Watersports In Goa – The Thrill of A Lifetime

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Water Sports in Goa
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16 Different Watersports In Goa

The Thrill of A Lifetime

 

Skim the waves. Surf the seas. Float across the skies. The fabulous Golden Goan Coast is sprinkled with water sports excitements from windsurfing to paragliding. Read the article below to find out the Top 10 watersports in Goa, we have also managed to highlight a total of 16 watersports in Goa.

 

Water Sports in Goa
Water Sports in Goa

 

Goa is an excellent destination for water sports with its pleasant weather and calm waters. The best season for enjoying water sports in Goa is from October to May when the skies here are cloudless and blue, and the waters fairly placid. The water sport activities found on most of all the beaches of Goa are:

wind surfing⇒Windsurfing Windsurfing is a unique blend of surfing and sailing, which requires the surfer to adjust his strength and balance to the changing patterns of wind and water. Windsurfing trainers and experts a like claim Dona Paula bay to be the ideal location for the beginners. The prevailing winds and the calm sea, ensure almost lake-like conditions. The morning breeze is light and steady — just right for learners; while stronger winds that set in during the afternoons offer a perfect challenge for the more experienced. Wind surfing sport is a sport that is sure to set your pulses racing. Bogmalo, Miramar, Calangute, Colva, Palolem, Baga, Arossim, Utorda, Benaulim, Vagator and Baga beaches are also popular with windsurfers. Choose an operator who maintains safety standards. You should not set off in an offshore wind and should always double-check the gear before starting. Don’t forget to learn the international distress signals.

 

dinghy sailing⇒Dinghy Sailing – These 15-odd feet long crafts hold three to four people comfortably. The Zuari estuary at Dona Paula is an excellent learning area – its calm waters being the kindest Goa has to offer. With two sails and side decks to sit upon, dinghy sailing is as much fun as windsurfing and it is not necessary to be either agile or youthful to enjoy this form of sailing. With the winds in Goa, so gentle most of the time, this particular sport offers its participants much time to relax. Dinghies are available for hire at the Cidade de Goa and the Taj Holiday Village. Instructors are available for beginners. The best months to try this sport are from October to April. Generally you’ll find it on any good beaches of North Goa & South Goa.

 

scuba-diving in Goa⇒Scuba Diving – While diving in Goa is not exactly world class due to limited to visibility underwater (generally in the region of 6 to 12 meters), there is an amazing amount of marine life as well as hard coral which continues to amaze even the most experienced divers. The warm waters also teem with playful Bottlenose Dolphins although they are shy of divers. In addition to the above, Goa is blessed with a large number of shipwrecks which include Spanish and Portuguese galleons, World War II wrecks as well as many merchant ships. Very few of these have been found and explored. There are reportedly around 1,000 wrecks along the coast of Goa. Most of the diving in Goa is near Grand Island, where divers can check out a handful of decent coral gardens filled with a healthy marine life population. The person should never dive alone and should always take at least one partner with them so that they can always get help when in need. The person should be totally fit physically and mentally before going for diving. Listen to pre-diving briefings carefully. Make sure that the water does not have strong currents. Be careful so that the mask does not get too foggy and handle the snorkel mouthpiece delicately. Take care not to swim under the hull.

 

water skiing in goa⇒Water Skiing – For the speed-lovers Goa offers the thrills of venturing into the sea on speedboats. The high-class speedboats which are available in some places, can achieve speeds of up to 30-40 miles an hour. These craft, which can carry between six to eight people, are available at the Cidade de Goa, Bogmallo Beach Resort, and Taj Hotels. If you love to feel the ocean waves splashing across their face while rushing through water, the water skiing sport is just the right option for you. Some falls and tumbles during training are inevitable. If the trainers are not satisfied with your performance, they will not let you venture out. Stamina, sturdy legs and strong back muscles are a must for this sport. You should not venture out in rough waters. An observer should accompany the operator in the boat. After a fall, it is important to signal to the operator that you are okay. Beaches like Calangute, Candolim, Arossim, Mobor, Utorda, and Rajbagh.

