The 10 most enjoyable family watersports in Region of Valencia

Valencian beaches are ideal for enjoying water activities with your family thanks to its infrastructure, equipment and services, but also because of its Mediterranean landscape and its warm and safe waters.

With about 600 km of coastline, the Region of Valencia offers a wide variety of seascapes with crystal clear waters, from extensive fine sand urban beaches, to hidden coves in natural spaces bursting with life. In this post we show you how to make the most of your family’s beach holiday during the summer months, when the sea becomes the ideal playground for children. From the most relaxing to the biggest adrenaline rushes, here there are ten activities to turn “a day at the beach” into an unforgettable adventure. Remember: you must be able to swim and be keen to have a great time!

1. Kayaking. Kayaking is the ideal way to discover the coves and hidden cliffs in the small fishing villages of the Region of Valencia. It can be practised as a family in two- or three-person boats, where the adults will occupy the aft seat to control the tack and traction of the kayak. The boats used to begin this activity are highly stable sit-on-top models, hence it’s ideal for making guided excursions around the coast and even for taking a picnic. As with all water activities, you must know how to swim and be eager to enjoy yourself.

2. Snorkelling. There is no more comforting water experience than feeling yourself floating, being rocked by the sea, and discovering the radiant colours and strange landscapes of underwater life. What if you also snorkel in a Natural Park or Marine Reserve? What if you do it from a boat? To turn a standard dive into an absolute adventure, you must have guides specialising in environmental education and marine biodiversity. The whole family will learn how to identify species and learn the importance of protecting the sea: an unforgettable family experience. You must be able to swim and it’s essential that children are confident and comfortable using goggles and a snorkel.

3. Stand Up Paddle. Stand Up Paddle, or SUP, can be an incredibly fun and exciting activity for children and parents and also offers the chance to share a board with the little ones and to row in tandem. To do this activity, the child must be able to keep himself/herself safely on the water and know how to dive. This activity is usually practised in areas sheltered from the waves and it’s the ideal way to round off your stay at destinations with urban beaches.

4. Small-boat sailing. If you want your child to become a true “sea dog”, the best thing is for them to take an introductory sailing course. It’s essential they can swim and it’s recommended only for those aged 7 years and over, though it can be introduced earlier. This activity is ideal to do as a family: children and adults sharing a boat.

5. Surfing and wind surfing. Surfing and windsurfing are not only an activity for adults: in fact, children are increasingly starting to practise it earlier because it helps develop their motor activity (coordination, skill, balance and speed). The Region’s beaches, which have shallow depths and are sheltered from winds and currents, are an ideal environment for the youngest children who can already be in the water without adult support to start progressively and safely with courses specially designed for them. They can start surfing from the age of 4 and windsurf from 6, always under the supervision of qualified instructors and with equipment adapted to their age.

6. Cable ski. You like skiing and you’re on a beach in the Region of Valencia? Then you have the perfect conditions to glide over the sea on a cable ski or wakeboard. This refreshing activity lets you cover up to one kilometre, with 12 people skiing at the same time and at different speeds (from 27 to 58 km/h). An excellent choice for families with child skiers over 6 years old.

7. Try-dive. If your children are fascinated by the underwater world, from the age of 8 they can discover the secrets of the sea  with the help of instructors and specialist centres that will teach them how to use a diving regulator and will accompany them at all times during your first dive 5 metres below the sea’s surface. The sensations experienced in a first diving baptism are indescribable, so ideally the whole family would share the experience.

8. Flyboarding. If you dream of flying over the sea, try flyboarding to feel the sensation of being suspended in the air. Companies and instructors specialising in this activity will equip you with boots with pressurised water boosters and they’ll show you the techniques you need to rise several metres above the sea and do flips in the air. This activity is recommended for brave children, aged over 12 years, who dream of being superheroes.

9. Coasteering. If your family is looking for the maximum adrenaline at the rockiest and most inaccessible beach areas, coasteering is the activity for you. You’ll be accompanied by specialist guides who’ll equip you to hike to the rock, give you the basics of climbing and teach you how to execute vertical jumps into the water. Warning! This activity is only suitable for families with very, very adventurous teenage children.

10. Jet ski Riding the waves at full speed on a jet ski is a vibrant experience you’ll never forget, especially if you have the cliffs, coves and extensive beaches of the Region of Valencian as a backdrop. This activity can be done by those aged over 16 years with the written consent of the parent or guardian.

These are only ten suggestions for your water adventures. You can discover all the sailing and active tourism suggestions by going to www.experiencescv.es

Come to the beaches of the Region of Valencia and enjoy a family summer full of adventure... We are the Mediterranean....Live!