Water Sports in India That Will Leave You Thrilled

Our country is blessed with a vast coastline of over 7500 kilometers. With the Arabian Sea to the west,the Bay of Bengal to the east, and the mighty Indian Ocean to the south and a number of rivers, there are numerous water-basedsports offering fun and excitement. If you are looking for a dose of adrenaline pumping water sports, India is a great placefor you. From the age-old sea canoeing to the newly born Flyboarding, this country has a lot to offer. Following is acompilation of 13 of the most thrilling water sports in India:

1. Scuba Diving -

Scuba Diving is becoming more and more popular in India with every passing day. There are several electrifying dive sitesdotted around Lakshadweep and Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

The colorful corals and the vibrant marine life are enticing enough to attract Scuba Divers from different corners of theworld to discover India's best-kept secret.

Where - Havelock Island, Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

Best Time - From March to May.

Swimming Required - Yes

Price - Starts from INR 5250 for two dives (for certified Scuba Divers), including Scuba Diving equipment, boat transfers,and food.

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A man riding a Jet Ski in the calm sea water

2. Jet Skiing -

Jet Skiing is one of the most popular water sports in India. It is similar to riding a bike but on water. Easy to handle,zoom through the sea water as you have a rewarding experience drifting along the waves. So make sure that on your next visit toa happening beach in India, you rent a Jet Ski, because this refreshing water sport knows how to make one happy (orhappier).

Where - Colva Beach in Goa

Best Time - From December to March.

Swimming Required - No

Price - A 30-minute session starts from just INR 500.

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A group of enthusiastic people enjoying White River Rafting in Coorg

3. White River Rafting -

To add some excitement to your mundane life, you should try this popular group water sport - White River Rafting. With somany rivers in India, there are a bunch of them flowing in different parts of the country which provide excellent conditionsfor River Rafting. Enjoy splashing and paddling through the gushing river water with rapids ranging from grade I to gradeIV.

Where - Teesta River in Sikkim.

Best Time - From November to March.

Swimming Required - The basics would do.

Price - Starts from INR 800 per person for half an hour.

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An old man trying Sea Kayaking in Lakshadweep

4. Sea Kayaking -

Kayaking can be as relaxing or thrilling as one wants it to be. For a peaceful experience, there are backwaters of Kerala,but for adventure and excitement, there is Bhagirathi River in Uttarakhand. But if you are looking for a visual and soulfultreat, there is nothing like Sea Kayaking. Explore the astonishing sea world as you paddle the kayak in the vast open sea.

Where - Havelock Island in Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

Best Time - From March to May.

Swimming Required - Yes

Price - INR 2700 for a two and a half hour session per person, including a life jacket, refreshments, and the guidance of acertified instructor.

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A young person experiencing Snorkelling in Lakshadweep along with an instructor

5. Snorkelling -

Snorkelling can be referred as Scuba Diving's cousin. This inexpensive sport can be great fun in the open sea or ocean.One can swim with sea turtles and see a rich variety of vibrant fishes. The clear visibility and azure sea water surroundingLakshadweep make it one of the best places in South Asia for Snorkelling.

Where - Kadmat Island in Lakshadweep.

Best Time - From December to March.

Swimming Required - Yes

Price - You can do a Snorkelling with a dive shop for less than INR 400 per hour (including Snorkelling gears).

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Two people parasailing along with an instructor at Colva Beach in Goa

6. Parasailing -

If the idea of being attached to a speedboat and a parachute, as you fly over a sea and dive your feet in the water soundsexciting to you, then Parasailing is for you. It is one of the most popular water sport in the world and is accessible at mostof the commercial beaches in the country. Just get into the harness and get a bird's eye view of the coastline as smoothbreeze caress your face.

Where - Baga Beach in Goa.

Best Time - From November to March.

Swimming Required - No

Price - INR 800 for a flight that lasts up to five minutes.

