H2Whoa: 17 Fun Ways To Get Out On The Water

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H2Whoa: 17 Fun Ways To Get Out On The Water
Intro
Soon temperatures will be rising, and we can already see lazy weekend afternoons at the beach on the horizon. Of course it’s nice to take a dip to cool off, but there are actually a number of unique water activities available to the adventurer looking for something a little more exciting than the average swim. We’ve rounded up 17 of our favourite water activities that span the globe. [Photo: Crystal Cruises]

By Geoff Nudelman

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H2Whoa: 17 Fun Ways To Get Out On The Water.
Costa Rica
Descend Into a Waterfall in Costa Rica – Go rock climbing, and then rappel into a surging waterfall below. Set among the Costa Rican rainforest, near the Arenal Volcano, adrenaline junkies can move through a “slot” canyon (a narrow opening formed by water erosion) in a jungle hidden near the small town of La Fortuna. It’s an invigorating rush and certainly worth the trip.

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H2Whoa: 17 Fun Ways To Get Out On The Water.
Jetovator
Get Air on a Jetovator in the Cayman Islands – Think of this as the next stage of waterskiing or wakeboarding. On the waters off Grand Cayman Island, you can fly up to 8 metres in the air or 3 metres underwater through a jet propulsion system, where the rider controls the height and direction of the unit while a second person manages the thrust via a tether. With an easy level of entry and speeds of up to 40 kph, think of this as a jolt of excitement for your next island getaway.

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H2Whoa: 17 Fun Ways To Get Out On The Water.
Clayton
Take a Ride Between Countries in Upstate New York – The Thousand Islands region is an area that splits New York from Ontario via the St. Lawrence River. A few different tour operators offer rides in vintage speedboats where you can literally start the journey in the USA and end in Canadian waters. Be sure to enjoy all of the scenery along the way, including some stunning homes built on semi-private islands.

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H2Whoa: 17 Fun Ways To Get Out On The Water.
Submarine
Submerge Off the Dalmatian Coast – Crystal Cruises’ luxurious Adriatic Sea voyage sails along Croatia’s and Montenegro’s coastline before docking in Venice, Italy. Along the way, guests can add on a special look underneath the water in a U-Boat C Explorer 3. After a quick Zodiac ride from the main vessel, explorers board this submersible, which offers a 360-degree view of marine life and can descend 1,000 metres deep. This is one way to enjoy the water without ever getting wet. [Photo courtesy of Crystal Cruises]

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H2Whoa: 17 Fun Ways To Get Out On The Water.
Key West
Asanas on the Water in Key West –Paddleboard yoga is a great way to get some extra balance work in with your normal practice. In Key West, Florida, Lazy Dog Charters offers classes right in The Mangroves. These calm waters are ideal, as they offer enough stability to do some poses, then relax on the board after class is done. Plus, it’s an opportunity to soak in some of that sweet Key West sun.

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H2Whoa: 17 Fun Ways To Get Out On The Water.
Baros
Reef Repair in The Maldives – It’s no secret that coral reefs around the globe are in danger due to climate change and tourism. Baros Maldives offers a programme in which guests can sponsor a coral frame, take an escorted swim to the house reef and reattach broken coral to specially designed structures. This helps rebuild the micro ecosystem and gives marine life a new home. After the work is done, Baros’ marine biologists keep participants updated every six months about the coral reef’s progress.

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H2Whoa: 17 Fun Ways To Get Out On The Water.
Kayak
Kayak Near New Zealand’s South Island – Abel Tasman National Park hugs the northwestern corner of the South Island. A number of partial- or full-day and overnight excursions are available to explore stunning natural formations and crystal clear waters. Wilsons Abel Tasman even offers multi-day kayak/walk combo trips to see it all from both water and land. [Photo courtesy of Wilsons Abel Tasman]

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H2Whoa: 17 Fun Ways To Get Out On The Water.
SNUBA
SNUBA in Hawaii – One of the fastest growing water sports is this snorkeling/SCUBA combo that’s much easier for the novice swimmer or diver to enjoy (and no certification required). A 6-metre air line tethers you to a tank that floats along the surface while you’re at a shallow depth underwater. The flexibility allows you to adjust the depth to your comfort level while still experiencing the wonders of what lies beneath the ocean surface.

