A beach vacation can sound like the perfect way to spend your time off at Hilton Head Island vacation rentals, especially if you’re planning your holidays in the middle of winter. After all, it’s easy to imagine – just you, the sun and the sand, and the vast expanse of ocean.
However, sunbathing on the beach can get repetitive after the first few days. You really want to make the most of your time off so you need to have a plan for what you’ll be doing for the rest of your holiday. If you’re wondering what else a beach has to offer you, don’t worry – there are plenty of activities calling your name. Here are some of the most exciting options for you:
Snorkeling
If you’re looking for a way to enjoy the underwater beauty of the sea, snorkeling is it. One of the biggest benefits of snorkeling over scuba diving is that it doesn’t require special training – if you know how to swim, you can learn to snorkel easily.
There are a number of gorgeous beaches that also double as snorkeling paradises. This list includes options such as Hanauma Bay in Hawaii, Tofo Beach in Mozambique, and more. So, if you’re planning to indulge in a spot of snorkeling, make sure to plan ahead – you can enjoy the beach and then continue your vacation exploring some of the most gorgeous locations in the world!
Kiteboarding
Kiteboarding is a wind sport where you use the power generated by a large kite to glide over the water. It’s a relatively easy sport to learn, though you will require some amount of training from an instructor.
Aside from being enormously fun, this activity can have a number of physical benefits, including improving your balance and allowing you to develop better reflexes. If you’re looking to supplement your beach vacation with time spent kiteboarding and kitesurfing, don’t worry. Some of the best beaches in the world, including the beaches of Maui and those in Tarifa, Spain, also double as can’t miss kitesurfing spots. So if you’ve been planning a dream holiday to a gorgeous beach destination, you’re in luck – there’s a good chance it also doubles as a great location to try your hand at a new sport.
Glass Bottom Boat Tours
A boat tour is a perfect activity to do if you’re traveling with family, including younger children and older family members. Unlike water sports, boat touring isn’t high intensity but is still fun and unique enough to keep people of all ages interested.
These boat tours also double as a great way to experience the beauty of the underwater world without actually making you go into the ocean. It’s not even like you need to go far to book a great tour – there are a number of beautiful options right here in North America for you to enjoy. All you need to do is make your bookings, grab a cocktail, and enjoy a leisurely look into the beauty of nature.
Jet Skiing
If you really want to experience what extreme water sports mean, there’s nothing quite like jet skiing. It’s a fun way to explore the beach and the coastline without having to walk around the place.
For people traveling with friends and family, you can also race jet skis on the water, enjoying the wind in your hair while beating your loved ones handily. If you feel like you’ve got the hang of it, you can even find jet ski tours to go on, including romantic sunset tours and other tours that take you dolphin watching.
It’s not just fun and laughter, either. Jet skiing can also provide you with a serious workout, help you improve your endurance, and strengthen your muscles. If you’re looking for an enjoyable, open-air, beach-friendly alternative to the gym, this is it!
Surfing
If you’re planning to holiday next to a surfing hotspot, trying out this sport is a must! This is doubly true if you’ve never been on a surfboard before – it’s one of the most fun water sports out there.
The mechanics of surfing seem relatively simple – you stand up on a board, balance yourself, and use the motion of a wave to ‘ride’ it to the shore. Of course, it’s not that easy in practice. Surfing can actually be a bit tricky to get the hang of, but once you do, you’ll never ever want to stop.
The adrenaline rush that surfing offers is second to no other. More than that, if you stick with it, you’ll find you have a new favorite way to exercise – and more reason than ever to return to the beach for all your future vacations. In fact, the sport is so popular that it’s even possible to plan a long vacation around visiting some of the best surf beaches in the world.
Stand Up Paddleboarding
This activity can trace its roots back to surfing, though it is neither as extreme nor as challenging to learn. How it works is simple – you use a board to stand on and travel through the water using a paddle to push you forward and help you direct yourself.
Stand-up paddleboarding is a great way for people to explore the ocean and the coastline without having to walk or drive around everywhere. It’s also a good alternative for people who may not be interested in surfing, whether because it’s too challenging for them or simply because they want to try something more relaxing.
If you want to try something truly new, you can also try your hand at fishing from a stand-up paddleboard. In fact, you can even find stand-up paddleboards specifically adapted to making fishing from them easier.
These are just some of the many activities you can enjoy at a beach. If you prefer a quieter vacation, you can also try to make the most of the area surrounding the beach proper, such as the boardwalk. Another option is to look for ocean tours – if you’re lucky, you may even find an easily accessible dolphin or whale-watching tour! No matter your plan, whether to relax or spend your time exploring new places and activities, a beach vacation offers a little something for everyone.
WRITTEN BY
Clara Rose