Full speed ahead into the season – but which regions are best suited for a watersports adventure in the spring? Our experts Tobias Friedrich, Michael Walther, Lars Thierling and Michael Amme give you their personal recommendations. So let’s get out on the water!
As a diver and professional underwater photographer, Tobias Friedrich from www.below-surface.com is passionate about exploring the most breathtaking underwater worlds. Here are his recommendations for dive spots in the spring:
1. Egypt
The Red Sea is always a great option! The water is still a bit cool in April but on the plus side, there aren't many tourists. Divers can look forward to a diversity of beautiful encounters that they won’t have to share with the crowd. Visibility in the Red Sea is almost always excellent: the further away from land, the better.
2. Maldives
Prime time for diving in the Maldives lasts until April. Not much rain and great visibility with lots of sharks and manta rays. From May onwards, the southwest monsoon brings more rain, but underwater activities aren’t much affected. The channel dives in particular are top-notch and cannot be dived often enough.
3. Germany
Local diving in Germany is also good until the summer, when increased sunshine promotes algal bloom, which reduces underwater visibility. Spring is ideal for Germany. A dry suit is recommended, but not a must.
Stand-up paddling
As a passionate watersports enthusiast and founder of the Zero Emission Project, Michael Walther can be found on the water more often than on land. He has already travelled the world on his SUP. Here are some of his favourite spots:
1. Sweden, south coast
Between Karlshamn and Torhamn, only 450 kilometres north of Kiel, lies a beautiful archipelago that rivals those of Stockholm and Gothenburg. Perfect for stand-up paddling on short trips or longer excursions.
2. Schlei Fjord
Between Kiel and Flensburg the narrow but varied Schlei Fjord winds down to the Baltic. Alongside interesting stretches of landscape and picturesque towns such as Kappeln and Schleswig, the Schlei also offers a destination steeped in history in Haitabu. The main advantage is that, depending on the wind direction, you can start a nice downwind paddle either in Schleswig or Kappeln.
3. Germany, Baltic Sea coast
Depending on the wind and weather conditions, the German Baltic coast between Flensburg and the island of Usedom offers wonderful paddling spots. I personally find the coast off Schwedeneck very beautiful, but Salzhaff and the isle of Poel to the east of Wismar are also well worth a trip. The Bodden lagoons in the Zingst peninsula around the islands of Rügen, Usedom and Hiddensee and the Peenestrom strait round off the fantastic impressions of these inland waterways.
Canoe and kayak
Lars Thierling, expert from Paddeln macht Spass gives you his recommendations for springtime canoe and kayak tours:
1. Lake Hariksee
Located on the Lower Rhine, Lake Hariksee offers ideal conditions for the first paddle of the season. Thanks to a maximum depth of around 2 metres, the water temperature goes up rapidly as the sun rises. There are also paved areas on both sides to help you get on the water safely, as well as excellent catering facilities. With a length of around 900 metres, the lake is ideal for both beginners and advanced paddlers.
2. Lake Hengsteysee
From lake Hengstey to Harkor and back – the perfect spring tour! From the bikers' car park, an easily accessible path takes you straight down to the water. From there you can paddle off. Along the way you’ll discover many sights, such as a water castle and an old storage power station. The tour is perfect for paddlers who love nature and want to see things!
3. Niers from Süchteln to Wachtendonk
Paddle the Niers from Süchteln to Wachtendonk – an adventure for all SUP, kayak and canoe fans! The tour starts in Süchteln, where paddlers can carry their equipment over a beautiful jetty almost to the water's edge. The tour takes you through beautiful nature reserves with breathtaking flora and fauna. A must-see for all nature lovers!
Sailing
Michael Amme from BLAUWASSER.DE has been travelling on the water as a journalist and photographer for over 30 years. He’s an absolute expert and has published global travel reports on over 100 boat charter and blue water areas. Here are his tips for the spring:
1. Canary Islands
Off to the sun: Spring already feels like summer in the Canary Islands. The sailing is challenging with lots of wind causing cape and jet effects between the islands, so experienced skippers really get their money's worth. However, the northeast trade wind isn’t as strong in spring as it gets in the summer months. My insider tip for a relaxed week’s cruise: just sail around Lanzarote with some detours to La Graciosa and Isla de Lobos near Fuerteventura!
2. Mallorca
A cruise around Mallorca is always a good idea – and sailors can expect the best weather at the start of the season. The harbours and anchorages aren’t yet overcrowded at this time, making it possible to explore the island in relative peace and quiet. You can sail all the way around the island in a week (approx. 160 nautical miles). If you like it quiet, you can just trawl along the beautiful bay coast southeast of Palma. A visit to Cabrera, the nature reserve island in the south, is also worthwhile – especially in the off season you can still free buoy anchor spots. Here is my sailing plan for the perfect week.
3. Germany, Baltic coast
Diverse and just around the corner – the German Baltic coast. Here there are three different areas to choose from for a great holiday cruise: Flensburg Fjord, Bay of Lübeck and Wismar and around the island of Rügen. It can be a bit cool at the start of the season, but coping with capricious weather conditions is a great nautical challenge! The good infrastructure makes cruise planning easy and the many destinations over short distances are also suitable for a leisurely cruise.
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