New York can be overwhelming, with the continuous buzz of people on the crowded sidewalks and the towering skyscrapers, which give you an overall disconnect with nature. So, why not reconnect and recharge with your natural surroundings by spending a day out on the water trying out these different water activities?
These fun options will help you get in a workout while seeing the city from a different point of view and will help you become more in tune with nature. Keep reading to learn about some of the top water activities in New York.
Sailing
Sailing is a favorite pastime of many. There’s nothing quite like feeling the wind in your face as the sails fill up, and you begin to keel. You must be in tune with your surroundings and weather patterns, as well as the mechanics behind this invigorating pastime.
The Hudson River Community Sailing (HRCS) offers an intro class into sailing, which teaches how to control sails, steer, and other essentials, empowering people to create their own memories on the water.
Stand Up Paddleboards
Stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) is not only a fun water sport, but it’s also a great way to get in a workout outside on those hot summer days. It takes major core strength and great balancing skills to float on this extra-large surfboard, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll never want to get down!
There are plenty of companies that offer rentals and lessons for the day, such as Kostal Paddle, located in Port Washington Manorhaven, and Long Island SUP, a company that is authentic in its love of water sports and that has been teaching SUP lessons since 2016.
SUP Yoga
SUP yoga is a growing fad that presents new challenges to the practice of yoga while connecting people with the outdoors. There are plenty of benefits when trying out this new practice, such as challenging the same muscle groups in a completely new way as you try to stabilize yourself on the board.
This water activity can help to refine your technique and make you better at your practice on land
Scuba Diving
Take a scuba diving trip and explore Wreck Valley City, an underwater city of shipwrecks that is inhabited by underwater creatures. You can get to this magical place by taking a three-hour boat ride from Brooklyn and spending a hot summer day in the cool waters of the Big Apple.
There are hundreds of shipwrecks to discover in a 60-mile zone stretching north to south from the coast of Long Island through Brooklyn’s shores to the waters of northern New Jersey. The most impressive wrecks you’ll see scuba diving in are the Algol, the Lizzie D, the Yankee, and the Stolt Dagali.
Kayaking
This is a great way to spend a day in New York: out on the water, under the sun, paddle in hand. Manhattan Kayak is a great place to start. Whether you’re a novice or a pro, there is something for everyone here, from the basic classes to day trips.
Kayaking is the perfect way to feel connected to the nature around you as you sit just above the water line, with the rhythmic stroke of the paddle slicing through the water with every pull.
Thinking of purchasing your own kayak but not sure where to start? Use a buyer’s guide to get you pointed in the right direction.
Flyboarding
Flyboarding is the closest thing you can get to walking on water.
The board is attached to a 60 ft hose that is connected to a PWC (personal watercraft). The PWC throttle controls all the power that goes through the hose by pushing water through a pipe to the nozzle of the flyboard.
Most people are up and flying within the first five minutes, and it helps if you’ve had previous experience with a sport that requires balance.
Kiteboarding
Kiteboarding combines elements of windsurfing, wakeboarding, surfing, paragliding, and gymnastics — talk about an extreme water sport!
If you’ve never done it before, you will need to take a beginner course for this one. Most courses begin on the beach, where you will learn to control and steer a kite in different formations, learn about the wind and weather, how to pick the right location, and set up a 4-line inflatable water kite before heading out onto the water for the next three hours to practice. The most valuable skill on a kiteboard is how to come to a controlled stop, which this company promises to teach you how to master in their beginner course.
Stay Safe While Enjoying Water Activities in New York
These outdoor water activities are a perfect way to spend the day in New York, away from the busy city, recharging with each stroke of the paddle, reconnecting with the wind in your sail, and finding inspiration with each new adventure. There’s a whole other world out on the water waiting for you to explore and discover.
However, before you embark on any of these water activities in New York, make sure you’ve taken a boating education course to learn how to stay safe on the water. Boater safety courses — like the online course for New York through BOATsmart! — cover much more than just “boats.” You’ll learn general safety best practices that can be applied to almost any water sport or activity!
First published in August 2018. Content most recently reviewed and updated for accuracy and relevancy October 15, 2024.
