Water Sports in Miami

Paddle boarding is another popular water sport in Miami. Beginner friendly and a lot of fun, one can swim with arms while lying down or kneeling on a board. With little instruction and training, this sport can be easily enjoyed in this city of Florida. Paddle boarding in Miami is a cake walk for the experienced ones yet it is suggested to be in limits to avoid potential accidents. Apart from this, one wary of bumping into sharks.

Even though they’re practically harmless in Miami waters, it is always better to be on guard.

Best places to do:
1. Edward K Buckley Island
2. Pelican Island
3. Picnic Island
Guide: Available
Clothing: Anything comfortable
Cost: Starting from USD 50 per person
Duration: One hour or two hour package
Timings: Every day 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Cancellation: Full refund if done at least 24 hours in advance

Tips:
- At crossing channels, beware of boats and jetskis to avoid accidents
- A windy day in Miami is a strict no for paddle boarding
- For a better grip choose a long and wide board
- Bring your own life jacket
- Consult a professional while selecting the size of the battle
- If you are going without a guide, it is advised to clear the fins of sand and debris
- Warm up with knees before standing up
Practice postures
Beginners are advised not to speed

Kayaking is a rejuvenating water sport in Miami that helps one explore the tranquil and calm water of the city. It enables an individual to move across water while sitting with a double blade paddle unlike canoeing where there is only a single paddle. Leisurely and easy to get a hang of, kayaking is a must try.

Best places to do:
- Crandon Park in Key Biscayne - family friendly - rental available
- Matheson Hammock Park in Coral Gables - rental available
- Homestead - Black Point Marina
- Virginia Key in Biscayne Bay - rental available @ USD 25 per hour
- Hugh Taylor Birch State Park in Fort Lauderdale - lush ecosystem and hammock forests - rental available
- Dr Von D Mizell Eula Johnson State Park at Dania Beach - overlooking the Whiskey Creek and Mangrove Forest

Carry sunscreen, life jacket, dry and wet suit, spray skirt, helmet, sunglasses, hat, water bottle and bug spray

Cost: USD 19 onwards
Time: Two hours approximately
Guide: Available
Break visit: Not as such but specify medical conditions if any
License required: No
Age: 18 years onwards. Under 18 need parental consent
Cancellation: Full refund if done at least 24 hours in advance
Timings: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

A kin to kayaking, this water sport in Miami is fit for all age groups. Even though it is considerably easier, it is advised to attend the safety briefing and follow the captain’s instructions. While tube riding, one must keep in mind to hold the tube tightly to avoid a nasty fall.

Best place: Miami water sports
Time: 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM
Mobile ticketing: Yes
Age: Three years onwards. Minors need parental consent
Maximum riders: Four
Prior experience: Not required
Duration: 15 to 20 minutes
Parking: Available
Cost: USD 25 per adult onwards excluding fuel and sales tax
Getting wet: Expected
Masks: Mandatory
Weight for tube: Total 650 lbs
Valid ID and password: Required
Bathrooms: Available
Cancellation: Full refund if done at least 24 hours in advance
Safety gear: Might not be available

Go upwards and onwards with this latest addition to the range of water sports in Miami. Flyboarding involves the rider to stand on a board that is connected by a long hose to a watercraft. Also known as a hydro flighting device, this enables the rider to go up to 20 feet in the air. No prior training is required. However, with just a short briefing and a little practice, one can go soaring high.

Remember: Balance is the name of the game. Get it right!

Best place to do: Bayside marketplace, coconut Grove
Duration: 30 minutes which includes 10 minutes of instructions and the rest in the air.
Timings: Every day 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Timings may vary
Cost: Starts from USD110 per head. Extra charges for photography and video packages. Fuel and service charges extra. Florida sales tax to be calculated separately
Upgradation to Go Pro: available
Age: Strictly 13 years and above. Minors need parental consent
Clothing:Tight clothes only
Valid ID and passport: Required
Swimming skills: Not required
Getting wet: Highly likely
Group strength: Maximum six
Mobile ticketing: Yes
Private instructor: Available
Safety equipment: Provided by the guide
Free parking: Available
Bathroom and storage: Available
Cancellation: Full refund if done at least 24 hours in advance

Tips:
- Go flyboarding only in calm and stable weather conditions
- People with certain health conditions are not allowed to go flyboarding. Confirm this beforehand.
- Strictly follow the instructions given during the briefing
- Advance reservation required.

