Nothing beats a relaxing day on the water. The sun, the pleasant breeze, and good company all come together to make something truly magical. No matter what your interests are, there is something on the water for you to enjoy, so check out these five exciting ways to spend a day on the water.

Canoeing and Kayaking

Rowing is a good form of exercise, and there’s a lot of variation in skill, intensity, and setting. You can spend an exhilarating day kayaking down white water rapids, or you can take it easy and leisurely take your canoe around the local lake. No matter what you do, make sure to wear a life jacket, and if you can’t bring a friend or hire a guide, then at least tell someone where you’ll be.

Cast Your Rod

Whether you’re in a canoe or on the dock, fishing is a great way to soak some rays and enjoy nature. Nothing beats casting your rod and waiting for a bite. Even if you don’t catch anything, it’s a good excuse to enjoy a few cool drinks and spend some time in the great outdoors.

Tubing, Water Skiing, and Other Water Sports

Few things are more exciting than being pulled behind a boat on a tube or pair of skis. It doesn’t require much skill, and as long as you’re wearing a life jacket, it’s pretty safe. When water skiing or tubing, make sure that whoever is steering the boat knows what they are doing.

Go Swimming

While it may seem obvious, swimming is a great activity on a nice day. Not only is it fun, but it’s also great exercise. If you want to burn calories while strengthening your muscles in a low-resistance environment, then swimming is the sport for you. Just remember to regularly apply sunscreen. The SPF of your sunscreen should be equal to or higher than 30, and you should make sure that it’s water-resistant.

Find and Observe Wildlife

Water covers slightly over 70% of the planet’s surface, so many unique creatures have adapted to life in and around the water. If you’re quiet and patient, then you may notice several fish, waterfowl, birds of prey, and other exciting wildlife at your local lake, river, or beach. Observing animals is a great way to pass the time, but just be sure not to feed or disturb them.