I’ve Tried 12 Crazy Adventures I’d Happily Repeat – And 5 I’m Glad I Only Did Once
Some adventures whisper others roar. I’ve followed both, chasing adrenaline across continents and stepping far outside my comfort zone.
Along the way, I found stories that still give me chills and lessons I didn’t know I needed. Some left me hungry for more; others reminded me where the line really is.
1. Skydiving Over New Zealand’s South Island
Nothing compares to stepping out of a plane at 15,000 feet above Queenstown’s breathtaking landscape. The rush of freefall combined with those incredible views creates an addiction I can’t shake.
Every jump feels like the first time, with that same mix of terror and pure joy flooding through me. The instructors make it feel safe, even when your brain screams otherwise.
I’ve done this six times now, and each experience reveals something new about the stunning terrain below. Would I do it again tomorrow? Absolutely, without hesitation.
2. Swimming With Whale Sharks in Mexico
When you’re floating next to a 30-foot gentle giant, time seems to stop completely. These magnificent creatures move with such grace that sharing their space feels like a sacred privilege.
The water around Isla Mujeres provides perfect visibility for this incredible encounter. Swimming alongside these spotted beauties never gets old, no matter how many times you experience it.
Each whale shark has its own personality and swimming pattern, making every encounter completely unique. This adventure changed how I see ocean conservation and our responsibility to protect these amazing animals.
3. Bungee Jumping in Switzerland
Standing on that platform 220 meters above the Verzasca Dam, every instinct tells you to step back. But taking that leap delivers the most intense three seconds of pure adrenaline imaginable.
The Swiss Alps provide a backdrop that makes this jump absolutely unforgettable. Your heart pounds so hard you can hear it over the rushing wind during freefall.
Recovery happens quickly, but the memory burns bright forever. I’ve returned here four times because nothing else delivers that same perfect combination of fear and exhilaration in such a stunning setting.
4. Northern Lights Dog Sledding in Iceland
Racing across frozen landscapes while aurora borealis dances overhead creates magic that photos can’t capture. The silence breaks only with the sound of paws on snow and your own excited breathing.
These incredible huskies live for this work, their enthusiasm infectious as they pull you through pristine wilderness. The connection between musher, dogs, and nature feels ancient and deeply meaningful.
When the lights appear, everything stops as you witness one of nature’s most spectacular shows. This combination of adventure and natural wonder keeps drawing me back to Iceland’s winter wonderland.
5. White Water Rafting in Costa Rica
Navigating Class IV rapids through Costa Rica’s rainforest delivers non-stop thrills and stunning scenery. The Pacuare River challenges your teamwork while surrounding you with incredible wildlife and lush vegetation.
Every rapid presents a new puzzle to solve, requiring quick thinking and perfect coordination with your raft mates. The guides share fascinating stories about local ecology between the exciting stretches.
Spotting toucans and monkeys from your raft adds an amazing wildlife element to the adventure. This perfect blend of adrenaline and natural beauty makes me return to Costa Rica’s rivers year after year.
6. Rock Climbing in Joshua Tree
Joshua Tree’s unique rock formations provide endless climbing challenges that test both strength and problem-solving skills. Each route offers a different puzzle, from technical face climbs to challenging crack systems.
The desert setting creates a peaceful backdrop where you can focus completely on movement and technique. Sunrise and sunset climbs offer particularly magical experiences with incredible lighting.
Fellow climbers create a supportive community that welcomes newcomers and celebrates everyone’s progress. This combination of physical challenge, mental focus, and natural beauty keeps me coming back to explore new routes and improve my skills.
7. Scuba Diving the Great Barrier Reef
Descending into the Great Barrier Reef’s underwater world reveals colors and life forms that seem almost alien. Every dive uncovers new sections of this massive ecosystem teeming with incredible marine life.
The coral formations create underwater cities where countless species interact in fascinating ways. Swimming with sea turtles, reef sharks, and schools of tropical fish never loses its wonder.
Each dive site offers completely different experiences, from shallow coral gardens to dramatic drop-offs. This underwater paradise provides endless exploration opportunities that keep me planning return trips to Australia’s natural treasure.
8. Volcano Hiking in Guatemala
Climbing active volcanoes in Guatemala combines serious physical challenge with incredible geological education. The night hikes to see glowing lava create unforgettable memories of our planet’s raw power.
Local guides share fascinating stories about volcanic activity while keeping everyone safe during these challenging ascents. The views from the summit reward your effort with panoramic landscapes stretching for miles.
Watching sunrise from a volcano’s edge while lava bubbles below creates a humbling perspective on nature’s forces. This unique adventure continues drawing me back to explore Guatemala’s dramatic volcanic landscape and learn more about our dynamic planet.
9. Paragliding in the Swiss Alps
Soaring silently above the Swiss Alps delivers a bird’s-eye perspective that transforms your understanding of mountain landscapes. The peaceful flight contrasts beautifully with the dramatic terrain spreading endlessly below.
