If you like an active vacation, then making sure there are plenty of activities to keep you busy is essential. Water sports are a great idea to base a vacation on, as there are enough different varieties that people of all ages can enjoy. If you are wondering where to go for your next vacation, this guide shows you some of the best destinations for your chosen sport.
Surfing
If you want to do some surfing on your vacation, you need a place where there are good offshore winds to create long, rolling waves that break on the beach.
- In Europe, one of the best places to surf is Portugal. With hundreds of miles of Atlantic coastline, there are waves of almost every kind. During the summer, the waves are of medium size and good for beginner surfers. If you want big waves, visit between October and April, when the winds create large swells.
- Nicaragua in America is also a great surfing destination and has a coastline that offers small waves and surf schools for the beginner surfer, as well as large swells and wilderness spots for the pros. Thanks to the warm climate, you can surf here all year through.
Scuba Diving and Snorkelling
- The Great Barrier Reef in Australia has to be one of the most talked about places to go scuba diving, and with good reason. It is the largest coral reef in the world and provides a habitat for a variety of marine life, the likes of which you are unlikely to see elsewhere. Sea turtles, sea snakes, and reef sharks are just a few of the creatures you will be able to see.
- Greece is another country where you can see some amazing marine life, either by scuba diving or snorkelling. Greece has a large number of islands, and it creates a great habitat for marine life. Expect to see colourful fishes, rays, and octopus. Villa Holidays are worth looking at if you want to see more of this marine habitat.
Rafting and Canoeing
There is something special about a river trip. You get to see some beautiful natural landscapes and wildlife, as well as the option to include a little adrenalin along the way.
- San Juan in Utah, USA, is a family-friendly place to enjoy rafting and canoeing. The water is slow enough to be safe, and it takes you through red rock canyons and Native American ruins. If you are feeling more adventurous, you could also raft Arizona’s Grand Canyon from its start to its end.
- Fiji, in the South Pacific Ocean, offers both sea and inland canoeing or kayaking opportunities. Calm ocean waters, hundreds of islands to explore, as well as many inland waterways make this a great place to paddle. If you are an experienced canoeist, then you can try running the rainforest river rapids, including waterfalls, in the Upper Navua river. Ever fancied yourself as Robinson Crusoe? There are many small, uninhabited islands which make up Fiji, so you can head off in your canoe and make camp for the night.
Windsurfing and Kitesurfing
If you enjoy these exciting sports, then you need a destination where there is a decent amount of wind to power you across the water.
- The Cayman Islands, in the west Caribbean Sea, have some of the best conditions for kitesurfing you are likely to find. The steady, warm winds and sheltered coves provide the ideal place for beginners to hone their skills, as well as providing professionals with plenty of gust to practice tricks.
- Maui in Hawaii is also a popular destination for kitesurfing and windsurfing. Kite Beach is the place to go to benefit from the rolling winds, and you can also take lessons and hire equipment.
- Windsurfing is often done on lakes, so you don’t always need a coastal destination to enjoy the sport. Costa Rica’s Lake Arenal is a 24-mile-long freshwater lake that has the best conditions for experienced windsurfers. The warm air flows between two mountains and creates some blustery conditions and high waves. You also get a great view of an active volcano that often throws out ash!
If you have decided that your next vacation is to be an action-packed, fun-filled water sports excursion, then you are in luck! Aside from these top destinations, there are lots of other places waiting to be explored. Having a sports vacation is a good way to see the world from a different perspective, and a chance to make new friends along the way.
