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Water Sports Market Size, Share and Forecast 2026-2036

The global water sports market is worth USD 58.6 bn in 2026 and is forecast to reach USD 113 bn by 2036, growing at a 6.8% CAGR. United States is the largest country market and Scuba diving and snorkelling is the largest by activity segment.

USD 58.6 bnMarket size 2026
USD 113 bnForecast 2036
6.8%CAGR 2026-2036
United StatesLargest country

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5 segmentation views25 countries2026 to 2036 yearly forecast

Market overview

The global water sports market is worth USD 58.6 bn in 2026 and is forecast to reach USD 113 bn by 2036, growing at a 6.8% CAGR. United States is the largest country market and Scuba diving and snorkelling is the largest by activity segment.

ScopePaid participation in water sports tourism: scuba diving, surfing, sailing, kayaking, windsurfing, kitesurfing, jet skiing and snorkelling, including courses, guiding, equipment hire, charters and resort water activity packages.
IndustryTravel and Tourism
Value 2025USD 55.0 bn
Value 2026USD 58.6 bn
Value 2036USD 113 bn
CAGR 2026-20366.8%
Volume 20261,137 million participant days
Volume 20361,634 million participant days
Average price 2026USD 51.5 per participant day
Report priceStarts from USD 1,999
PublishedNovember 2026

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Water Sports market size and forecast, 2026-2036

Exhibit 1The global water sports market is forecast to grow from USD 58.6 bn in 2026 to USD 113 bn by 2036, a rise of 93%Global market value in USD: 2025 base year, 2026 estimate and forecast to 2036. CAGR 2026 to 2036: 6.8%
Water Sports market value, 2025 to 2036Market value by year. 2025: USD 55.0 bn; 2026: USD 58.6 bn; 2027: USD 62.6 bn; 2028: USD 66.8 bn; 2029: USD 71.4 bn; 2030: USD 76.2 bn; 2031: USD 81.4 bn; 2032: USD 86.9 bn; 2033: USD 92.8 bn; 2034: USD 99.1 bn; 2035: USD 106 bn; 2036: USD 113 bn. Compound annual growth rate 2026 to 2036: 6.8%.202558.6 bn202681.4 bn2031113 bn20366.8% CAGR

Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.

YearMarket value
2026USD 58.6 bn
2027USD 62.6 bn
2028USD 66.8 bn
2029USD 71.4 bn
2030USD 76.2 bn
2031USD 81.4 bn
2032USD 86.9 bn
2033USD 92.8 bn
2034USD 99.1 bn
2035USD 106 bn
2036USD 113 bn

Water Sports market segmentation

By activity

Exhibit 2Scuba diving and snorkelling is the largest segment by activity, with 26.0% of 2026 revenueEstimated share of 2026 global revenue, by activity
Water Sports market share by activity, 2026Share of 2026 revenue by activity. Scuba diving and snorkelling: 26.0%; Sailing and yacht charter: 24.0%; Surfing and board sports: 18.0%; Kayaking, canoeing and rafting: 14.0%; Powered watercraft: 12.0%; Others: 6.0%.Scuba diving and snorkelling26.0%Sailing and yacht charter24.0%Surfing and board sports18.0%Kayaking, canoeing and rafting14.0%Powered watercraft12.0%Others6.0%

Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.

SegmentShare 2026Share 2036Value 2026CAGR 2026-36
Scuba diving and snorkelling26.0%26.1%USD 15.2 bn6.8%
Sailing and yacht charter24.0%23.0%USD 14.1 bn6.3%
Surfing and board sports18.0%20.4%USD 10.5 bn8.2%
Kayaking, canoeing and rafting14.0%14.1%USD 8.2 bn6.8%
Powered watercraft12.0%11.0%USD 7.0 bn5.8%
Others6.0%5.5%USD 3.5 bn5.8%

By service

Exhibit 3Resort and package activities adds the most revenue by service, growing from USD 21.1 bn in 2026 to USD 41.2 bn by 2036Estimated revenue in USD by service, 2026 and 2036 forecast
Water Sports market by service, 2026 and 2036Revenue by service in 2026 and 2036. Resort and package activities: USD 21.1 bn in 2026, USD 41.2 bn in 2036, change +96%; Equipment hire and charter: USD 19.9 bn in 2026, USD 36.8 bn in 2036, change +85%; Courses and guided activities: USD 17.6 bn in 2026, USD 35.0 bn in 2036, change +99%.20262036 forecastChangeResort and package activities+96%21.1 bn41.2 bnEquipment hire and charter+85%19.9 bn36.8 bnCourses and guided activities+99%17.6 bn35.0 bn

Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.

