In & On the Water: Byron Bay Activities to Keep You Cool This Summer

With summer still in full swing, it’s easy to think about a three day weekend holiday or even a longer trip away with the whole family to a place where you can enjoy tons of water activities. Who doesn’t want to go surfing one day and then kayaking the next? Head to Byron Bay and you’ll be able to experience all these fun Byron Bay activities and much more!

With its beautiful beaches, tons of marine life (including dolphins, sea turtles, whales and rays) and warm weather, Byron Bay naturally attracts 1.7 million tourists annually. So why not book your summer Byron Bay holiday now?

Here are some amazing adventures to have in and on the water during your trip to Byron Bay!

Surfing

One of the reasons many people travel to Byron Bay is to ride the epic waves in the area – there’s a reason Byron Bay ranks as one of the top 50 places in the world to surf. Novice and advanced surfers flock to the area to experience these famous waves in Byron Bay.

Try out Byron Bay surfing.

One of the best ways for a Byron Bay holiday goer to try out the surfing is to sign up for a lesson or two with one of the many great Byron Bay surf schools here.

• Black Dog Surfing – Besides giving you a second lesson free if you don’t make it on your feet during the first lesson, Black Dog Surfing is one of the few surf schools licensed to teach on the beaches of Byron Bay. The school also boasts one of the best student – instructor ratio (1:7) of any surf school in Byron Bay. ($60 for intro lesson)
• Soul Surf School – Soul Surf features a half-day “Learn to Surf Adventure,” which means learning the basics of riding the waves for $59 per person. Every lesson includes all the equipment, refreshments and expert surf coaches.
• Style Surfing – Group beginner lessons are offered for $60 per person and take about 3 to 3 ½ hours once you arrive at the beach. It includes all your equipment; you just need to bring a towel. This mobile school picks you up from your accommodation.
• Mojosurf Surfing School – Depending on the conditions of the ocean each day, Mojo will pick the best location from dozens of beaches to learn to catch a wave. The school instructors pick you up and drive you to the chosen location of the day for a ½ day lesson for $69 per person.

If you already know how to surf, then you might just want some ideas on the best surfing spots to try out on your Byron Bay holiday. Here are a few favorite places to hang ten:

Top 5 Surf Picks For Beaches of Byron Bay

Sea Kayak

Photo courtesy of www.facebook.com/goseakayakbyron

Get up close to dolphins, turtles and whales when you choose Byron Bay kayaking as one of your holiday adventures. You won’t be sorry you did!

Go Sea Kayak Bryon Bay provides a three-hour tour around Byron Bay Marine Park, which gives you up and close time with its resident dolphin population. The company provides sit-on-top double kayaks (or triple if you have younger children) as well as safety equipment to get you on your way. This tour costs $69 per person (with a $10 discount for kids under 12).

Also, be sure to check out the premium packages, available only online, which feature some excellent combinations – from surfing, kayaking and a drink, to kayaking and yoga. And don’t forget that Go Sea guarantees that you’ll see a turtle, dolphin or whale while out on your Byron Bay kayaking tour, so don’t worry if you don’t, you’ll get another chance.

Cape Byron Kayaks also offers kayaking tours for Byron Bay holiday goers. With two tours available most days, this kayak company leaves from Clark Beach and heads out to the Cape. Included is a stop at Wategos Beach for tea, snorkeling at Middle Reef (conditions permitting), kayak “surfing” and a drop-off/pick-up service from your accommodation.

It costs $69 per adult and $59 per child (for under 12 years old).

Snorkelling

The great thing about snorkelling is that it’s a water activity that a wide range of ages and fitness levels can enjoy. As long as you swim and feel comfortable putting your head underwater and breathing through the tube, you’re ready to go snorkelling!

Photo courtesy of www.facebook.com/ByronDiveCentre

The best thing about Byron Bay snorkelling is getting a chance to swim among the amazing array of marine life in the area. Julian Rocks Marine Reserve, just five minutes from the shore of Cape Byron Bay, provides a home for more than 400 types of tropical fish, three species of sea turtles, rays and many more marine animals.

The reserve is rated one of the best places in all of Australia to snorkel and dive so don’t miss your chance to visit Julian Rocks while you’re in Byron Bay.

There are a few options for Byron Bay snorkelling, including:

• Sundive Byron Bay
  This snorkelling and diving company offers three snorkel tours daily and includes the hire of a wetsuit, mask, a snorkel and fins. For this reason, all you do is show up, ready to go exploring Julian Rocks. This spot is a great place to spot whales when in season. The tours feature a fun boat ride out to the reserve, providing a great view of the famous lighthouse from the water and even a little sightseeing of the coastline if weather and ocean conditions permit. Cost is $65 per person.
• Byron Bay Dive Centre
  At $65 per person, this snorkelling trip includes the boat ride, equipment hire (snorkel, fins and wetsuit) and a lesson if required. While you are snorkelling, qualified diving staff will be on hand. The trip takes about 60 minutes and features a hot shower back at the dive shop afterward and a chance to identify some animals you noticed at Julian Rocks. There are five trips a day so you shouldn’t a problem finding a time to fit your schedule!
• Blue Bay Divers
  If you’re looking for a longer snorkelling experience, Blue Bay Divers offers a half-day excursion to Julian Rocks. This group usually takes snorkellers to the north side of the marine reserve where the water is very shallow up to 10 metres. It also is a calm area as the island provides shelter. The company provides all equipment and a snack and drink whenever you need it while you’re out in the water. The cost is $95 per adult.

