Maybe boating isn’t your group’s thing, but they still want to get out and experience an ocean setting. Following are a few coastal activity highlights from some top beach locales.
Huntington Beach, Calif, is known as “Surf City USA” due to its 10 miles of uninterrupted beaches that provide some of the country’s best waves. In June, the area received national press for its Guinness World Record-breaking accomplishment of the most people to ever ride a longboard (66 surfers).
And while your group may not want to cram onto a 42-foot-long surfboard, they can participate in surfing lessons with the Huntington Beach Surf School. Coach Bill Sharp founded the school in 2007 and specializes in teaching new surfers how to properly hit the waves.
Hampton, Va., offers a number of beach activities beyond its array of boating and fishing charters that incorporate the area’s pristine beaches and scenic waterfront venues. The Grandview Nature Preserve covers over 475 acres of salt marsh, tidal creeks and Chesapeake Bay beachfront. Groups can arrange birdwatching, hiking or canoeing excursions through Buckroe Beach Park. The Nature Preserve is open year-round from sunrise to sunset.
Fort Lauderdale is home to the 600,000-square-foot Broward County Convention Center, so it definitely sees its share of meetings large and small, and the popular tourist city is also great for teambuilding. In addition to its private yacht charters, the Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB can arrange a number of adventure excursions that include mountain biking across rugged terrain, kayaking though mangroves, or navigating the Atlantic waters via jet-ski, paddleboard, parasail or even a water-propelled jet pack.
Dana Point, Calif., is another oceanfront favorite that, in addition to its famous whale-watching excursions, offers stand-up paddleboarding and even stand-up paddle yoga lessons for groups. Adventurous attendees can also arrange kayaking and rowing rides through Westwind Sailing.
