Sustainable and environmentally friendly water sports

Water sports include all sports that take place in or on the water. However, not all water sports are environmentally friendly. Power boating and jet skiing are certainly not the greenest of water sports. Kite surfing is also controversial. At least in the North Sea and the Baltic. Environmentalists warn that surfers disturb important breeding grounds in the Wadden Sea and pose a major threat to the Baltic Sea’s native porpoises.

But what does environmentally friendly water sports look like? It means being aware and responsible with nature and includes sports such as sailing, pedal boating, surfing (with care), paddling, canoeing, swimming, and SUP (stand up paddling). In short, anything without a motor.

Water sports equipment – renting is better than buying new

You can order a brand new SUP including paddle, pump and carry bag online for as little as €150. This is sometimes cheaper than renting. (For example, depending on your location, it can cost up to €200 to hire a SUP for three days. If you hire the SUP by the hour, it’s usually cheaper). However, we still recommend that you hire water sports equipment when you go on holiday – at least until you know that you will be doing this hobby regularly and for a longer period of time.

1.It’s better to rent equipment: the SUP you rent for €15 an hour is not just like the cheap models you find on the internet, but (most likely) a professional board costing around €1,000. As you can imagine, these SUPs are also better balanced – which makes it really easy to get started.

2.Buying new is bad for the environment: So says the German Federal Environment Agency. By renting, you save on the resources needed for materials, production, transport and storage, thus helping to reduce environmental impact.

3.Don’t just rent equipment only: it’s often possible to hire accessories like lifejackets, drybags or wetsuits. It’s best to find out about these options before you go. Water sports equipment and clothing in particular are almost always made from synthetic fibres (key words: petroleum/microplastics/garbage that doesn’t rot).

When doing water sports, you should take care not to disturb sensitive ecosystems, like here on Lake Hopfensee in Bavaria.

8 rules of behavior for water sports enthusiasts in nature

Do you want to behave in an environmentally and animal-friendly way when practising water sports? Here is a summary of the guidelines from the German Sailing Association (DSV):

1. Avoid sensitive areas: Sensitive areas are areas where you may (unintentionally) disturb many animals or their habitats. These include reed beds, sandbanks (and other resting places for birds, turtles, etc.), spawning grounds and riparian forests.
2. Keep your distance: When passing reed beds, reed belts, seal banks, etc., keep your distance.
3. Observe: You should observe animals from a distance and take photographs without flash.
4. Respect the rules of nature reserves: In nature reserves and marine protected areas (such as the Saint-Anne Marine National Park at our partner Cerf Island Resort in the Seychelles), there are strict rules for the behaviour of water sports enthusiasts – you should always follow them.
5. Special consideration for Ramsar sites: Ramsar Sites, also known as Wetlands of International Importance (WSI), are ecosystems that, according to UNESCO, are home to numerous protected animal species. The Ramsar Convention was signed by many countries in 1971 in Ramsar, Iran.
6. Landing: It is best to use designated moorings for launching and landing sailboats or other water sports equipment. This also applies to embarking and disembarking when diving!
7. Clean-up: Help keep the water clean. Unfortunately, many waters are now so polluted that it is best to take a bag with you to collect any litter you find in the water and dispose of it on land.
8. Get informed: Find out about local regulations, important months for local wildlife, etc. before your water sports holiday. Being well informed will help you to behave in an environmentally friendly and responsible manner in the water.

13 top destinations for sustainable water sports holidays

Some of our green gems are perfect for a sustainable holiday with gentle (or action-packed, but non-motorised) water sports. It’s not just the water sports that are sustainable, but the accommodation itself. This includes building with natural materials, using green energy, serving local organic food, social sustainability and reducing waste. This makes your whole holiday greener.

1 Cerf Island Resort in the Seychelles – Kayaking through the water reserve

Located in a protected marine park, the eco-friendly Cerf Island Resort in the Seychelles is the perfect spot for sustainable watersports.