 

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para sailing goa⇒Parasailing – High fliers amongst the speed lovers can opt for parasailing. Both the Taj and Bogmallo Resort hotels provide the necessary equipment for this enthralling sport. There’s a rope about 300 feet long attached to the parasail harness at one end and to the speedboat at the other. For Para-sailing one must be comfortable with heights, as this sport gives the beautiful bird’s eye view of the landscape, the coasts, beaches and the water. Parasailing that involves a parachute attached to a motorboat. The parachute goes up in the air as the motor boat starts moving and the person tied to the parachute just need to take a step or two forward before sailing in the air. People who love to soar high like a bird and have a view of the coastline and the vast sea should try the parasailing sport. The beaches offering Parasailing facilities include Candolim beach, Mobor beach, Anjuna beach, Majorda beach, Baga beach and Dona Paula beach. Be sure to choose a well-trained operator because landing on the beach is tricky. You should also check the chord, harness and gear before you take off. Parasailing should be avoided when it’s raining or the winds are strong.


jetski⇒Jet Skiing –
One of the most adventurous water sports in Goa is Jet Skiing. The sport is one of the most popular in Goa and many tourists try this sport to set their adrenalin rushing. Jet skiing requires a jet powered water scooter that are accelerated by a powerful engine. The Jet Ski equipment in Goa has a power of 100-135 horsepower. The machine is simple to operate but an instructor should accompany you. Be within the area where the operator can see you. The best sites are Colva, Candolim, Calangute, Miramar, Arossim, Utorda, Benaulim, Mobor and Rajbaga.

 

Jet skiing in goa

⇒Water Scooter – Water scooters accommodate two people on a ride. This action sport provides all the thrills of a motorbike with the softness of an ocean instead of hard tar road beneath the feet. They are readily available at Dona Paula jetty, Cidade de Goa, Majorda, and Candolim beach.

 

37752-lara-dutta-swimming.jpg⇒Swimming – The most common water sport is swimming. The waters around the Goan beaches are warm and almost always safe. Swimming can be enjoyed by the young, the old, the infirm, the affluent and the budget traveler alike. There are lifeguards at all Goan beaches, so check with them about the status of the sea, before you jump in.

 

fishing AT COCO BEACH⇒Fishing – Fishing can be relaxing or stimulating and exciting. You will probably catch a variety of Snappers, Goldfish, Catfish, Barramundi, Sea Salmons, etc. Blessed with plenty of beaches, Goa is the ideal place to try out fishing. Imagine the pride and the winning smile on your face when you come back holding a couple of fishes and proclaiming it as your prized catch!

 

 

 

 

kayaking in palolem goa

⇒Kayaking – mostly along the rivers in Nerul, Siolim and calmer Beaches like Morjim and Palolem. There is a place in Vasco that conducts Night – Kayak trips as well.


⇒Rafting – One location within Goa for rafting is the Surla distributary of river Mhadei, better known as Mandovi. White-water rafting in Goa is famous particularly in the area of Dandeli which is around 125 kms from Goa but well-connected since it is a famous picnic spot.

catamaran-charter-greek-islands_extra⇒Catamaran – Hobie Cat Sailing – A more relaxed sailing activity, Catamaran Sailing is made up of a twin hull with trampoline in between the hulls and a mast for sailing. Four people can be normally accommodated. A trained professional is required to sail the catamaran for the enjoyment with safety. A high level of skill and training is required. You should pay attention to the emergency procedures and signals that are explained to you. To enjoy this water sport activity you can enjoy on beaches like Calangute, Candolim, Dona Paula, Arossim, Utorda, Benaulim, Colva, and Mober.

 

wake boarding

 

 

⇒Knee-and – Wake Boarding – Knee-boarding is very similar to water skiing. It has a slot for your knees. It requires less focus on balance than water-skiing and is a simpler technique. The skier has one broad board instead of two narrow ones on which to maintain balance in wake-boarding. There should always be an observer besides the boat operator. The person should be at ease with water and well versed in water skiing. You can enjoy this water sport at Mober beach, Candolim beach and Rajbagh beach. In the boat, there should be one observer apart from the operator.