SegmentShare 2026Share 2036Value 2026CAGR 2026-36
Equipment hire and charter34.0%32.6%USD 19.9 bn6.3%
Courses and guided activities30.0%31.0%USD 17.6 bn7.1%
Resort and package activities36.0%36.5%USD 21.1 bn6.9%

By participant level

SegmentShare 2026Share 2036Value 2026CAGR 2026-36
Beginner40.0%38.0%USD 23.4 bn6.2%
Intermediate34.0%34.0%USD 19.9 bn6.8%
Advanced20.0%22.0%USD 11.7 bn7.8%
Professional6.0%6.0%USD 3.5 bn6.8%

By booking channel

SegmentShare 2026Share 2036Value 2026CAGR 2026-36
Direct from operator38.0%32.0%USD 22.3 bn5.0%
Online platforms26.0%34.0%USD 15.2 bn9.7%
Hotels and resorts24.0%22.0%USD 14.1 bn5.9%
Travel agents12.0%12.0%USD 7.0 bn6.8%

By participant age

SegmentShare 2026Share 2036Value 2026CAGR 2026-36
Under 1818.0%17.0%USD 10.5 bn6.2%
18 to 3438.0%36.0%USD 22.3 bn6.2%
35 to 5430.0%30.0%USD 17.6 bn6.8%
55 and over14.0%17.0%USD 8.2 bn8.9%

Top 25 countries for water sports by revenue

Countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales in the country, not by where the product is made. The ten largest hold 71.0% of 2026 revenue and the 25 countries below together hold 93.0%.

Exhibit 4United States is the largest country market at USD 15.2 bn in 2026, and the three largest countries hold 39.0% of global revenueEstimated 2026 revenue in USD and share of the global market, ten largest countries
Water Sports market, ten largest countries in 2026Ten largest countries by 2026 revenue. United States: USD 15.2 bn, 26.0%; Spain: USD 4.1 bn, 7.0%; Australia: USD 3.5 bn, 6.0%; Italy: USD 3.5 bn, 6.0%; France: USD 3.2 bn, 5.5%; Greece: USD 2.9 bn, 5.0%; Thailand: USD 2.6 bn, 4.5%; Indonesia: USD 2.3 bn, 4.0%; Mexico: USD 2.3 bn, 4.0%; Egypt: USD 1.8 bn, 3.0%.United States15.2 bn 26.0%Spain4.1 bn 7.0%Australia3.5 bn 6.0%Italy3.5 bn 6.0%France3.2 bn 5.5%Greece2.9 bn 5.0%Thailand2.6 bn 4.5%Indonesia2.3 bn 4.0%Mexico2.3 bn 4.0%Egypt1.8 bn 3.0%

Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.

