By Journey Man
India is fast becoming a major centre for water sports. This is not just because such sporting activity is getting more and more attention and more youngsters are getting involved, it is also because India has such varied topography that you can select rafting, kayaking, scuba diving, white water rafting or anything. Almost all types of water sports can be done in India and are thriving.
Facilities have existed for a long time, with the government and private innovators doing their best, but it is also true that youngsters and even older people in India are getting more active.
Therefore, whether you’re headed to the hills this summer or are zeroing in on the perfect swimwear for your beach getaway, there’s a good chance you’ll encounter a few water sports activity during the course of your vacation.
Scuba diving has always been popular, and then there is the newly-introduced surfing and fly-boarding. These are included in the itinerary. In fact, water sports have begun dominating the itineraries of travellers exploring India. If you’re game for some pulse-raising action by the water, head for these destinations.
Scuba Diving – the Andamans
Scuba Diving is one of the most popular water sports activities in the world and India’s Andaman islands are a great spot for that. Besides the calm, peaceful beaches and delicious seafood, diving is what attracts a good chunk of visitors to these islands.
Go for one of the finest scuba diving experiences in India at Havelock Island, Andaman. One of the highest density ecosystems of coral reefs and forms can be found in the underwater coastal belts of the Andamans. Dive up to 8 meters below sea level and be captivated by underwater life. Choose between a boat dive and a shore dive.
The underwater coastal belts surrounding Andaman’s is home to one of the densest ecosystems of coral reefs and formations.
Most of the islands are enclosed by long stretches of reefs, usually several hundred meters wide and separated by the shore with shallow waters and complemented by volcanic lava hills that make the experience unique and hard to find anywhere else.
Scuba diving in Andaman for beginners happens only at designated areas in Port Blair, Havelock and Neil Island. Diving in the Andaman Islands happens at different reefs. For beginners, scuba diving happens at designated areas in Andaman. At North Bay Island you are allowed to dive only at the site which is very close to the beach.
At Havelock Island:
The dive site is Nemo reef. This is the place where all diving is conducted. You are not allowed to go to other dive sites as beginners don’t have the necessary experience to dive at advanced diving sites. There is a popular misconception that diving happens at Elephant beach in Havelock Island. However, please note that beginners are not allowed to any dive sites near Elephant beach. Elephant beach is famous for other water activities such as sea walking, snorkelling, parasailing, glass bottom boat ride and jet ski ride. However, scuba diving does not take place here. You will be taken around Nemo reef only for the diving experience.
The untouched, alive corals house some of the world’s most vibrant fishes and sea-dwellers which pop-out from the blue ocean and present a beautiful scene around the diver.
Under the protection of the Andaman Administration, the corals and fish are abundant and often enclose the diver from all directions, which leaves the diver in awe and wonder.
Official company to be contacted here:
DIVEIndia is India’s largest dive centre, with operations in the Andamans as well as with training centres in Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore.
Activity Location: Beach No. 3, Govind Nagar, Havelock, Andaman, and the Nicobar Islands
Activity Duration: 2 to 3 Hours
Activity Timings:
Shore Diving: 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM & 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Boat Diving: 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM
Banana Ride In Goa
Tourists coming to Goa can enjoy an extensive array of water sports that this place has to offer. You would indeed be spoilt for choices when it comes to having a pick from amongst the list of Water Sports in Goa. Sailing, water surfing, parasailing, fishing, windsurfing, scuba diving and dinghy sailing are some of the famous Water Sports of Goa. However, nothing would match the fun of Banana Boat Rides in Goa.
Banana Boat Rides are one of the major attractions, the others being the beaches in Goa, forts in Goa, casinos and others. Goa Banana Boat Rides are one the funniest Water Sports in Goa. An inflatable boat resembling the shape of a banana is used for Banana Boat Rides in Goa. This boat is linked to a speed boat. 4 to 6 people can be seated in one banana boat.
