Top 10 ways to beat the heat

Yep, it's hot - real hot. And as tempting as it is to stay indoors in the air-conditioned comfort of your home or in front of an open door in the freezer section of your local supermarket, braving the outdoors and heading for the water is a great way to make the most of a...well, sticky situation. This is how RedBalloon customers are choosing to stay cool in the summer heat.

"Awesome experience."

"We had an absolute blast! We saw dolphins and turtles and the snorkelling was so much fun. Staff were very friendly."

- Dee, Newcastle NSW

>> Marine Discovery Cruise with snorkeling, Nelson Bay, Port Stephens, NSW

>> Explore snorkelling and scuba diving experiences in your state

"Kayaking adventure awesomeness!"

"It was amazing fun. We will definitely do this again! There's nothing better than exploring North Harbour and having a private picnic on a deserted beach!"

- Rebecca, NSW

>> Double kayak hire in Manly for 2 - 4 hours

>> Shop kayaking and canoeing experiences in your state

"5 stars."

"Such an amazing experience. I would definitely do it again!"

- Kirstin, QLD

>> Parasail and stand up paddle board for 2

>> Shop parasailing experiences in your state

"Amazing dolphin & seal experience."

"We had a fantastic day swimming with dolphins and seals in Port Phillip Bay. The staff on board were really helpful and friendly. Awesome experience that I've always wanted to do."

- Em, VIC

>> Swim with dolphins and seals

>> Explore dolphin and seal experiences in your state

"Our jet boat adventure was incredible!"

"The extreme jet boat adventure was so amazing and a great experience! It's so affordable and I'd highly recommend everyone do it!"

- Mikaela, Brisbane QLD

>> High speed jet boat ride with 360 spins – 55 minutes

>> Explore jet boating experiences in your state

"Memorable experience."

"A fantastic stand up paddle board lesson. The location is perfect for beginners with calm waters and sufficiently shallow waters in some areas, which made it less daunting. The instructor was accomodating to everyone's needs and truly had a passion for showing us the local wildlife and history whilst helping us learn the techniques of stand up paddle boarding. Overall, a memorable day out with some great SUP skills to try out on my own."

- Amanda, Balmain NSW

>> Stand up paddle boarding lesson and safari for 2, The Basin, Kuring Gai Chase National Park, Sydney

>> Explore paddle boarding and surfing experiences in you state

"Loads of fun."

"Riding a jet ski was a great thrill and we couldn't ask for a better backdrop than the Whitsundays. With any luck you might also get to see turtles close up, like we did. The staff provide a thorough briefing before you go out, so allow an extra hour for this and they also take complimentary photos of you while you're out on the water. This was a great way to spend half a day and we would definitely recommend it."

- Nicole and Matt, Shellharbour NSW

>> Jet ski tour Whitsundays - 90 minutes Airlie Beach QLD

>> Explore jet skiing experiences in your state

"Best day!"

"Thanks to all of the crew members on our trip out to the reef! We cannot stop talking about our unforgettable experience. It was one of the best days we've ever had! We will recommend this experience to all of our family and friends who visit Australia! Thank you!!"

- Brooke, Scottsdale, AZ, United States

>> Great Barrier Reef cruise with scuba dive, snorkel and lunch

>> Explore all Great Barrier Reef experiences

"Perfect picturesque day and night on a yacht."

"Spent the day sailing to secluded beaches while learning about the area from our very knowledgable skipper, Rodney. We were then left to enjoy a delicious seafood platter while watching the sunset. The platter exceeded all expectations and topped off an already amazing day. Rodney ensured we had everything we needed for the night and provided a great breakfast for the following morning. I highly recommend this incredible experience and am already hoping to return in the future!"

- Lauren, NSW

>> Romantic overnight stay on a yacht for 2, Central Coast NSW

>> Explore yachting experiences in your state

"Wicked experience."

"Loved this! The team are super sweet and really try to help you get the most out of your day. Everyone got the basics down, and was up surfing by the end of the day! Highly recommended! The beach they took us to was nice and quiet (perfect for learning), and we had a great chat with everyone over a nice lunch.

>> Learn to surf day trip - 2 lessons plus lunch, Sydney, NSW

>> Explore surfing experiences in your state