Hunting down the best locations for an action-packed escapade is an adventure on its own. Someone recommended a nice hill to hike on? Sure. Found a decent beach to go skiing? Cool. But how amazing is to find a thrilling landscape that instantly gives you the goosebumps? Rare, right? This is why we’ve curated a list of cool adventurous activities for all thrill-seekers out there!
You are about to open the pandora’s box full of crazy adventure and bucket list destinations!
Swimming with Whales in Dominican Republic
Take the plunge and dive right by the colossal whales, especially humpback whales in the Atlantic waters of Dominican Republic. It has been found that this is where you could find the largest concentration of the North Atlantic humpbacks compared to any other parts of the world.
More specifically, Silver Bank, located 90km north of the Dominican Republic, is the designated the ‘Sanctuary for the Marine Mammals of the Dominican Republic’. It’s a place where these beautiful creatures are protected and taken care of.
And swimming in Silver Bank is highly regulated, which means a safe, whales-packed environment. The Turks & Caicos Aggressor II is one of the few liveaboards that has the permit to bring visitors in to swim with the whales in the Silver Bank. And joining one of these trips will be a memorable time for you. While, this is a calming experience, it also can be quite a risky business. Because whales don’t like to be interrupted and by swimming with them you’re literally in their territory. In addition to that, the massive size of humpbacks to the volatile nature of the sea will make it feel like you are in the field of Jurassic Park. Therefore, feel the excitement and make best use of it, while making sure you follow the clear instructions by your guide.
Paragliding in Oludeniz
Fly away, watch the birds beside you and fall in love with the breathtaking blue lagoon views around the Babadağ mountain. Paragliding is one the most heartwarming and cool adventurous activities.
The takeoff begins at an altitude of around 2000 meters from where you will glide down to 0 meters. Even if heights don’t scare you in general, this will still be an adrenaline-filled 2-hours long experience. Yes, imagine being up and floating your way down for that long! Also, Oludeniz is very popular for having its wonderful views and a credible network pilots and equipment. Remember, taking experiences that make you feel like you’re casting caution to the wind is all fun and games only when done as per the correct guidelines. Therefore, put safety first, always!
Surf Down an Active Volcano in Nicargua
If the thought of nearing an active volcano may feel like you’re flirting with danger, then imagine the thrill when surfing down one. What makes this kind of cool adventurous activities more special is that a lot of people don’t know this activity actually exists. This way, there’s lot more mystery to this and that doubles up the excitement.
It’s simple as getting to the top of the active volcano Cerro Negro, before sliding down at a speed of up to 30mph (48kph)! Well yeah, it’s not that simple. Expect to get bruises, cut or even hit by flying molten lava. And that’s the badass thing about it. However, for your own safety and to avoid inhaling poisonous gases or getting hit by something extremely dangerous, gear up! Not just jumpsuits and goggles, cover different parts of your body with helmets, masks, gloves, etc.
Base Tripping from the Top of Angel Falls
If you didn’t know, Angel Falls is the highest waterfall in the world with a height close to 1000 meters! And base jumping is not for everyone, including some of the biggest adrenaline junkies because you need to be brave as a lion to take the leap from hundreds of meters high. The people who usually do it are professionals.
If you are keen to add this as your once-in-a-lifetime bucketlist activity, you can train your way to it. In simple terms, this is basically skydiving without the help of an instructor but you can get an experienced base jumper to guide you along. However, skydiving is considered less dangerous than this because you are jumping from a higher altitude. And here you don’t have much time to open your chute. Also, the fatality rate is usually 1 to every 60 participants. Therefore, try this only if you are comfortable with things such as skydiving and have an expert to guide you.
Storm Chasing in Kansas
Yes, if you are the kind of person who likes to dance in the rain and runs towards the sounds of heavy winds, then you’ve got to sign up for storm chasing tour!
These are carried out by experienced drivers who will drive you so close to the most powerful storms and drive you back safely. Many say the feeling of standing in front of a rotating storm clouded by a loud howling sound can make you feel like a speck of dust. And that rush will wipe every worry out of your mind. So, if this excites you and you do want to try this out, choose a tour company with an excellent track record like Tempest Tours or Silver Lining Tours. Eventhough, you will be guided professionals, it’s best to keep yourself educated through sources like stormtrack.org.
Whitewater Rafting in Zimbabwe
The Zambezi River in Zimbabwe is what makes this ever-popular adventurous sport much more exciting.
This is a high volume river with intense rapids such as “Gnashing Jaws of Death”, and some huge drops. So, expect a gigantic water level that can make you feel like you can go under water any minute. The surroundings are turbulent with big and regular waves crashing over the boat.
Well, there will be a lot happening but that’s what gives you this electrifying feeling. Plus, you will be able to watch crocodiles and hippos up close. Once again, choose a reliable tour guide as with every adventure, there’s some risk too. That way, someone with the know-how can help you make the best out of it!
Mule Riding in Grand Canyon
In this long list of cool adventurous activities, this one’s a lot more on the calm side because people seek thrill in so many ways. However, the stirring thrill it brings is as great as the other ones.
You can immerse in the grand sceneries in Canyon while sitting on a mule that will take you around several cliffs. And they will walk on the outer edge of every narrow trail but there’s no need to worry. Simply trust your mule. They are very stubborn so they will be careful not to hurt themselves. Therefore, some people may say that this is the scariest safe thing that they have ever done! Also, don’t forget mules have been doing this since the 1800s. They are pros! Plus, if you’re an adrenaline junkie trying to get your friends warm up to exciting outdoor activities, this is where you start.
Cave Diving in the Great Blue Hole
Explore a whole new different world beneath this giant marine sinkhole near the center of Lighthouse Reef. The circular UNESCO site stretches 300m across and goes 125m deep and a whole lot darker than you can imagine.
This is the doorway to a surreal exploration of geological formations, walls, caves, caverns, tunnels. Plus, rare marine species like bull sharks, hammerheads and more. For divers, blue holes are like a gold mine because it’s free of narrow ways and it’s easier to dive. However, the Great Blue Hole is one of the deadliest places to go diving. Therefore, unless you are 1000-percent sure of ditching the toxic air levels, sharks and the misleading clear water, you shouldn’t attempt this. So, don’t let your ego get in the way and lead you into a fatal attraction. Instead, learn how deep you can go depending on your diving experience and visit with those who have visited before.
Bobsledding in Lillehammer
Looking for cool adventurous activities during winter? Lillehammer, is a little town in Norway that hosted the Olympic Games in 1994. And now it’s where you’d find Northern Europe’s only artificially frozen bobsleigh and luge track.
If you’re a beginner, you can start with bob rafting. It goes on a rubber bobsled, with 5-6 people and the expert pilot. And it’s fit to keep you on your toes with a reaching speed of up to 80-100km/hour. Then, if you think that was a piece of cake and you can handle something more extreme, consider trying out the Olympic-style bob sled. It will definitely be a wild ride that will fill you up with energy. The speed can go up to 120km/hour! After the ride, you will receive a certificate and become an official member of the prestigious 5G Club.
Surfing the Banzai Pipeline
Surfing is a no-brainer when it comes to all things adventure-related. However, if you’re familiar with the water sport and want something more cooler, look no further than the Banzai Pipeline in Hawaii. Because only the best of the best surfers are able to conquer these waves that can go up to 20ft long.
And if you happen to wonder why the wave as a pipe like shape, it’s because of reef close to the shoreline. Plus, these reefs are known to have sharp objects and rocky edges that can easily hurt the surfers. Therefore, watch out and get all the help you need from other fellow experience surfers.
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