Water sports in Antalya, Turkey

Top water sports to try in Antalya
When?
Travellers and flight class

With its beautiful beaches, warm sea temperatures – reaching around 30 degrees in the summer – and laid-back atmosphere, the coast around Antalya is a dream holiday destination. Affordable direct flights from several UK airports like Gatwick and Manchester are incredibly handy too, and there are myriad hotels in all budgets, whether you’re seeking a luxury, all-inclusive break or a simple beach-front bed and breakfast.

Why not top off your holiday in Turkey with some exciting water sports? You can take to the skies with parasailing or dive to the depths on a PADI course, or perhaps try something a little more sedate at surface level, like SUP or kayaking. There are dozens of options for water sports in Antalya, for beginners and enthusiasts alike.

  1. Kayaking in Antalya
  2. Paragliding and parasailing in Antalya
  3. Jet ski in Antalya

Kayaking in Antalya

When on holiday in Antalya, you not only have some top beaches right on your doorstep, the city also allows you access to multiple tour agencies offering water sports day trips. Kayaking is one of the top activities here, and you’ll find kayak rentals on most of the nearby beaches like Lara Beach, Side and Kemer.

Many hotels also offer kayak rentals from their own stretches of beach. If you want to be a bit more adventurous, why not book a longer kayak tour lasting all day or multiple hours? The Kekova Islands are a popular destination to explore by kayak, and you’ll find multiple companies offering day trips around the islands’ tranquil waters. SUP is just as popular as kayaking, and you’ll find rentals on many beaches and via hotels too.

If you’d rather head inland for your water sports experience, river rafting could be for you. Antalya is the perfect base for rafting trips, just an hour away from the famous Köprülü Canyon. The river promises an exciting course ranging from class I up to class III rapids, so it’s ideal for both beginners and experienced rafters looking for excitement on their holiday. You’ll also get to see some of the most beautiful scenery in the area as you race along the lush gorge.

Paragliding and parasailing in Antalya

One of the most popular water sports in Turkey is paragliding and, while not strictly ‘water-based’, the experiences all start and end on the beach. You don’t need any experience of paragliding to book a session with a tandem partner in Antalya, or along the coast at nearby Alanya.

Most experiences last a few hours with transfers included. You’ll head up to a high point in the hills before sailing down towards the coast for some exceptional views. Parasailing is a very easy way to get a similar experience but from the comfort of your local beach, flying from the back of a boat. Try parasailing at Lara Beach, Belek or Side.

Jet ski in Antalya

Konyaaltı Plaj, or the main city beach, is one of the best places to book jet skiing, as well as other water sports in Antalya. A wide choice of watersports providers offer fun jet ski experiences, as well as kayaking, SUP, wakeboarding and tubing. Jet skis are usually rented by 10, 15 or 20-minute slots. Other good places to jet ski near Antalya include Lara Beach, Kemer, Belek and Side – all within an hour’s drive of the city centre.

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