Sometimes my husband plans our travel adventures and I just have to try really hard not to think about them before they happen. We’re talking paragliding off a mountain, swimming with black tip sharks, and kayaking in the open ocean. HELLO—whales and sharks, people! There are even times when I’m moderately okay with an activity and then a curveball comes out of nowhere. That was the case when we ziplined through the jungles of Chiang Mai, Thailand—nobody mentioned I’d also be rappelling to the jungle floor.
If you’re ready to stop saying “someday” and start checking things off, I’ve got 23 adventurous activities for an epic bucket list—spanning land, water, and sky. From heart-pounding moments in the air to underwater encounters you won’t forget, these are the adventures worth planning your trips around. And yes—I’ve done nearly all of them. Not always enthusiastically, but I did them.
23 Adventurous Activities for an Epic Bucket List
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These 23 adventures span six continents and every type of terrain imaginable—jungle canopies, volcanic craters, mountain peaks, and open ocean. Some are heart-pounding from start to finish. Others sneak up on you right when you think you’ve got it handled. A few involve animals that could absolutely eat you. These adventurous activities range from guided hiking excursions and jeep tours to whitewater rapids and cliff jumps—and if you’re traveling with your person, you’ll want to check out my couples adventure bucket list too.
There’s something here whether you’re just dipping your toe into adventure travel or ready to go full send. Grab a pen—your bucket list is about to get longer.
Zipline Tours for an Epic Adventure
Nothing says epic adventure quite like flying through the canopy with your feet nowhere near the ground. These two zipline tours took us from jungle floors to rainforest treetops, and both delivered the kind of adrenaline rush that’s impossible to fake.
1. Zipline Tour in Chiang Mai, Thailand
Our guide kicked things off by asking if we knew what the forked bamboo sticks hanging from our gear were for. Snake killing in the jungle, apparently. Just kidding—they’re brakes. Whew. What followed were ten zipline runs, a few sketchy rope bridges, and then a 40-foot vertical drop by rope. I talked myself through it, bent my knees, stuck the landing. Then came the 120-foot drop. This was NOT in the brochure. Pretty sure I just closed my eyes and plunged.
Experience this epic adventure: Zipline Tour in Chiang Mai
2. Zipline Tour in Guanacaste, Costa Rica
On a recent excursion to Costa Rica, Chris and I ziplined through Diamanté Adventure Park, five runs total, capped off by the Superman run flying face-first through the canopy. Naturally, a bee found its way under my pant leg mid-wait and stung me before I ever felt it land. Turns out the sting was the scariest part of the whole day.
Experience this adventure: Zipline Canopy Tour in Costa Rica
Animal Adventures
Some of the best adventures come from getting close to animals you’ll remember for years. These two encounters range from gentle to genuinely thrilling, but both left us with pictures and stories worth telling.
3. Elephants in Chiang Mai, Thailand
Spending time with elephants at a sanctuary outside Chiang Mai is unlike anything else on this list. We fed them, bathed them, and watched a baby elephant steal the show just by being a baby elephant. These gentle giants are even more enormous up close, and the sanctuary setting means you’re supporting ethical elephant tourism instead of just checking a box.
Check out this adventure: Ran-Tong Elephant Center
4. Snorkeling with Black Tip Sharks in Tahiti
Chris and I booked a half-day tour with Captain Leo that included gear, snacks, and transfer from our Moorea hotel. We stopped first where black tip sharks and stingrays gather, and thankfully, they left us alone. From there, we snorkeled a coral garden between two small islands off Moorea, spotting plenty of colorful tropical fish along the way.
If you want to experience this adventure: Moorea Snorkeling & Sailing on a Catamaran named Taboo”
White Water Rafting
Few adventures get your heart pounding like whitewater rafting, whether it’s a technical river abroad or a solid run close to home.
