With its many bays, beaches, coves, and inlets, Gozo has undeniable summer appeal, where the crystalline waters not only beckon but also provide a refreshing escape on hot and humid days.

Summer water activities add more fun, excitement and adventure to the beach experience.    Here are 10 activities that you can try out.

Boat rides

Explore the coastline, hidden sea caves and coves by boat.  Boat rides are not only a summer activity, but become ever more exciting during the hot months, when the stops along the ride mean a welcoming, quick dip into the waters.   You can enjoy short boat trips in places like Dwejra, but typically, panoramic boat trips last a whole morning or day, with the skipper providing services such as snacks, food, drinks, and floatables for added fun.  Boat trips are perfect for exploring the coastline from a new angle, enjoying postcard-perfect moments on the deck or capturing the sunset as it dips behind the horizon.  Chartered boat trips are also the ideal activity for team building, celebrations, parties and even romantic proposals.  Most skippers are based in Mġarr Harbour, Xlendi, and Marsalforn Bay, and boat rides can be organised directly with them.

Canoeing and Kayaking

Let the sea wrap you in calm and navigate to adventure on board a canoe or kayak.   Paddling into secluded bays and discovering the varied coastline that Gozo offers is a peaceful and close-to-nature experience. One of the highlights of such an adventure is a visit to Wied il-Għasri.  Similarly, crossing the  Gozo channel stretch to Comino and discovering the caves and the Blue Lagoon in the early hours of the day becomes truly memorable, etched in every splash of the paddle.   Canoeing and kayaking require a moderate level of fitness and can be enjoyed by families with older children.   Expeditions often span three hours or longer and popularly depart from Xlendi, Marsalforn, or Ħondoq ir-Rummien under the lead of a tour guide.

Jet Skiing

Speed through the Gozo’s waters with the wind in your hair as you jet ski the waves at full throttle.   Ideal for thrill seekers and water lovers, jet skiing pumps a vibe that is entirely different from canoeing and kayaking, as the sea becomes a racetrack for an adrenaline-fueled adventure.  Jet skis can typically be rented out at Marsalforn, Xlendi and Ħondoq ir-Rummien.

Towables

The fun of the towables rides, such as banana boats, crazy sofas, and rings, is a typical fun activity for groups and families.  Towables are about spinning, splashing, getting soaked, bouncing, laughing and shrieking across the waves as everybody holds tight on what seems to be a rollercoaster ride at sea.  Epic memories of turning the sea into a veritable playground are the norm with towable adventures that you can engage in at bays like Marsalforn, Ramla, Xlendi, and Ħondoq ir-Rummien.

Stand Up Paddle Boarding

Those seeking solitary pursuits, looking for balance and finding their calm can try standup paddleboarding.  Gliding across glassy water, above the water, as stillness meets motion, has a particular kind of appeal that blends chill and challenge.   If you have your own board, you can take off to the horizon from many points along the coast.   However, you can also join SUP tours in different locations through different operators.  Typically, older children can join as long as they are able to swim.

Wakeboarding

Not for the faint of heart, wakeboarding is about surfing, sliding and soaring behind a speeding boat where balance meets bold.    No matter how it is described, this ride is about pure adrenaline.   Wakeboarding is offered by most watersports providers at Xlendi, Marsalforn and Ħondoq ir-Rummien.

Subwing

Subwing might not be on everyone’s radar because it is an underwater activity.  Gliding beneath the water while being gently towed is the closest you’ll come to human flight in the sea.  Some describe it as flying underwater, like a dolphin or other marine creatures; for others, it is like a surreal dance beneath the waves, offering a new dimension of freedom and fluid motion.  Ideal for those seeking a new adventure without the noise, this is something worth trying.

Hydroflying

Difficult to beat, hydroflying is the closest thing to flying. Soaring out of the sea on a powerful stream of water vibes is a gravity-defying activity that makes flying dreams a reality!  You might feel that it is futuristic or like something straight out of a film, but the ultra thrill seekers need to check it out at the specialist operators.

Diving

If you have never tried diving, Gozo offers world-class dive sites and a variety of diving schools that can usher you into this fascinating activity. The top dive bases in Gozo are in Xlendi, Dwejra, Marsalforn and Ħondoq ir-Rummien.

Snorkelling

Perhaps snorkelling is the simplest of the activities mentioned so far—and possibly overlooked. Yet, it remains a wonderfully accessible pursuit requiring very little gear and effort.    Little is needed apart from a face mask and snorkel, which can be easily acquired from shops located near the beach.  Snorkelling is a serene and enjoyable activity even for children (as long as they are supervised), and it remains great for families seeking quality time together at the beach.

Gozo has always been synonymous with beach life – but true enjoyment of the great blue comes also with a word of caution.  It is advisable not to tackle water activities alone, especially if you do not have full knowledge of the area or are unsure of your level of fitness.  Most beach activities depend on daily weather conditions, particularly wind force and direction.  It is always wise to discuss these factors with your water sports provider when booking.

Getting in touch with water sports operators is easy, as many have an online presence through which booking arrangements can be handled.   Once that’s sorted, dive in and enjoy the Gozitan blue.