There are a wide range of watersports which can be enjoyed on The Broads, but you may have to travel slightly further afield to enjoy some. To protect The Broads, there are restrictions in place for some sports due the nature of the wash they produce, its likely effect on other water users, erosion of the bankside and the fragile ecosystem as well as for safety reasons. That being said, there are so many exciting watersports which can be enjoyed on The Broads, right on our doorstep.
Canoeing, Kayaking, and Paddleboarding
The Norfolk Broads have plenty of areas to launch your canoe, kayak or paddleboard from and explore the beauty and nature of the waterways. You can find a full list of slipways and launching points on the Broads Authority website here: https://www.broads-authority.gov.uk/boating/facilities/slipways-and-launching-points
If you’re interested more in going on a guided nature or educational tour to explore the broads with an exprienced team including coaching, instruction and hire, Norfolk Outdoor Adventures or Go Paddle are both brilliant places to start!
Open Water or Outdoor Swimming
Open water swimming is an ever-growing popular activity in the UK, and the Norfolk Broads are a beautiful location when the warm weather arrives. The Broads Authority offers clear guidance that you shouldn’t, however, enter the broads without support from an open water swimming organisation. Tri-Anglia are a brilliant organisation here on the Norfolk Broads who organise and deliver open water swimming events right here in Norfolk!
Boating and Yachting
Whether you own a boat, are thinking of purchasing a boat, would like to take an organised boat trip, or would like to hire a boat to navigate the broads for a few hours or a day, there are plenty of ways to enjoy boating and yachting on the Norfolk Broads, all year round.
Boat Trips: there are a wide range of boat tours and trips to be enjoyed on the Norfolk broads and Visit the broads have a great list so that you can choose the one which most takes your fancy: https://www.visitthebroads.co.uk/things-to-do/boating/boat-trips
Day Boat Hire: A fun way to explore the broads, and an experience for the whole family! Hire a boat for the day, or for a couple of hours and become a captain on the Norfolk Broads! Visit the Broads website for more information on boat hire: https://www.visitthebroads.co.uk/things-to-do/boating/boathire
You can find a full list and more information on watersports on The Broads on the Broads Authority website here: https://www.broads-authority.gov.uk/
If you are hoping to enjoy some alternative watersports on your Norfolk Holiday, we are lucky to be blessed with lots of open water and facilities around our coastline to do just that! We explore below some of the other watersports that you can enjoy during your holiday in Hemsby, and the best places to do so!
Jet-Skiing
The best place in our local area for jet skiing is Sea Palling. A beautiful beach just a short drive from Belle Aire Hemsby, there is a small charge for launching, and good facilities on the beach. The postcode you will need is NR12 0AL.
Kitesurfing
Some of the best locations for kitesurfing in Norfolk are located on the North Norfolk coast, which is driving distance from Hemsby Belle Aire but well worth the trip! We would recommend Hunstanton, Heacham, Snettisham or Brancaster. Norfolkcoast.net has lots of information on these beaches and your kite-surfing experience in Norfolk: https://www.norfolkcoast.net/kitesurfing-north-norfolk-beaches.html