Surf 'n' Paddle: Top Watersports Holidays To Take

Not one for lounging on the beach? Make a splash on your travel plans with these adventurous trips in some of the world’s best watersports destinations.

There’s something majestic about the sheer power of a large body of water. Harnessing that power, be it on a surf board or a kayak, is thrilling. So slide into a wetsuit and get ready to kayaking, snorkelling, whitewater rafting and surfing on these small-group Culture Trips.

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A woman in a bikini bathes in a rocky stream in the lush Costa Rican jungle.

Whitewater raft and surf your way around Costa Rica

You can go from the serene to the adrenaline-pumping in no time here, whether you’re in the geothermal hotspots of Arenal or the Pacific coastline of Tamarindo. Meanwhile, we challenge even the most stoic traveller to not go misty-eyed over the cloud forests of Monteverde. Our eight-day Costa Rica trip is not short on adventure, with highlights including waterfall dips in Arenal, whitewater rafting down Tenorio River and an optional surf lesson in Tamarindo. Refuel with an authentic Costa Rican cooking class, and soothe those well-worked muscles in the natural hot springs of Arenal Volcano National Park.

From US$2023

Next available from 11th May 2024

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

San Jose, Costa Rica

ENDS AT

Tamarindo, Provincia De Guanacaste

DURATION

8

GROUP SIZE

16

PHYSICAL RATING

Moderate

STYLE

Discovery

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Group of people kayaking in bright blue waters

Go canyoning and abseiling down waterfalls in the Azores

Islands are perfect for watersports, and nowhere is that more true than in this remarkable Atlantic archipelago off the coast of Portugal. Its rugged volcanic landscapes make it the perfect adventure playground for adrenaline junkies. On our six-day tour you’ll cycle around and kayak across the surreal crater lakes of Sete Cidades, go whale-watching on an optional marine safari and splash around in waterfall rock pools. The real watersports enthusiasts will love day four the most, as we head to the subtropical forests of Ribeira dos Caldeirõesas to go abseiling across waterfalls and canyoning down slippery ravines. Toast your adventurous achievements in the evening with a cocktail making class and a soak in some geothermal hot springs.

From US$1928

Next available from 23rd Jun 2024

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Ponta Delgada, Portugal

ENDS AT

Ponta Delgada, Portugal

DURATION

6

GROUP SIZE

8

PHYSICAL RATING

Moderate

STYLE

Discovery

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This is an updated version of an article originally written by Jo Fernandez.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.