Adventurous Beach Destinations (And What to Do There)

Adventurous Beach Destinations (And What to Do There)

Written by Shannon O’Donnell on

Shannon O'Donnell is a long-term traveler who has been on the road since 2008 and has lived everywhere from Southeast Asia to Barcelona, where she now calls home. She travels slowly and supports responsible tourism along the way, winning numerous awards for her work advocating for the communities impacted by travel and tourism.

Adventurous Beach Destinations (And What to Do There)

FOR ADVENTURE JUNKIES, A BEACH GETAWAY IS ABOUT SO MUCH MORE THAN SUNBATHING. DISCOVER SOME OF THE WORLD’S BEST HOT SPOTS FOR HEART-PUMPING ADVENTURES!

A great beach vacation is about so much more than lying in the sun! There’s no reason to hang up your sense of adventure once you unpack your bags and hit the shore. In fact, there are tons of beach destinations that are built for adventure-seekers. Whether you enjoy scuba diving, cave diving, deep-sea fishing, or horseback riding, just about every type of active diversion that you can imagine is available in the following places—along with gorgeous views of the ocean to flood your senses. Learn about some of the world’s best beach destinations for adventure and all the fun activities that you can take part in during your stay.

San Juan, Puerto Rico

The beauty of Puerto Rico’s shores is legendary. With so much to do here, you’ll hardly know where to begin. At Rincon, a world-renowned surf spot, the wave is near perfect on the right swell. Learn how to surf, and then try out your newfound knowledge at Tres Palmas or Sandy Beach. You can also ride horseback on the beach at San Juan, go rock climbing, or hike the tropical landscape. If that's not enough for you, the natural reserve of Mona Island is known for its wonderful scuba diving. If you go to Puerto Rico between the middle of April and June, you'll avoid the hectic winter season, as well as the rainy summer season.

Hawaii, USA

Beautiful Hawaii is the quintessential “sun and fun” destination. Did you know that it's also a Mecca for the adventurous? Make camp on the Big Island's Punalu’u Black Sand Beach, which features bubbling springs. The swimming isn’t ideal here, but the scenery is fantastic. Also on the Big Island: Ziplining and helicopter rides are two wild ways to enjoy the breathtaking ocean vistas all around you. Fancy some cliff diving? Check out Kipu Falls on the island of Kauai—the cliffs are 70 feet (about 21 meters) high! To avoid crowds and rain and to enjoy the state's fresh flowers and fruit, visit Hawaii during the spring.

The Bahamas

Diving doesn’t get better than this. If you’ve been eagerly anticipating your next trip to a reef, cave, or blue hole, know that you will find scuba spots beyond your wildest dreams here. With over 700 islands (many of them uninhabited), the Bahamas allow you to pick and choose your own site. You’ll encounter drifts, walls, and reef systems that are begging to be explored. Dive into a sunken galleon and swim with reef sharks! In terms of when to visit the Bahamas, the area gets 300 days of sunshine per year, so, weather-wise, all the seasons are spectacular. But to avoid the popular season, go between May and November. 

Turks and Caicos

One of the best ways to take in the stunning natural beauty of Grand Turk Island is on a kayaking adventure that takes you around the island. You might also enjoy snorkeling on Gibbs Cay or taking a swim with stingrays. While you're underwater, you’ll get a glimpse of gorgeous tropical fish and coral. Or take a whale-watching trip and learn all about the migratory habits of the humpback whale. Rather stay on land? In Middle Caicos, a series of fascinating caves make the perfect stomping ground for intrepid explorers. It's not ideal to visit Turks and Caicos during hurricane season (June to November) or peak travel time (December to March), so try to plan your trip in April or May, if possible.

Bali, Indonesia

There’s no better place to walk on the wild side than in beautiful Bali. Try out canyoning (a.k.a. canyoneering)—a pulse-pounding mixture of rock climbing, river trekking, cliff jumping, and abseiling (rappelling). Another option: Head to nearby Ubud for a bit of white-water rafting. Rainy season is November through March, so plan accordingly.

While Eagle Creek is here to provide tips and insights on travel, we cannot accept any responsibility for any potential consequences arising from the use of this information.  Always conduct your own research and use your best judgment.