Are you the type of person who loves adventure? Does the thought of going on an organized tour and suffering through mindless trivia make you sick? If so, these adventures are for you. They are the ten most thrilling travel activities on the planet!
10. Explore Underwater Shipwrecks in the Philippines
[Also see "Busuanga Travel Guide"]
During World War II the island of Busuanga in the Philippines was occupied by Japanese forces. That is, until the American Navy did a bombing run and doomed a large number of Japanese vessels to an eternity under the sea. Today scuba divers come from around the world for the unique experience of scuba diving inside authentic and historic shipwrecks. The diving sites range in depth from 10 meters to 40 meters and divers can even explore the interiors of the sunken ships. Beginners can visit the shallower wrecks without any certifications, but for the deeper wrecks it’s recommended that divers have advanced scuba diving certifications.
Explore sunken Japanese vessels off the coast of Busuanga.
9. Try Heli-Skiing in Alaska
[Also see "The World's Best Places to See Wildlife"]
Love skiing but hate crowded slopes and long lines for the lift? Heli-skiing doesn’t have those problems. Imagine taking a helicopter deep into the backcountry, to the most remote and untouched slopes on the planet. That’s exactly what takes place on a heli-skiing adventure.
Heli-skiing is possible in many different destinations around the world, but Alaska is probably one of the most thrilling. The state’s mountains have some of the largest vertical drops in the world! The Alaska Mountain Guides and Climbing School, located in Skagway Alaska, operates heli-skiing trips that last anywhere from one to seven days. On an average day there will be five ski runs and up to 20,000 vertical feet of skiing. Prices start at $1,000 per day.
Use helicopters to access Alaska's backcountry and ski its slopes.
8. Cage Dive with Crocodiles in South Africa
[Also see our travel articles on South Africa]
Ok so everyone’s heard about cage diving with sharks, but what about cage diving with crocodiles? The first ever crocodile diving experience has been made available by the Cango Wildlife Ranch. Divers are put inside a metal cage and submerged in the 2-meter deep pool. No scuba experience is required, as divers use snorkels and always have room to keep their head above water. This completely unique experience lets participants witness the ferocious and graceful beauty of crocodiles in their underwater home. The Cango Wildlife Ranch is located in Oudsthoorn South Africa, between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth. Definitely an interesting stop, and change of pace, on the Garden Route.
You've heard of cage diving with sharks, but this is a little different.
7. Drive a Formula 1 Race Car in England
[Also see our travel articles on the UK]
Thrill is synonymous with speed and nothing on land goes faster than an F1 race car! You don’t have to be a professional race car driver to get behind the wheel either, but you do have to take a class. The Racing School offers Formula 1 driving experiences on race tracks across England. During the one day lessons, participants will progress from riding along as the instructor drives, to driving an Aston Martin and Ferrari. The day culminates with an exhilarating adventyre behind the wheel of a 600-horsepower Grand-Prix car traveling at speeds of almost 200 mph! The price for this experience is £1600, slightly more expensive than watching a race, but a once in a lifetime experience nonetheless.
Imagine jumping behind the wheel of a Formula 1 race car and simulating your very own grand prix!
6. Experience the Thrills of Macau
[Also see our travel articles on China]
For all the talk of bungee jumping in Switzerland and New Zealand, not many people know that the world’s tallest jump is actually in the Chinese city of Macau. The AJ Hackett Bungy Experience operates from the Macau Tower and lets thrill seekers jump from the tower’s observation deck more than 700 ft above the ground! Because of the professional operating team and its guided cable system, the jump is far from dangerous, but it certainly is thrilling!
Plummet 700 ft off the Macau Tower with the AJ Hackett Experience.
Macau’s real life-or-death decisions happen at one of the city’s many casinos. Here tourists from neighboring Mainland China come by the millions to wager their fortunes. Macau recently surpassed Las Vegas as the world’s gambling capital and many Las Vegas casinos have even opened locations in Macau: like the Venetian, Hard Rock Hotel, Wynn and MGM.
Photo Credits: AJ Hackett Bungy Experience
