Top 9 beach activities around the world

Bali is a standout place to learn to surf, with warm water, a lively surf culture, and a coastline that shifts from busy beach towns to dramatic cliffs. Start at Kuta Beach or Legian Beach for beginner-friendly lessons, then look to Canggu or Uluwatu as your confidence grows. A lesson is a fun way to get a feel for the waves before you head out on your own.

Between sessions, Bali offers plenty of places to explore, from rice terraces and temples to sunset cafés and beach clubs. Browse things to do in Bali to find an experience that fits your trip, or find out more about some of the best beaches for surfing.

Parasailing gives you a new view of Cabo San Lucas, where desert mountains meet brilliant blue water at the southern tip of Baja California Sur. From above, Medano Beach, Land’s End, and the famous Arch form a spectacular coastal panorama. The beach is a natural starting point for water sports, but you’ll also have the marina, restaurants, and lively downtown close by.

Set aside time after your flight to watch boats thread between the rock formations, or find a terrace for sunset. Whatever you’re into, there are lots of fun things to do in Cabo San Lucas.

This one is perfect for adrenaline junkies. Just off the coast of Brisbane, Moreton Island is a sandy escape of wide beaches, clear bays, and rolling dunes. Sandboarding adds some adventure spice to the island’s laid-back recipe. Climb to the top of a rolling dune, take in the sweep of Moreton Bay, then ride back down the soft sand.

It’s easy to pair sandboarding with snorkeling or kayaking at the Tangalooma Wrecks, if you want to combine activities on dry land and in the water. Afterward, why not settle into the slower rhythm of island life with a beach walk or a view of the sunset? Moreton Island’s activities make it easy to plan a day with plenty of variety.

Ambergris Caye is a laid-back island in Belize where palm-fringed beaches, turquoise water, and the colorful streets of San Pedro set the scene for a day below the surface. Belize’s barrier reef and nearby marine reserves offer some of the best diving in the world, boasting rich coral gardens, schools of tropical fish, and rays.

There are scuba-diving experiences for different levels of experience, making it easy to spend one day exploring the reef, and the next enjoying island life on land by golf cart or bicycle. If you love spending time outdoors, you’ll never run out of things to do in Ambergris Caye.

A glass-bottom boat trip in Cancun is an easy way to see its underwater treasures without committing to a snorkel or scuba session. Depending on which Cancun excursion you choose, clear panels or a transparent hull offer glimpses of the fish below as you head toward the reef.

Traveling with kids or in a group with mixed swimming abilities? A glass-bottom boat trip is a relaxed choice for everyone, as you’ll have plenty of time afterward for a snorkel, a long lunch, or a sunset sail along the shore.