#CountryValue 2026Share 2026Value 2036CAGR 2026-36
1United StatesUSD 15.2 bn26.0%USD 27.0 bn5.9%
2SpainUSD 4.1 bn7.0%USD 7.6 bn6.3%
3AustraliaUSD 3.5 bn6.0%USD 6.6 bn6.4%
4ItalyUSD 3.5 bn6.0%USD 6.2 bn5.9%
5FranceUSD 3.2 bn5.5%USD 5.8 bn6.0%
6GreeceUSD 2.9 bn5.0%USD 5.8 bn7.0%
7ThailandUSD 2.6 bn4.5%USD 5.9 bn8.4%
8IndonesiaUSD 2.3 bn4.0%USD 5.5 bn9.0%
9MexicoUSD 2.3 bn4.0%USD 4.7 bn7.3%
10EgyptUSD 1.8 bn3.0%USD 4.0 bn8.5%
11PortugalUSD 1.6 bn2.8%USD 3.2 bn7.0%
12TurkeyUSD 1.5 bn2.5%USD 3.1 bn7.7%
13CroatiaUSD 1.3 bn2.2%USD 2.6 bn6.9%
14BrazilUSD 1.2 bn2.0%USD 2.3 bn7.0%
15PhilippinesUSD 1.1 bn1.8%USD 2.2 bn7.7%
16MaldivesUSD 961 mn1.6%USD 2.0 bn7.7%
17FijiUSD 861 mn1.5%USD 1.8 bn7.7%
18South AfricaUSD 779 mn1.3%USD 1.5 bn7.0%
19CanadaUSD 697 mn1.2%USD 1.4 bn7.0%
20GermanyUSD 633 mn1.1%USD 1.2 bn6.2%
21United KingdomUSD 568 mn1.0%USD 1.0 bn6.1%
22JapanUSD 510 mn0.9%USD 1.0 bn7.0%
23New ZealandUSD 457 mn0.8%USD 905 mn7.1%
24MalaysiaUSD 416 mn0.7%USD 871 mn7.7%
25Costa RicaUSD 369 mn0.6%USD 780 mn7.8%
Rest of worldUSD 4.1 bn7.0%USD 8.2 bn7.2%
Exhibit 5United States and Spain account for 28% of the USD 54.5 bn the market is forecast to add by 2036Forecast revenue added between 2026 and 2036 by country, in USD
Water Sports market, where the growth to 2036 comes fromRevenue added between 2026 and 2036. Market value 2026: USD 58.6 bn. United States: +USD 11.8 bn; Spain: +USD 3.5 bn; Thailand: +USD 3.2 bn; Indonesia: +USD 3.2 bn; Australia: +USD 3.0 bn; 20 other countries: +USD 25.7 bn; Rest of world: +USD 4.1 bn. Market value 2036: USD 113 bn.Market value 202658.6 bnUnited States+11.8 bnSpain+3.5 bnThailand+3.2 bnIndonesia+3.2 bnAustralia+3.0 bn20 other countries+25.7 bnRest of world+4.1 bnMarket value 2036113 bn

Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.

Competitive landscape

Group 1: Global leaders

  • PADI
  • Club Med
  • TUI
  • Sandals Resorts
  • Royal Yachting Association

Group 2: Regional and specialist players

  • Sunsail
  • The Moorings
  • Dream Yacht Worldwide
  • Scuba Schools International
  • Neilson Active Holidays
  • International Kiteboarding Organization
  • US Sailing
  • Mark Warner

Group 3: Emerging and niche players

  • Wavegarden
  • Kelly Slater Wave Company
  • American Wave Machines
  • URBNSURF

Research methodology

Every figure on this page comes from the research framework that we apply to all of the markets we cover. The 2025 base for the water sports market is built from the volume sold and the price that buyers pay, and is cross-checked against the size of the wider industry the market belongs to. Where a market can be sized in more than one way, the routes are compared before a figure is set.

The forecast runs year by year from the 2025 base to 2036. Growth in each year reflects demand from the industries that buy the product, adoption of new technology, pricing, regulation and replacement cycles. Volume and price are modelled together, so revenue in each year equals volume multiplied by average price. The 2026 to 2036 compound annual growth rate of 6.8% is calculated from the resulting values.

The market is divided by activity, by service, by participant level, by booking channel, by participant age. The 25 largest countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales to buyers in each country, not by where the product is made. Segment values and country values add up to the market total in every year, and every report is checked for consistency before it is published.

Companies are placed in three groups: global leaders, regional and specialist players, and emerging and niche players. The groups describe how companies compete in the market. They are not a ranking and they are not market shares.

Our analysts also carry out primary research. Customized reports add interviews with key opinion leaders, such as senior executives, technical specialists and buyers, to test the assumptions behind the numbers for the question being asked.

Read the full research methodology

Frequently asked questions

How big is the water sports market?

The global water sports market is estimated at USD 55.0 bn in 2025 and USD 58.6 bn in 2026.

How fast will the water sports market grow?

It is forecast to reach USD 113 bn by 2036, a compound annual growth rate of 6.8% from 2026, an increase of USD 54.5 bn.

Which country is the largest market for water sports?

United States is the largest market by revenue at USD 15.2 bn in 2026, 26.0% of the global total. The three largest countries together hold 39.0%.

Which country is growing fastest?

Among the ten largest markets, Indonesia is growing fastest at 9.0% a year from 2026 to 2036.

Which water sports segment is largest?

In the by activity split, Scuba diving and snorkelling is the largest segment with 26.0% of 2026 revenue.

Who are the leading water sports companies?

Global leaders include PADI, Club Med, TUI, Sandals Resorts.

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