Water sports can be practiced all up and down the Emerald Coast of Florida. Both public and private places offer wonderful settings with many amenities. For a small sampling of places to go just click on the locations below. For a listing of private vendors check our yellow pages.

PARASAILING

It's a hot, sunny afternoon. You're standing on the shoreline facing the ocean. Someone has strapped a chute on you and is checking it to be sure it's secure. The boat ahead of you takes off and you are suddenly going straight up into never-never land. The wind is rushing past you as you gain in height. You look down and see a crowd of people with their faces turned up towards you and you notice how small they look. Higher and higher, smaller and smaller. You reach a certain height and are suddenly suspended in midair. You drift there for an eternity and then start floating down, back towards the ocean and beach, and notice the people are beginning to look bigger. Lower and lower, bigger and bigger. You land on the sand and the ride of a lifetime is over. Your heart is pumping and the adrenaline is flowing! WHAT A RUSH!! For great parasailing sites check out St Andrews Recreational Area and St Joseph Peninsula State Park. Many of the resort and hotels on the coast have parasailing available.

SNORKELING

Face down, looking through goggles at the panoramic vista below you, you see many colorful species of fish. The sounds of the world are muted by the water. As you drift along you see coral reefs, shells and even sunken ships. The beauty of the world beneath the seas has eased your soul, relaxed you body and filled your mind with wonder. All of these awe inspiring experiences can be done at Grass Flats or St Andrews State Recreational Area to name a few. There are numerous charter boats and diving companies that can take you or your group to special sites along the coast.

SURFING

Lapping out into the ocean, wave after wave, until you arrive at just the right place. Gaining your balance, carefully you wait for just the right timing and a wave pushes you up and your on your way! Hang on, steady, manuever the board, catch the wave, don't fall, work your way up the board,------oops!-----Try again. Surfing happens all up and down the beaches. When the surf's right--you'll know. For up to the minute wave conditions there is a 24 hour phone number to call. 1-800-SURF. Find out about wave height, turbulence, undertow and weather. Remember -- be safe!

WINDSURFING

Get on the boat, grab a sail, position your feet, catch the breeze. Lean out, turn, straighten up, go forward, lean back, turn, straighten, forward, --go to ends of the ocean. St Andrews Bay is a popular spot for windsailing. Be sure to check our yellow pages for specific locations.