Water World

There is a lot to be recommended in simply lying in a shady hammock on the beach and letting it all wash over you. If you are in the mood for a little aquatic adventure, however, Marbella has plenty of options.

For the true adrenaline junkie there is the Flyfish, which is an inflatable that has been specifically, designed to take off as it is dragged behind a speedboat. A few years ago, I foolishly accepted an invitation to have go on the Flyfish. I subsequently deduced was the invention of a deranged aquatic sadist as it flew me off into the Med at high speed. If I had wanted a high-pressure saltwater enema, I would have booked myself a session at a thalassic spa, thank you. It is definitely not for the faint-hearted!

If a more graceful way of excitement is something you are after, there is a softer and more elegant way of getting some with the La Tabla Voladora, literally a “flying board”. Without depending on the wind or the waves, the experience offers you the possibility to fly above water on a board equipped with a zero-emissions electric propeller. You will be guided by an instructor and, as they claim, learn to fly above water faster than any other water or sliding sport!

Something readily available at beaches in Marbella and the coast are paddleboards or SUP. You can rent one by the hour and get a chance to see the coast from the water – changing one’s point of view plus a quiet moment at sea equals a very Zen experience.

If you really want to get into the water, then the best place to kite surf or windsurf is, of course Tarifa. There you will find a huge variety of surf schools eager to guide you onto the water.Tarifa is a mecca for all things wind-related: surf, kite, epic sunsets and an overall “Boho” vibe.

Perhaps a better option is to head to Cable Ski in Marbella. Considered one of the best water and wakeboard centres in Europe, the cable-ski system helps you practice and train yourself to water ski in an easier, simpler, and more economical way than learning behind a speedboat. The lake, situated just a 10-minute walk from the centre of San Pedro, also has jumps and ramps for you to practice your tricks, while there is a large chill out area with sunbeds and a bar/restaurant for those who just want to kick back and watch the action.

Not to miss is the experience of kayaking through the cliffs of Nerja and Maro. Choose one of the many companies offering kayak tours and you willbe able to discover the most unusual places that are not accessible by other means. The kayak outings in Nerja combine sport, sea and adventure in a way suitable for anything from an active first date to a great family outing.

If fishing is something you regularly do or – better – never done before, you can now do it in style just off the coast of Marbella. Many companies that offer a full spectrum of experiences that last from two to eight hours: reef fishing, trolling fishing and bottom fishing that is ideal as a family outing. Most trips include visits to an area of dolphin spotting – just to make sure you aren’t just catching fish but also admiring them.

If this all sounds little too much activity and you decide that it is far better to stand at the bar watching the action, feel free to use my tried and trusted excuse. If anybody asks you why you are not wind surfing, kite surfing or jet skiing with the rest of them, just explain that you would love to, but you are competing in the nationals next week and your coach doesn’t want you to get injured!