2. Barcelona – This city is situated along the Catalan coast, and has seven beaches and 4.5 kilometres of coastline. The proximity to the beach has encouraged the development of water based events and activities here and the city boasts many diving schools, water sport centres and boat chartering agencies. In Barcelona, people can enjoy a variety of water sports, ranging from sailing to jet skiing.

3. Florida – This state is known for its beaches and it is no surprise that people come here from all around America and the world, to participate in water sport activities. With the famous Florida Keys, the Miami Beach, West Palms, Fort Myers Beach and many other stretches of beach area that play host to a number of water sport activities, Florida is the ideal destination for people who like water sports.

4. Cuba – Tourists and people looking for qualified diving training can enjoy a trip to Cuba, where tourists can find a number of excellent locations for a wide choice of water sports and water related activities like scuba diving, snorkeling, windsurfing, yachting, surfing, sailing, water skiing and jet skiing. Locations such as Varadero have diving schools and some of the best teachers from around the world come to teach in the warm Caribbean waters.

5. Thailand – The south of Thailand boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, along with some of the best dive locations. The Phuket Island, Krabi and the neighbouring islands offer many facilities for tourists to indulge in a number of activities. The most common activities in this area are rafting, canoeing, diving and snorkelling.

These courses will cover many aspects of boating safety, proper boat anchoring, safety equipment, boat handling skills, navigation, boating problems and emergencies, trailering, storing and protecting your boat, to reading the weather, and classes geared to courses for kids and younger boaters who want to learn boating and navigation skills.The most popular basic courses generally have from 6 to 13 lessons to provide a foundation of boat operational and safety instruction. Many boating classes will give you the knowledge needed to obtain a boat license or safety certification in many states. Many boat insurance companies will offer discounts on boating insurance to boaters who successfully complete boating safely course.

A safe boater will always have the appropriate nautical charts on board their vessel and will be familiar with their surroundings. The exact meaning of an aid to navigation may not be clear to the boater unless the appropriate marine chart is consulted. Also each boater should file a float plan with a friend or family member that outlines the days activities that are planned. This is helpful to provide the Coast Guard with a general area to search in case you are not back home in a reasonable timeframe.

It is also important to have an understanding of navigation, aids to navigation and the rules of the road. These simple, yet often overlooked basics lead to many unfortunate mishaps on the water. Aids to navigation are the road signs on the water and it is what controls how boats navigate and pass one another. Learning to understand them requires experience and practice. Protect yourself and your family, be better prepared the next time you go boating.