5. Rafting on the Rangitikei River, New Zealand
Interested in Class V river rafting? Chris found River Valley Adventure Lodge in New Zealand while planning our trip. Gearing up meant a long-sleeved shirt, a fleece layer, a wet suit, booties, a helmet, and another jacket on top, before a thirty-minute bus ride to the drop-off point. Our guides briefed us before we climbed into the rafts for 2.5 hours of Class III to Class V rapids. Getting dumped in the river a few times aside, it was epic.
If you want to experience this epic adventure: Rafting the Rangitikei River
6. Rafting in Buena Vista, Colorado
If you are looking to tick off your bucket list with an amazing adventure, you can’t go wrong with white water rafting on the Arkansas River in Buena Vista, Colorado. From gentle Class I & II floats to advanced Class IV runs, the Arkansas offers some of the best rafting in the US. Chris booked our “advanced” trip on the Numbers Class IV section, and we turned out to be the only two who’d signed up. Score, a private adventure with our guide, Rye.
If you want to experience this epic adventure: Rafting the Numbers in Buena Vista
Jeep & Boat Tours
Sometimes the best way to see a place is letting someone else drive, from red rock canyons to Mediterranean coastlines.
7. Jeep Ride in Sedona, Arizona
Chris and I surprised our girls with a jeep tour while visiting Sedona, Arizona. They thought it was a very welcome break from all the hikes we were “making” them do. Our driver settled us into an open-air 4×4, and our youngest, six at the time, loved it. Between the jostling and the history and lore our guide shared, the ride earned me a new nickname: “bobblehead Mom.”
If you want to experience this epic adventure: Sedona 4×4 Jeep Tour
8. Jet Boat Tour of the Rogue River, Oregon
Our jet boat tour started at 11:30 am with a chilly morning at Gold Beach, though temperatures climbed fast once we were skimming upstream. Bring layers you can peel off, and don’t skip the sunscreen. Our guide zoomed us up the Rogue River, narrating wildlife, history, and the bridges along the way, with stops at Agnes and a late lunch around 4pm on the return.
If you want to tick off your bucket list with a jet boat tour: Rogue Jet Boat Adventures
9. Jungle Jeep Tour in Papeete, Tahiti
Travel to the heart of Tahiti Nui into the crater of the island’s inactive volcano on a 4×4 jungle safari. Our guide shared local lore and legends, discoveries of native trees and flowers, waterfalls, and a swimming hole where you’ll stop for lunch and a dip in the water. This tour features off-roading on trails that are sketchy at times. Our guide classified the tour as “bumpy” and “more bumpy”! Chris and I had the bruises to prove it as we hung on to the bars in the back of the truck.
If you want to experience this epic adventure: Jungle Jeep Tour in Tahiti
10. Boat Tour of the Amalfi Coast, Italy
Our skipper, Flavio, navigated the choppy peninsula waters with real skill, muttering “He isa stupida skipper” about a coworker who cut too close and kicked up extra wake just to mess with us. Near the Amalfi Coast Flavio pulled into a quiet cove and broke out pool noodles, snorkels, and snacks for a swim break.
We had about an hour in Amalfi, just enough for a quick lunch of Margherita pizza from a tiny takeaway spot called Fior di Pizza. From there it was on to Positano, where Kristen swam at the beach with Chris keeping watch while Misha and I wandered the town and found no shortage of instagrammable places to photograph.
If you want to experience this epic adventure: Small Boat Tour of Amalfi Coast
Hiking Excursions for Your Adventure Bucket List
Nothing earns a view quite like hiking for it, from easy boardwalks to leg-burning climbs.
11. Hiking into the Mt. Pinatubo Volcano, Philippines
Our family signed waivers and packed into a 4×4 jeep by 6:30 am, ready for the trek to Mt. Pinatubo, an inactive volcano. Early morning meant cooler temps as we forded streams, passed grazing carabao, and bounced along dirt roads to a breakfast stop. A couple more hours of jostling in the jeep got us to the trailhead, where our guide, Audi, led us on a 30-minute hike down a lush mountain path to the crater. Stone steps opened onto the payoff: a glassy lake cradled inside the volcano’s rim. We enjoyed lunch and time to relax before retracing our steps back up that afternoon.