 

private boat ride beety cruise⇒Private Boat Rides – Sailing: Imagine the experience of sailing in a boat, changing course of the sails and calmly cutting across the sea. The Arabian Sea provides a beautiful calm sailing ground and Goa’s tropical climate is ideal with consistent weather conditions. Goa offers sailing at Grande Island and that too at night to a secret beach called Monkey Beach that can be navigated only by sea. So go down to Bogmalo beach or Majorda Beach, sign up for the trip and camp there at night overlooking a lighthouse and the stars in the sky. Sailing is available in Goa only in December – January.

 

⇒Microlite Flying – Microlite flying is the latest addition to Goa watersports but is much exciting to foreigners. A motorized machine with a forty feet wing span, microlite can accommodate two to three persons including one operator. You need not to know gliding for microlite flying because it is an operator’s job. Microlite flying is a variation of hang-gliding. Ability of being able to assemble a microlite with commercially available parts is half the fun in itself. A single – seater should ideally weigh less than 330 kg and a twin – seater, 450 kg. It can reach a cruising height of around 11,000 feet although most fliers prefer to stick closer to the ground, 3,000 feet or so. But these can’t be flown at night and unfriendly weather conditions. It can only be done at Calangute beach.

 

⇒Banana, Bump & Ringo Rides

banana ride in goa

Banana rides are one of the few activities that is safe for kids. It is really enthralling to sit on a six-seat banana-shaped contraception and to be towed by a speedboat rolling and pitching over undulating sea waves. There are some variations in Ringo or bump rides. The flip at the very end of the ride adds that bit of extra excitement for beginners. As everybody is in life jackets, it is pretty safe too. The person should be at ease with water. It’s available on all the major beaches.

 

⇒Crocodile/Dolphin/Turtle Spotting

This is another activity that is children friendly. It may not be a water-sport but it is another way to experience Goa’s meandering rivers. The Cumbarjua canal near Panaji that links the Zuari and the Mandovi rivers is a thriving place for mugger crocodiles.dolphin spotting in goa

 

 

Who can resist the thrill of watching dolphins frolic in their natural surroundings, cavorting in graceful curves above the sea? From October to May, dolphin-spotting trips are conducted off Goa’s beaches – most common being around the Honeymoon Island at Palolem. Dolphin cruises also leave from Dona Paula into the Arabian Sea up to Grande Island. Activities involve dolphin-spotting, snorkeling and barbecuing on the island.

The famed giant Olive Ridley turtles pay yearly nesting visits to Goa’s Galjibaga and Agonda beaches, and to Morjim Beach. Highly endangered due to incessant hunting, these turtles are now safer thanks to conservation efforts. The nesting season is from November to March, when you may spot a tiny hatchling emerge from its nest and head for the sea. Trust me, it’s is a priceless moment.

One should be aware of the following: Those above 10 years can take part, unless specified not to do so. Every participant has to sign a legal disclaimer, saying that he is aware of the risks involved in the sports, the procedures are abided by and operators are exempt from any responsibility. Check out for certification by NIWS (National Institute of Water Sports).
Insist on a life jacket. Avoid alcohol before getting into adventure sports. You need to have your wits around you in times of emergency. Avoid venturing into the sea if it’s rough. During monsoon, watersports is a strict no-no. Avoid taking children with you while on a water sports spree.

Be it really fast ones like jet skiing and wind surfing or the tamer ones like scuba diving, there is something for everyone. The facilities provided by the concerned authorities are at par with international standards and norms. Mostly, instructors accompany you for these watersports. So get set to taste real thrill and adventure in Goa! Think of gusts of wind beating against your face and adrenaline rushing through your body, even as you brave the waves – but yes, with the assurance of safety. That’s the taste of adventure sports in Goa for you – especially water sports.

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