Make a Splash: Fun Watersports to Try in the Bahamas
Sure, a beach chair and a good book are always pretty great, but you didn't fly all the way to the Bahamas to lie on the sand, did you? The water’s right there, practically begging you to hop in and maybe even try something new. So, go ahead and swap your sandals for flippers.
You won’t regret it. The best stories from your trip likely won’t come from lounging on your beach towel, after all. Can’t decide what to do first? Check out these popular watersports activities for some fun ideas.
High-Speed Action for Thrill-Seekers
Boredom, be gone. It's high time to turn the volume up to eleven. How? Jump right into the Bahamas' most pulse-pounding watersports and see just what happens when you trade calm waters for an absolute thrill ride.
Jet Skiing
Nothing says "I'm on vacation and totally going full send" quite like ripping across Bahamian waters on an incredibly fast jet ski. It’s perhaps the best way to feel like you're starring in your very own action movie as you bounce over the waves.
Many watersports companies, like K&C Watersports, offer guided tours, so you can follow a pro to hidden coves, sandbars, or even a plane wreck. But if you’re feeling really brave, you could go wild on your own with a free-ride rental instead.
Either way, the calmer waters around Paradise Island are a great place for newbies to stretch their legs, while the open channels near the Out Islands offer a choppy challenge for more experienced riders.
Parasailing
If you've ever wondered what it's like to be a bird with a super good travel agent, parasailing is your answer. You’ll get securely strapped in, and with a gentle tug from the speedboat, the world simply… drops away. Suddenly, you’re a silent, floating VIP in the skybox, with a panoramic view of the ocean’s stunning color palette.
Oh, and the best part? It’s probably the world’s most graceful thrill ride. You take off and land right on the boat, so you can stay perfectly dry (unless you beg the captain for a playful dip in the waves). If you’re unsure where to go, have a company like Adventure Parasail Bahamas pick you up from Cabbage Beach for a sky-high adventure to remember.
Kiteboarding
Let’s get one thing straight: Kiteboarding is not for the faint of heart. It’s the spectacular lovechild of a parachute, surfboard, and daredevil’s dream escape.
Think about it… You’re essentially using a giant kite to harness the wind and turn yourself into a human projectile. It’s a challenge, for sure. But once you catch your first gust of wind and get pulled across the surface, you won’t want to go back to a life without kiteboarding in it.
The shallow, wind-whipped flats of the Exuma Cays are a very popular playground for this fun activity. Any reputable watersports company will start you with land-based lessons (a very, very good idea), because controlling your kite is half the battle. Your muscles will loudly complain the next day, but your ego will be sky-high forevermore.
Explore a Dazzling Underwater World
All right, speed demons, let’s slow things down for a quick second, because the Bahamas has an entire universe waiting just beneath the surface. If you thought the views above water were good, just wait until you see what awaits below.
Snorkeling
Snorkeling is perhaps the ultimate "look but don't touch" tour of a living art gallery. And it’s easy to get started on your adventure. All you need is a mask, a snorkel, and a never-ending sense of wonder—and you can easily rent the first two at a nearby shop, like Stuart Cove’s.
After that, head out onto the water for a day of adventure. Then, float effortlessly on the surface, peering down into a world of psychedelic coral gardens, schools of neon-colored fish, and maybe even a friendly sea turtle (or three).
Want the ultimate snorkeling experience? Go with Exuma Water Sports or another tour company to spots like the Rose Island Reefs or the Thunderball Grotto (yep, the very one from the James Bond film) for an unforgettable journey.
Scuba Diving
Okay, real talk: Snorkeling is fantastic. But scuba diving? That's the ultimate behind-the-scenes tour of Mother Nature's greatest hits. This is where you get to press pause on gravity, breathe underwater (which always feels like magic!), and explore a sunken shipwreck like a true adventurer.
No certification? Don't let that stop you. A Discover Scuba Diving experience is like a VIP day pass. You get all the fun, with an expert guide holding your hand (figuratively, of course). For our certified friends, you already know the deal. The Bahamas' magnificent underwater scenery is probably the reason you got certified in the first place.
Unique Bahamian Experiences
A lot of islands have truly gorgeous beaches with great diving for all, but the quintessential Bahamian experiences below? You literally can't find them anywhere else, no matter how hard other places try.
Swimming With the Pigs
Oh yeah, you heard that right. On Big Major Cay in the Exumas, you can literally go swimming with a colony of friendly, paddling porkers. These snorting celebrities will swim right out to your boat to greet you, creating the world's weirdest and most wonderful welcome party.
It’s a surreal, hilarious, and ridiculously photogenic experience you’ll want to post on the ‘gram for all to see.
Stingray Encounters
Heading to Blue Lagoon Island? Well then, welcome to the stingray's social mixer, and you're the guest of honor. Just step into the shallow waters they call home, and these graceful, pancake-flat party animals will glide right up to say hello, with their silky-smooth skin giving you the friendliest nudge ever.
Don’t think of it as a "wildlife encounter" but more "making new, fin-tastic friends" one pat at a time.
Mangrove Explorations
Ready for a sneak peek behind the curtain of the big, blue ocean? Ditch the bustling beach for a bit and paddle a kayak or SUP into the magical world of the mangrove creeks. Wolf Kayaking and other watersports companies offer this unbelievable backstage pass to nature, where you can quietly float by all the baby fish, tiny turtles, and young birds getting their start in this wild world.
Family Friendly Activities for All Ages
Not everyone in your crew is ready to get launched off a jet ski or dive 60 feet underwater, and that's totally fine. You can find plenty of watersports in the Bahamas that let the whole family get in on the fun.
Banana Boat Rides
Three words: Banana. Boat. Rides. Is it graceful? Absolutely not. Is it one of the most fun things you'll do all day? Oh, without a doubt! All you have to do is get the whole family to hop on a giant inflatable banana at Pirate’s Cove Zipline and Water Park.
Then, simply hold on tight as a speedboat pulls you on a ridiculously entertaining ride across the water. It requires zero skill, just a willingness to get soaked …and laugh until your sides hurt.
Glass-Bottom Boat Tours
Want to show everyone the amazing world beneath the waves without handing out snorkels? A glass-bottom boat tour with Clear Boat Bahamas is your answer.
You can think of it as a floating movie theater where the vibrant reef and all its colorful fish are the stars of the show. It's the perfect way for little kids, grandparents, and anyone who'd rather stay dry to get in on the underwater action. And there’s no doggy-paddling required.
Soak Up Every Second in the Bahamas
Whether you choose to make friends with the swimming pigs or sail high above the waves, one thing is for certain: Life is just better when you soak up every second enjoying the best watersports the Bahamas has to offer. Want to make it a true trip of a lifetime?
Let our friends at The Good Life Bahamas handle the details of your stay, so all you have to think about is which adventures to tackle first.
