Water Sports in Goa

With its azure coastline and sparkling beaches, water-spots are a major draw among tourists who travel to Goa. Water sports have also seen a stupendous growth all along the Goa largely due to the Windsurfing Regatta, now an annual event. This, along with the Open Board Sailing Competition that lasts up to a week, are events that all water enthusiasts have come to look forward to.

Most of the windsurfing trainers and experts deems Dona Paula bay to be ideal for the beginners. The conditions here are almost lake-like for both the prevailing winds and the sea. The morning breeze is light and steady-just right for learners; while stronger winds that set in during the afternoons offer a perfect challenge for the more experienced.

Or, one can also try dinghy sailing during their tour and travel in Goa. A pleasant change from windsurfing, dinghy sailing is often referred to as 'beer and sandwich' sailing. With the winds in Goa so gentle most of the time, this particular sport offers its participants much time to relax. Dinghies are available for hire at the Cidade de Goa and the Taj Holiday Village. These 15-odd feet long crafts hold three to four people comfortably

For the speed freaks Goa offers the thrills of venturing into the sea on speedboats. The 'thoroughbred' amongst these, can achieve speeds up to 30-40 miles an hour. These crafts, which can carry between six to eight people, are available at the Cidade de Goa, Oberoi, and Taj Hotels. They can be conveniently used for sightseeing as well as water-skiing.

Angling is another attraction with tourists traveling to Goa. The beaches of Goa offer a varied and plentiful, almost inexhaustible, supply to seafood, still incredibly cheap and absolutely fresh. Go to Betul for Goa's best and largest mussels, brought ashore by expert divers. Travel to Agonda (not to be confused with Aguada) for all imaginable rockfish which, with any lucky, you could angle yourself. Soormai, salmon and mullet are frequent catches. So, travel to Goa for a fun-filled water-sports vacation.