If water and water sports are something that excites you and the family, then New Zealand is the perfect place to experience the WHOLE range of water activities. From extreme water sports to swimming lessons, you will find something for everyone.

The obvious and most accessible choice is swimming. Check out a local aquatic centre or get out onto the sand, hit the ocean and swim, paddle or play.

Some of the fantastic Aquatic Centres around New Zealand are; Whakatane Aquatic Centre, Waterworld (Hamilton), Rotorua Aquatic Centre, H2O Xtreme Wellington, Baywave Aquatic Centre (Tauranga), Taupo Aquatic Centre, Mount Albert Aquatic Centre (Auckland) and West Wave Pool in Henderson.

In summer, there is a huge range of fantastic patrolled beaches like; Ohope Beach, Orewa Beach, Piha Beach, Mairangi Bay, Red Beach, Lyall Beach and more. You can find more out about which beaches have life saving facilities on the Surf Lifesaving NZ website.

If swimming in a beach is not exciting enough for you, try Stand Up Paddleboarding or Kayaking. Fergs Kayaks in Auckland and Wellington have a huge range of water equipment to hire or purchase. Grab a paddleboard, kayak, SUP, surf ski or canoe and get out on the water and have some fun. River Rats in Rotorua offers a quality kayak tour through the beautiful lakes of Rotorua.

Slide down NZ’s only kayak slide at Waimarino Water & Adventure Park in Tauranga. The Park features kayak hire, climbing walls, The Blob and the famous kayak slide.

If you are after more of a thrill seeking experience on the water, then Vector Wero Whitewater Park might be what you are after. Enjoy white water rafting, kayaking and paddleboarding in a man made course in Auckland! If you wanted to get out in nature and take on the wild rapids of the Rangitaiki River, then River Rats in Rotorua will take you there! Spectacular scenery with whitewater thrills!

Ever heard of Black Water Rafting or Caving? Waitomo Adventures provides some epic water sports. Abseil (often in waterfalls), rock climbs, unique limestone formations and get up close to glowworms while exploring the fantastic Waitomo cave system. Or, grab a tube and experience Blackwater rafting with walking, climbing, swimming, and tubing through distinctive sections of the spectacular Tumu Tumu cave.

If you are looking for a water sport, that may not include you jumping in the water, Huka Falls Jet, Auckland Adventure Jet  all provide fast, thrilling (and just a tad hairy) jet boat rides.

As New Zealand is made up of two  islands, there is plenty of water and water activities to experience and explore. Splish, splash!