Water Sports of Goa

Blessed with rivers, backwaters and a long coastline, Goa is ideally located for water sport activities like sailing, para sailing, wind surfing, etc.

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.

John Lucas, an Englishman, who first came to Goa in the early 70s like thousands of other westerners on a spiritual journey, found his heaven here in Goa. Being a keen windsurfer, the next time he came back to Goa, he had with him, his board and rig. And the trend for water sports in Goa was set.

Today there are a number of water based sports and activities available in Goa. 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.

 

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 crafts, which can carry between six to eight people, are available at the Cidade de Goa, Bogmallo Beach Resort, and Taj Hotels.

They can be conveniently used for sightseeing as well as water-skiing. Even if Goa isn't having any magnificent coral reefs, still it boasts with a variety of fascinating marine life.

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.

To the expert who has honed himself in all these nuances, windsurfing can indeed be an exhilarating experience.

Windsurfing trainers and experts alike 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.

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.

When the boat speeds off on the water, the parasailor just takes one or two steps and he is lifted into the air, the parasail lifting behind him.

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.

River Cruises

The Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) runs a variety of river cruises on the Mandovi river — daytime, sunset and moonlight.

There are two types of day cruises -- from the Panaji jetty, down the Mandovi into the Zuari bay and up the Mandovi to Aldona and a mineral water spring.

A few private firms also offer a variety of imaginative cruises or boat tours for sunset views as well as for crocodile or dolphin spotting.