In many holiday spots around the world, the conditions are almost always perfect for the physically active, namely for those who do watersports. In locales in the Mediterranean, the Caribbean and Northern Africa, temperatures change and crowds ebb and flow, and clever travelers are finding that there remain opportunities to get on the water and stay active.
Taking a break, be it a long weekend or mini-holiday, is a smart tactic in countering pressure of going back to work and eliminating stress in general, and watersports are both healthy and fun. Luckily, there are many destinations that boast the weather, the water and the ways to get on wet and enjoy life to its fullest. And the choices abound. Watersports run the gamut from adrenalin-filled to relaxing to romantic. Here are some of the best watersports and where to do them.
Sailing
Harnessing the power of the wind in a sailboat is perhaps one of our most widespread and popular diversions. Wherever there is water and breeze, you can sail. From small dinghies perfect for children and single sailors to catamaran party boats to graceful monohulls, few sports make you feel the freedom and thrill of vacation. It can be a glitzy affair. It can be physical and challenging. Some prefer the delight and excitement of a regatta, others prefer to sip champagne while a qualified captain does the work. Sunset sails and day sailing are both great ways to escape the land and see your destination from a different vantage point. The experience of sailing gives a new perspective and creates wonderful vacation memories, as the salty air charges your body with high oxygen absorption and balanced serotonin levels, hence a holistic sensation of happiness.
In Montego Bay, Jamaica, 3-hour catamaran cruises take in the spectacular Caribbean sunsets while touring the coast and famous locales like Rick´s Café and Dunn´s River Falls. These tours include experienced crew and often bountiful food and drink, as well as opportunities to snorkel.
The Balearic Islands, particularly Majorca and Ibiza, are well equipped for both the novice weekender and the experienced yachtsmen. With world-class marinas, gorgeous and uncongested anchorages and relatively mild breezes, savvy sailors know that any time of year can be an idyllic time to sail these islands if you know where to look. Want to relax and let a skipper chart the coarse? Several charter outfits offer packages ranging from short evening sails to family outings with snorkeling and meals.
Paddle boarding
Recently, the beginner-friendly sport of paddle boarding has gained more first-timers than almost any other water sport. It’s easy to do and the health benefits are many. While not requiring the physical strength of kitesurfing, paddle boarding does call for agility and balance. The whole-body workout strengthens the limbs and develops core stability. Almost every muscle is used in paddle boarding, and the low impact on ligaments and tendons makes it an attractive holiday pursuit for relaxation. It’s also the perfect family activity, great for all ages. Learning is more fun too, as the comic relief of family members falling in the water is a great diversion.
Throughout the year, paddle boarding opportunities are almost unlimited, but the calm waters around the island of Crete embody the hot new destination, beckoning paddle boarders from all over. With over 8,400 miles of coastline, Cretan places for paddle boarding abound, but top spots included St. George’s Bay, Hersonissos, Heraklion and Chiana. In Loutraki Bay, tours are available for the whole family.
And in the northwest of Cuba, paddleboarders are bringing the sport to a new locale. While specializing kiteboarding lessons, Caribbean Riders Kite School also leads tours on paddleboards, touring the wildly popular and beautiful coast of Varadero.
Surfing
Originating in Hawaii, surfing has become a worldwide phenomenon. The Canary Islands are exemplary for optimal conditions for water sports. The constant warm air of an archipelago so near to the African continent ensures warm to hot temperatures. For beginners, there are many sheltered spots, and for experienced surfers, ample challenging waves. From Lobos to Derecha de los Alemanes, in Fuerteventura, surfers find a wide range of waves, from tall tubes to chilled out breakers. In addition to the Corralejo reefs, there are at least 13 other major spots for taking advantage of perfect swells. Elsewhere, traveling surfers report excellent waves near Praia do Forte, Brazil, as many local Brazilians already know.
Kitesurfing
Looking to skate over the surface of the water and feel the sensation of flying through the air, harnessing the warm breezes of the beach? Kite surfing, which involves the rider holding on to a giant kite while gliding on a wakeboard, has grown into an ultra-popular coastal sport for those looking for a physical challenge and the thrill of speed.
Requiring masterful physical balance and equilibrium, kite surfers tone their bodies at the abdomen, arms and hands while also boosting endorphins.
At many kitesurfing coastal hotspots, instructors teach those looking to learn a new sport. The most ideal places for kitesurfing are where the wind is most consistent, like the south of Spain, where it is a common sight to see the seaside air filled with kites. Near Cadis, at Novo Santi Petri and La Barrosa Beach, each season is a wonderful time of year to kitesurf—for the novice to test the waters or for experts to challenge their skills in higher winds.