If you want to tick off your bucket list: Mt. Pinatubo Trek
12. Hike to Sky Pond, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
Chris picked a doozy for this one—just under 10 miles round trip with nearly 2,000 feet of elevation gain. The route starts at the Glacier Gulch Trailhead in RMNP, climbs past Alberta Falls, and continues to The Loch. From there it winds around the Lake of Glass, past Timberline Falls, and up to Sky Pond. Let’s just say this is NOT an epic adventure I’ll want to repeat. Past the Loch, the trail turns into scrambling and then hunting for handholds up the side of a waterfall and praying I wouldn’t slip.
If you want to experience this epic adventure outdoor: RMNP from Denver or Boulder
13. Hike to Vernal & Nevada Falls in Yosemite National Park, California
Are you planning to hike the Mist Trail in Yosemite National Park? It climbs first to Vernal Fall, then continues on to Nevada Fall, with 2,000 feet of total elevation gain, so pace yourself. The first stretch to Vernal Fall is a paved, mostly uphill 1.5 miles (3 miles round trip, 1,000 feet of gain), turning misty with waterfall spray as you get close. Pushing on to Nevada Fall adds another 1,000 feet of climbing, bringing the full round trip to 5.4 miles back to the valley floor.
Add this experience to your bucket list of adventures: Vernal and Nevada Falls Tour
14. Hike from Monterosso al Mare to Vernazza in Cinque Terre, Italy
If you plan to hike during your visit to Cinque Terre, start early, especially in summer, for fewer crowds and cooler temps. The narrow path climbs from the start, but hikers of all fitness levels tackle it. It’s 2.2 miles with 705 feet of elevation gain, taking about 1.5-2 hours for the average adventure seeker.
Take your time and enjoy the walk. Stop for pictures, and watch for your first glimpse of Vernazza’s brightly colored buildings as you get close.
If you want to experience this epic world adventure: Private Cinque Terre Hiking Tours
15. Hike to Hanging Lake in Glenwood Springs, Colorado
This is one of the can’t-miss adventures and hikes near Glenwood Springs. You will need to plan ahead with a reservation. Be prepared to climb steps and boulders up and up and up through the canyon for 3.1 miles (round trip) and 1,200 feet of elevation gain.
There are only a few flat sections along the way—and seven or eight bridges to cross. Once you get close to the lake, a railing had been installed to help hikers up the last bit of the trail. And you will need it. Enjoy the view of Hanging Lake and Bridal Veil Falls as you stop to rest.
If you want to experience this epic adventure: Hanging Lake Hike Reservations
16. Vintgaring Through Slovenia’s Vintgar Gorge
Chris and I hiked the wooden boardwalks winding through Vintgar Gorge, turquoise water rushing beneath us and canyon walls rising on both sides the whole way. It’s an easy, mostly flat walk that somehow delivers postcard views at every turn, no technical skill required. Slovenia doesn’t get nearly enough credit as a hiking destination, and this gorge is proof it should. Grab the full breakdown in my Epic Adventures in Vintgar Gorge post before you go.
Water Adventure Activities
Some adventures are better experienced soaking wet. From cliff jumps to whale sightings, water’s the common thread.
17. Cliff Jumping at Blue Hole, Jamaica
Every group at the Blue Hole gets a guide, so after paying the entrance fee, ours led us down to the water. I expected a nice swimming hole. What I got instead was a series of jumps into cascading pools. I’m not a swimmer, and I’m definitely not a jumper. But I did it anyway, telling myself, “I swam with sharks, I can do this.”
If you’re feeling brave, you can also walk down the side of a waterfall holding onto a rope. The last jump was off a 15-foot cliff. My youngest tried it twice. The rest of us declined.
If you want to add this to your bucket list of adventures: Blue Hole Tour in Jamaica
18. Kayaking in the Ocean at La Jolla, California
You can rent a one, two, or three-seat kayak for your time on the water. We booked two hours, though one would’ve been plenty. A seal kept popping up alongside us the whole time, which never stopped being fun.