Cerf Island (1.5km x 1km) is a picture-postcard island in the Seychelles, with a fine sandy beach, turquoise waters, coral reefs and the colourful fish life of the Indian Ocean. You can stay right on the beach at the sustainably managed Cerf Island Resort. Cerf Island is one of the islands in the heart of the Sainte-Anne Marine National Park. The Marine National Park is dedicated to the protection of the valuable and beautiful underwater reefs, and daily guided excursions are offered, including glass-bottom boat and snorkelling tours. The resort provides free snorkeling equipment to explore the snorkeling trail right in front of the property. You can also rent kayaks and paddleboards for free.

2 Gili Lankanfushi – Snorkelling in the Maldives

The eco-luxury resort Gili lankanfushi in the Maldives also offers plenty of non-motorised water activities. The blue or, depending on the light, green lagoon is perfect for windsurfing, kayaking, canoeing and paddle boarding. Everything you need is provided free of charge by the hotel and beginners are catered for. If you want to do something for the environment, we recommend a snorkelling trip with the resort’s marine biologist. Together with the biologist you can clean coral reefs or count manta rays.

3 OCéANO Health Spa Hotel – Surfing in the Atlantic Ocean

“The north of Tenerife is often referred to as the “Hawaii of the Canary Islands”. Right in front of the OCéANO, you can watch the surfers ride the waves or take a course yourself,” say our partners at the OCéANO Health Spa Hotel in Tenerife. There are several surf schools on the island that offer courses for beginners.

Tip: Spring and summer are ideal for beginners. In winter, the waves are high and strong, making the Atlantic off the north of Tenerife the territory of the pros.

Surfing on the Atlantic.

4 ADLER Spa Resort SICILIA – Gentle water sports in Sicily

Opened in 2022, the ADLER Spa Resort SICILIA is located directly on the sandy beach of a protected WWF nature reserve. Right next to the resort are canoe, kayak and SUP rental stations, with which the resort works closely to offer eco-friendly water sports holidays. Stand up paddling in particular is becoming increasingly popular.

“Dip your oar deep into the waves, glide across the surface standing up or enjoy the gentle rocking in silence. By canoe, kayak or SUP you can admire the Sicilian coast from a new perspective”. – ADLER Spa Resort SICILIA

Sustainable accommodation with water sports in Austria

Water sports are not only possible in the Indian Ocean, the Atlantic or the Mediterranean, but also on lakes and rivers.

mountain lake

The Peak Solden is a family-run holiday apartment complex in S?lden, which you probably know best as a winter paradise. However, your host, Ronald Kneisl, also recommends S?lden as a summer holiday destination, as there are plenty of opportunities for hiking and water sports. Nearby is the Piburger See in ?tz. The lake is the natural landmark of the village and is picturesquely situated 900 metres above the village in the middle of a forest. In summer the lake is perfect for swimming, rowing and fishing. Despite its relatively high altitude, Lake Piburg warms up to 24 degrees in summer. Located in a nature reserve, it also provides shelter and habitat for many endangered and protected animal species.

There is a public swimming pool, restaurant and rowing boat hire on the south-east shore. The lake is stocked with char, perch and trout. Although ice skating is not a summer water sport, it is worth mentioning. When the ice is thick enough, the lake is open for skating. There is a prepared ice rink over two kilometres long and eight metres wide, and skates can be hired on site.

2 Naturhotel Outside – Glacier river rafting

“The Isel is one of the last untouched glacial rivers in the Eastern Alps,” says Naturhotel Outside in East Tyrol. You can expect fast currents and a fantastic mountain panorama. The Isel is about 25 minutes away from the hotel, which is located in Matrei, “in the centre of Outside”, as they say.

3 Hygna Chalets – tube riding

The Alpbach Valley in Tyrol is also ideal for whitewater rafting. On the Brandenberger Ache river you can experience a special adventure: tubing! Wearing a neoprene wetsuit and helmet, you’ll be inflated into a truck’s inner tube and then hurtle 1.5 to 3.5 kilometres down the river.

You can spend the night in the luxurious and sustainably managed Hygna Chalets in the Alpbachtal. The charming chalets not only offer breakfast service, but some even have their own hot tub.

