From scuba diving to jet skiing, Benidorm offers endless water-based activities for all skill levels.
The warm, crystal-clear waters of the Mediterranean surrounding Benidorm create perfect conditions for an extraordinary range of water sports and activities. Whether you're an experienced diver exploring the protected marine reserve around Benidorm Island, a sailing enthusiast catching the coastal breeze, or a family looking for fun on jet skis and banana boats, Benidorm delivers world-class aquatic experiences. The consistently calm summer seas, water temperatures reaching 25-26°C in peak season, and excellent visibility make this stretch of the Costa Blanca a water sports paradise.
Scuba Diving: Exploring the Marine Reserve
The waters surrounding Benidorm Island (Isla de Benidorm) constitute one of the Mediterranean's most impressive marine reserves, offering diving experiences that rival destinations anywhere in Europe. The protected status means fish populations thrive, and underwater visibility regularly exceeds 15-25 meters, creating ideal conditions for both novice and experienced divers.
Several professional dive centers in Benidorm offer PADI-certified courses ranging from beginner Discover Scuba Diving experiences to advanced certifications and specialty courses. Complete beginners can take their first underwater breaths in a controlled pool environment before progressing to open water dives, while certified divers can join guided excursions to the island's most spectacular sites.
The underwater landscape around Benidorm Island features dramatic rock formations, caves, and walls teeming with Mediterranean marine life. Divers regularly encounter large groupers (meros), often surprisingly unafraid of human visitors in these protected waters. Moray eels peer from rocky crevices, while schools of barracuda, amberjack, and bream patrol the blue water. Octopuses, nudibranchs, and colorful wrasse add variety to every dive, and lucky divers occasionally spot eagle rays gliding past or curious dolphins investigating from a distance.
Dive prices typically range from €50-80 for a single guided dive including equipment rental, with package deals for multiple dives offering better value. PADI Open Water certification courses cost approximately €350-450 including all required dives and materials. The best diving conditions occur from May to October, when visibility peaks and water temperatures make wetsuit diving comfortable.
Sailing and Boating: Catching the Mediterranean Breeze
Benidorm's sailing scene centers around the Club Náutico de Benidorm, a well-established yacht club offering facilities for members and visitors alike. The club provides sailing courses for all levels, from complete beginners learning in small dinghies to experienced sailors advancing their skills in keelboats and racing yachts.
For those wanting to experience sailing without commitment to courses, numerous charter options exist. Catamaran trips to Benidorm Island rank among the most popular excursions, combining sailing with swimming stops in secluded coves and onboard refreshments. Half-day trips typically cost €40-60 per person, while full-day excursions with lunch included range from €80-120.
Private yacht charters offer more exclusive experiences, with prices varying based on boat size, duration, and whether a skipper is included. A skippered day charter for a group of 6-8 people might cost €400-600, splitting to reasonable per-person rates for a memorable day on the water. Sunset cruises are particularly romantic, sailing along the coast as the sun drops dramatically into the Mediterranean.
Motorboat rentals provide another option for those wanting to explore independently. Small boats not requiring a license are available from approximately €100 for a half-day, allowing families or small groups to discover hidden coves along the coastline at their own pace.
Jet Skiing: Thrills on the Water
For adrenaline seekers, jet skiing delivers high-speed excitement with stunning coastal views. Several operators on Levante beach offer jet ski rentals during the summer season (typically June through September), with both individual rentals and guided excursions available.
A 30-minute rental typically costs €60-80 for a single jet ski accommodating up to two people. No license is required when accompanied by a guide, making this activity accessible to beginners. For those holding appropriate licenses, independent rentals allow greater freedom to explore the coastline.
Guided jet ski safaris take groups along the coast, sometimes venturing as far as Benidorm Island or the dramatic cliffs of Sierra Helada Natural Park. These tours combine the thrill of jet skiing with sightseeing, stopping at scenic points for photographs and swimming breaks. Safari experiences typically last 1-2 hours and cost €100-150 per jet ski.
Safety briefings are mandatory before every rental, and operators provide life jackets and basic instruction. The calm morning waters are ideal for beginners, while more experienced riders enjoy the afternoon chop for added excitement.
Stand-Up Paddleboarding: Serene Exploration
Stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) has exploded in popularity in Benidorm, and for good reason. This accessible activity combines gentle exercise with the opportunity to explore the coastline from a unique perspective. The typically calm morning seas provide perfect conditions for paddling, with glassy water reflecting the sky.
