Now that the weather is heating up, start planning your social calendar around where to cool off.

Although hitting the beach is a popular choice – after all, we have 197km of blissful coastline to choose from – there are many other ways to make a splash in summer. 

From floating on air to blowing bubbles 30 metres below sea level, experience Perth's dreamy coastline and waterways differently with these exciting water-based activities in Perth.

1. Swan River Seaplanes

Have the best of both worlds on Swan River Seaplanes' new Sip & Scenic tour. The 2.5 – 3 hour experience combines luxury with airborne adventure, starting with a scenic picnic along South Perth Foreshore. Feast on a cheeseboard paired with a premium Margaret River wine with the Swan River and the city skyline as a gorgeous backdrop. 

After your delicious locally sourced picnic, soar over some of Perth's much-loved destinations on a 20-minute joy ride. Revel in a bird's eye view of Crown, Optus Stadium, Kings Park, City Beach, Cottesloe, Fremantle and more before touching down on the Swan River. Picnics don't get more extravagant than this!

Find out more: Swan River Seaplanes

2. Skydive Geronimo

Be bold, brave, and ready to see a lot of blue on an exhilarating skydive at Rottnest Island. Western Australia's only island skydive experience, lets you appreciate the island's stunning patchwork of blue and colourful landscapes as you climb from 5,000 to 15,000 feet altitude. 

Have the rush of your life making the jump and freefalling at 200km/hour back down to earth with the state's favourite island playground below you. Taking in the spectacular sights continues with the adrenaline-charged adventure touching down on one of the island's pristine beaches, either Salmon, Thomson or Bickley Bay. 

Want to make it even more memorable? Skydive Geronimo also offers proposal packages for those ready to make the leap of faith twice!

Find out more: Skydive Geronimo

3. The Raft Perth

Hop off the mainland to enjoy a bevy at the floating oasis, The Raft Perth. The city's most luxe raft is a social haven for those seeking off-kilter venues and vibes, offering global bites paired with an extensive drinks list.

It's an adventure (albeit short!) to visit, hopping onboard a tender vessel from Barrack Street Jetty No. 5 for five minutes to experience this unique bar and eatery on water. 

Find out more: The Raft Perth

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4. Mandurah BBQ Boats

Be both captain and chef for the day with Mandurah BBQ Boats. The self-drive, donut-shaped eco BBQ boats are a fun way to cruise Mandurah's renowned waterways.

Both socialising and feasting are on the agenda, with boats fitting up to ten people and each with a central BBQ. Bring your own food and drinks, or have the team at Mandurah Cruises stock the boat for you. While you cook' n' cruise, admire Mandurah's natural assets, arched bridges, high-rise apartments, and the city's cutest residents, bottlenose dolphins.

Mandurah's 'Teslas of the sea' are electric, fume-free and quiet, making it one smooth ride on water, with no skippers ticket required to steer these boats.

Find out more: Mandurah BBQ Boats

Discover more: The best free things to do in Mandurah

5. Pirate Ship Mandurah

Be a pirate for a day on an exciting seafaring adventure around Mandurah. It's the perfect excuse to speak pirate lingo (or even dress up!) as you journey Mandurah's scenic waterways and canals with a pirate captain. The 45-minute cruise offers a bounty of thrills with shooting water out of the ship's cannons and posing behind the ship’s wheel.

Besides getting up to pirate antics, look out for dolphins and myriad bird species that folk to Mandurah's shores. 

With a handful of cruise options available – from family-friendly to sundowners – it's a quirky excursion worth donning a pirate hat!

Find out more: Pirate Ship Mandurah

6. Funcats Watersports

Create your own water adventure with Funcats Watersports. Based in South Perth, the company provides catamaran, stand-up paddleboard (SUP) and kayak hire. It's a great way to experience the Swan River at your own leisurely pace and schedule.

Find out more: Funcats Watersports

7. Nauti Picnics

Upgrade your picnic game; Instead of laying a rug on land, have a floating feed with Nauti Picnics. 

The locally owned tour operator offers electric boat hire along the Swan River with no skipper's ticket required. Guide your mates (and pooch!) for two to six hours while enjoying nibbles and drinks from your picnic hamper as you freely roam the river. Too easy.

Find out more: Nauti Picnics

8. AQWA

Explore a colourful universe under the sea with a visit to AQWA. Western Australia's largest aquarium is home to over 4,000 fish and is the tenth biggest in the world!

Discover more about the flippers and fins who call the Indian Ocean home with 45 exhibits and marine demonstrations by leading experts. Stroll under the sea on Shipwreck Coast Tunnel – Australia's largest single aquarium. For something extra sea-real, dine on a three-course meal beneath the sea or have a daring snorkel with sharks and stingrays. Whichever the experience, you'll be amazed by the strange creatures that call our coast home.

Find out more: AQWA

9. Bucket List Diver

Put on your snorkel and fins for an aquatic adventure with Bucket List Diver. The premier dive academy offers dive trips across Perth, including Rottnest Island, Carnac Island, Hillarys, Rockingham, and the city's top reefs and beaches. On these diving exhibitions, you'll uncover shipwrecks, underwater landscapes and the variety of fish species that lurk in these striking habitats. 

Need your diving ticket? Bucket List Diver teaches PADI recreational courses, from open water to divemaster, so you can enhance your viewing pleasure below the sea.

Find out more: Bucket List Diver

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