The boat throws off the passengers as soon as the speed boat sprints across the sea. Sometimes, you would find yourself being flung into the water even before you have hardly started off the beach. After being thrown into the surf, the passengers pull themselves back into the banana boat and start afresh. All passengers taking Banana Boat Rides in Goa wear a life jacket for safety reasons.
Banana Boat Rides in Goa are a repetitive process of getting flung into the sea and then hauling yourself back to the banana boat. Thus, this sport tests your endurance, as your muscles would start to ache after some bouts of being thrown. However, the rib tickling amusement of banana boating can’t be ignored at any cost. So, hurry to book yourself for a tour to Goa so that you can have fun while experiencing Goa Water Sports.
Best time to visit: October to April
Official Company for Banana Ride in Goa is SEA WATER SPORTS.
Best Place to enjoy a banana boat ride in Goa: Baga beach, Calangute, Anjuna beach, Agonda, Candolim, Palolem, Miramar & Vagator are the best places to enjoy a banana ride.
Available Time Slots
Time Slots available between 10 am to 3:30pm (2 hours required for per session)
Minimum Age Limit
Above 10 years of age of can enjoy these adventure water sports
Bamboo Rafting In Wayanad
This is an unusual and unique activity that can be categorised as water sports in India. You can try for a calm river experience amongst the spectacular views of Wayanad.
Kuruvadweep or Kuruva Island is a 950-acre protected river delta. The Island is located in the midst of tributaries of the river Kabini flowing through the Wayanad district. Indulge in bamboo rafting in Wayanad at Kuruva Island in the lush forested regions of Wayanad in Kerala and explore the beautiful rivers and streams around.
Prep up with life jackets and set off on the calm and tranquil waters. Row and paddle for over 2 hours as you explore the depths of this amazing forest waters. As you glide along, witness the lush green cover of forests and other stunning sights this island is blessed with.
An adept river guide will accompany you on the bamboo raft and he will pole it midstream from where you will float downstream as the river goes through exciting bends. Also, the island has bamboo walkways and bridges to help traverse the jungle and streams during the rainy season. The dense forests provide shelter for butterflies and birds, making it the ideal spot for bird watchers.
Official Company to be contacted:
Pepe Vacanza offers bamboo rafting in the Pozhuthana river at Pozhuthana village, located 4km away from Vythiri.
Best Season: October to March
Activity Location: Kuruva Island, Wayanad
Activity Timings: 2 hours (Between 9 AM to 3 PM)
Jet Ski in Goa
Goa offers an extensive variety of water sports for the tourists who want to sense the thrill and jet ski ride in Goa is one of the water sports that can perfectly quench your thirst for adventure and thrill. Jet Ski ride is one of the most exciting and popular water sports in Goa. If you are fond of speed then this water sport is made for you. Jet ski ride includes a jet powered water scooter which will take you to the spectacular nearby places on the beach, you will feel the chill through your veins while riding.
One of the most fascinating things about jet ski ride in Goa is that it provides various security mechanisms. For instance, if you fall into the water by losing your balance, the motor will shut off automatically because the scooter has a safety clip which is joined to your midriff. You need not to worry if you are a beginner because the instructors are always available in case of emergencies or any trouble.
Official company for Jet Ski in Goa:
Official Company for Jet Ski in Goa is SEA WATER SPORTS.
Price:
The price for a jet ski ride starts from Rs400 up to Rs1500 per head depending on the duration & rounds of the water sport.
-Best Time for Jet Ski in Goa
Season for Jet Ski in Goa is from the month of October to May.
Kayaking in Alleppey Backwaters
Alleppey is a famous backwater destination in Kerala having lots of rivers, canals, and lakes that are waveless, flat, and calm waters.
Kayaking is quite a famous activity in Kerala, especially Alleppey or Alappuzha which is located on the Laccadive Sea. Visitors often kayak here in the backwaters of Kerala where one can see Cormorant and Kingfishers. Paddling through tiny canals and sifting through tiny bridges will make you feel very close to everyday life here.
