Water Sports Travel Insurance
Cover for river, lake and sea-based activities
-
Covering 500+ sports and activities
-
Race & competition cover
-
Water sports equipment protection
-
Save 10% online*
Award winning insurance
Recognised for our specialist approach
to sports and travel insurance.
Trusted by 75,000+ customers
Exceptional-rated cover from thousands of active travellers.
Backed by AXA XL
Buy with confidence with cover
underwritten by a leading insurer.
What does watersports insurance cover?
Our water sports travel insurance is designed for surfers, divers, paddlers, open water swimmers and other participants heading abroad for time on, in or beneath the water.
A full water sports policy brings crucial travel protection together with specialist activity cover. This can include emergency medical treatment and repatriation, trip cancellation and curtailment, personal accident, personal liability and more.
You can also be covered for water sports equipment, pre-paid activity fees and search and rescue costs, helping you enjoy your chosen activities with confidence.
Already have travel insurance but your water-based activity is excluded? Our water sports bolt-on can add the activity cover you need, even after your trip has started.
Our policies provide three different types of cover: Sports travel insurance, Sports accident, and Activity Top-Up. Please ensure you select the most suitable cover for your activity, when you get a quote and always review your policy documents.
Sports equipment is excluded under our bolt‑on cover.
Only a summary of the policy’s coverage is presented on this page. Please refer to policy documents for full details of what is and what is not covered, when you get a quote.
How much does water sports insurance cost?
The cost of your water sports travel policy depends on the destination you’re travelling to and other specific details.
Factors such as your age, how long you’re away, the water sport you’re taking part in, if you choose bronze, silver or gold, and any additional water sports equipment cover.
Review an example and get a quote tailored to your water sports trip.
Pricing example
£13.06**
Example quote is based on:
- Sport Selected Kayaking (up to grade 3)
- Sports Group Group 1
- Package Bronze
- Policy Single Trip Travel Policy
- Duration 2 days
- Destination Europe
- Emergency Medical Treatment £10,000,000
- Trip Cancellation £1,000
- Sports Equipment Cover £200
- See more benefits when you get a quote
**This example is based on a real quote from our website on 26/08/2026 for a 2-day, single trip, adult policy. It is shown for illustrative purposes only. If your circumstances or requirements differ, your quote may be higher or lower. The quote you receive will be based on the information you provide about your activities. Get a quote for pricing tailored to your requirements.
Why you need watersports travel insurance
Standard cover might exclude water sports
Many open-water and sea-based activities require extra cover.
Water based rescue costs can rise quickly
Offshore emergencies may lead to significant rescue expenses.
Cancellations can disrupt your plans
Cover can help protect costs if your trip is cancelled or cut short.
Our experts explain why…
“Whether you’re learning a new water sport or taking on more challenging conditions, staying safe and properly prepared should always come first. Taking sensible precautions, like having the right water sports cover in place, can help you enjoy the experience with confidence.
Our water sports travel insurance is designed for the realities of water-based activities abroad, with protection for medical emergencies, travel disruption and equipment loss when the unexpected happens.
We’ve supported water sports participants for more than 30 years, so you can enjoy your time on, in or beside the water knowing experienced help is there when you need it.”
Chris Trotman – Head of Sales & Underwriting at SportsCover Direct
Thousands rate how easy it is
We’ve refined our process to make buying sports insurance abroad simple but thorough, with cover designed around the activities you take part in, from training trips and competitions to active holidays overseas.
Our Claims Record
Average pay out for each insurance claim
£1,599.09
How to make a claim
Choose your policy, find the forms you need
Download and complete forms
Submit your claims for review
A Recent Claim Example
“One of our policyholders was on a trip in Egypt and while surfing, sprained their ankle. Because they had taken out our Water Sports Insurance to cover Surfing, they were covered to receive medical assistance for the injury to their ankle.”
Total Paid Out
£2,261.06
Claim Type
Medical Assistance
Policy Type
Water Sports Insurance
Incident
Medical assistance
Policy Excess Applied
£90.00
Location
Egypt
Disclaimer
Data relates to all SportsCover Direct Insurance claims from Jan to Dec 2025 inclusive. Claim example from 2025.
Medical cover explained
We provide cover that considers your medical circumstances. Complete a medical declaration to ensure you’re properly protected, as part of the quotation process.*
*Please note, just because you’ve declared a medical condition or injury doesn’t mean it is automatically covered. The insurer needs to assess it first and will inform you by email if any terms apply.
Medical conditions must be declared
All pre-existing conditions considered
Cover available up to age 74
We'll review your details
Most declarations don't mean exclusion
Any terms will be confirmed by email
Browse covered sports and activities
You’ll find a wide range of water sports activities covered, you can add multiple activities to your policy, we cover over 500. Browse our extensive list.
- Aquathlon Insurance
- Canoeing Insurance
- Coasteering Insurance
- Cross Channel Swimming Insurance
- Free Diving Insurance
- Jet Skiing Insurance
- Kayaking Insurance
- Kitesurfing Insurance
- Open Water Swimming Insurance
- Rafting Insurance
- Rowing Insurance
- Sailing Travel Insurance
- Scuba Diving Travel Insurance
- Sea Kayaking Insurance
- Shark Cage Diving Insurance
- Snorkeling Insurance
- Stand Up Paddleboarding Insurance
- Sub Aqua Insurance
- Surfing Insurance
- Swimming Insurance
- Wakeboarding Insurance
- Water Polo Insurance
- Water Skiing Insurance
- Water Sports Travel Insurance
Why choose us
SportsCover Direct is a specialist insurance provider focused entirely on sport. For over 30 years, we’ve helped athletes, teams and organisations get the protection they need, whether they’re travelling, competing, or training abroad or in the UK.