At the Kite Club in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, instructors show novices and experts how to take advantage of the steady Caribbean trade winds, right off the gorgeous beach. The shallow, flat water proves to be ideal for both learning and showing off.
Avid kitesurfers often take advantage of the perfect, year-round wind conditions in the Brazilian beaches between Porto de Sauipe and Praia do Forte. In Fuerteventura, in the Canary Islands, the kitesurfer’s prime moment could be any time of year, almost anytime between the stronger winds of summer and the waves of winter. Insiders tip: head to the beaches of Corralejo, and Costa Calma and Sotavento to find conditions that are right for all skill levels.
Kayaking
The low, first hand vantage point of kayaking gets you close to the water without having to be totally submerged. The ideal sport for rivers and lakes, kayaks are also ideal for gliding over the surface of the sea in calm coastal areas. It is also an environmentally friendly way to explore coves and beach areas as your own, pure human power propels you. Your upper body gets quite the work out, burning calories and toning your abdomen. And although balance and equilibrium are essential, kayaking is appropriate for all ages, fitness levels and abilities.
In Crete, the regions of Rethimno and Lasithi enjoy calm, sheltered areas in crystal-clear waters. At Cape Verde’s Boa Vista Island, kayak tours explore the wildlife-rich coast of the islet Sal Rei. But the coasts aren’t the only place to enjoy kayaking. Tours along the Danube River are a wholly unique way to take in the sights of the historical city of Budapest.
Parasailing
On many beaches, you may see colorful parachutes glide across the sky, holding ecstatic, life-jacketed people high above the water. Parasailing has been popular for years, yet another fun watersport that requires no training. A powerful motorboat pulls the riders who are tied to a long tether. As the pilot eases the tension, a parachute fills with air and the rider floats high above the beach and the sea. First timers report that they just want to go up again and again.
On a tranquil coast of the northeast of Brazil, watersports enthusiasts find ample opportunities to fly over the surface of the water. Near Porto Beach, in Praia do Forte, powerboats take advantage of the sea breezes and fly lucky passengers for a bird’s eye view of the Bahian coast.
Jet ski
A personal watercraft is the perfect way for the novice to feel the thrill of speed while getting wet. Yet another sport that beckons experts and beginners alike, almost anyone can enjoy the excitement of a PWC. After a brief safety orientation, you´re on the water. You control the speed while going solo or carrying a passenger in tandem. And yes, there are even health benefits. The key to successful riding is balance and stability, which works abdominal muscles, and the speed and maneuvering practice get the heart pumping and hone endurance. Simply negotiating choppy water on a PWC for a half an hour can burn over 200 calories.
In the Canary Islands, there are jet ski zones in Tenerife near Playa Torviscas and Play San Juan, with tours held along the Los Gigantes cliffs. But the lion´s share of rental options lies in Majorca, where in much of the year the weather is mild and the hot summer provides the perfect excuse for getting wet.
Another jet ski hotspot is long the beach of Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, where various agencies offer rentals to explore the coast at top speed while driving alone or with the whole family.
Flyboarding
A hot extreme sport that has been growing in popularity, flyboarding gives the power of flight with the use of powerful jets of water. This is reserved for those looking for the next step in high-octane, physically challenging water sports. While strapped to a platform that is attached to a nearby personal watercraft by water tube, the rider seems to fly like a superhero and weave under the water like a dolphin.
At the Mallorca Water Sport Center near Palma, instructors teach newcomers the ropes, while experienced riders fly through the air, demonstrating the best in hydroboarding. Seeing the action can be as thrilling as riding, so friends, family and those preferring to observe can watch from a nearby “launch boat”, taking photos and videos of their avid mates.
Scuba diving and snorkeling
Perhaps no other watersport gets you closer to the essence of the sea than scuba diving, allowing close-up experiences with sea life that one simply misses at the surface. The calming effects of the water and the thrilling undersea environment create a sense of calm unique to diving. Health benefits include steady breathing practice and increased overall core strength, as the limbs work against constant water resistance.
In Tenerife, divers encounter high visibility underwater and mild temperatures in both the water and the air. In the warm waters around Cape Verde, particularly in Boa Vista, divers can spot sea turtles, eagle rays, hammerhead sharks and perhaps even a Humpback whale in migration.
Amongst the unique underwater fauna of Cuba´s coast, specifically at Cayo Largo del Sur, divers witness coralline reefs, shipwrecks and sometimes even the huge docile whale sharks.
SHAWN MOKSVOLD
Photography by Cordon Press
