Phoenix, Arizona has a wealth of water real estate with lakes and rivers to delight the senses. White water rafting is perhaps the most popular Arizona water sport, you’d be surprised at how much more Phoenix area lakes and rivers have to offer. You can find vacation rentals and guided tours in the area or just head out on your own.

Phoenix Thrills And Then Some

Rafting on the Salt River is an exciting family-fun adventure and one of the most thrilling Phoenix water sports. There are guided tours that run for half days, full-day trips, and even week-long camping expeditions just about two and a half hours outside of Phoenix. There’s some world-class white water along this route, so this extreme adventure might not be for the faint of heart. With white water rafting, you have to work together with a crew to navigate the twists and turns of the Salt River. Peak times for white water rafting on the Salt River are during spring, so be sure to book your trip accordingly.

Scuba Diving

You might not think that Phoenix is a premiere location for scuba diving, but you’d be mistaken. There are several dive schools located near N. Black Canyon Hwy with dive pools and top-rated diving instructors on hand to help you get certified or simply enjoy the underwater sport of diving. Lake Pleasant has excellent lake diving available and the average depth is 70 feet. You can practice here for a Pacific Ocean dive or explore the underwater reservoirs and caves that make this area so mysterious and magical.

Power Boating

Lake Pleasant is also a premier location for power boating. The lake is located 35 miles from downtown Phoenix and there are vacation rentals at the park if you need any gear. Power boating is super fun on Lake Pleasant because it’s the largest lake in the area and covers 10,000 acres of water surface to play on. You can crank up the speed on Lake Pleasant and launch from two different marinas. Memorial Day weekend is a particularly busy time on the lake, and it will most likely be too crowded for power boating. If you’re looking to feed your need for speed, then try to venture out during off-peak hours. The park is open 24 hours so you should be able to find your ideal time for power boating.

Paddle-boarding

This might not be the most high-octane water sport, but paddle boarding sure is relaxing and fun. Otherwise known as SUP, for Stand Up Paddle-boarding, this puts you right on the water as you stand or kneel on a surf-like board and use a long paddle to calmly steer your way. Saguaro Lake is a fine destination for paddle boarding and you just might catch a glimpse of wild horses along the 22 miles of shoreline. It’s all part of the Tonto National Forest where you can find restaurants, picnic areas, and plenty of adventure.

Kayaking

If you’re in the mood for solitary water sports, then check out kayaking at locations varying from peaceful and serene to intense and adventurous. You can find rentals for single or two-person boats all along Lake Pleasant and Saguaro Lake. If you want to get off the beaten path, then some advanced planning is required. If you’re up for it, you can find some of the most challenging kayaking spots at Big Lake, about a four drive from downtown Phoenix. With no large watercraft allowed in the area, you can enjoy quality time kayaking beneath the unending sky.