Are you heading away on a beach vacation soon? Read on for seven water activities for thrill-seekers to try between suntanning and lazy beach chair naps.
Are you pondering what you're going to do on your next beach vacation?
For many people, a beach vacation is a chance to relax, forget about work, and read a good book. But, if you're one of those people who find lying on the beach for hours to be boring, then you may be concerned with how you're going to fill your time.
The good news is, there are plenty of water activities that can keep you occupied on your next beach vacation.
Check out this guide to learn about the top exhilarating water activities you need to try on your next beach vacation.
1. Snorkeling
The great thing about snorkeling is that it's an activity that anyone can enjoy, and it comes at a super low cost. All you need is a snorkeling mask and you're good to go.
However, even though snorkeling is quite easy, there are some things to keep in mind when you go so you can avoid the dangers of snorkeling. Here are some of the top tips for beginner snorkelers:
Adjust your snorkeling mask so it's slightly snug, but not super tight
Practice snorkeling in a pool or shallow beach before hitting the deep ocean
Snorkel from a beach, not a boat if it's your first time (you'll also see better marine life this way)
While most beachside hotels rent snorkeling gear, it's still a good idea to call ahead and ask. The hotel can also give you some tips on the best snorkeling spots in the area.
2. Scuba Diving
If snorkeling leaves you wanting to discover underwater life even further, then it's time to move onto something bigger and better: scuba diving.
Unlike snorkeling, scuba diving does come with a big learning curve. In fact, to scuba dive legally, you need to obtain a license. Luckily, obtaining a license only takes a few days of coursework, and there are scuba diving certification courses offered all over the world.
If you live in a big city, even if it's not near the beach, there's still a good chance that you can earn your certification through a local PADI club that uses a pool to teach you the skills.
Also, if you're not quite sure if scuba diving is for you, you can do a discover scuba dive. This allows you to test out scuba diving in a shallower level of water without having to fork over all the time and money that goes into the full course.
3. Kayaking
If you're going somewhere with calm waters, then kayaking is the perfect activity to try on your next beach vacation.
Not only is kayaking fun and relaxing, but it's also a great way to get in some exercise. In fact, it's estimated that the average person will burn between 300 and 400 calories per hour kayaking.
If you haven't booked your beach vacation yet and are looking for some great places to go kayaking, here are some of our top suggestions:
Na Pali Coast, Hawaii
Dalmation Coast, Croatia
Galapagos National Park, Ecuador
Turks and Caicos
Belize Barrier Reef
The southern coast of Crete, Greece
5. Stand Up Paddleboarding
Over the last few years, paddleboarding has spiked in popularity amongst water enthusiasts.
The great thing about paddleboarding is that it can be as relaxing or as invigorating as you want it to be. While some people choose to plow through the water at top speed, others paddleboard leisurely, even taking time to lie on their board and enjoy the sites.
In addition to renting stand up paddleboards, another thing that's becoming super popular is doing water yoga while on paddleboards. Depending on where you're staying, your hotel may even offer a yoga paddleboard class. If not, you can still rent a board and try your hand at a few poses.
6. Surfing
Of course, no list of water sports would be complete without mentioning surfing. While this sport comes with a big learning curve, there's perhaps nothing more invigorating and rewarding than catching your first wave.
If you've never surfed before, we definitely recommend taking a few lessons before you paddle out on your own. If you're looking for some great surf spots for beginners, we recommend the following:
Waikiki, Hawaii
Morro Bay, California
Cocoa Beach, Florida
Byron Bay, Australia
Algarve, Portugal
Santa Elena, Ecuador
Guanacaste, Costa Rica
7. Kite-Surfing
If you've tried traditional surfing and are ready to take things to another level, then we recommend trying your hand at kite surfing.
Just like paddleboarding, this is a sport that has grown significantly in popularity over the past few years. Plus, this is the perfect sport to try on a windy day when it's a bit too chilly to just lay on the beach.
Much like regular surfing, the learning curve for kite-surfing is quite steep. However, this is a watersport that will keep you entertained for hours on end.
8. Jet Skiing
If you're looking to get your adrenaline pumping but don't have the time or patience to sit through a bunch of surf lessons, then we recommend jet skiing.
Typically, most beach resorts have jet skis that you can rent by the hour. And, the great thing about jet skiing is that you can take a partner along with you to enjoy the water.
Just remember to wear a life jacket and to only attempt this sport if you're a strong swimmer.
9. Parasailing
Last but not least, we have parasailing. If you're looking for a water activity that allows you to enjoy views of the ocean with little to no effort on your part, then parasailing is for you!
Most hotels and popular beaches offer parasailing excursions, so be sure to check with where you're staying to see what options you have.
Are You Ready to Try These Water Activities?
With this list of water activities in hand, there's no way you're going to get bored on your next beach vacation!
Who knows, you may just find a lifelong hobby that you end up planning the rest of your vacations around.
If you liked this article, be sure to check back in with our blog for more vacationing tips and tricks.
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