Except for the cleanliness of the sea, another important quality of the coastal area is its biological and geographical particular quality, which can be seen in the number of species of plants and animals, and in the high number of endemic species.
Looking for a little fun? Or an adrenaline rush? For those who like the sea and the summer you can try a jet ski and the rings, flying with a parachute, water-skiing and wakeboarding.
The courageous can test their strength not only in kayaks, canoes, and rafts but also canyoning through the narrow gorges of streams and small rivers or plunging over waterfalls into deep pools with hydrospeed boards. Many of these adventures can be arranged with experienced guides from sport agencies, which also organize kayak and canoe schools and rent the necessary equipment. On many lakes, windsurfing is also possible.
On the coast there are schools for diving, sailing, and nautical skills, as well as swimming lessons. Various agencies rent boats and water scooters along with other equipment for water sports. Also available are the thrills of parasailing, water skiing, and windsurfing.
You can try your hand at all or some of the following: Rafting, Hot-dog (2 person inflatable kayak), white-water kayaking, Canyonning, Still water kayaking, Hyrdospeed (body boarding down the rapids in a padded wetsuit). There are courses and activities to suit everyone - from complete beginners to advanced paddlers.
White Water Rafting and Hydrospeeding (floating down the river headfirst with a float) can easily be arranged and are exhilarating experiences for those who have not tried them before. There is also canyoning: for those who wish to test their nerve, by jumping into rock pools and abseiling off bridges and waterfalls.
White Water Rafting is done in an inflatable dingy with a team of between 4 and 8 people led by a qualified guide. Discovery trips for children or more adventurous descents available. Open to anyone who can swim. Kayak Raft is a two-seater boat, technically sophisticated and easy to navigate. A remarkable compromise in that it's both easy to handle and stable.
Swimming in white water (hydrospeeding) sees you fly down the rapids, swimming, slaloming and surfing as you go. Discover the sensation of being swept down the river on a foam float. Available for anyone from the age of 14 who can swim.
Obviously being on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean means there is plenty there for water sports fans, but what many fans may not realise is the amazing array of sporting activities. From a simple swim to jetskiing, canoeing, kayaking and diving the Atlantic Coast has it all.
Sea angling is also becoming a popular sport in Iceland. The season begins late in May and lasts until the end of August with several tournaments in different parts of the country.
Kayaking is popular on inland waterways, gentle bays or wild shores, while river rafting offers thrills and spills in swirling glacial waters. A new and exciting thing in Icelandic recreation is jetboating. The boats are specially designed to navigate rivers at high speed and do 360° turns thus making it an adrenalin-pumping trip and great fun for all.
Boasting no less than 2700 kilometres of coastline, swept by regular winds, Brittany definitely deserves its reputation as a water-sport's paradise. Thanks to the extreme variety of settings, there is almost no limit to the possibilities.
There is also the white-water of the Pyrenees for more extreme descents and the guarantee of heady sensations. Finally, you can try sea kayaking along the 250 km of coastline of the Atlantic Ocean.
The Portuguese coast is a paradise for lovers of water sports. In the north, where the sea is rougher than in the south, the most popular water sports are open water fishing, surfing and bodyboarding. Have a go at these in Ofir, Póvoa de Varzim, Leça da Palmeira and Espinho.
In the Algarve, the choice is enormous. On the windward side, underwater activities reign. Diving and spear fishing are available in the Sagres and Lagos areas.
Those thinking of tackling the North Sea, should be reasonably experienced, as it can be quite unpredictable.
Britain is an island race, and its history of sailing, yachting, canoeing and all water-based activities goes way back hundreds of years. A country with a naval fleet has always had a tradition of sailing, but these days most people’s interest is in the leisure industry – enjoying water for fun.
The abundance of waterways and water routes in Finland is unique. There are vast stretches of interlocking rivers, lakes, canals and channels, so that you can travel for weeks and never have to portage.