Once you land up in a beach in Goa, then you are faced with a volley of questions: Which water sport would be the easiest and most fun? Which would be suitable for the middle-aged? Which might be best for the young, the athletic and the enthusiastic? And finally, the big question! Which would fit our budget?
The only sport that would do justice to our purse and give you unlimited fun while in India's goa is windsurfing. Windsurfing in Goa is fairly simple because you get to hire a board by the hour at any of the major hotels. The Zuari estuary at Dona Paula is an excellent spot for windsurfing because of its calm waters being the kindest Goa has to offer. Special instructors are employed on the beach who will guide you through the surfing.
The instructor fine-tunes the board and rig and gives a couple of simple lessons on the beach. Though it looks very easy, standing feet apart, the board resting steadily on the firm sand while we hold the sail up in the gentle morning breeze, the actual fun begins while raising the sail when you are waist deep in the sea. So many forces to balance out one against the other: the push of the wind on the sail, the rock n roll of the board on the waves, the off-putting force of our own nervousness.
The first hour or two of windsurfing is spent tumbling about the ocean like a circus clown. Anyway, the sea is soft, wet and warm. But don't forget to leave your ego on the beach! Climbing back on board every few minutes and heaving the sail up yet again, the beginner finds out where the leg and back muscles are!
DINGHY SAILING IN GOA
Those of us who are less athletic and daring but still feel inclined to sail may wish to try dinghy sailing. Such dinghy is available for hire at Cidade de Goa and Taj Holiday Village. About 15 feet in length, dinghies will hold three to four people. Instructors are available for beginners. 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.
In fact the wind in Goa is so kind most of the time that dinghy sailing is referred to as beer and sandwich sailing! Crewmembers can relax and enjoy themselves.
SCUBA DIVING IN GOA
Scuba diving is growing in popularity in Goa. From Dona Paula jetty or from Aqua Marine in Panjim it is easy to take a diver, rent scuba gear and arrange for an instructor.
Once you know how to use the equipment, the wonders of the deep open up. A few islands off the shore from the airport are ideal spots for scuba diving.
The underwater visibility in Goa ranges for five to ten meters throughout most of the tourist season. Attractive coral heads, lobsters, bright coloured, fish and shells all invite exploration. There is even an old wreck with many stories attached to it though the truth behind its mystery probably sank with it.
SPEED BOATS IN GOA
Water loving speed freaks can't resist getting into a speedboat. Sleek with a growling, throaty engine, the thoroughbred speedboat is a compelling machine. But watch out when you are making a choice! Goa has a lot of motorboats which may be capable of 10 to 15 miles per hour and just a few proper speed boats which can reach a speed o 30 to 40 miles per hour. Cidade, Oberoi and the Taj Hotels all have highpowered boats which give sensational rides. These boats can be taken for long rides or just a spin around the bay. These speedboats that carry six to eight people can also be used as a mode of transportation to visit many beautiful tourist destinations in Goa like Old Goa, Fort Aguda, Sinquerim, St. Jacinto Island and Grant Island. The same speedboat can be used alternatively for water skiing. Two skis, even one if you're away 60-70 kilometers per hour, skimming on the water. Slalom, wave jumping beach stops, you name it-that's skiing. It is not as demanding or difficult as it seems.
PARASAILING IN GOA
High fliers amongst the speed lovers take to parasailing. The Taj and the Oberoi hotels both have equipment for this exhilarating sport.
There's a rope about 300 feet long attached to the parasail harness at one end and to the speedboat at the other. The sailor is on the shore in a harness. When the boat takes off he just takes one or two steps and he is lifted into the air, the parasail lifting behind him. During the ride you may use water scooters, those noisy little demons of the sea, which accommodate two people and whisk away at great speed. All the thrills of a motorbike with all the softness of an ocean instead of hard tar beneath the feet. Water scooters are readily available at places like the Dona Paula jetty, Cidade de Goa, Majorda, Oberoi and Candolim Beach. Scooters are ideal for children and they can take grandma along too.
SWIMMING IN GOA
Finally the least often written about but most often used water sport in Goa, clearly, is swimming. As Goa lies on the warmest ocean in the world there is no end to the fun and frolic of an innocent swim. Requiring no equipment more dramatic than your own swimming costume (nudism is now prohibited) and the desire to roll in the waves spilling from the Arabian Sea, swimming can be enjoyed by the young, the old, the infirm, the affluent and the budget traveler alike.
What a nonchalant way to pass the time in Goa while all those fun lovers whiz frenetically by on their surf boards, parasails water scooters, skis, and speed boats. Everyone loving the ocean, one of the cleanest, cheapest yet least crowded playgrounds.
Goa Water Sports Activities 