Adventure in Goa

Goa for many is a must-visit destination. The legends of the marvelous beaches, the hippie culture and the amazing pubs and discotheques of this place call for it to be a great party destination. This land of sea sun and sand please everybody whoever comes to it with an expectation to have fun. A perfect holiday spot Goa is a place that provides ample of opportunities for the lazy holidayer to laze around, the adventurer to test his skills and the explorer to discover more. Below is a list of adventure activities you might anticipate to indulge in while you are in this mystic land.

Water Sports

The Goa beaches are a perfect place for water sports. In Goa five start hotels and private operators provide facilities for water sports. Even the lakes and rivers such as Mandovi in Goa provide you with a choice of water sports.

Parasailing

Imagine having a bird's eye view of the Fort Aguada and River princess as you parasail across the Candolim-Calengute beach. The rest of the beaches like Arrossim-Cansaulim and Utorda stretch, Mobor beach and Miramar also tender good parasailing prospects.  You just need to make sure that your harness is attached well and you are being watched while you are suspended in the air.

Jet-skiing

This is a stimulating water activity for speed-admirers. 100-135 hp power-driven jet skis in Goa are sure to set your pulse racing. The apparatus is straightforward to use but still the machinist generally sends a coach along to keep a check on you if you become forgetful due to all the fun. The jet skiing region in the sea is generally within the operator's eye sight. All major Goa beaches offer this activity.

Water Skiing

Water skiing may look quite fun but it is demanding and extremely taxing. One needs to have toned legs and hand muscles. Without training you would not be given the permission to tread the waters. And to please your trainer you will have to tumble a few times before you get it right. In Goa, you can go water skiing at Candolim, Calangute, Arossim, Utorda, Mobor and Rajbaga. In case of strong sea currents it is preferable now to go water skiing. In case of emergencies it is essential to know the sign language in order to communicate with the boat operator.

Knee and Wake-Boarding

Knee boarding is quite often referred to as the younger sibling of water skiing. The basic difference is that in knee boarding the board has an opening for your knees which takes your mind off focusing too much on creating balance. In wake boarding you use a single board instead of the usual two. In Goa you will find Candolim, Rajbaga and Mobor beach offering this sport activity. Before setting out you should be trained in water skiing.

Windsurfing

This sport is for the ones who have been seasoned and know how to tackle water. This sport is all about strength and balance. If you can surf on the high tides and keep yourself steady on the calm waters wind surfing is a great activity. This sport also demands a lot of patience from you. Goan waters provide surfers with perfect surfing conditions. Good tides and deep clear waters are perfect for anyone looking for the thrill of the highest level. Dona Paula is where you head for if you are a beginner and if you wish to take on more serious waters the seas of Bogmalo, Miramar, Calangute, Arossim, Utorda, Benaulim, Vagator, and Baga await you.

Speedboat Rides

Speed boating is as thrilling as jet skiing. Apart from being a fun activity it is great when done in groups. The boats carry 3-6 people who can sit and take in the amazing Goan coastlines. Along the way you can do some fishing or even go for interesting activities like dolphin spotting. Speed boat rides are available on all major beaches namely Calengute, Candolim, Mobor etc.

Catamaran Sailing

This is a leisure sport carried on the Goan beaches. Two hulls of a boat are joined together by a trampoline. A mast on the top acts as a sail. It involves 4 people who can sail on the catamaran. Also known as Hobby cats, it requires a trained sailor to be on board. Before setting out on the sea it is very essential to know emergency signals and procedures.

Scuba-diving and Snorkeling

Where there are blue waters and white sandy beaches there is scuba diving and snorkeling. And Goa has both of it in abundance. Goa may not have the world's best coral reefs but it has a good marine life to hook you in. While some would like to snorkel and stay above the water and watch the world underneath there might be some who would love to take the plunge and encounter it in person. Scuba diving requires training and Goa has abundant opportunities where you can learn how to dive.

And when you dive underneath a whole new world of eels, lion fishes, snapper jacks and damsels awaits you. Diving conditions vary depending on sea and weather conditions. And while you dive check your equipments and learn how they work before diving.

Land Sports

As much Goa is famed for its water sports it is equally praised for its adventure escapades. Be it hiking, trekking, rock climbing or rappelling, you will find all this and many more surprises awaiting you as you land in Goa.

Hiking and Trekking

Trekking and hiking is a mix of rock climbing, rappelling, river crossing. You might feel the need to train in rock climbing and rappelling as both require you to have basic technical know how. Not so difficult and very safe, these activities are addictive and fun to learn. Tyrolean crossing another adventure activity available in Goa is very similar to monkey crawling. You are tied to a rope which is tied to two ends across the river. All you have to do is crawl backwards on it.

Trekking hotspots in Goa can be Sahyadris, valpoi, Mollem and Sangeum. The beauty of the places is captivating. The best times for trekking in these regions are between October and December. People usually trek to Dudhsagar waterfalls, do a bit of rock climbing and rapelling at Kalen rock in Sanguem. If this doesn't seem good enough you can design your own expeditions.

Microlite Flying

Microlite is a new sort of water sports where a machine is connected to a 40 feet wing span. It is like what you see in the movies- a winged car. You do not need to know any sort of gliding basics. You just sit there with the operators doing the needful. It is a recent activity and not available everywhere but Calengute.

Go-Karting

Goa boasts of some of the best go-karting tracks. The Arpora region of Nuvem has a 500 m long go-karting track. The best is that the activity is reasonably priced.

Other Activities

If land and water activities have excited you there is more you can look forward to if you are in Goa. You can go bird watching or crocodile or dolphin spotting trip. If you love bird watching you can visit Dr. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary on Chorao Island. You can spot birds in the town as well as near the lakes too. If dolphin and crocodile spotting sounds good to you, you may visit Candolim, Calangute and Palolim beaches for the same.