The Best Adventure Holidays around the World
Does your dream holiday involve adrenaline-pumping adventures? If so, then this list is for you. Discover the best adventure holidays around the world. Go on a holiday you'll never forget.
1. Coasteering in Newquay, Cornwall, UK đ
The best adventure holiday for swimming and rock climbing.
Coasteering is the perfect aquatic adventure for sea lovers seeking adventure. Coasteering involves traversing a rocky coastline through walking, climbing and swimming.
It's the perfect adventure if you enjoy:
- Rock climbing
- Exploring caves and coves
- Witnessing marine life
- Swimming
- Negotiating tides and whirlpools
- Hiking
Newquay is the ideal location for coasteering, with its rugged yet picturesque coastline. It's also a great location for surfing and bodyboarding!
Take me to Newquay âïž
The closest airport is Cornwall Newquay Airport (NQY), which operates scheduled domestic flights in the UK. There are also seasonal flights from elsewhere in Europe with airlines such as Eurowings, SAS Scandinavian Airlines, Ryanair and Aer Lingus Regional.
2. Dune adventures in the Namib Desert đïž
The best adventure holiday for desert exploration.
The vast slopes of the Namib Desert may seem gentle from afar, but the activities they provide are far from subdued.
It's the perfect adventure holiday if you enjoy:
- Sand boarding (reach speeds of up to 80 km/h)
- Quad biking
- Dune buggies
The word "Namib" translates to "vast and empty place" in the Khoekhoe language, but a trip there is far from lacking in experiences. This coastal desert is vast and spans over 2,000 km, extending across Namibia, South Africa, and Angola. One of the best parts for adventurers to consider is the Sossusvlei area, which boasts one of the most stunning landscapes in the Namib, featuring red, pink, and orange dunes surrounded by bright white salt pans.
Take me to the Namib Desert âïž
Eros Airport (ERS), also known as Windhoek Eros Airport, is the closest airport to Sossusvlei, with airlines such as Westair Aviation operating flights to the airport. Although further away from Sossusvlei, the recommended airport to use is Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH), which offers a greater selection of airlines, including South African Airways and British Airways. From the latter airport, it's a six-hour drive to the Namib-Naukluft National Park, with access to Sossusvlei via the tarmac road from the Sesriem gate.
3. Parkour in Calgary, Canada đ
The best adventure holiday for city lovers.
Adventure holidays aren't just limited to natural environments. Urban adventures are just as exciting. One of the best city-based adventure holidays involves parkour in Calgary.
It's the perfect adventure holiday if you enjoy:
- Navigating obstacles
- Heights
- Cardiovascular activities (running, jumping and climbing)
- Acrobatics
It's essential to choose the right location for parkour. Although the activity is generally legal in Canada, you could encounter trouble if you're trespassing on private property. Be sure to pay attention to signs and notices and avoid off-limits areas.
Calgary is an ideal setting for parkour, boasting a dedicated parkour training facility called Breathe Parkour. Once you're feeling confident, head to downtown Calgary's Century Gardens park. The park is filled with Brutalist structures, including concrete walls, bridges, and blocks, making it the perfect location for some parkour or free running.
Take me to Calgary âïž
Calgary International Airport (YYC) is just a 20-minute drive from Downtown Calgary. This international airport offers flights to destinations worldwide on airlines such as Air Canada, WestJet, Flair Airlines, and Air Transat.
4. White Water Rafting on the Pacuare River, Costa Rica đŁââïž
The best adventure holiday for jungle views.
White water rafting is an action-packed adventure that involves steering an inflatable raft across fast-moving waters.
It's the perfect adventure holiday if you enjoy:
- Team activities
- Getting wet
- Navigating obstacles
The Pacuare River, or Rio Pacuare, in Costa Rica, is one of the best destinations for rapids in the world, made even better by the fact that the river is considerably warmer than other white water rafting destinations.
Although you may be too focused on the task at hand to notice the beautiful surroundings, the Pacuare River is situated in a dense jungle complete with unique wildlife, which is excellent for exploring after your white-water adventure.