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H2Whoa: 17 Fun Ways To Get Out On The Water.
Water BIke
It’s Just Like Riding a Bike – Schiller Water Bikes work just like a traditional bicycle, except that the pedals move paddles instead of wheels. Operators like the Costa Rica Water Bike Company are now popping up to let guests enjoy this newer sport in truly breathtaking settings. It’s an accessible activity: you can either move lazily along calm waters, or power through miles of sea en route to your next snorkeling destination. [Photo: Diego Mejias, courtesy of Costa Rica Water Bike Company]

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H2Whoa: 17 Fun Ways To Get Out On The Water.
Carib
Take Part in the Caribbean Revitalisation of the British Virgin Islands – The YO-44 is one of only a few WWII ships that survived the Pearl Harbor attack (and was originally scheduled for scrapping in nearby Tortola). Through a bit of luck and entrepreneurial effort, a small group of business people and marine historians have saved the ship and turned it into an underwater art gallery. Opened last April, it’s an opportunity to dive and snorkel among a living art canvas in a beautiful locale that’s on its way to recovery following a devastating hurricane season.

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H2Whoa: 17 Fun Ways To Get Out On The Water.
Fjord
Sea Kayak in Saguenay, Quebec – The Saguenay Fjord tends to have some of the most aggressive waters in the region, thanks to unforgiving winds that whip around the waves (and those who seek to tackle them). Fjord en Kayak in L’Anse-Saint-Jean offers sea kayak excursions, which add the help of a rudder to get a bit more momentum and turning help in these tougher conditions. It’s a new spin on a calmer activity – just be sure to wear waterproof clothes.

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H2Whoa: 17 Fun Ways To Get Out On The Water.
Manta Rays
Swimming with Manta Rays in Bali – On a much quieter set of islands in the Badung Strait (24 kilometres from the main tourist island), visitors can snorkel in the clear waters of Crystal Bay alongside manta rays. “To swim with these massive fish is an incredible underwater experience,” says Lola Méndez, who runs world travel blog Miss Filatelista. “They move through the sea with an unparalleled grace.” [Photo: Miss Filatelista]

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H2Whoa: 17 Fun Ways To Get Out On The Water.
747
Slide out of a Real 747 – In Oregon’s Willamette Valley, the Wings & Waves Aviation Park lives as a tribute to the Pacific Northwest’s rich aeronautical heritage. Among the ways you – and the kids – can enjoy this through is a series of water slides within the building, including the Sonic Boom, which sends riders down the belly of an old jetliner. [Photo: Sionnie Lafollette]

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H2Whoa: 17 Fun Ways To Get Out On The Water.
Seven Mouths
Snorkel through the “Seven Mouths” – At the Zoëtry Paraiso de la Bonita, located just outside Cancún, Mexico, guests can head out on guided adventures through cenotes (underground rivers). One offering includes a snorkel through Siete Bocas, which is named for seven openings that let light into the caves from above. It’s an excellent time to unwind and enjoy a dose of natural beauty. [Photo: marinalabonita.com]

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H2Whoa: 17 Fun Ways To Get Out On The Water.
Kiteboard
Kiteboard in One of America’s Iconic Natural Wonders – The Columbia River Gorge is a long span that divides Oregon and Washington via its namesake waterway. Because of the high cliffs and aggressive winds that tear through the split, it makes for some of the world’s best kiteboarding, just 90 minutes from Portland. The activity consists of a kite tethered by four lines attached to your life vest. The wind carries you along the water, offering the potential for jumps and turns while sloshing along the swells. For beginners, Cascade Kiteboarding has an easy package to get the hang of this thrilling sport. Once you start, you might have found yourself a new obsession.

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H2Whoa: 17 Fun Ways To Get Out On The Water

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