Covering 500+ sports
Fast online quotes
Established over 30 years
UK-based support team
FAQs
Yes – our water sports insurance policy excludes high-risk and professional activities, along with situations where safety protocols aren’t followed. Common exclusions include:
- Professional or competitive sports
- Activities performed against medical advice.
- Events where safety guidelines weren’t followed.
- Activities under the influence of alcohol/drugs
- Stolen equipment left unattended
- Commercial or instructional activities
For further details on exclusions and conditions, please read policy documentation with your quote.
Yes, our Water Sports Insurance can generally be taken out even if you have a medical condition. We can almost always offer cover at no extra cost, but occasionally our underwriters may apply special terms if you subsequently needed to make a claim relating to your condition.
Not always – most standard travel insurance policies provide only limited coverage for water sports activities, so you’ll need additional or specialist coverage for many water activities.
Standard travel insurance policies do not always cover hazardous sports. Our Sports Travel Insurance is specifically designed to cover over 500 high risk activities such as bungee jumping, skateboarding, ski-acrobatics and many more.
Our equipment cover protects your gear against theft, loss, and damage, subject to policy limits and security requirements. This includes:
- Personal water sports equipment up to £5,600
- Hired equipment (if specified)
- Coverage for theft, loss, and damage
- Specific storage and security requirements apply.
Scuba diving coverage requires specific certifications and adherence to safety protocols. Coverage includes:
- Requires valid certification.
- Has depth limits (typically 40 meters)
- Must be with licensed operators.
- Requires proper safety equipment.
- May have additional premium costs.
Our policies will cover anyone up to the age of 74 at the time of purchase. An applicant aged 75 or over cannot be covered.
Our comprehensive medical coverage is provided for emergencies and accidents related to covered water sports activities. This includes:
- Emergency medical treatment
- Medical evacuation and repatriation
- Emergency dental treatment
- 24/7 emergency assistance
Our Sports Travel Insurance policy provides up to £5,600 worth of equipment cover. This add-on not only protects your own equipment, but also any equipment you hire during your trip. It also covers your water sports equipment in transit to and from your destination.
Get specialist cover in minutes
Covering over 500 sports with quick online quotes and UK- based support, if you need it.
Our resources
Latest from our sports insurance experts
Before booking a hiking holiday in France: Know this
France offers some of Europe’s most varied and rewarding walking. That variety is exactly what makes hiking holidays in France so appealing. It also means that choosing the right trip requires more than finding a route with good views. A walking holiday in Provence will involve very different conditions from…
Summer Sailing in Greece: Safety tips beginners often overlook
From choosing the right islands to packing smart and staying safe in the summer heat, here's what to know before your first Greek sailing holiday. Your first sailing holiday in Greece is likely to be unforgettable; but probably not for the reasons you expect. It might be discovering that the…
How to stay active and safe on sports holidays in hot weather
Another summer, another wave of headlines about soaring temperatures across Europe. From record-breaking heat in recent years to temperatures climbing above 40°C in parts of Spain, Greece, Italy and Portugal, Europe's summers are becoming increasingly hot. For travellers planning walking holidays, cycling trips or watersports adventures, it's natural to wonder…
Is it safe to play tennis in extreme heat?
With temperatures hitting the mid-30s across parts of the UK, breaking records for June, and Wimbledon putting tennis firmly back in the spotlight, many recreational players are asking the same question: is it safe to play tennis in 35-degree heat? While tennis is traditionally associated with sunny weather, playing tennis…
10 Tips for Planning a Golf Weekend This Summer
For some, summer is golf weekend season. Longer days, firmer fairways and the chance to spend a few days away with friends make it one of the highlights of the golfing calendar. But if you've been nominated as the organiser, you'll know a golf weekend involves far more than simply…
For many sailing enthusiasts, crossing the English Channel and sailing from the UK to France is one of the most rewarding boating adventures available close to home. Whether it’s a weekend trip to a French marina, a longer coastal cruise, or a solo sailing challenge, the route offers a mix…
Best places for solo travel adventures 2026
Solo travel continues to grow in popularity, with more people choosing independent adventures that offer flexibility, personal growth, and unforgettable experiences. From hiking volcanoes in Central America to exploring mountain trails in Europe, solo traveller adventure holidays are becoming a major trend for travellers looking to combine freedom with adventure.…
What to do when your passport is lost abroad
Losing your passport abroad is one of the quickest ways to derail a trip. Whether it’s been stolen, misplaced, or accidentally left behind, being without your passport can affect everything from checking into flights to proving your identity. It’s also more common than many travellers realise. More than 83,000 UK passports were reported…
Best EuroVelo routes from the UK for cycle tourers
You don’t need a flight, a complicated bike box, or weeks of logistics to cycle across Europe. From the UK, you can roll straight onto the EuroVelo network, a web of long-distance cycling routes that connect the continent. Better still, three of those routes run through the UK itself. Which means you can start close to home…
What to wear rock climbing outdoors
There’s something uniquely exhilarating about taking your movement training onto real rock, the constant problem‑solving, the way your body adapts to each hold, and the quiet test of strength, balance, and control that outdoor climbing demands. Every route challenges you differently, and what you wear can directly affect how freely…