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Looking out for the best water sport destinations in the country? Goa is the first choice for many. Well, this is not surprising as water sports have become popular on a large scale here and are not restricted to luxury hotels anymore. However, there are many other destinations across the country which are very unlikely destinations to find water sports.
Due to the scenic backdrop of these destinations, water sports add a twist to the experience; think of river rafting past secluded Buddhist monasteries and kayaking through the tropical palm-fringed canals; it surely is an experience of a lifetime. Offering a high adrenaline rush, water sports can be done anytime throughout the year.
Adventure enthusiasts get a different high by taking part in these activities. While some them might require training, many of them can be done without any formal learning. If you are looking for a place for the same, here are few destinations which offer water sports.
Gokarna
PC: Kanenori
Think Goa is way too overhyped? Well, if so, head to Gokana across the border which is a perfect alternative and you would come across all the usual action-packed water sports happening here as well; particularly on the Om Beach. Looking for more? The placid beach of Gokarna is also a great spot to learn surfing. There are a number of surfing schools on its shores that offer various surfing courses and this continues to attract visitors from across the country.
Andamans
PC: joakant
Parasailing, jet skiing, boating, surfing you name it and they are all at your disposal at the beautiful Andaman Islands in the Bay of Bengal. The best water sports here are scuba diving, snorkelling and undersea walking. Havelock Island is home to a large number of scuba diving companies which provide 15-minute basic training sessions and that is followed by a 45-minute dive.
If you are looking forward to snorkelling and undersea walking, then head to the Elephant Beach on Havelock Island. If you cannot make it to Havelock, you can head to the Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports Complex at Port Blair or the North Bay Beach for snorkelling as the beach is home to some of the finest coral reefs and offers various other water sports as well.
Ladakh
PC: Unknown
Imagine gliding across a river which flows past ancient Buddhist monasteries and gorgeous Himalayan gorges. High-altitude river rafting in Ladakh is quite spectacular here and is very different from anywhere else in the world. The sport takes place on the Indus river and its tributary, the Zanskar, which flows across the region.
The Zanskar river is, however, meant for the daredevils, as the river shows rapids of Grade III and IV. For easier ones of Grade I and II rapids, head to Leh which offers the sport for a shorter duration. One of the most popular routes for beginners is Hemis - Stakna - Shey - Thiksey - Choglamsar.
Rishikesh
PC: sebadelval
Rishikesh is considered as the birthplace of yoga in India and the place does not restrict itself to spirituality, but is one of the best destinations for river rafting and kayaking across the holy Ganga. River rafting can be put together with a camping expedition along with trekking and zip-lining for a bigger dose of adventure.
Bhimtal
PC: Unknown
One must have heard about zorbing on land, but how about on water? If you are ready for this adventure, head straight to Bhimtal Lake, which is located close to the well-known hill station of Nainital. The sport does not require any sort of training and is huge amongst the tourists. Apart from this, one would come across various other water sports, such as kayaking, boating and much more. Being located on the mountains, the place is also an ideal location to get away from the scorching summer heat of the country.