Jet ski is the crowning glory of water sports in Miami. Extremely in demand and perfect for a hot day in the city, jet skiing allows the rider to splash the water and spike up to 60 mph in merely five seconds. With so much thrill and speed, there is a high risk of injury in this sport. We suggest you start slow and strive for balance to avoid injuries and accidents.

Best place to do: Miami water sports
Cost: Starts from USD 100 onwards
Deposit: USD 250 at some places
Timings: Every day 9:00 AM to 7:30 PM
Duration: Approximately one hour
Getting wet: Soaked!
Clothes: Bathing suit and life jacket given by the guard
Maximum weight for jet ski: 350 lbs.
Group size: Two people per Jet ski
Age: Minimum six years to ride and over 14 years to drive. Minor has to be accompanied by an adult along with parental consent
Cancellation: Full refund if done at least 24 hours in advance

Tips:
- Do not drink before jet skiing
- Know the terrain
- Do carry eye protection, footwear and proper gloves
- Do not hold the jet ski too tight but have a firm grip
- Pregnant ladies not allowed
- Driving in certain areas need boater education card
- Route and duration of the ride largely depend on the weather. Check the weather before hand always!
- Boating license is mandatory for all riders

Also known as parascending and parakiting, this water sport in Miami makes one dangle between the sky and the water. Parasailing involves suspension with a parachute attached to a harness and interconnected ropes that are towed by a boat. The speed of the boat pushes the parachute up in the air to make the participants hang in the air.

There are a number of service providers that assure a safe parasitic experience. However it is suggested to go in for a reputable company that has an established location. Never opt for someone sitting on the beach shack offering you to parasail at a cheap rate as this could substantially put you at risk.

Cost:
Starting USD 90 per flyer
USD 35 per observer
USD 35 for photo package
Safety equipment: Usually provided by the service provider.
Best places to do: Coconut Grove on Marina and Biscayne Bay
Timings: Everyday from 10:00 AM till sunset
Free parking: Available
Getting wet: Optional.
Clothing: Swimsuit recommended.
Duration: One hour total including 12 minutes in the air.
Weight restriction:
Minimum weight – 110 pounds
Maximum combined weight – 425 pounds
Double or triple sharing – Allowed up to 425 pounds total.
Guide: Available.
Age: minimum six years (child should be above 110 pounds.) Parental consent required.
Physical fitness requirement: Nothing specific
Things to carry:
Sunscreen
Sweatshirt
Towel
Drinking water
Light snack
Hair ties

Tips:
- Do not parasail in bad weather.
- Inspect all safety equipment beforehand to reduce the risk of accidents.
- Make sure there is an appropriate distance between the parasail and the shore. If not, it can lead to communication problems with the boat operator.
- Do attend a safety briefing by the service provider.
- Do not parasail if you fear heights.
- Learn hand signals if you want to retrieve the boat before time.
- Double check the condition of the boat and of the tow rope.

Often known as sailboarding, wind surfing is an exciting surface water sport that utilises the force of the wind. Using a sail attached to a board, one can easily move on the water surface. With a variety of sails and boards available, one must keep in mind the risk involved, individual skill, ease to manoeuver, type of wind and the sailing area at the time of equipment selection. A beginner can adjust to a wind speed of 5 mph, where an expert can go up to 10 to 15 mph.

While enjoying this water sport in Miami, one must remember to follow the rules and stay in the boating areas to avoid risks.

Best place to windsurf: Biscayne Bay, Crandon Park, Matheson Hammocks Park, 87th Street, Virginia Key North Point Park
Age: Above five years (minors need parental consent)
Prior experience: Not required but recommended
Lessons: Available
Showers: Available
Packing: Available
Additional gear: Maybe available for higher levels
Cost: USD 65 onwards
Duration: 60 to 90 minutes
Timings: Subject to change
Upgrades: Charged separately
Wheelchair access: No
Guides: Available
Cancellation: At least 24 hours in advance

Tips:
- Check the weather beforehand to avoid storms and offshore winds
- Do not wind surf at night.
- Carry your own safety gear, helmet, life jacket as many service providers don’t give kits
- Do not consume alcohol before surfing
- Avoid going alone
- Learn the signs of emergency communication while in the ocean
- Know the route
- Be abreast with different ways to get back to the shore in case the Miami wind drops
- Bring your own flotation device and rubber soled slippers for good grip
- Make sure that your feet can slip out from straps in case of emergency