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Best Water Sports in Goa

If you want to opt for snorkeling in Goa, a day trip to Grand Island is a must for you. The place provides one of the best snorkeling tours in Goa. The feeling of diving to a certain depth with the right equipment is quite exhilarating and can be best experienced while going for Snorkeling. The best time to make a visit there for snorkeling would be from November to April when the water is just perfect for the activity. For those, who require training before the actual dive can get certified from the snorkeling classes which are held at the Goa Marriot in Panaji.

The activity requires participants to wear a diving mask and have a shaped tube called a snorkel. This allows the individual to stay underwater for a considerable length of time to observe the beautiful marine life. This is among the many water sports in Goa which are exclusively meant for adults.

Also Check: Best Water Sports Tours in Panaji

Kayaking is definitely considered as one of the best-known water sports in Goa and is a hit among international and local tourists. Visitors will find a plethora of Kayaking tours in Goa to choose from.  Kayaking involves moving across the water in a uniquely shaped boat which can accommodate not more than two people at a time. The best places for kayaking in Goa include the backwaters of the Zuari, Mandovi and the Sal backwaters; the alluring waters of Nerul River is also considered ideal for Kayaking.

The journey will take tourists past some mangroves, thick jungles as well as pristine beaches. Participants are fitted with life jackets for safety and are also instructed to avoid making excess body movements to prevent the kayak from capsizing. The best time to go kayaking is during the months spanning from October to February as the weather is just perfect for the outdoor experience.

If you are a high flier and enjoy the thrill of flying with the clouds, parasailing is the game for you! The Taj and Bogmallo Resort hotels are among the only two resorts in Goa that provide the equipment required for this thrilling sport. Parasailing requires an individual to be air-borne for a particular duration of time.

A rope which measures around 200-300 feet, is firmly attached to the harness of the parasail and the other end to a speedboat. When the boat kicks into high gear, the individual pleasantly gets lifted off the ground and within a few seconds the flyer hits the clouds. Amongst all the destinations, Parasailing can be best enjoyed at Anjuna and Vagator beach.

Once up in the air, the flyers just need to maintain their balance and enjoy the aerial views form amidst the clouds. While taking part in this overwhelming activity, one must wear casual or light clothes. Children under 15 years are usually not allowed for these rides.

Ringo Rides involves riding on a circular tube over the water surface and get soaked in unlimited fun and excitement. One of the popular watersports in Goa, it is also a common recreational ride that can be easily found on the Goan water. With proper guidance and instructions, these boat rides can get laced with never-ending fun and merriment!

In Ringo Ride, the participants are made to sit on a circular tube that is consistently pulled by a speed boat for a certain period of time. Extremely exciting and captivating, all through this fascinating journey over the waters, the participants can feel the strokes of the waves. But, the real fun and excitement lies at the end of the ride when the boat pleasantly tumbles down over the water!

Amongst all the water sports destinations in Goa, Pindul Cave is mostly preferred for these jolly rides. And to avoid any unwanted happenings, children should not be allowed on this ride. The participants must wear light clothes to avoid discomfort.

The Mhadei River is the perfect place for white water rafting in Goa. It is quite challenging as it requires navigating through tricky rapids in an inflatable boat or raft. There a various degrees of difficulty based on the different water routes one has to traverse through.

Before attempting this activity, it is advisable to listen to the rafting guides in order to avoid any unwanted happenings. The best time to go for White Water Rafting is during the monsoon season when the water flow in the river is conducive.

Individuals are asked to wear body hugging clothes, sneakers for a firmer grip. Women should tie their hair in order to avoid any unwanted circumstances and loose hair might restrict their vision to much extent.

Speed Boating can be quite a thrilling prospect for those who has a fondness towards speed and adventure. It offers one of the best water rides tours in Goa. These boats can reach speeds up to 15 to 20 mph and the individuals going for these rides are provided with mandatory life jackets and are always accompanied by instructors and guides.

Amongst all the Speed Boating destination, Baina Beach is the most visited spots in Goa. Boats in this beach are preferably heavier and powerful than the rest and are capable of accommodating around eight people at a time. As summer is considered as the ideal time for Speed Boating, it is always advisable to wear lighter clothes.

Offering the fair share of thrill and excitement, Wakeboarding can be termed as one of the exhilarating water sports in Goa. Involving a wakeboard, this ride requires balancing skills and discipline to some extent. Tucked to a speedy moving boat, the participants balance themselves on a wakeboard and as the boat starts gaining pace, they can display their skills and talents of Wakeboarding.