Rental stations on both Levante and Poniente beaches offer boards and paddles by the hour (€15-20) or day (€35-50). For beginners, introductory lessons costing €25-35 cover the basics of balance, paddling technique, and water safety, ensuring you're confident before setting out independently.
Early morning paddle sessions are particularly magical, with the Mediterranean at its calmest and few others on the water. Some operators offer sunrise SUP yoga classes, combining paddleboarding with yoga poses for a uniquely tranquil experience. As the day warms, the gentle offshore breeze creates more challenging conditions that experienced paddlers enjoy.
Popular paddling routes include following the coastline from Levante beach toward the old town, exploring the rocky coves beneath the Balcón del Mediterráneo, or venturing toward the cliffs of Sierra Helada. More ambitious paddlers join guided excursions to Benidorm Island, a 3.5-kilometer crossing that rewards with pristine waters and snorkeling opportunities.
Kayaking: Coastal Adventures
Kayaking offers another wonderful way to explore Benidorm's coastline, accessible to almost anyone regardless of previous experience. Single and double kayaks are available for rental at both main beaches, with hourly rates starting around €15 for singles and €25 for doubles.
The rocky coastline between Benidorm's beaches and the Sierra Helada cliffs features small caves, hidden coves, and fascinating rock formations best appreciated from the water. Guided kayak tours take small groups to these locations, often combining paddling with snorkeling stops in crystal-clear waters. Half-day guided tours typically cost €35-50 per person including equipment and instruction.
For a more ambitious adventure, kayak excursions to Benidorm Island provide an active alternative to the tourist boats. The crossing takes 45-60 minutes depending on conditions and fitness level, with guides ensuring safety throughout. Arriving at the island by kayak adds a sense of achievement to the experience of exploring this protected natural reserve.
Transparent kayaks have become increasingly popular, allowing paddlers to observe marine life swimming beneath them without getting wet. These innovative vessels are particularly appealing for families with children and those wanting underwater views without snorkeling.
Parasailing: Views from Above
For a truly memorable experience, parasailing offers breathtaking aerial views of Benidorm's iconic skyline, twin beaches, and the Mediterranean stretching to the horizon. Operated from Levante beach during summer months, parasailing provides safe access to heights of 50-80 meters while being towed behind a speedboat.
A standard flight lasts approximately 10-15 minutes and costs €50-70 per person. Tandem flights allow couples or friends to share the experience, and some operators offer triple parasails for families. The takeoff and landing happen directly from the boat deck, meaning you don't even need to get wet unless you want to.
The views from parasailing height are spectacular – you can see the full sweep of both beaches, the distinctive shape of Benidorm Island, and on clear days, the mountains of the Sierra de Aitana range inland. It's an excellent opportunity for photographs, with many operators providing GoPro footage of your flight for an additional charge.
Family Fun: Banana Boats and Inflatables
Benidorm's beaches offer plenty of activities for families seeking fun without the adrenaline of jet skis or the commitment of sailing courses. Banana boat rides remain perennially popular, with inflatable bananas holding up to 8 riders being towed behind speedboats. The aim is partly to hold on and partly to enjoy the inevitable splashes and spills. Rides cost €10-15 per person for approximately 15 minutes.
Ringo rides (large inflatable rings), flying fish (manta ray-shaped inflatables), and various other towable inflatables provide similar thrills at comparable prices. These activities operate from designated areas on both beaches during summer months, with trained operators ensuring safety while maximizing the fun.
Pedal boats offer gentler entertainment, perfect for families with young children who want to explore the water at their own pace. Many include slides, allowing kids to splash into the sea repeatedly while parents pedal gently along the coast. Hourly rentals cost €15-25 depending on boat type.
Snorkeling: Discovering Underwater Life
While not strictly a sport, snorkeling provides wonderful opportunities to observe Mediterranean marine life without diving certification. The waters around Benidorm Island offer the best snorkeling, with the protected reserve ensuring abundant fish life in clear, shallow waters.
Most boat trips to the island include snorkeling stops, providing masks, snorkels, and often fins as part of the package. Independent snorkelers can bring their own equipment and explore from the beaches, though the fish life is less abundant close to shore than around the island.
Snorkeling equipment is available for purchase inexpensively at beach shops throughout Benidorm, or for rent at various points along the beaches. Even basic gear allows you to observe schools of fish, sea urchins, and occasionally octopuses in the rocky areas at either end of the beaches.
