Sea-bound Experiences on the Costa Blanca

Stormy, serene, tranquil and awesome are all words that can describe the scenery which compliments the coastline. Powerful yet sensual, most that spend time here witness the changing faces of the sea. All year round there are sea based activities one can participate in. Sailing, power boating, wakeboarding and kayaking are popular during the summer and those with a thicker skin can be seen scuba diving, kitesurfing and windsurfing all year round.

Clean, golden, spacious beaches are a common sight on the Costa Blanca and people with local knowledge can still find empty beaches in the peak season. Further out to sea, fishing is a popular recreational pastime and an important part of Spanish culture. Beneath the surface wrecks, reefs and ledges provide interesting spots for scuba divers and marine life. There are also many small islands just off the coastline including Tabarca and Ifach.

Knee-boarding is another exhilarating experience to choose from and not so difficult to master. From the water one is pulled by a power boat by rope, resting upon a short board. Once hitting the magic 20-knot mark, the objective is to pull yourself up on to the board; placing your weight on your knees. Then just ride the wake and enjoy!

Kayak safari’s are a popular choice for groups and families, it’s an easy and affordable activity, and a great way to check out the coastline or some of the Costa’s sparkling blue lakes.

Recent developments within regional government have seen an increase in the number of water-related schemes available for young people. For example, sailing and kitesurfing clubs are now receiving more support and promotion than in previous years.

Sailing has always been a popular pastime on the Med and nothing beats spending days bobbing along or nights in foreign marinas. Although many sailing schools have closed over the past three years, some successful schools remain, such as Serenity Sailing in Torrevieja. With a strong, professional reputation, this school accommodates students from around the world, having a positive impact on the local tourism-related businesses.

Various sailing competitions are held year-round, both regional and international. From the Optimist dinghy races for young people(a good place to view rising stars) in Torreveja, to the Volvo Ocean Race, a well-known and popular race spanning the globe, this year starting from Alicante (more on this coming soon on this Blog).

Although arguably barren, the marine environment still attracts a healthy number of scuba divers throughout the year, with many schools concentrated around the Costa Blanca north in places such as Calp and Denia and. There are a few schools further south, dotted along the coast, including the Dive Academy (http://www.diveacademy-santapola.com/) in Santa Pola. This school frequents the island of Tabarca, a marine reserve, which has enough marine life to keep one interested. Snorkelling here also has its rewards, in the form of underwater bridges and interesting rock formations, from which a small variety of fish gather and feed.

Windsurfing, surfing, Stand Up Paddle (SUP) and snorkelling all add to the variety of activities available for tourists and residents alike - plus a great way to cool off in the summer!

It always pays to consult a registered school or instructor before embarking upon a new adventure sport. There are less than pre-recession days, but dig around in places such as Tourist Information Centres as they are the best places to find local and up-to-date information.

Resources:
For weather: http://www.windguru.cz/int/index.php
Region of Valencia Tourist Info: http://en.comunitatvalenciana.com/home/home-english/493