If you’re looking to inject a little adventure into your holiday, there’s no better way than by exploring a variety of thrilling adventure sports. From the widely loved to the obscure, adventure sports come in all shapes and sizes, and there’s something for everyone. You can also take a look here if you want some tips to think about when on an adventure sports holiday.
Here are some exciting options for your next adventure holiday!
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1. Canyoning: Conquer Waterfalls and Gorges
Canyoning is a thrilling combination of adventure sports including hiking, climbing, swimming, and rappelling down waterfalls and through narrow gorges. It’s a heart-racing experience that brings you up close with nature’s raw beauty, often in remote and stunning landscapes. Popular destinations for canyoning include the French Alps, the Canary Islands, and Slovenia’s Soca Valley but you can also take part in the UK – e.g. in places like the Peak District!
2. Paragliding: Fly Like a Bird
If you’ve ever wanted to soar through the air, paragliding gives you that chance without needing any prior experience (yes, this is terrifying as a prospect). Take off from mountain peaks and glide over picturesque valleys, lakes, and oceans. The Swiss Alps, New Zealand, and even the beaches of Brazil offer stunning paragliding experiences, allowing you to see the world from a bird’s-eye view.
3. Whitewater Rafting: Ride the Rapids
For a classic adventure sport, whitewater rafting provides an adrenaline-pumping ride through fast-moving rivers and rugged terrain. Rivers in destinations like Colorado, the Zambezi in Africa, or New Zealand’s Tongariro River offer thrilling rapids, perfect for groups of adventurers looking to tackle the wild waters.
4. Trail Running: Embrace the Wilderness
Trail running is for those who want to push their limits while experiencing nature. Running on rugged trails through forests, mountains, and deserts brings an added challenge compared to your typical jog. Famous spots for trail running include the Rockies in North America, the mountains of Nepal, and the coastlines of New Zealand. You don’t necessarily need to ‘race’ – you could just do it for yourself, stop when you want, and take some pictures!
5. Sandboarding: Surf the Dunes
If you love snowboarding but are looking for a summer alternative, sandboarding could be your next thrill. Grab a board, head to the nearest sand dune, and let gravity take care of the rest. Popular sandboarding destinations include the dunes in Peru’s Ica Desert, the Sahara in Morocco, and the dunes of the UAE or Qatar. If you have time or the inclination, you could pair this with a ‘dune-bashing’ experience, where you go out in a jeep or similar with a trained driver and deflated tyres (it helps the grip on the slippery dunes!) – Elliot did this in Qatar and it was was fantastic!
6. Bungee Jumping: Take the Leap
For those looking to push their fear of heights to the limit, bungee jumping is a must. Jumping from bridges, cranes, or cliffs with only a bungee cord holding you is an exhilarating experience. Queenstown in New Zealand is known as the world’s bungee jumping capital, while there are jumps scattered across lots of countries like Australia, Switzerland, and South Africa.
7. Spearfishing: Hunt Underwater
For something truly unique, spearfishing combines fishing with the excitement of hunting. Whether you’re chasing fish in tropical reefs or exploring deeper waters, spearfishing requires skill, patience, and the ability to hold your breath while you line up your shot. Places like the Galapagos Islands, Fiji, and Australia’s Great Barrier Reef offer incredible opportunities for spearfishing. Obviously, there is an environmental consideration here so please be sure to work with a qualified and respectable guide who knows what fish can be taken without impacting the wider environment, and also consider eating the fish you spear!
8. Hang Gliding: Glide Through the Air
Similar to paragliding, hang gliding involves flying a non-motorized glider, providing a peaceful yet exhilarating flight experience. This is a great option for those who prefer a more immersive aerial experience. Notable hang-gliding locations include the cliffs of Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro, the coastal views of Thailand’s Chiang Mai, and the skies over Cape Town, South Africa.
9. Kitesurfing: Harness the Power of the Wind
If water sports are your thing but you want something faster-paced, kitesurfing might be the sport for you. By harnessing the power of the wind, you can skim across the water at high speeds, performing aerial tricks and jumps along the way (…maybe). The beaches of Mauritius, Tarifa and Fuertaventura in Spain, and Cape Town’s beaches are famous for offering ideal kitesurfing conditions.
10. Mountain Boarding: A Mix of Snowboarding and Off-Roading
Mountain boarding combines elements of snowboarding with downhill riding on rugged terrain. Ride down grassy hills, dirt tracks, and even through forests for a wild ride. The sport is growing in popularity, especially in places like the UK and parts of the US where slopes and hills offer the perfect playground for this action-packed sport.
11. Ice Climbing: Conquer Frozen Waterfalls
For those willing to face winter’s chill, ice climbing offers an extreme challenge. You’ll use specialized gear to ascend frozen waterfalls, ice-covered rock faces, and glaciers. Places like the Canadian Rockies, Norway’s Rjukan, and the Adirondacks in New York are ideal spots for those who want to test their climbing skills in icy conditions.
By exploring these diverse adventure sports, you’re sure to make your holiday one to remember—filled with excitement, challenge, and stories to tell for years to come. If you’re looking to book adventure sports we would recommend Adventuro. They have a great range of activities – particularly in the UK currently – and are committed to being environmentally positive, as well as supporting Re-Wilding Britain.
