Are you keen to get your adrenaline pumping and feel your body work once more? Whether it’s just taming a little of the lockdown flab, or a full-on return to sports you love, we have the perfect list of socially distant sports for you to try. Whether you try them around the neighbourhood, or in the beautiful waters of the Turks and Caicos, the Big Blue Collective know you’re sure to enjoy every minute
Running
This one’s a classic! While running in large, organised groups is a no-no, you still have the open road to help you stay fit, active and keep your mind engaged. While long-time runners will need no other excuse to get out there and run, if you’re less athletically minded you may need a little more persuasion. It’s not just about putting miles on those fancy new Nikes… getting out in the fresh air is a great way to refresh your mind, put some of your worries aside, and work your body in a productive manner. If you’re new to the sport, try starting at a brisk walk- and you can even join a remote Couch to 5k group to help motivate you.
Hiking
What happens if you take walking and running into beautiful backwood scenery? Hiking is great for the mind, body and soul. While you’re out there challenging your body, you’re also allowing yourself space to decompress and relax- something all too rare at the moment. Improved stress levels, better sleep, lessened anxiety, and the perfect excuse to catch up with a (safely limited) group of friends and family, all while staying fit and healthy? While even a safe walk at a local beauty spot will raise your spirits, there’s nothing quite like doing it in pristine, unspoilt nature. Here in the Turks and Caicos, the outer islands are near uninhabited, allowing our eco-tours to take you on the most spectacular hiking routes through land barely touched by human hands- a perfect chance to experience nature in all her glory in one of the most remarkable landscapes on earth.
Mountain Biking
If hiking sounds too slow and pedantic for you, then why not harness many of the same benefits, with the added thrills and adrenaline of whooshing through gorgeous landscapes like that of the TCI? A mountain bike adventure is the perfect blend of adventure sport and scenic tour, offering you the chance to stretch your legs (and your lungs) in the pristine air of some of the world’s most beautiful destinations. It’s challenging enough to stay interesting, but accessible to anyone who learned to ride a bike as a kid- and talking about kids, it’s a great way to bond with the whole family, too.
Stand Up Paddleboarding
If hitting the waves is more enticing than pounding the pavement, this one might be for you. SUP has been a rising trend among water-lovers everywhere for a good few years now, and we certainly can’t blame them. You’ll slowly paddle yourself from the back of a board, so there’s plenty of time to enjoy the fresh air around you, and the learning curve isn’t too steep as long as you can swim. In the TCI, it’s a fantastic way to explore the backwater mangrove channels, watching tiny sharks and rays flash through the crystal clear water below you.
Kayaking
Talking about exceptional ways to enjoy the beautiful scenery, kayaking has all the calm and peace of a hike, but on the water. If you’re an avid sportsman looking for a challenge, you can head to choppy waters, or simply enjoy a placid, gently pace skimming the gorgeous waters of the Turks and Caicos. You can even enjoy a solitary beach picnic to enjoy the warm Caribbean sands before heading back!
Snorkelling
There’s a whole wild world waiting for you to discover it! Provided you’re confident in the water, snorkelling is super-easy to access, and will open up vista’s brighter and bolder than anything you could imagine. Watch colourful tropical fish flit and flutter around you, safely distanced from your friends but able to enjoy and share the moment too. The Turks and Caicos is home to the 3rd largest barrier reef in the world, meaning the snorkelling is dazzling here. Be sure not to skip out on this social distancing-friendly activity!
Diving
Taking it a step further, escape the surface crowd with a dive into the depths of the ocean. Diving has a steeper entry curve than many of the other activities on our list, but the rewards are fantastic, too. Here in the TCI, especially, there’s all sorts of dive sites, from shallow and gentle to holes, walls and even a few wrecks, so no matter what you’d like to explore the opportunity is here. The greatest news of all is that the Big Blue Collective can help you get certified in a social distancing-compliant manner, too. You can do the bulk of your dive certification coursework in the comfort of your home, which leaves you able to jump straight into one-on-one practicals when you arrive. You’ll be certified quicker than ever, and stay safe too.
Kitesurfing
Another action-adventure just waiting for you to discover it, there’s little more thrilling than taming the wind and flying over the water. This one will need an athletic spirit and confidence in water, but the best news of all is that there’s no place better than the TCI to learn. With warm, shallow and calm waters in the bays for learners to practice their skills, the steady trade winds and gorgeous scenery offers the more confident a wealth of natural beauty to enjoy.
Social distancing doesn’t have to mean missing out on sport and recreation. With these 8 activities under your belt, you’ll be able to experience the wonders of the world as well as make your body (and mind) happier and healthier. If you’re keen to experience the beauties of the Turks and Caicos today, do feel free to reach out to the Big Blue Collective team with any questions you may have.