10 Water Activities You Can Try Around Lebanon This Summer
The sun has finally made a comeback which means swim shorts and bikinis, a ton of carrot oil, and beach snapchat’s just to make everyone abroad feel miserable. If laying on the shore all day makes you feel a little too bored, try out these activities and pick up an exciting hobby this summer!
1. Surfing
You probably won’t be able to ride the most vicious wave as of yet, but everyone started somewhere!
If you simply fancy a day of fun in the water trying out this new sport, check out Surf Lebanon . A private lesson is $100 for 90 minutes, while you can pay just $60 for a group lesson. Alternatively, you can simply rent the equipment starting from $20 per hour.
Batroun Water Sports is another spot where you can try your hand at surfing. With a surf bar at hand, and equipment on rent with packages and instructors ready to help, you can channel your inner mermaid with ease. Rent a surf board for $15 an hour, or $50 for the full day.
The Board’n’Surf surf club is located on the idyllic shore of Byblos. You can rent a board for $20 an hour (20,000 L.L. for regulars) if you’re already skilled. If you’re new to the sport however, you can try a lesson out for $100 for 90 minutes, or, as they recommend, $240 for 4.5 hours which means you’ll be able to go out alone into the water by the end of it. Or, if you fancy the kids picking up a new hobby, it costs a mere $50 for 60 minutes for children. After that, enjoy their advice and services for free while feelin’ like a real pro…. although reality may tell you otherwise!
2. Scuba diving
Located on the idyllic shore of Batroun is Dive the Med Club, which is open to amateurs and professionals. If you’re a certified diver, you can explore the waters with a fun dive trip for a small $25 dollars, whereas if you’ve never tried it before you can enjoy the Discover Scuba Diving program. This includes a guided dive, safety briefing with the instructor, the boat trip and more for $100 with the option of adding photo or video footage as a souvenir.
3. Snorkelling
Image from sobeirut.com
Possibly the cheapest of the lot, since you can buy your own goggles and snorkelling equipment at the average price of $10 from any sports shop around town. Try the shore of Sour (Tyre), the magical islands off Tripoli including Palm Island and Rabbit Island, or perhaps journey out into Jbeil’s sea while having a glimpse of what goes on underneath.
4. Kayaking
This peaceful activity is perfect for a couple of hours out in the sea either alone, or with friends or loved ones. Try it out around the country at these places:
Sour Beach, next to Dar Alma hotel: It costs a mere 15,000 LL for one person an hour, and 25,000 LL for 2 people per hour. You can also hire the kayak’s for a guided tour to discover archaeological site visits around the historic area. Make sure you call in advance to secure a kayak! Check out their Instagram pagefor more.
Lebanese Yacht Club, Batroun: Or, if you’d rather go North, head to Lebanese Yacht Club to hire some kaya’s for $20 an hour.
Sporting Beach Club: Stay close to home and head to Sporting Club in Beirut where you can hire a kayak for only 25,000 L.L.
5. Jet Skiing
Image from dailystar.com.lb
If you’re looking for a thrill on the water, try riding the waves on a jet ski which can be found at almost any beach resort around Lebanon, or nearby. Prices are roughly similar, starting at 50,000 LL for 15 minutes and reaching the $50 mark. Pricey, but once you’re bouncing on the waves you’ll realise it’s totally worth it. One option is Dive the Med Club, where you can hire a jet ski for $120 an hour.
6. Paddle boarding
Image from RPNlebanon.com
Not as intense as surfing, but just as fun… given that you know how to balance! Try paddle-boarding off the shore of Lebanon for a day of fun.
Lebanese Yacht Club: Located near Batroun you can hire a paddle board for 15-20$ an hour.
Lebanon by Kite: $15 an hour, or $50 for a full day from various locations around the country including Beirut.
Batroun Water Sports: A paddle board here is $20 an hour, and $60 for the whole day.
7. Wind Surfing
Wind surfing is an exciting activity that can be as peaceful, or as thrilling as you’d like… given that you’re prepared to fall many a time. Try it out at Batroun Water Sports for $25 an hour, or $90 a day if you’re ready for the full adventure.
8. Sailing
With courses for beginners, as well as simply offering rentals, you can try your luck at sailing at the Lebanese Yacht Club. Renting sailboats starts at $30 and reaches $75 an hour.
9. Kite Surfing
A new concept for many, however it’s literally in the name. You surf with a kite (not to be confused with windsurfing). Rent the equipment from Lebanon by Kite who recently took part in the water activities event at Colonel, starting from $60 for an instructor, and starting at $30 for a full day’s equipment rental.
10. Wakeboarding
This sport is for adrenaline junkies who want to ride the waves in style. Located at the Kempinski Hotel is Board Inc, a wakeboarding school that is dedicated to teaching you this niche sport. 15 minutes on the water which includes training and equipment is $40 and 10 lessons is $320 instead of $400, which will have you showing off your best tricks. It may be pricey, but the thrill is completely worth it if that’s what you’re looking for.
