Australia Water Activities

Australia offers unmatched opportunities for surfing, scuba diving, kayaking, and whitewater rafting. Water skiing is also common in the southeast, while windsurfing and sailing are particularly popular in the Whitsunday Islands . Most resorts and some hostels rent out equipment to guests. Put on waterproof, high-SPF sunblock before undertaking any water activities. Australia has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world, a testament to the strength of the Australian sun and the lure of the outdoors.

Swimming. Many of Australia’s beaches are patrolled by lifeguards, especially during the summer months. Patrolled beaches will be clearly marked with yellow-and-red flags that designate areas safe for swimming; be sure to confine your swimming to the water between these flags. Rips (undertows) are very common. If you get caught in a rip, don’t try to swim against it. Instead, swim parallel to the shore until you’ve escaped its pull. Make sure to check about water conditions if you plan on swimming at an unpatrolled beach.

Surfing. Australia’s beaches offer excellent conditions for surfers of all levels. Beginners should look for sandy beaches, where waves break on sand bars rather than on sharp reefs. A 2hr. lesson should be enough to get you upright on a longboard, though practice is required to ride the more maneuverable shortboard. Sunburn is a serious concern—consider wearing a rash guard (a tight-fitting, lightweight shirt of swimsuit-like material) to protect yourself. As with swimming, watch out for rips and check conditions at unpatrolled beaches. For current surf conditions and live surfcams, visit www.coastalwatch.com. Surfing Australia, by Mark Thornley, Peter Wilson, and Veda Dante (Tuttle Publishing; US$25), is a comprehensive guide to catching waves in Australia.

Scuba Diving And Snorkeling. Australia boasts a number of the world’s best locales for scuba diving. For beginners, most dive operators offer introductory dives with a trained guide. For those who want to take it to the next level, the most common certification course is with an instructor from the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI). The cheapest courses in Queensland can be found at Hervey Bay , Bundaberg , and Magnetic Island ; however, courses are generally even cheaper in less-touristed areas. A diving medical exam is required for certified dives and certification courses. These are usually cheapest (around AUS$40) in hotspots like Cairns and Airlie Beach . Snorkeling is also popular: all you need is a mask, snorkel, and fins, available at most hostels and resorts for a small fee.

Rafting And Kayaking. Following the rapids of Australia’s rivers, whitewater enthusiasts get to experience some of Australia’s most spectacular wilderness areas. The Franklin River in Tasmania is a hotspot for whitewater excursions. Sea-kayaking is an increasingly popular activity, perhaps because it involves stabler boats and calmer waters than its river equivalent. Sea-kayakers have the freedom to explore remote coastal areas that are often inaccessible by car or foot. Opportunities are widespread, particularly in the Whitsunday Islands in Queensland.