Seven of the best water sports in Zeeland
Would you describe yourself as an aquatics enthusiast with a sense of adventure? If so, then Zeeland’s the place for you! With no less than 650 kilometres of coastline, it’s no wonder it’s a water sports paradise. Whether you decide to ride the waves or feel the wind in your sails, the water always draws you back. Are you ready to discover some of Zeeland’s best water sports activities? We’ve put together a selection of the best for you below.
1. Kite-surfing
One water sport which surely has to be on this list is kite-surfing. It’s possible to kite-surf at various locations in Zeeland. Kite-surfing allows you to show off some stunts, or you can just scud up and down along the water, as your kite is pulled effortlessly along by the wind. With kite-surfing, be prepared for an adrenaline rush! Keen to try your hand at kite-surfing? Then why not take lessons at one of several surfing schools in Zeeland?
2. Paddleboarding
Stand-up paddleboarding - which demands stamina and balance - has become an extremely popular activity in recent years And Zeeland is the perfect place to practise the sport. The Veerse Meer, in particular, is a popular spot, with its flat, placid waters. But equally, the Grevelingenmeer or the canals in downtown Middelburg, are great places to paddleboard. Paddleboarding is more challenging at sea, when you need to work the currents using muscular strength. Always consider your safety out at sea! Read more about paddleboarding in Zeeland here.
3. Diving and snorkeling
The underwater world in Zeeland is simply stunning and is just asking to be explored! Try snorkeling just under the surface, or go the whole hog and don some scuba diving gear. The Grevelingenmeer and the Oosterschelde are the ideal spots to discover the beauty of the underwater world, from cuttlefish to lobsters, sea anemones, seaweeds and marine worms. With one of the best diving destinations in Northern Europe - the Oosterschelde National Park - it’s no wonder that diving and snorkeling are amongst the most popular water sports activities in Zeeland. Read more about diving and snorkeling in Zeeland.
4. Water-skiing and wake-boarding
With so much coastline and bodies of water of different shapes and sizes, Zeeland is ideal for water-skiing and wake-boarding, pulled along by a boat or cable tow. With the sea air in your nostrils and the sun on your face, Zeeland provides a stunning backdrop for these activities. Let yourself glide across the water on the end of a line! In Zeeland there are a diversity of locations where you can water-ski and wake-board, including the Veerse Meer.
5. Canoeing and kayaking
Without question, canoeing and kayaking also make the list. Zeeland has a miscellany of locations where you can explore the world from a canoe or kayak. It all depends if you want the calmer inner waters or the more challenging prospect of the open sea. Sea kayaking is for those who already have some experience of sailing or paddling. You can also partake in organised tours or follow a workshop at one of the charterers in the region.
6. Sailing
There are all kinds of ways you can take to the water in Zeeland: by sloop, sailboat, ferry, cruiser, water-bike or motor boat; on Zeeland’s calmer inland lagoons and waters, or on the Oosterschelde estuary of open sea. You can set sail under your own steam, or under the expert guidance of a skipper. Increasingly popular are day excursions on the sea: with a family group, to a wildlife reserve, or on a seal-spotting safari. There are so many options! Read more about sailing in Zeeland.
7. Surfing
Zeeland is justifiably a popular destination for surfers. There are waves you can find in every shape and size. And there’s always somewhere where the wind is always in the right direction. The rollers on the North Sea offer the perfect challenge for wave-surfing whilst the calmer waters of the Veerse Meer and Grevelingenmeer are ideal for windsurfers. Enjoy the interaction of the wind and the waves in one of Europe’s most water-abundant playgrounds. Read more about Surfing in Zeeland.
