Greece has long been a holiday hotspot for visitors from all around the world. Afterall, what’s not to love about the beautiful beaches, delicious local cuisine, and some of the most famous historical sites in the world?
A relaxing beach holiday is always a good idea, but why not try some action-filled activities on your Greek getaway? If you need a little persuading, in this article I will reveal five reasons why you should try your hand at water sports, as well the best Greek beach to head to for all things water sports.
Water Sports are Fun for All the Family
While there are more extreme styles of watersports, there are also some types that can be fun for kids of all ages. You may want to try out fun water-based activities such as a banana boat ride where you and the family hop onto a huge banana-shaped inflatable that will whizz over the sea. There are also tube rides, pedalos, and kayaking that are suitable for younger children.
A jet-ski ride can also be a fun water sport for teenagers if they jump on the back of yours while you drive. You can choose to speed over the water for an exhilarating adventure that they will be sure to love. Check out this blog post for more information on some of the top spots to travel to with kids.
See Your Holiday Destination From a New Perspective
Water sports holidays will allow you to really take in the area that you are staying in from way out to sea. One of the best ways to do this is by parasailing (if you’re brave enough). Parasailing will give you a birds-eye view of the town and the beautiful beach. If parasailing sounds a little too scary, then even things closer to the land, such as windsurfing or even surfing, will still provide you with a great view and perspective.
Challenge Yourself And Learn a New Skill
While it is fun to spend your days chilling out on those golden-sand beaches, you can also choose to challenge yourself by learning something new. Some water sports require a little hard work and dedication to muster.
Why not give things like wind sailing, sailing, canoeing and (if the budget allows for it) yachting a go? Many of the larger Greek hotspots will have a water sports activity center where you can hire the help of a professional to teach you some of the necessary skills. You never know, you may actually find a new hobby that you totally fall in love with, and continue to learn back home.
Stay Active On Your Greek Getaway
A great reason to try a watersports holidays in Greece, is to stay active and healthy. We all know things can go a little south when it comes to staying fit on vacation. After all, there are a whole lot of delicious foods on offer. You may have access to a gym, but who really wants to spend time indoors when in such a beautiful destination as Greece.
Instead, try your hand at some of the more physically -based water sports activities. Surfing is one of these as it provides a great workout for the back and shoulder muscles. You will need to plan your Greek holiday carefully if you want to surf through, as surfing spots are limited. Pro surfers say that some of the best sports are Kolymbithres in Tinos, Kairos in Lemnos and Arkasa Beach in Karpathos. Winds do change in these areas throughout the year, so make sure that you choose the best time to go wisely. If you’re not staying near any of those areas, then you can try bodyboarding on smaller waves or wakeboarding.
Another type of water sport to try that is becoming increasingly popular is stand up paddle boarding, also Known as SUP. This is where you stand up on a large board, and use a paddle to move over the water. It can be harder than it looks and really encourage you to work your stomach muscles. If things get tough, you can always take a break and relax on the board. If you love yoga, then you can even try SUP yoga or fitness SUP, where a number of poses are done on the board while you are out to sea.
Most Important of All: Have Fun!
Last but not least, one of the main benefits of a water sports holiday is that it can be incredibly fun! You will find yourself laughing your head off as you hold on for dear life while being pulled along the sea on some sort of inflatable! Jet-skiing is always a great time, particularly when you hop on it with a passenger on the back. Even a simple pedalo can be a bonding experience for all the family.
Tips for Booking an Amazing Water Sports Holiday
There are two ways that you can choose your holiday, either by doing some research to find a great spot, and then book everything separately. Or, to choose a special water sports package holiday which can include a number of watersports or even instruction from professionals. We recommend going with the latter, because it will save you a lot of time and money. Plus, it means that you never have to worry about equipment being out of stock or in poor condition. A package water sports holiday can also save you a lot of money compared to if you book it all separately.
Bonus: The Top Greek Beach for Watersports
Are you sold on a Greek water sports holiday? If the answer is yes, you will need to do a little research in order to find the best spots in the country. While most of the larger, beachy area will have water sports equipment for hire, you may need to hunt down great spots if you want to try some of the rare types. We’ve done some of the hard-work for you to reveal the very best beach for water sports in the ancient country of Greece.
The Magic of Vassiliki
Hands down the winner for the best water sports spot in the country is the incredible town of Vassiliki. This pretty harbour town is home to a number of world-class restaurants, cute boutiques as well as the best water sports around.
It is so popular because it has reliable winds which make it possible to partake in a range of water sports. There are also weather conditions that make it favourable for people of all abilities – rather than some of the windier or rough areas that are only suited to pros. In Vassiliki, you can try a huge selection of water sports including dinghy sailing, windsurfing, stand up paddle boarding, kayaking, and even sailing cruises. If you prefer to stay on dry land then there are also beach fitness classes and special themed nights that will keep kids and adults of all ages entertained.
Another benefit of staying in Vassiliki, is that there are a range of accommodation options that cater to all tastes and budgets. You can choose to stay in more affordable beach clubs that have a selection of ‘dry-land’ activities too, or splash-out and stay in one of the fancier five-star resorts. Check out this article if you’re after more of a relaxing beach holiday in Greece.
Overall, a water sports holiday to Greece can be a fun, bonding, hair-raising and even challenging experience that will be sure to bring you lots of fun, joy and laughter. So what are you waiting for? Grab that waterproof camera, dig out your favorite swimwear, as a water sports trip to beautiful Greece could just be a few clicks away. Have fun on the water!