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A recreational Surfer riding a wave at Kovalam Beach in Kerala

7. Surfing -

Highly appealing to adventure lovers, Surfing is one of the most highly rated water sports in the world. This water sportthat promises a high voltage action is extremely enticing and fun. This addictive water sport allows you to ride waves at highspeed on the surface of the water for hundreds of meters if you get the balancing act right.

Where - Varkala Beach in Kerala.

Best Time - From November to March.

Swimming Required - Yes

Price - Renting a Surfboard will cost you just INR 300 per hour.

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A Sailing competition being carried out at Pykara Lake in Tamil Nadu

8. Sailing -

Also known as Yachting, Sailing is possibly the most relaxing water sport in India. It gives you the liberty of beingsurrounded only by water and being in the company of amazing people. Whether you sail in a sea or a lake, you will come acrossunique experiences that will teach you loads of things. Tranquillity, relaxation, and excitement go hand in hand while Sailing.Having been around for centuries, there is nothing that can replace this water sport.

Where - Colaba in Mumbai

Best Time - From October to March

Swimming Required - No

Price - INR 3000 per person for a duration of 2 hours.

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9. Sea Walking -

Walking on seabed is an overwhelming experience. You do not need any certification to experience this activity. Down under,you will see gorgeous aquatic fauna and beautiful reefs. You will have to wear a helmet and carry an apparatus filled withoxygen along. There is just one place in the country where one can experience this activity, which is similar to walking on thesurface of our moon.

Where - North Bay Island in Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

Best Time - From March to May.

Swimming Required - No

Price - INR 2700 for a duration of 20 minutes.

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A man getting the hang of Flyboarding in Goa

10. Flyboarding -

Have you ever imagined how much fun it is to breach out of the sea and then dive back in? Well, you can experience somethingsimilar to a Flyboard. One of the newest adventure sports in the league, Flyboarding allows you to unleash the Iron Man insideyou, as you pull off insane maneuvers such as backflips and somersaults in the air. The jetpack which works as a propellerhelps you to move (dance?) above the surface of the air.

Where - Chapora River in Goa

Best Time - From November to March

Swimming Required - Just the basics would suffice.

Price - INR 3600 for 15 minutes.

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Two professional Kite Surfers enjoying a session in Rameswaram

11. Kite Surfing -

Based on the concept of being pulled by a kite whilst surfing the surface of the water, Kite Surfing is an extremelyexciting water sport. The south-eastern coast of India receives high wind speed pretty much throughout the year, making it anexcellent region for Kite Surfing. Albeit it is relatively unknown to the masse, the sport is gradually gaining some popularityin the country.

Where - Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu

Best Time - June to September

Swimming Required - No

Price - Renting the equipment would cost you INR 5000 for an entire day.

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A man trying Stand Up Paddling with his dog in Kerala

12. Stand Up Paddling (SUP) -

The technique is very simple, as it requires the paddler to get on a board and paddle through the course. It is one of themost relaxing water sports that offers peace and tranquillity in the laps of nature. You can also try SUP in the open sea ifyou want to get a glimpse of Surfing. You can spend countless hours floating on the surface of the water as you explore theregion.

Where - Kumarakom Backwater of Kerala

Best Time - From November to April

Swimming Required - No

Price - INR 1500 for a distance covering 8 km.

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A man having a fun time whilst Wind Surfing

13. Wind Surfing -

With the nice breeze, appropriate equipment, and exquisite waves, Wind Surfing can become your favorite water sport. Ahybrid of Sailing and Surfing, Wind Surfing is a pretty new sport in the country but is bound to attract eyeballs. It is arelatively difficult water sport, but once you get the hang of it, it will become easy for you.

Where - Ramanathapuram in Tamil Nadu

Best Time - From April to September

Swimming Required - Yes

Price - You can take up a three-hour discovery course which costs INR 7500.

PIC CREDITS- SCUBA DIVING, OZZY DELANEY, texaus1, Anthony grossy, techbreeze, Klaus nahr, sankara Subramanyam, mike prince,Philip larson