Windsurfing

Do you know the insider tip among kite- and windsurfers in Tyrol? It is the Reschensee at the Reschenpass of the same name. From the Summit Lodges in Pfunds you can reach the Reschensee in about one hour by public transport. It is located in South Tyrol in the municipality of Graun. In the lake the water of the Etsch, the Rojenbach and the Karlinbach is dammed. The kite surfers among you will find optimal conditions here. In fact, the artificial reservoir is a hotspot for kiters. It combines optimal wind and water conditions. For those who want to try out kiting, there are schools all around the lake where you can learn the sport under professional guidance. And when you return to your Summit Lodge log cabin in the evening, tired and with heavy bones, your very own private sauna will be waiting for you.

Sustainable Water Sports in South Tyrol

1 OLM Nature Escape – Adventure Water Sports

Our new partner, OLM Nature Escape, is also located in South Tyrol. The aparthotel is situated in Sand in Taufers and according to the operators, is ideally located for all adventure water sports, just 10 minutes away from the hotel complex. If you wish, you can also be accompanied by professional guides.

Sustainable Water Sports in Germany

We have also received some tips from our partners in Germany on where you can enjoy sustainable water sports and find green and individual accommodation.

1 Naturresort Gerbehof – gentle water sports on Lake Constance

Situated between Germany, Austria and Switzerland, the 63-kilometre-long Lake Constance is one of the most famous lakes for water sports in the Alpine foothills. All kinds of water sports enthusiasts can be found here: sailors, kite-surfers, rowers, divers – and, of course, motorboats. In an effort to reconcile nature conservation and water sports, the state government of Baden-Württemberg has produced a 48-page PDF document that takes into account the interests of organised sports and the state nature conservation association. In particular, the document states that protected areas should be designated (or have already been designated) from which water sports enthusiasts should stay away. The 8 rules of behaviour for water sports enthusiasts listed above also fit into this.

If you want to enjoy a sustainable holiday on the German side of Lake Constance, take a look at Naturresort Gerbehof! Here you can enjoy a climate positive holiday and all the food is certified organic.

2 HUBERTUS Mountain Refugio Allg?u – Water sports as a destination

Lake Constance is just an hour’s drive from the HUBERTUS Mountain Refugio Allg?u. Closer by (around 30 minutes by car) is the Immenstadt region, where there is a water skiing centre and rafting providers.

The HUBERTUS is a sustainably-run wellness hotel that caters for hikers who prefer to explore nature on foot. But if water sports are just one facet of your holiday and you value things like mindfulness, yoga and tranquillity, this is the place for you.

3 Das Rübezahl – Stand up paddling on Lake Forggensee

Lake Forggensee in the Allg?u region is just six kilometres from the Alpine Boutique Hotel Das Rübezahl. The large reservoir near Füssen is in season from June to mid-October. In winter, the water is drained to absorb snowmelt from the mountains and rainfall.

The Forggensee SUP season opens on 2 June. There are SUP rentals and numerous courses or group tours (e.g. at sunrise and sunset).

Stand up paddling auf dem Forggensee

Sustainable Water Sports in Switzerland

1 CERVO Mountain Resort – Water Skiing and Wakeboarding

The CERVO Mountain Resort offers you that beach feeling in the middle of the mountains during the summer months with a water ski and wakeboard lift on Lake Schalisee in the neighbouring village of T?sch. The lift is electrically operated and is dismantled in the autumn.

Admittedly: Water-skiing and wake-boarding are not really sustainable water sports, as they are transported by motorboat or electric lift. This is primarily a summer tourist attraction.

At the Shabby Yummy Cantina, right on the lake, you can treat yourself to delicious shali fries with truffle oil and parmesan and other Mediterranean snacks.

Opening times summer 2024: from 8 June 11.00 to 17.30 (closed in bad weather)

Giving up motorised water sports in favour of sustainability?

Finally, we would like to know your opinion: should motorised water sports such as jet skis and speedboats be allowed to continue or should they be banned altogether?