Misha wanted to ride the surf back in, so Chris dropped five-year-old Kristen off on the beach and paddled back out with her for round two. Big mistake. They got dumped by a wave, and I managed to snap a photo of the exact moment they resurfaced, Chris frantically grabbing for his hat, the kayak shop’s locker key, and his prescription sunglasses all at once. He saved the hat. Twenty minutes of searching turned up nothing else. The key cost us another $15, and the sunglasses were gone for good.
If you want to experience this adventure, but not lose your expensive glasses!: La Jolla Sea Caves Kayak Tour
19. Whale Watching Tour in Anacortes, WA
Chris and I booked a whale watching excursion out of Anacortes, Washington, one of my favorite fall activities for your adventure bucket list. The calm winds and waters around the San Juan Islands make this one of the best spots to see orcas, humpback whales, minke whales, gray whales, and plenty of other wildlife along the way.
Every whale in the area is documented, named, and identifiable by its markings and fin. “Split Fin,” a humpback known for swimming close to the islands, put on a great show the day we were out there.
If you want to experience this adventure: Anacortes Whale Watching
Sky Adventures
Adventure might mean your feet leave the ground entirely, whether that’s paragliding or drifting by balloon.
20. Paragliding from Mt. Pilatus, Switzerland
A couple of months before our trip to Switzerland, I told Chris that I would consider paragliding with him from Mount Pilatus. He wasted no time finding a reputable company and booking us both. I made a point of not thinking about it until it was actually happening.
When the day came for our scheduled tandem paragliding session, we met our guides, Marcel and Werner, in the lobby of Hotel Bellevue on Mt. Pilatus and followed them out to the staging area for a bird’s eye view of the Swiss Alps. Chris soared off first. Then it was my turn, and despite the nerves, it was epic.
If you want to experience this epic adventure: Paraglide from Mt. Pilatus
21. Hot Air Balloon Ride in Pagosa Springs, CO
Few adventures get you this high without requiring you to do any of the work yourself. A hot air balloon ride starts before sunrise with a blast of propane and a slowly inflating canopy that somehow looks bigger once you’re standing under it. Once you’re up, the ride is dead silent, just a slow drift over the Pagosa Springs landscape with views no hike or jeep tour can match. Landings range from a gentle bump to “hang on and bend your knees,” so consider that part of the adventure too.
If you want to experience this sky high adventure: Hot Air Balloon Ride in Pagosa Springs, CO
Mountain Adventure Activities
Two wheels or a snowmobile, the mountain is always the main event.
22. Mountain Biking
Chris has loved mountain biking from the first time he tried it. Me? Hard pass. Careening down a mountainside face-first isn’t my thing. Is this one for your bucket list? Some of the fun places Chris loves to ride in the summer include:
- Keystone, Winter Park, Vail, and Breckenridge Ski Resorts
- Arches National Park
- Poison Spider Trail in Moab
- Palisade Plunge atop Grand Mesa in Colorado
These trails are not for the faint of heart, but if you love body-jarring, life threatening turns and twists all the way down the mountain, give it a try.
If you want to experience this epic adventure: Mountain Biking Tour in Colorado
23. Snowmobiling
Hey everyone! Pull on your snow pants, zip up your jacket, put on your helmets for snowmobiling and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime. Chris and I were visiting Glenwood Springs for the weekend and were happy to find snowmobiling tours with Sunlight Mountain Resort Tours. Chris skied there as well and called it a smaller yet genuinely pleasant place to ski.
Our tour guide, Ty, arrived at the rental shop at 9:30 am and signed in the group: a family of five from New York, a mom with her seven-year-old daughter, and a twenty-something couple. Ty learned everyone’s names within minutes and used that familiarity to keep things fun while still keeping us safe.
If you want to experience this epic adventure: Sunlight Mountain Tours
Outdoor Adventure Gear
Before you head out on any of these adventures, check out a few essentials.
Adventure Gear Must-Haves
Quick hits on what we never leave home without:
- Travel Backpack: Chris and I both like the North Face Recon Backpacks. They have a standard version and a women’s version.
