Water sports

You may not have realised it but the Isle of Wight is home to some of the most thrilling and extreme water sports you could pack in to a break.

Diving

Surrounded by sea, the Isle of Wight is the ideal place for you and the family to learn and take part in scuba diving. There are a large number of shipwrecks on the seabed surrounding the island, dramatic underwater scenery, an abundance of sea life, and safe shore diving options from our beautiful beaches.

Aquarius Diving is the Isle of Wight's only 5 star PADI (Professional Association Of Dive Instructors) instructor development centre. They can offer you a one stop solution to all your diving needs at their superb retail premises in Seaview or at their training facilities at the West Wight Sports Centre in Freshwater. There are PADI dive courses for children, families and individuals, a full range of PADI courses from beginner to instructor level, 3 metre deep training pool, boat and shore diving to local dive sites, plus diving Instructor training courses.

Telephone: 01983 568400
Visit: www.aquariusdiving.com

Surfing

The Isle of Wight is one of southern England's best kept surfing secrets with a wide variety of spots to choose from and some of the least crowded beaches that you’ll find anywhere.

Wight Water Adventure Sports is an established water sports centre based near Shanklin and Sandown. They cater for school groups, individuals, corporate days, families, stag and hen parties, just about everybody! They offer courses for beginners, intermediates and advanced surfers. Price starts at £90 for a 6 hour course.

Telephone: 01983 404987
Visit: www.wightwaters.com

Kite surfing

Kite surfer © IW Tourism

Kitesurfing is one of the newest extreme sports - it is like snowboarding on water, except you are pulled along by a large kite. With its many beaches, the Isle of Wight is the ideal venue for the sport both for beginners and experienced kitesurfers alike.

X-Isle sports in Bembridge offer kitesurfing courses which are taught by International kiteboarding organisation / British kitesurfing association qualified instructors. They teach to set standards to ensure that you are given the best learning experience possible. In 2003 the school became a BKSA recognised training centre.

Large groups can be accommodated and they also teach children from the age of 12. Courses range from 2 hour 'Introduction to Power-Kiting' courses, up to a 5 day IKO Level 2+ course. Prices start from £100 per person for one day.

Telephone: 01983 873111
Visit: www.x-is.co.uk

Power boating

With 60 miles of coastline on the Isle of Wight, you can visit the many quiet and inviting anchorages or take a breathtaking trip around the Needles. Whether you're in a chartered RIB or a motor cruiser, the Isle of Wight is perfect for a cruise or an adrenalin fuelled day.

The Aquapower Sea School is a Royal Yachting Association recognised Sea School based in Yarmouth. They offer either 1 or 2 day RYA power boating courses that include boat handling skills, mooring, high speed driving, charts, tides and crew safety. There are 3 courses available, each one designed to cater for people with different levels of experience in power boating. Prices start from £120 per person for a one day course, and £240 for a two day course.

Telephone: 07720 558611
Visit: www.aquapower.co.uk

Windsurfing

Wind surfers © IW Tourism

The Isle of Wight offers some fantastic venues for windsurfing, for example Appley Beach and Sandown for one of the most thrilling sports around. Once you’ve mastered the basics, there’s a whole new world of short board sailing, cruising or fun racing to enjoy.

X-Isle Sports offers a full range of the latest equipment for windsurfers of all experience levels. Whether you are just starting out or are at a more advanced level, they have equipment and lessons to suit you. All windsurfing lessons take place at Bembridge and are given by qualified instructors. Large groups are welcome and they're very happy to teach children from the age of 8. Prices start from £72 per person for a one day mid-week course.

Telephone: 01983 873111
Visit: www.x-is.co.uk