Cambrils has great beaches and coves nearby, but if you’re after that postcard turquoise, you need to look south. The stretch of coast running towards l’Ametlla de Mar hides some of the prettiest coves on the Costa Daurada — small, ringed by pines and with water in a colour that takes you by surprise. Many have no easy access by land, so the best way to discover them is from the boat.

The gems to the south: the coves worth the day

These are the stops that turn the day into something special:

  • Cala Forn — perhaps the most photographed in the area. Clear water, a light sandy bottom and a setting of rock and pine. A good spot to anchor and spend the day.
  • Cala Justell — smaller and more tucked away, perfect for a calm swim far from the bustle.
  • Cala Vidre — a corner of turquoise water with a very natural feel, ideal for putting on a mask and watching the bottom.

Between them there are more pockets of rock and clear water that you discover as you go. That’s exactly the beauty of doing it by boat: you choose where to stop depending on the day and where you fancy lingering.

Why they look better from the sea

Many of these coves are only accessible by trail or directly by sea. That keeps them less crowded and the water cleaner. From the boat you come in from the front, anchor a few metres out and swim straight off the deck — no lugging bags down paths, no fighting for a patch of sand.

And cruising, you see the whole coastline in one go: the pine forest tumbling down to the sea, the rocky points, the little inlets. It’s a landscape you see in fragments from land and understand in full from the water.

A full-day plan with La Niña

This stretch is further south, so it calls for a boat with the range and power to get there comfortably and come back with margin to spare. The choice is La Niña, our 80 HP Quicksilver 505: it has the power to make the run towards l’Ametlla without stress and the agility to move between coves.

Remember La Niña requires a boating licence to drive yourself. If you have one, great. And if you don’t, you can book it with a professional skipper on board (+€150): we drive, we know the corners, and you just focus on the swim and the day.

A full day gives you plenty of time to do several coves at a relaxed pace, eat on board and swim more than once. Insurance, safety gear, the cooler, the nautical map and the sun shade are all included on board. Fuel on La Niña is separate. If you like, add snorkel gear or fishing tackle when you book.

How to plan the day

  • Book online with instant confirmation and card payment.
  • You depart from the Club Nàutic de Cambrils; a full day gives you ample time to head south.
  • Free cancellation up to 48h before.
  • Check the forecast and pick the day by the wind: the more sheltered coves will be nice and calm for swimming.

The coves of l’Ametlla de Mar are the kind of places you remember, and seeing them from the water gives them another dimension. If this plan appeals, take a look at La Niña and pick your day. Questions about the route or whether a skipper suits you? Message us on WhatsApp before you book.