Watersports in Goa

Goa offers an extremely good climate and excellent facilities for water sports in India. Going by the interests of visitors who come to Goa from different parts of the globe, water sports provide an exciting way to relax and unwind. 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 placid. For the rest of the months, because of the heavy rainfall, facilities for these sports remains mostly closed. Some of the water sports visitors can enjoy in Goa are:

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. By shifting his feet forward or backward, leaning the weight to the right or left, and manipulating the boom in or out, the windsurfer modulates and harmonizes the fickle forces of wind and water to obtain the desired balance and direction.

Most of the windsurfing trainers and experts advise Dona Paula bay to be ideal for the beginners. The conditions here are almost lake-like for both the prevailing winds and the sea. 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.

Water sports have witnessed a stupendous growth all along the Goa and have been largely responsible for the Windsurfing Regatta, which is now an annual event. This, along with the Open Board Sailing Competition that lasts up to a week, are events that all water enthusiasts have come to look forward to.

Dinghly Sailing
A pleasant change from windsurfing is dinghy sailing, often referred to as 'beer and sandwich' sailing. Dinghies are available for hire at the Cidade de Goa and the Taj Holiday Village. These 15-odd feet long crafts hold three to four people comfortably

Scuba Diving
Scuba diving is also fast gaining popularity. Underwater visibility in the more tranquil of Goa's bays and lagoons ranges from five to 10 meters. Attractive coral heads, lobsters, bright colored fish, and other marine life can be conveniently explored in these shallow waters.

Water Skiing
For the speed lovers Goa offers the thrill of combating the sea on speedboats. The boats can achieve speeds up to 30-40 miles an hour. These crafts, which can carry between six to eight people, are available at the Cidade de Goa, Oberoi, and Taj Hotels. They can be conveniently used for sightseeing as well as water-skiing.

Angling
The beaches of Goa offer a varied and plentiful supply to seafood, which is incredibly cheap and absolutely fresh. Go to Betul for Goa's best and largest mussels, brought ashore by expert divers. Go to Agonda for all imaginable rockfish which, with any lucky, you could angle yourself.

Other Water Sports
High fliers amongst the speed lovers can opt for parasailing. Both the Taj and Oberoi hotels provide the necessary equipment for this enthralling sport.

Recently added are the water scooter. They are readily available at Dona Paula jetty, Cidade de Goa, Majorda, Oberoi, and Candolim beach.