Water sports in Calabria: where to practice them

If you're not the lying down and crossword puzzle type, your summer in Calabria will give you great satisfaction.

Eight hundred kilometres of coast overlooking two seas, the Tyrrhenian and the Ionian, ideal for those who love fun and nature but also need sport and adrenaline. Flying over the water, diving off cliffs, surfing in the waves, moving the sails to take advantage of the wind and enjoying the view: everything you have dreamed of, you can do here.

Pack your gear, we're off.

A good dose of recklessness and strong abs are two of the skills needed to try your hand at this extreme sport.

The flyboard is that particular equipment consisting of a board on which special boots are hooked, which receives a push from a pressurised jet of water and allows you to perform incredible evolutions; in practice, you can vault and it will be like flying on water.

Tropea, Capo Vaticano, Badolato, Reggio Calabria, in the main tourist resorts in Calabria, you have the opportunity to test yourself in flyboard sessions dedicated to beginners or those who are already familiar with this water sport that gives you the thrill of vaulting over water.

Rule number one: when there is wind, you have to go. Enter the water, launch yourself into the waves, fly dragged by the kite, glide, take off again, whizz across the water.

Only those who have tried kitesurfing can describe the emotions and sense of freedom that this water sport gives and that make you want to get back on the board as soon as possible. Have you fancied giving it a try? Or are you already a kitesurfing expert? In any case, you can find schools and centres in Calabria that offer lessons and practical tests and equipment hire. 

Gizzeria Lido, a short distance from Lamezia Terme, has characteristics that make this stretch of coast perfect for kitesurfing, so much so that it is home to the world championship. On the Ionian, on the other hand, it is possible to practise this sport in the windy area of Punta Pellaro in the province of Reggio Calabria and in the province of Crotone at Gabella and Steccato di Cutro.

There is a very special way of discovering the coasts of Calabria, it is coasteering, a sea trek where you swim, climb, dive, explore caves and coves to capture the indescribable beauty of some of the ravines that are closed to tourists and holidaymakers because they are out of their reach.

Feel like trying it yet? Here is where you can practice this sport safely and also with the assistance of expert guides and through organised excursions. There are coastal stretches that have already been extensively tested, on the Costa degli Dei - from Tropea to Capo Vaticano - on the Costa Viola, in the province of Reggio Calabria, from Caletta Rovaglioso to Marinella di Palmi, and finally on the Costa dei Gelsomini, particularly in Caulonia.

Do you dream of travelling by sailboat? In Calabria you can make this wish come true, you just choose where and when.

You are spoilt for choice, because the region has no less than seven large harbours and dozens of small marinas. You can decide the itinerary yourself and move around with your own boat or hire both boat and skipper. From the Tyrrhenian to the Ionian Sea, the Calabrian coast is waiting to be explored by sailboat.

You can choose to sail on the Tyrrhenian Sea, starting from the port of Cetraro and then dive into the Riviera dei Cedri Regional Marine Park. Your journey southwards can then continue to the Costa degli Dei, to Capo Vaticano and Tropea and on to the Costa Viola, to lose yourself in the beauty of this stretch of coastline, as far as Palmi and Scilla. 

If it is the Ionian coast that you have decided to explore, the Costa dei Gelsomini awaits you. By sailing you will be able to admire the wild beauty of this stretch of coast immersed in a crystal-clear sea, where Caretta Caretta turtles also swim. It is time to raise the sails and go further, as far as the Costa degli Aranci, with the famous Soverato Bay and its Marine Park where it will not be difficult for you to spot seahorses in the water. 
Continue on to the Costa dei Saraceni, because by sailing through it you will be able to take in all the beauty of the Protected Marine Area of Isola Capo Rizzuto. The last stop is the Costa degli Achei, which between Roseto Capo Spulico, Trebisacce and Villapiana will give you the opportunity to take a dip in its crystal-clear sea (all three localities have been awarded the Blue Flag) but, as always, also to dock your boat and get to know the culture, history and gastronomy of these towns that have so much to offer tourists.

If you are a snorkelling enthusiast, you will have an unforgettable experience in Calabria thanks to its crystal-clear waters and the richness of its underwater landscapes. Bring your mask, snorkel and fins because whatever your destination, you will find marvellous seabed to explore.

One of the most popular destinations for snorkellers is certainly Capo Vaticano, in the province of Vibo Valentia, for its turquoise waters populated by different species of fish. Another popular destination for snorkelling enthusiasts is certainly Dino Island, in the Praia a Mare stretch of water, where one can explore the Lion Cave and the Blue Cave and be enchanted by the beauty of their seabed. Finally, the Marine Protected Area of Capo Rizzuto, in the province of Crotone, one of the largest marine reserves in Italy, is not to be missed.