- Water: A Camelbak reservoir plus electrolyte packets like Zipfizz for a boost.
- Snacks: Protein bars keep us fueled.
- Sunscreen: Use sunscreen every day, not just on your beach days.
- Sunscreen: PCA Skin Active Broad Spectrum SPF 45 for your face is worth the splurge.
- Sunglasses: Ray-Bans with a sunglass strap so they stay on your face.
- Hand Sanitizer: For all the things you touch, hand sanitizer is essential.
- Maps: Download your route ahead of time in case you lose cell service.
- Portable Power Bank: Long days of adventuring will drain your phone faster than you think. Don’t get caught without one. Shop power banks here.
- Clothing: Sun-protective layers, real footwear, and a hat or visor.
- Camera: The Canon PowerShot G1 X for something lightweight with real zoom, a GoPro for action shots on the go, or just your phone if you’d rather travel light.
Shop my full gear picks on my Amazon Storefront or click the Amazon Favorites box below.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are more adventurous things to do?
You may wish to add these additional activities to your bucket list of adventures:
* Raft the Grand Canyon in Arizona, USA
* Cruise to Antarctica
* Hike one of the Great Walks in New Zealand
* Make the trek to Petra, Jordan
* Climb Kilimanjaro in Tanzania
What is a world adventure trip?
A trip that pushes you outside your comfort zone: think bungee jumping, canyoneering, scuba diving, sandboarding, caving, or rock climbing.
Why is adventure travel so popular?
Adventure seekers love trying new things, chasing the thrill of a daring pursuit, gaining fresh perspective, and proving to themselves they can do hard things.
What are the responsibilities of an adventure seeker?
All adventure seekers should employ strategies to “Leave No Trace”, avoid pollution and littering, and avoid damaging natural habitats.
What are some risks of adventurous activities?
* Facing extreme terrain and weather
* Limited communication at times
* Remote destinations
* Physical exertion
* Safety risks
* Unexpected complications—flight delays and cancellations, vehicle breakdowns, weather delays, etc.
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Your Bucket List Won’t Fill Itself
Chris and I are nowhere near done with our world adventure pursuits, and knowing I’ve swam with sharks and ziplined through the jungle reminds me I can do hard things. No doubt, you can too. If you’re an adventure seeker at heart, add a few of these to your bucket list of adventures and start ticking them off one by one. Ready to start checking these off? Grab my Free Day Hike Packing List, most of what’s on it works for way more than just hikes.
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great article
Sounds like you have a bunch of fun adventures! Love this piece! I have not done nearly as much as you, but one of my most fun memories is cave tubing. Scary, but so much fun!
What a great checklist. After being holed up at home because of the covid. It’s time to enjoy life again, to get out and enjoy natures simple pleasures.
I think we are all anxious to get back to traveling and exploring.
Such an interesting and informative post! I’ll be using some of your tips on my next adventure, thank you x
Where do you plan to travel to next?
What a fun, inspiring list! I am all over the elephant ride. Thanks for the great ideas.
That elephant ride certainly pushed me out of my comfort zone!
These all sound like fun! I’d love to do the white water rafting + zip lining! :]
I haven’t tried all of these, but Amalfi coast is on the top of my list. Would like to visit Jamaica and try cliff jumping! Great article, thanks for sharing! ❤️
The world has so much to offer for all interest types. Amalfi coast was pretty awesome.
Wow you have really had some incredible adventures! I would love to tour the Amalfi Coast!
I would love to tour it more and stay for a week or two or year!
You certainly have had some amazing adventures! I’m a little too old for some of them but I have toured Versailles and am still wanting to visit Normandy Beach.
We loved our day at Normandy. I highly recommend it.
I’d be game for any one of these adventures. The jeep tour in Sedona is high on my bucketlist. I would skip the cliff jumping in Jamaica, but you are brave. I had the same fear of snakes when ziplining. And what did I come across? A boa!
Not sure that I was so much brave as I didn’t know what I was getting into and jumping was the option for getting down.
