Last Updated: November 14, 2019 Priyadarshini Rana
How does it feel to be inside water with gigantic coral reefs or to be on top of waves while gliding across the sea surface? Well, it feels simply awesome!
Water sports are a great way to enjoy the beauty of beaches in India and to discover the underwater life of the ocean. Goa is one of the best beach destinations in India that offers some of the most thrilling water sports like para-sailing, sunset cruises, snorkeling and diving, kayaking, scuba-diving, windsurfing, water skiing, etc. The heart-pumping water adventure like scuba diving, wind surfing, and water ski are the best alternative to the mountain adventure for everyone looking for some thrill in their life.
With endless options for water adventure activities across its vast coastlines, ‘Goa’ gives you an ideal holiday experience while offering some of the daring water sports like scuba-diving. The fabulous golden coasts of Goa stay open throughout the year; however, the best season to enjoy water sports in Goa is from October to May when the skies are bright and sea is placid.
The water activities provided in Goa are at par with International standards and norms and mostly mandate that participants be accompanied by instructors when performing these activities. From really fast water sports like jet skiing and wind surfing to the slower ones like scuba diving, there is something for everyone in Goa. So, if you are planning to perform any of the above mentioned water sports on the scintillating deep ocean, Goa is the place to taste the real fun. Here are some heart-pumping water sports activities to try in the deep oceans of Goa. Read through……….
Water sports that can push adrenaline on Goa beaches
1. Yatch in Goa
To witness the beauty of the ocean and to relax & chill out in the peaceful surroundings of the Arabian Sea, experience a Yatch ride in Goa to collect some magical moments of your life. Goa has some of the best options to cruise on the Arabian Sea while enjoying activities like sun bathing, fishing, snoozing, dining & eating, and of course romancing. Some of the best Yatch trips are available at Miramar Beach, Candolim Beach, etc. However, if you are interested in going on a short boat river cruise, visit Mandovi River to get the best river cruise option.
Major destinations: Mandovi River, Mayem Lake, Miramar Beach, Candolim Beach, and Palolem Beach.
Best season: October to May
Essentials: Carry sunglasses, casual clothes ; and swim outfit.
2. Kneeboarding in Goa
Considered to be the modern cousin of water skiing and wakeboard, the ‘Kneeboarding’ is often used as a primary stage of learning hard-hitting water sports. This amazing water activity has recently gained popularity amongst the youths who simply like to indulge in soft water adventures at the beach side. A lot of agencies have started offering Kneeboarding classesto the tourists to help them explore the beach waters of Goa. The sport is referred to as Kneeboarding as the board used in this holds the knees of a person, making it even more exciting.
Major destinations: You can try Kneeboarding at Candolim Beach, Mobor Beach, and Rajbaga Beach.
Best season: Though Goa can be visited all through the year, yet the best season is from October to June.
Safety measure: To enjoy the activity make sure that you don’t get bogged down by the technicalities, alsothe sport does require some skills, and therefore should be carried out only by adults.
3. Kayaking in Goa
Do you want to indulge in a water sport activity that is more calming than thrilling? If yes, then Kayaking is what you are looking for! This wonderful water sport is more of a peaceful trip than any hard-hitting water adventure that could takes you deep into the ocean. You can enjoy Kayaking while exploring the beauty of the Goan shores where you can move freely using a paddle and explore the Natural Ecosystem of Goa in the mangroves, mud-flats, backwaters, coves and mini bays. There are plenty of clubs in Goa that provides facilities like expeditions, picnics, day outings, moonlight kayaking, barbeques, Kayak races, river kayak festivals, etc. to the visitors.
Major destinations: Kayaking in Goa is popular along the South Goa beaches and at some beaches of the North Goa, including Palolem Beach, Dona Paula jetty, and Hollant Beach.
Best season: October to May
Safety tips: Always wear a life jacket, do not enter the deep sea, and avoid Kayaking during rain or when the sea is rough.
4. Wakeboarding in Goa
Out of the so many water sports in Goa, one of the most budding water adventures is Wakeboarding. It is quite similar to Water Skiing in which the rider rides on a single board, towed behind the boat so one can glide through the waters. It is easy to perform compared to the other water sports, which require more focus on balance. It is one of the newest water sports, which is slowly being noticed by travelers who visit Goa from different parts of the country to indulge in water adventure activities. People are starting to prefer Wakeboarding to Water Skiing as it needs less speed and focus on balance; however, more winds are requiredin Wakeboarding as compared to other water activities.
Major destinations: Candolim Beach, Mabor Beach, and Rajbaga Beach.
Best season: October to May is the best season to visit Goa and undertake the activity of Wakeboarding.
5. Parasailing
If sky is where you feel at home then there is one must-do activity in Goa. Parasailing as the name suggests is sailing with the help of a parachute like canopy. You will be strapped with the chute and towed with a high speed jet ski. It is much easier than the other water activities in Goa and you get to experience the best of both worlds, air and water. Parasailing is thrilling at the same time, it can be liberating. An aerial view of Goa and its enchanting beaches while you sail across the Sea is something only this adventure sport can offer.
