Goa, the most popular tourist destination in India offers host of water sports that invites adventure seekers from all over the world. Some of the most popular water adventure tourists can enjoy here includes Water Scootering, Para Sailing, Wind Surfing, Water Skiing and Scuba diving. Tourists and adventure enthusiasts visit the beaches of Goa in order to satisfy their adrenal rush in the most popular beach destination in India. Find below the details of the various water sports along with the details of beaches where these adventures can be enjoyed here.
Parasailing
This is the best way to enjoy a microlite view of the beautiful Goa. Two options of para sailing can be enjoyed here. First is winch-boat para sailing where a person lands on a winch boat and the Beach Para sailing, wherein the person is made to land on the beach itself. Beach para sailing requires a lot of co-ordination and due to lack of good safety, it is now bring discouraged. Winch-boat para sailing however takes much higher into the sky and is more fun. The famous beaches of Goa where one can enjoy this adventure are -
Sinquerim-Candolim-Calangute Stretch - Parasailing in this stretch of beaches will allow the tourists a beautiful overview of Fort Aguada and the grounded tanker River Princess. The view of Utroda stretch and Arossim-Cansaulim stretch is also very spectacular. Mobor beach is also a good option. The view of the juncture of River Sal and the Arabian sea, is simply breath taking. Another good stretch to sight some panoramic views during para sailing is the Grande and Bait islands. The bird’s eye view of the Mondovi meeting the Arabian sea at the Miramar is also a not to be missed sight.
The charges of enjoying this adventure sport can be anywhere between Rs 500 in off season to Rs 1,250 during the peak season (new years and Christmas) for a time span of 3 to 5 minutes.Also please note that the boat ride charges are not included in the above mentioned costs. Tow boat, tow rope, para sail, life jacket and wetsuits are some of the important gears required to enjoy this sport. Tourists indulging in this sport are advised to check all the gears before taking off. Operators can be found on the respective beaches and ensure that you take an experienced operator as landing on the beach is a tricky affair. This adventure can be enjoyed throughout the year except in monsoons as during this time the wind is strong and rain may cause hindrance. Jet Skiing
This is the best adventure for all those who love speed. The 100-135 hp powered jet skis are used in this adventure, where the person is usually accompanied by an instructor as one can easily get carried away by the strong waves. Only when the instructor is completely confident with the skills of the adventurer, do they allow to indulge in solo run.
The famous beaches where tourists can enjoy this water sports are Colva, Candolim, Calangute, Mobor, Rajbaga, Arossim, Benaulim and Utorda.
Generally, the duration of these water sports can be anywhere between 2, 10 and 15 minutes. For a 2 minute round charges are Rs 400 while Rs 1,000 (during holiday season) for a 10 minute thrill. Charges for trip of 15 minutes is Rs 1,500. For those looking to jet ski for longer duration, the Grand Resort at Rajbaga charges Rs 2,500 for a 30 minute ride.
The basic gear for this sport is Wet Suits, Life Jackets and they can be easily taken from the operators located on the beach. Winter season (from November to February) are the ideal time to enjoy Jet Skiing as during this times the waves are much manageable.
Water Skiing
This is a very exciting sport that requires both strength and skills. Tourists are required to take up training lessons before indulging in this sport. The major beach destination where this sport can be enjoyed are Condolim, Arossim, Mobor, Calangute, Utorda and Rajbaga.
The rates for enjoying this sport can range from Rs 400 to 1,200 depending upon the length of time, operators and the time of the year. Equipments and gears are available with the operators. Tourists are advised to enjoy this sport in winters as this time of the year, waves are much more manageable. It is very important that you learn and remember all the instructions and signals provided by the operator and implement them in need or whenever required.
Wind Surfing
Known to be the most exhaustive water sport, wind surfing also happens to be the most toughest sports to learn. Very inexpensive, this sport is all about good health, good will power and a good instructor.
The major beaches where wind surfing can be enjoyed are Calangute, Colva, Pololem, Vagator, Baga, Dona Paula, Miramar and Bogmalo. There are training schools that conduct short courses on windsurfing and it is important that you learn the international distress signals. The best time to enjoy this sport is from January to March. The annual National Windsurfing Championship is held here in the months of August and November. Organised by the Board Sailing Association of India, this is a popular sports even, where one can participated by just paying an entrance fee of Rs 100. However, entry is restricted to national level wind surfers and they are required to bring their own gears.
The rate of enjoying this sport is between Rs 300 to 600 per hour. 5 days training sessions are conducted and charge Rs 4,000 to 5,000 for the whole session. For the professional surfers, Goa now offers kite surfing as well. Training is conducted for five days and cost between Rs 8,000 to 12,000 during the peak holiday season.
Knee and Wake - Boarding
Knee and wake-boarding is another sport that is gaining immense popularity in Goa. While they are very similar to water skiing, in Knee boarding one needs to use the knee for skiing and in wake-boarding, the adventurer has one broad board instead of two narrow ones as used in water skiing, and needs to balance the body on the single board.
