Visiting an island for vacation is always a good idea. There’s nothing quite like relaxing in warm weather, hitting the waves, and spending the afternoons sipping on strawberry daiquiris. We get it. But, as much as vacationing is nice, sometimes sitting on the beach all day can get rather boring. Sure, there’s snorkeling, island hopping, tanning, and all that jazz, but why not turn your island adventure up a notch? We’ll bet you’ve never heard of these island activities, but we’re sure you’ll be eager to try one of them on your next trip.
1. Swim With Bioluminescent Plankton
Swimming during the day is one thing, but what about swimming at night with light-up plankton? While this activity isn’t available at every island, you can give it a go in Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Cambodia, the Maldives, and a few other exotic locations. These little guys are like fireflies that live in the water, and the whole experience is absolutely beautiful.
2. Collect Some Gems from Beachcombing and Shelling
Yes, this is an actual activity. Everyone likes to admire and pick up seashells when at the beach, but what about spending a whole day trying to find the prettiest ones? There are beaches all around the world that are meant just for this activity, but there are a few exceptional ones that stand out. These include Sanibel Island in Florida, Glass Beach in Hawaii, Cozumel in Mexico, and White Park Bay in Northern Ireland.
3. Spend Time with Animals Who Have Taken Over
How would you like to spend your island vacation with pigs? Crabs? What about cats? There a few special islands you can visit that attract visitors solely because they have as many, or more, animals than people. Pig Beach in the Bahamas, Cat Island in Tashirojima, Japan, and Red Crab Christmas Island in Australia are just some of the extraordinary islands you can visit to try this activity.
4. Take Some Amazing Fashion Photography
Islands supply an incredible backdrop for capturing photos. Perhaps the islands of Greece, the Maldives, Mallorca, Bali, and Mauritius are a few exceptional ones that come to mind. Spend the day shopping at the little island boutiques to find an outfit that blends in beautifully with your surroundings. Then, using a professional photographer, a travel buddy, or a selfie stick, take some amazing photos of yourself that you’ll cherish forever!
5. Show Off Your Sandboarding Skills
Sandboarding doesn’t have to only take place in the desert. If you’re one of those people that’s not really a fan of surfing but you still like to catch some “waves,” then this is the island activity for you. Visit the Tottori Sand Dunes on the east coast of Japan, Mui Ne on the South China Sea in Vietnam, or the sand dunes of Moreton Island in Queensland, Australia. Of course, if you’re not so comfortable with sand boarding, you can always give tobogganing a try!
6. Choose Your Dinner at Fish Market
There are many islands you can visit that have a central fish market. Usually, this market is the major hub of the island for locals and visitors alike. One of the best features of these markets is that you can literally pick out your dinner (while it’s still alive) and bring it over to one of the restaurants next store to get it cooked up. Okay, so it might not be a great fit for vegetarians, but for all the carnivores out there, it’s a truly awesome activity.
Looking forward to trying one of these new island activities? Then find a tour that suits you, so you have plenty of time to pack in one of these!
