to walk a long distance, sometimes up/down hill, carrying my paddleboard and associated gear.
I also don´t like rushing in the morning, to make the most of the calm sea conditions.
I prefer to escape the hustle and bustle, and connect with nature.
So, I have turned to the reservoirs for a different paddleboarding experience, they have not let me down!
One activity that I like to partake in during my paddleboarding adventures is turtle hunting.
In the Valencia region, I have personally enjoyed some turtle hunting in these locations:
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I have been paddleboarding in this reservoir, but I didn´t see any turtles:
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I have seen lots of turtles at this reservoir (although I haven´t been paddleboarding there yet):
There are four species of freshwater turtles that you find when turtle spotting in the Valencia region:
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Click here to find out more information about them, such as: species identification, behaviour traits, and where you can go turtle spotting to find them.
Are you ready to go Turtle Spotting on your paddleboard/kayak in the Valencian Region?
Check out these 10 tips…
You are more likely to see turtles basking around the water´s edge, where trees and rocks are protruding near the shore.
Turtles also feed on aquatic vegetation, algae, and leafy greens that are found there.
So, a good place to spend time turtle spotting is along lucious shorelines.
These areas are wilder with more flora, which can be useful for turtle spotting.
In particular, the European Pond Turtle (Emys orbicularis) prefers flowering freshwater habitats.
Before entering a wild area for turtle spotting purposes, paddle to generate some speed, but then glide into the area.
Turtles can sense low-frequency vibrations in the water, which would alert them to your presence.
You will have no success turtle spotting if you have an electric fin operating on your paddleboard…
On my first visit to the Embalse Escalona, I met a fellow paddleboarder who was using an electric fin. He was a local who paddles there regularly, but had never seen a turtle. Whereas I saw 13 freshwater turtles in just 2 hours!
If you want to use an electric fin, but you also like turtle spotting, then you could get one with a remote control, so that you can be turned on/off from your board.
While in turtle spotting areas, be patient and utilise any current/wind for movement instead.
If you must use your paddle to move/turn, perform just one stroke at a time, and then lift it out of the water again…
When not using your paddle in turtle spotting areas, gently rest the blade(s) onto your paddleboard/kayak, so that they are not dripping water.
If you move your body, paddle, feet, or personal items whilst turtle spotting, any turtles nearby will sense it and disappear.
So, try to stay as still as possible on your paddleboard/kayak.
Don´t allow anything to trail in the water, such as an ankle strap on a paddleboard, or a rope on a kayak.
This will reduce any turtle spotting opportunities.
In open water, look for just the turtle´s head sticking out of the water´s surface.
They do this for various reasons, but it can help your turtle spotting, indicating to you where the turtles are located.
In open water, the baby turtles are less wise.
They will swim deeper into the water when they see you, but they soon reappear.
They may even do this several times!
So, simply wait around if you want to see them again.
Why not treat me to a coffee, and keep the adventures coming your way!
Check out these 10 tips for turtle spotting, which apply to all turtle lovers searching from the land or the water.
Planning a holiday to Tenerife?
You can swim, snorkel, kayak, travel by underwater scooter, or travel by boat to see turtles, rays, dolphins and whales…
Want to experience Alicante from a new perspective? Take on the “Adventure Hunt” challenge!
Or you browse the hidden gems of the Costa Blanca on an interactive map…
Wild Child Costa Blanca