Scuba Diving

Like snorkeling, most dive centers head straight to Julian Rocks Marine Reserve to enjoy swimming with animals found on the Great Barrier Reef and the deep Southern Ocean. From hard and soft corals to sea turtles, scuba diving at this marine reserve is a don’t miss on your Byron Bay holiday.

Photo courtesy of www.facebook.com/SundiveByronBay

Here are two options for scuba diving in Byron Bay, they may also offer snorkeling trips too:

• Byron Bay Dive Centre
  Offered three times a day, this Byron Bay diving trip offers a boat ride out to the site (where you probably will see dolphins!) and up to 50 minutes to enjoy scuba diving at the site. Prices range from $60 (no equipment needed, you own it) to $99 (all equipment provided).
• Sundive Byron Bay
  Sundive provides small diving groups, taking only a maximum of six divers per trip and pairing like-minded divers together. This dive center also is located near the dive site, so the boat ride is a short 5-10 minutes, getting you in the water sooner. Diving depth ranges from 5 to 25 metres at the Julian Rocks site. Sundive offers three times per day: 8am, 10:45am and 1:15pm. Cost ranges from $60 to $95, based on the equipment you need.

If you’ve always wanted to try scuba diving, you could also devote a little extra time to it and in one day successfully take your first dive. For example, Byron Bay Dive Centre has an introductory dive course for $160 that includes equipment hire, instruction in a swimming pool and one dive at Julian Rocks. The course takes about five hours to complete and is offered three times a day, most days.

Paddle Boarding

Photo courtesy of www.facebook.com/byronSUP

Stand up paddle is one of the fastest growing water sports in the world. It was originally introduced in Hawaii as a cross training for surfers when there weren’t any waves in the water, and it took off from there. Using a surfboard (or sometimes specially designed paddle boards) and a paddle much like a longer canoe paddle, participants stand on the board and use the paddles to push themselves along in calm waters. One of the great things about this sport is that any fitness level and lots of age levels can participate in stand up paddle – it is low impact and easy to learn.

Byron Stand Up Paddle offers a great way to try out this water sport on your next holiday. The company offers a Byron Marine Park River Tour, which runs about a half day. Part of the Cape Byron Marine Park, the river estuary gives tour goers a chance to see an exciting mix of animals, such as osprey, kingfisher, fish, and baby string ray.

The tour costs $70 per adult and includes:

• Instruction on how to stand up paddle
• 2 hours of paddling with light refreshments
• Free pickup and drop off by bus (if staying in Byron Bay)
• Photos

Just go swimming!

Sometimes the best way to enjoy the water during your Byron Bay holiday is to just get in and swim! But there are lots of beaches around, and with only so many days on a holiday, it might be helpful to be pointed in the right direction.

Below is a list of local favorite swimming holes, all of which would be an easy jaunt from your holiday accommodation in Byron Bay.

Main Beach, Byron Bay

Broken Head: Located only seven minutes from the centre of Byron Bay, this beach is considered one of the most pristine of all the beaches of Byron Bay. Protected by a rocky promontory, the calm waters provide a great swimming option, especially for families with young kids.

Brunswick Heads: This beach, located north of the Broken Head Holiday Park camping accommodation, is an ideal swimming location due to the fact that during the summer months the Brunswick Heads Surf Lifesaving Club patrols it. Also located nearby is Torakina Beach, which provides a great option for gentle, calm swimming water. Torakina sits near the mouth of the Brunswick River.

Clarkes Beach: Located in between Main Beach and The Pass, this north-facing beach offers ideal swimming conditions most days. While it can get crowded during the summer months, this beach is great spot for families since it is patrolled during that time.

Cosy Corner: This beach, as the name indicates, is known for its shelter that makes it a great spot for swimmers and sunbathers. Part of Arakwal National Park and the northern end of Tallows Beach, this location is a great place to watch hang gliders launching off the overhead cliff.

Main Beach: Main Beach, situated in front of Byron Bay, is fully patrolled by the Surf Lifesaving Club from October to Easter. This safe swimming spot is one of the most popular beaches of Byron Bay and, due to its popularity, it is perfect for people watching. From here, you also can snorkel to the shipwreck, the Tassie II.

Book your Summer Holiday with Broken Head Holiday Park!

Doesn’t spending your day in the water, taking part in excellent water sports or just lazily swimming in the ocean, sound excellent right about now? So stop what you’re doing and just go ahead and book that Byron Bay holiday now before summer is over!

For affordable holiday accommodation in Byron Bay you can’t beat Broken Head Holiday Park – it allows you to stay on budget while providing an excellent base for your holiday. And considering that most of these water sports cost money, it’s always good to save a little cash on your accommodation to give you more spending money for trying out more of these fun things to do in Byron Bay!