Candolim beach, Mobor beach and Rajbaga beach are the few hot spots for enjoying this sport. Operators are available at the beach and beside them an observer is also required for those enjoying this sport.
The charges for this sport is from Rs 700 to 1,200 for 15 minutes. Please note that the price may vary during the peak season.
Scuba Diving
Goa is among the few places in the world that have excellent opportunity for scuba divers. Grande islands, St. George island, Devagh island and Pigeon island are the most popular places to enjoy this sport. For the beginners, Bogmalo beach is the ideal place where this sport is taught and even licence is provided. through this sport one can enjoy a beautiful sneak peak into the charismatic aquatic life. The view of the coral reef inside the water is an attractions you will cherish all your life.
Best time to enjoy this sport is during the months from November to April. Please note that this sport requires a valid license and tourists without a license cannot enjoy this. PADI-certified scuba diving course from the Barracuda Diving at Goa Mariott Hotel in Panaji is good place to learn this sport at around Rs 3,000. Snorkel needs to be handled very carefully and all the instructions should be followed.
Speed Boat Rides
Very similar to jet skiing, Speed boat rides is a much powerful and exciting sport. This is a perfect group activity as boats have a capacity of 3 to 6 persons. Lasting from 10 minutes to an hour, speed boat rides are the best and the most enthralling way to explore the coastline of Goa.
Speedboats cab be hired from Condolim, Calangute Arossim, Utroda, Colva and Mobor beaches and they cost a minimum of Rs 800 to a maximum of 1,200 for a 10 minute ride.
Catarman Sailing
This sport is also referred as Hobie Cats and includes twin hulll with trampolines and a mast joined together for sailing. having a seating capacity of 4 person, the cost of this ride can be somewhere, depending upon the season, between Rs 600 to 1,500 for an hour.
Candolim beach, Calangute beach, Arossim beach, Dona Paula beach, Mobor beach, Benaulim and Colva beach are the ideal places to enjoy Catarman sailing.
Deep Sea Fishing and Dolphin Spotting
Deep Sea Fishing is yet it its nascent stage in Goa. For this sport, tourists are taken way too far in the sea on a special motor boats and one gets a chance to fish for tunas, kingfish and jackfish. However, this sport requires great skill and it is not only to find a catch. The only place in Goa where fishing can be enjoyed is the Bait and Butterfly island. Adults are only allowed and motorboats charge Rs 500 for an hour.
Dolphin spotting on the other hand is an interesting adventure option wherein tourists are taken to the stretch between Mandovi River to the Zuari River and here tourists can sight dolphins and even crocodiles. The best time to enjoy is from October to May.
Other Popular Water Sports
Beside the above mentioned water sports in Goa, there are many sports that are still not very known. The Banana, Bump and Ringo Rides are for kids and their cost is Rs 200 per head for a 15 minutes ride on a six sitter banana shaped contraption. Various trekking and hiking adventures can also be enjoyed near the beaches.
Famous Water Sports Operators in Goa
The panoramic state of Goa has many adventure operators that help the tourists to learn the sports and enjoy it to the maximum. These operators are located on the beaches itself and often provide with gears and equipments. Following are the list of well known operators divided according to their location -
Arambol Beach - Arambol Paragliding School for Paragliding (Rs1,200) (Contact - 09822867570) and Kite Surfing School (Rs 8,000) (Contact - 09850475241)
Candolim Beach - Allison Water Sports (Rs 700 for para sailing, Rs 400 for water skiing)(09422063504), Arabian Water Sports(09890217734, arabian_sports1999@yahoo.com)
Calangute Beach - Atlantis Water Sports (Rs 1,000 for jet skiing, Rs 350 each for Water skiing and wind surfing)(Contact - 09890047272), Calangute Beach Water Sports (Contact - 09822151002)
Dona Paula Beach - Cidade de Goa (Rs 1,000 for windsurfing, Rs 850 for jet skiing, Rs 950 for wind surfing)(Contact - 0832-2454545), SPM National Institute of Water Sports (Contact - 0832-2436550, 2436400) (website : niws.nic.in)
Colva Beach - Chris Water Sports (Rs 800 for parasailing, Rs 150 for speed boat rides)(Contact - 09822142110)
Benaulim Beach - Goa Coastal Water Sports (Rs 1,500 for Jet Skiing, Rs 1,000 for water skiing, Rs 6,000 for fishing trip for 6 people) (Contact - 0832-2771234).
Famous Diving Operators are Barracuda Diving India on Calangute Beach (09823012025, website : www.barracudadiving.com) and Goa Diving Pvt Ltd on Bogmalo Beach (0832-2538204, website : www.goadiving.com)Tips to Remember 1. Most of the beaches have trained security guards, therefore minimising the risk of accidents. 2. Age limit is more than 10 years for all the sports barring the ones which specify the required age. 3. All the adventurer need to sign a legal disclaimer stating that they are aware of the risk involved in the water sports and absolve the operator of any responsibility.4. Almost all the operators provide gears and equipments5. The rates and fee may varying during the peak holiday season. 6. A government approved licence is required for scuba diving, therefore it is important that you either came with your licence or procure one in Goa after intensive training. 
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