Take me to the Pacuare River âïž
If you require an international flight, the best airport to use is San JosĂ©'s Juan SantamarĂa International Airport (SJO), which operates flights to destinations around the world on airlines such as Copa Airlines, Avianca, Alaska Airlines and Spirit Airlines. The airport is a three-hour drive from the river. Often, companies that organise the rafting will arrange transport from San JosĂ©.
5. Canyoning in Zion National Park, Utah, USA đ§
The best adventure holiday for climbing.
Canyoning, also known as canyoneering or gorge walking, is a great way to explore the fascinating landscapes and formations of some of America's canyons. Testing your personal limits and teamwork with friends or family during this thrilling adventure.
It's the perfect adventure holiday if you enjoy:
- Hiking
- Caving
- Climbing and mountaineering
Depending on where you choose to go canyoning, you may encounter waterfalls, gorges, and rock pools.
Zion National Park in southern Utah is a great location for canyoneering. Carved out by the Virgin River around 250 million years ago, the impressive uplift and erosion of the area have formed rainbow-coloured sandstone cliffs and canyons, beautiful waterfalls such as Weeping Rock and Archangel Falls, and, the streams of the Virgin River. The canyon spans over 200 square miles, offering numerous spots for canyoning that cater to various skill levels.
Take me to Zion National Park âïž
The closest airport to Zion National Park is St. George Regional Airport (SGU), just an hour by car. The airport only operates domestic flights on regional airlines such as Allegiant Air and American Eagle. If you need international flights, Las Vegas' McCarran International Airport (LAS) is only a three-hour drive from the park, with international flights on airlines such as Spirit Airlines, Contour Airlines and Eurowings.
6. Snorkelling in the Raja Ampat Islands, West Papua Province, Indonesia đ€ż
The best adventure holiday for marine life.
Although snorkelling is perhaps not as adrenaline-inducing as other activities on this list, it's still a great option for an underwater adventure.
It's the perfect adventure holiday if you enjoy:
- Swimming
- Seeing marine life
As it's a slower-paced activity, you'll have the chance to really explore and take in the sights of the West Papua Province's underwater life. Indonesia is an ideal location for snorkelling, thanks to its thriving marine life and crystal-clear waters. It also has plenty of coral. In fact, over 65% of the world's coral species can be found at Raja Ampat. Many people snorkel there, so you'll easily be able to find a company offering equipment.
Take me to Raja Ampat
The closest airport to Raja Ampat is Sorong airport, officially known as Domine Eduard Osok Airport (SOQ). A number of regional airlines fly here, including Sriwijaya Air, Garuda Indonesia, Nam Air and Batik Air.
7. Volcano Exploring in RĂ©union
The best adventure holiday for seeing an active volcano.
Get the chance to see an active volcano at RĂ©union Island. The volcano erupts roughly once every 8 months, and is a safe location to visit, thanks to eruptions being monitored and well-contained.
It's the perfect adventure holiday if you enjoy:
- Hiking
- Volcanos
Piton de la Fournaise on RĂ©union Island is one of the world's most active volcanoes and is the perfect destination for volcano-lovers. If you're up for a steep ascent and if the volcano isn't currently erupting, you can hike up the volcano and walk around the volcano's caldera (the crater at the centre of the volcano, formed by a previous eruption). There, you'll get a spectacular view of both the inside of the volcano and the slopes below.
During eruptions, although the island can be visited, you cannot approach the volcano. With paths being closed and access not permitted. It won't be a wasted holiday, though - watching a volcano erupt from afar is mesmerising, as you see the huge cloud of smoke and ash emitted, along with the occasional bright orange lava flows.
Take me to RĂ©union
The best airport for international flights on Réunion Island is Roland Garros International Airport (RUN). This airport has airlines flying to destinations from around the world, including Air Austral and Air Madagascar.
âDisclaimer: Adventure holidays can be physically taxing. Make sure you're in fit condition for the activities you plan to participate in, e.g., don't go white water rafting if you can't swim.â
Check out our other blogs
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