Beaches in Goa are the best place to enjoy these rides and in order to enhance the thrill, it is mandatory to pay attention to the instructions from the instructors. However, before embarking on such an enthralling ride, ensure that you are wearing clothes that are suggested by the instructors. Usually, early morning during the summers are mostly preferred for these rides.

Windsurfing offers adventure junkies to enjoy the benefits and thrills associated with both surfing and sailing. This water sport requires a surfer to balance himself on a surfboard and cruise through the waves; prior experience in wind surfing will hold you in good stead.

However, windsurfing experts believe that Dona Paula bay is the perfect place for beginners to learn the craft. In fact, the beach provides a light morning breeze which is perfect for windsurfing and afternoons are really not considered favourable for windsurfing as the winds are stronger posing a challenge to beginners. Moreover, one can check out many more popular places to visit in Goa.

Kite surfing is often considered as an extreme sport for experienced individuals who enjoy the thrill of throwing caution to the wind by means of a power kite several feet above the ground. In short, it can be termed as the perfect mixture of surfing, jet skiing and wakeboarding. This sport is applicable for individuals above 18 years; minors are strictly not allowed. There are certain instructions that need to be followed as it is one of the most adventurous and enthralling activity in Goa.

Early mornings during the summer are best suited for Kite Surfing as the wind is not too gusty and strong. Morjim Goa is quite famous for the activity. In fact, there is a training school there which imparts training to interested individuals.

Jet skiing is undoubtedly one of the most sought after watersports in Goa. The thrill of sitting on a Jet Ski while maneuvering the azure waters at high speed is an experience that will always usher excitement in you. Akin to some of the heaviest motorbikes available, these Jet Ski rides can be easily availed at Candolim, Baga and Vagator beaches.

Though these rides might seem to be tough on the first go, once you know the tips and tricks of regulating these water bikes, you will get soaked within the fun and excitement of gliding over the waves. Moreover, the guidance from the experts will add more delight to your experience! While indulging in these enthralling rides, it is always preferable to wear light clothes like shorts, tee-shirts.

Though Jet Skiing do not follow any major medical constraints, the participants need to be fit to certain levels and should not be hydrophobic. Also, children under 9 years are not allowed for these rides. In order to enjoy these rides to the core, avoid the monsoons as the water level goes high in this period.

Angling or Sport Fishing is a famous activity in Goa especially in the Dona Paula region which is a small fishing village. The best time for offshore angling is between October and December while inshore angling is favourable all-round the year. This form of fishing can accommodate a maximum of two anglers per boat for offshore fishing to avoid overcrowding.

 Most anglers carry their own equipment but they can also the necessary equipment from the tour organizers.  Sport fishing is an acquired taste and is enjoyed by individuals of a certain age as it helps them relax and unwind. No watersports in Goa is complete without indulging in some angling.

Children would normally be accompanied by their parent for such trips; however, most children prefer indulging in activities that are more fun. While some angling tours encourage their fishers to ‘catch and release’ to preserve the marine life, there are others who allow anglers to take their catch with them.

This popular water sport is quite similar to wind surfing, but it is more family friendly as it do not require the added effort of windsurfing. Dinghy sailing is very popular in sailing tours in Goa. These dinghies are around 15 feet in length and can accommodate around 3-4 people at a time. The Zuari estuary in Dona Paula is perfect for this kind of sailing owing to its calm waters.

The best months to go dinghy sailing are between October and April when the sky is clear and the water is calmer. Children above the age of 7 are also allowed to go sailing with their parents. Keeping in mind about the safety measures, all the participants are provided with lifejackets during these rides.

Water Zorbing is among the best water sports in Goa as it provides recreation by allowing individuals to roll on water in a transparent ball which is safe and secure. Children above the age of 10 are allowed only under adult supervision. The orb can accommodate not more than two people at a time and Mayem Lake is the best place for the activity. Shorts and a t-shirt are the perfect attire for those willing for water zorbing. Instructors are present at the venue of the sport to provide instructions – individuals are advised to heed their warnings. The best time for water zorbing is during the summer months.

Water sports in Goa are varied and loved by tourists who visit this tropical paradise. These water sport activities are a great way to unwind, relax and rejuvenate the mind. Even if you have missed any of these activities, make sure next time when you Visit Goa, you have them all in you wish list!

Suggested Read: Amazing things to do in South Goa