Even though air travel replaced travelling on water for lots of people, it is still very popular. Travelling by boat lets us slow down and enjoy the views. There's nothing better than the sea breeze while you soar across the open ocean.
Boats come in lots of different sizes. Some people even take vacations on boats. These boats are called cruise ships. Cruise ships are very big. A cruise ship has an itinerary. That means that the captain has planned the route.
Some cruises go to the Caribbean. Some cruises go to the Arctic.
Passengers sleep, eat, and relax on the boat. Rooms have balconies for people to relax and enjoy the view of the sea. Cruise ships have swimming pools, gyms, and movie theaters!
You don't always have to travel on top of the water. Submarines travel under the surface of the water. They are often used by the military.
The crew can spend up to 3 months under water. The submarine swaps the crew, and leaves again. It might stay in the ocean for three years. Submarines often carry weapons and protect countries in hidden locations.
If you want an adventure, you could become a diver. Being a diver allows you to breathe underwater. You use a tank of oxygen to stay underwater for around 45 minutes.
Divers can visit old shipwrecks. A shipwreck is an old ship that has sunk. Sometimes, fish use it for their home. You never know what you will see down there.
If you want to stay above the water, you might consider a kayak. A kayak is a very simple boat. It can be used by one to three people. Kayaks don't have engines. They are powered by people. People must paddle across the water using their arms.
If this sounds too tiring, you could try a jet ski. Jet skis have engines and use gas to move. They have handlebars like a motorbike. Jet skis can travel up to 110 kilometers per hour. That's as fast as a lot of cars.
You might not be the most popular person at the beach though. Jet skis are very loud.
For something that is sure to excite you, why not try a banana boat. A banana boat is a long boat shaped like - you guessed it - a banana. It is pulled by a jet ski or small boat. Passengers are thrown around by the jet ski's twists and turns. Hold on tight, and try not to fall off! You don't want to do this one in cold water.
Do you prefer a relaxing cruise? Or do you want an ocean adventure? There is something for you out there.