The aim of the present study was to identify the factors influencing the sustainable development of water sports and recreational tourism in Khuzestan Province. This applied study employed a qualitative approach using thematic analysis. The study population included professors and experts in sport management, tourism and sport tourism, managers of tourism and sport tourism agencies, Ph.D. researchers in sport management and tourism, and experienced managers from the General Directorate of Youth and Sports of Khuzestan Province. Participants were selected through purposive and snowball sampling. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 20 experts, and the process continued until theoretical saturation was achieved. To ensure the validity and reliability of the study, four criteria credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability were applied. Reliability was calculated using intra-coder agreement, yielding 89%. The findings indicated that the factors influencing the sustainable development of water sports and recreational tourism in Khuzestan Province were categorized into 71 key points, 10 concepts, and 4 main categories: organizing requirements for sustainable development, information management, institutional frameworks, and digitalization and information technology. The conclusion suggests that achieving sustainable development in this field requires an integrated, institutional, and data-driven approach. Simultaneous attention to sustainable development requirements, strengthening institutional mechanisms, and utilizing digital technologies can facilitate effective policymaking and planning.