I love that way of looking at it! Lol
Love your curated list of the 10 best adventures from around the world! I would love to try a couple of them…especially that boat cruise on the Almafi Coast!
Some adventures. I think I would be the same as you with all the things.
Need go Kayaking. Missed this activity and hoping everything stops like Covid
I agree. Just be done with Covid.
So many adventures! New Zealand is on our list! 😀
The elephant center looks amazing!
Wow, I can’t believe you’ve been on all these adventures! They all sound incredible!
Enjoyed your blog post! You are adventurous! The only truly adventurous thing I did was to do Tandem sky dive when I was over 50. I wanted to do it and it went really well. It was interesting to read about “me long” and the elephant! Bookmarking your blog as a wish list for more adventurous things to do in future! 🙂
Oh! Love these suggestions!
Your adventure bucket list is fantastic! It’s packed with such exciting and diverse experiences. I live near Mt. Pinatubo in the Philippines and I haven’t done it myself. You inspired me to do it soon!
So many adventures, so little time! I thought my hike to the bottom of the Grand Canyon was a big adventure, but that was a walk through the park compared to some of these adventures! Fun list!
Looks like you’ve had a lot of adventures. One of my favorites from your list is kayaking in La Jolla, though we also went snorkeling around the caves and near the leopard sharks.
Love this bucket list! So many epic ideas to inspire my next adventures—can’t wait to try some of these!Thanks for sharing!
Wow! You’ve listed so many awesome adventures. I’m adding the hiking in Cinque Terre to my bucket list now! Thank you for the inspo!
What an incredible collection of adventures! I absolutely love how you share both the exciting and nervous moments so honestly – especially that part about calling your husband ‘Christopher’ when freaked out during the Chiang Mai zipline! 😄 The tip about arriving early for the Cinque Terre hike to avoid crowds and heat is really helpful. Of all these amazing experiences, I think I’d most love to try the boat tour of the Amalfi Coast (though maybe with less wake from those ‘stupida skippers’!). Did you find the paragliding in Switzerland or the zipline in Thailand more nerve-wracking?
I love the idea of adventure travel! It’s like compounding incredible life experiences! Not only are you going to remember the trip for the rest of your life because… who forgets travels? But also you’re creating sometimes once-in-a-lifetime memories from whatever it is you’re doing, whether it’s snorkeling, skydiving, white water rafting, etc.
I’ve been cliff jumping (not a diver over here), ziplining, and skydiving and would love to add white water rafting to my list eventually!
This is SUCH an awesome list – for me personally, Paragliding from Mt. Pilatus, Switzerland sounds incredible!
I love this adventure travel list! I’m traveling to the Philippines in 2026 and I’m going to look at your Mt. Pinatubo Volcano post for more information. I have missed out on the opportunity to see a volcano on a couple of trips and I didn’t even realize that it was a possibility in the Philippines! Thanks for the tips.
This is an epic list! Also, I totally feel the same way about mountain biking as you do lol.
The world certainly has lots incredible adventures for everyone. I would love to experience the Amalfi Coast.
Great bucket list! Very inspiring and full of exciting adventure ideas. It definitely gave me some new travel goals. Thanks for sharing!
I love this list! It’s so easy to fall into the trap of visiting a destination without actually experiencing it, and your post is such a great reminder to seek out adventures that become lifelong memories. You’ve definitely added a few things to my own travel bucket list. Thanks for the inspiration!
Won’t go white water rafting, ziplining or paragliding, but the hikes sound good. Jeep tours depends on how bumpy they are, I have severe motion sickness and get nauseous fast. Snowmobiling and whale watching tours have been fun so far. But yeah, my bucket list is also ever expanding.
Such an inspiring list of cool adventures around the world! I’m not too keen on sky adventures (I have mild acrophobia) but I will definitely try those water activities that you’ve suggested here.
What a fun bucket list! I love that it includes such a variety of adventures—from hiking and wildlife encounters to kayaking, rafting, and paragliding. It’s often the experiences that push us a little outside our comfort zone that end up becoming the most unforgettable travel memories.