Though Alleppey is famous for professional kayaking through the rivers and canals, most of the tourists are beginners and see this as a recreational activity or experience during their tour to Aleppey. Therefore, few operators with expertise in kayaking provide Sit-On-Top kayaks which are more stable than Sit-in kayaks.
A mechanised Shikara Boat is a motorboat-like canoe that is super fast and allows visitors to travel long distances in a short time.
Where to Contact:
Oscar Cruise.and Alleppey Backwater Tours
How many people can sit in a kayak?
Most of the operators in Alleppey use a single kayak (1 person) or double kayak (2 persons). Inflatable kayaks can accommodate two or three adults but as of now, it is not available.
Best time for visit:
Alleppey. The best time to go kayaking in Kerala is mainly during the summers and winters, mainly from November to May.
Timings : 8:30 AM to 10:00 PM
Rafting in Rishikesh
Rafting is a sport known to man as the most exciting and thrilling adventure. Those who have had the pleasure of rafting expeditions to ensure this. Rafting in turbulent waters is an experience that you will keep for the rest of his life. In the foothills of the Himalayas, they serve as the perfect setting for Rafting in Rishikesh.
Rishikesh is famous for its serene landscapes, religious significance as well as various thrilling adventure activities like bungee jumping, river rafting, and many more. If you want to try on something adventurous and exciting, then you must not miss out on this white-water river rafting experience in Rishikesh. Gush through the sturdy rapids as well as admire breathtaking landscapes of mountains & greenery as you raft through the clear waters. The river rafting in Rishikesh takes you on a 9 km or 16 km course of adventure.
The popular amongst all being River Ganga that creates thrilling rapids in Rishikesh compelling adventure lovers to give rafting activity a shot. In Uttarakhand, the rafting grades range between I and V with Tons River having some really notorious rapids to face. The seasoned rafting enthusiasts can choose to check their skills in the Tons river where Mori is the spot to expect the major struggle and thrill. The stretch along Alaknanda, Dhauliganga, and Kali rivers also have several challenging rapids which lure the rafting enthusiasts.
Best Time For River Rafting
September – November and February – June
River Rafting in Rishikesh Timings: Between 07:00 AM to 03:00 PM
Roar rafting in Teesta River
River Rafting in the roaring water of River Teesta has enthralled the minds of many travelers. The thrill of riding on the wild tides while overcoming the rocky obstacles can be an experience of a lifetime. You can experience it all while rafting in the white rivers of Teesta and Rangeet in Sikkim. Due to its rapid Teesta gets its white water. River rafting is considered as one of the most daring water sports, favored by most of the adventurous people throughout the globe. In River Rafting an inflatable raft is used to navigate through a river.
River Rafting in Teesta has become a famous water sport in Sikkim catching the interest of adventurers from around the globe. River Teesta originates from the mysterious Cho Lhamu Lake which is perched at an elevation of 5,330 m (17,500 feet) in the mighty Himalayas.
Best time for River Rafting
The best season to avail the thrilling ride on the river Teesta and Rangeet, while witnessing the daunting view of the surrounding valley and Himalayan range is from October to December.
Parasailing in Goa at Calangute Beach
Goa is well-known for the shiny style of sports and one such well-known activity is Parasailing. Parasailing is a leisure kiting activity wherein someone is towed at the back of a ship even as connected to a mainly designed cover wing that is certainly considered one among a parachute, referred to as a parasail wing.
Parasailing, a perfect blend of adventure and fun, is one of the most popular water sports that many tourists and locals try out in North Goa.
A parasail or will be flying up in the sky with a parachute and the control is in the hands of the speedboat below.
Get mesmerized by the majestic view of the clear sea and the stunning landscapes of the beach surrounded by swaying palms. This kind of water sport activity is also known as sky gliding. You will find yourself being attached to a very safe canopy that is designed in a special manner and is in turn pulled by a speedboat.
Activity location: Calangute, Goa
Start Time: 11:30 AM; End Time: 03:30 PM
Activity Duration: 35 minutes
How to Reach
Calangute Beach is 15.3 km away from Panaji, Goa.