Major destinations: Dona Paula, Bogmalo, Majorda, Anjuna, Calangute, Colva, Candolim, Vagator
Best season: October to March
6. Paddleboarding in Goa
Don’t confuse this water sport with that of a simple surfboard. Paddleboarding may look as the easiest thing to do at first sight, but in reality it is one of the most difficult water adventure activities and requires a lot of strength to carry out, especially because you need to stand up with only one paddle in hand while canoeing. This activity is the latest addition to the list of most thrilling water sports in Goa, which is quickly growing in popularity. The sport was started by Thomas Edward Blake in the early 1930s. To start doing Paddleboarding, one needs to be on their standing position or be on their knees to paddle and move forward in water and maintain balance throughout the ride.
Major destinations: Candolim Beach, Mabor Beach, and Rajbaga Beach.
Best season: October to May
7. Windsurfing in Goa
Windsurfing is one of the most popular and widely-performed water sports inIndia, which is experienced by large numbers of tourists who visit Goato perform various water activities. It is hugely popular among foreign travelers who find it extremely thrilling and exciting. Windsurfing is performed on a windsurf board, which is around 2-4 meters long and is powered by the wind on a sail, attached to the windsurf board. To ride it perfectly one needs to gain a good balance on the board and should be able to move well to the changing wind directions.
Major destinations: Dona Paula Beach, Bogmalo Beach, Vagator Beach, Calangute, Colva, Palolem, Miramar, and Baga Beach.
Best season: January to March is the best season to try out Windsurfing in Goa. Morning is the best time to experience Windsurfing in Goa.
Safety measures: Check your harness, cord, and other gear before entering the sea, follow every instruction given by the coach, do not try out stunts if you are a beginner, and avoid rides during monsoon season or whenever the sea is rough.
8. Water Skiing in Goa
Another popular water sport in Goa, ‘Water Skiing’ is not as easy as it sounds. This wave hitting sport is played on a surf board, which is tied to a speed boat at one end while the other end lies on a surf board through a rope. Anyone performing this adventure activity should maintain balance once the speed boat starts as he or she may fall if pulled suddenly. It is one of the most tricky water sports to try out in Goa as one needs to be physically fit and alert while getting pulled by a speed boat. Mostly, the foreign tourists try out this water sport in Goa.
Major destinations: Baga Beach, Candolim Beach, Calangute Beach, Arossim Beach, Mobor Beach, and Utorda Beach.
Best season: Winter season (October-February), when the waves are easy to manage.
Safety measures: Always wear a wet suit with life jacket, avoid any rides during rough sea, follow every instruction given by your coach, practice sufficiently before you actually take off, and double check the gear before entering the waters.
9. Scuba Driving
For those who are looking for an inside water adventure, try out Scuba diving in the shallow shores of Goa, famous for their rich marine life. Although, you will not get to see gigantic coral reefs here, the scintillating underwater life will definitely excite you. Goa embrace some of the most amazing scuba diving sites around the Grand Island, which are only a few kilometers away from South Goa. The underwater visibility here is more than 5 m that allows divers to enjoy the beautiful coral gardens beneath the sea surface. Your adventure holiday in Goa is incomplete if you have not tried Scuba diving at Grand Island.
Major destinations: Grande Islands, St. George Island, Devagh Island, and Pigeon Island.
Best season: The underwater visibility is highest during October to April.
Safety measures: Follow the Pre Diving Briefings carefully and handle the snorkel carefully.
10. White Water Rafting
Looking for River Rafting in Goa? Well, Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) recently introduced white river rafting in Goa on the Mhadei River, at a small village called Ustem in Valpoi, Sattari. GTDC started this wonderful sport in collaboration with a company named Southern River Adventures and Water Sports Pvt. Ltd. People who love adventure sports will find this place no less than a heaven, as it is surrounded by beautiful trees and plant vegetation. Foreign travelers love this place and visit it in large numbers every year.
Major destinations: Mhadei River in Valpoi, Sattari.
Best season: The best time to try river rafting in Goa is during monsoon season, which starts from June to September, when the flow is good and surroundings are lush green.
Safety measures: Follow every instruction provided by the coach carefully, wear life jacket all throughout the ride, and avoid bringing any biodegradable items here as the place is part of Eco Tourism.
With a range of water sports taking place here, Goa has become a hub of water adventure in India. To spend an adventurous beach holiday in India…..plan your vacation to Goa and gather some of the best moments of your life spent with family and friends. If you are an adventure enthusiast, your passion to perfrom water adventure can be fulfilled on beautiful Goan beaches.
Published: 18 Sep, 2014
Traveling is one thing that instantly brightens up the spirit of Priyadarshini who was born in the ‘City of dreams’ Mumbai and traveled to coastal cities like Visakapatnam, Kochi, Chennai, and Goa along with her dad who served the Indian Navy. This passionate writer and traveler loves to explore different parts of the country and pen down her experience beautifully. She has a keen interest in fashion and so she makes sure that she explore the style quotient of locals of different cities and nation.