India
is a land of vibrant coastlines, golden beaches and fast rivers and thus can
offer you every kind of challenge water sport can offer.
The Himalayas with some of the toughest and most exciting river flows in
the world, is always a matter to cherish for Watersports lovers. Adrenalin
rush is always speedy while water sporting in the rapids. The innumerable
fresh water streams and lakes in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and
Uttar Pradesh are ideal for angling and trout fishing. The coastal regions
provide excellent opportunities for water sports like water skiing, wind
surfing, Yatching, Snorkelling and scuba diving.
In the Southern regions also water adventures along both the west and the
east coasts of India are immensely exciting. The Andaman and Nicobar islands
in the Bay of Bengal and Lakshadweep in the Indian Ocean are heaven for
scuba diving and snorkeling. The sandy beaches of Goa and Kerala also offer
sporting opportunities for water skiing, wind surfing and sailing lovers.
In Mumbai, Goa and around Pune the West
coast line and the lakes offer sailing opportunities The best months to
explore the water-world in India are October and March.
White water rafting
White water rafting enthusiast can always head to the early stages of the
Ganga, which offers the exhilarating Alakananda and Bhagirathi rivers. For
exceptional river running experiences one can try the Indus snaking through
Ladakh and the Zanskar and Chenab in Kashmir. Sutlej, Beas (in Himachal
Pradesh), Teesta (in Sikkim), and Yamuna offer sporting challenges to
Watersports enthusiasts.
Best season for river rafting is from April to September while the most
popular stretch for the sport is on the Ganges, near Rishikesh in
Uttaranchal.
The Kaudiyala Rafters camp hosted by The Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN),
an Uttaranchal Government undertaking, Conducts River rafting courses at
Kaudiyala, 38 kms from Rishikesh.
Water-skiing
The various water skiing destinations in India include Goa (Asan Barrage
Water Sports Resort, Calangute Beach, Goa Dona Paula Beach, Goa Cavelossim
Beach, Goa Condolim Beach, Goa Bogmalo Beach, Goa Sinquerim Beach), Andaman
& Nicobar Islands (Water Sport Complex at Diglipur, Island Water Sports
Club at Port Blair), Kashmir (Manasbal lake, Dal lake and Nagin lake) etc.
Sailing
Kerala (Alappuzha beach, Kovalam Beach), Goa Beaches, Andaman & Nicobar
Islands, Lakshadweep Islands, Mumbai, Tamil Nadu (Tarsha Sports Complex) etc
are exciting destinations for sailing.
Snorkeling
Major destinations for snorkeling are Andaman and Nicobar (Andaman Water
Sports Complex, Corbyn's Cove Tourism Complex, Mahatma Gandhi Marine
National Park, Havelock)
Scuba Diving
Lakshadweep and Andaman and Nicobar islands are ideal places for scuba
diving. Besides, all the places used for snorkeling can also be utilized for
scuba diving.
Kayaking & Canoeing
Major Kayaking and canoeing sites in India include, the beaches of Goa,
Karnataka and Kerala, Nainital's Lake Paradise, Mumbai beaches, Dal Lake,
Srinagar's Nagin Lake, Srinagar's Manasbal Lake etc.