Thermal currents carry you higher than expected, revealing hidden valleys and glacial formations. Your instructor handles the technical aspects while you focus on absorbing these incredible panoramic views.
Landing in alpine meadows surrounded by towering peaks creates a perfect ending to this aerial adventure. The combination of tranquility and spectacular scenery makes paragliding my preferred way to experience Switzerland’s mountain majesty from above.
10. Cave Diving in Mexico’s Cenotes
Exploring underwater cave systems in Mexico’s cenotes reveals a hidden world of stunning limestone formations and crystal-clear water. These natural swimming holes connect through intricate tunnel networks that ancient Mayans considered sacred.
The play of light filtering through water creates magical underwater cathedrals that take your breath away. Advanced training ensures safe exploration of these delicate ecosystems.
Each cenote offers unique geological features and different diving challenges to master. This combination of technical diving skills and natural beauty provides adventures that keep me returning to explore more of Yucatan’s underground wonders.
11. Ice Climbing in Canada
Scaling frozen waterfalls in the Canadian Rockies tests every climbing skill while surrounding you with winter’s most beautiful creations. Each ice formation presents unique challenges that require different techniques and equipment.
The sound of ice axes biting into frozen surfaces creates a rhythm that helps maintain focus during difficult sections. Proper gear and experienced instruction make this extreme sport surprisingly accessible.
Winter landscapes provide a stunning backdrop that transforms familiar summer climbing areas into completely new adventures. This seasonal sport offers limited windows of opportunity that make each successful climb feel especially rewarding and memorable.
12. Cage Diving With Great White Sharks in South Africa
Coming face-to-face with great white sharks changed everything I thought I knew about these incredible predators. The cage provides safety while allowing close observation of their graceful movements and curious behavior patterns.
These magnificent creatures display intelligence and personality that surprises most first-time observers. The experience transforms fear into respect and understanding for ocean apex predators.
Conservation education accompanies every dive, highlighting the importance of protecting shark populations worldwide. This eye-opening adventure continues inspiring my support for marine conservation efforts and shark protection initiatives around the globe.
13. Ayahuasca Ceremony in Peru
Participating in traditional ayahuasca ceremonies deep in Peru’s Amazon provided profound spiritual insights that continue influencing my daily life. The ancient plant medicine creates intense introspective experiences under careful shamanic guidance.
Preparation requires dietary restrictions and mental readiness for challenging psychological work. The ceremony itself lasts many hours with periods of deep meditation and self-reflection.
Integration of insights gained during the experience takes months of continued personal work and reflection. While transformative, this powerful medicine demands respect and proper preparation that makes it unsuitable for casual experimentation or repeated frequent use.
14. Extreme Cold Weather Camping in Alaska
Camping in Alaska’s winter wilderness at -40°F teaches harsh lessons about survival and equipment limitations. Every small mistake becomes potentially dangerous when temperatures drop to life-threatening levels.
Specialized gear helps manage the extreme conditions, but comfort remains elusive throughout the entire experience. Simple tasks like cooking or using the bathroom become major challenges requiring careful planning.
The incredible solitude and pristine beauty provide unforgettable memories, but the physical and mental stress makes this adventure unsuitable for repetition. Once was enough to appreciate both Alaska’s stunning winter landscape and the wisdom of warmer camping destinations.
15. Eating Exotic Street Food in Southeast Asia
Sampling exotic street foods across Southeast Asia opened my mind to incredible flavors while occasionally challenging my digestive system beyond its limits. Each country offers unique delicacies that reflect local culture and traditions.
Some dishes like balut in the Philippines or fermented fish in Cambodia test your courage more than your taste buds. The cultural exchange with vendors makes every food adventure memorable regardless of taste outcomes.
While most experiences expanded my culinary horizons positively, several resulted in serious digestive consequences that lasted for days. This adventure taught me valuable lessons about food safety and knowing personal limits when exploring unfamiliar cuisine in foreign countries.
16. Solo Hitchhiking Across Eastern Europe
Hitchhiking alone through Eastern Europe in the 1990s provided incredible cultural immersion but also exposed me to situations that could have ended very badly. Kind strangers shared meals and stories while others had questionable intentions.
Language barriers created communication challenges that sometimes led to misunderstandings about destinations and expectations. The lack of reliable communication with home caused unnecessary worry for family members.
While the adventure provided amazing memories and cultural insights, modern safety awareness makes me realize how many risks I took unnecessarily. This experience taught valuable lessons about travel safety and the importance of better planning for solo adventures in unfamiliar regions.
17. Participating in Running of the Bulls in Spain
Running with bulls through Pamplona’s narrow streets delivers an adrenaline rush unlike any other experience, but the danger level exceeds reasonable limits for recreational thrills. The chaos and unpredictability create genuine life-threatening situations.
Alcohol consumption by many participants increases the risk factors significantly beyond acceptable levels. Medical teams stand ready because injuries happen frequently during every single running event.
The cultural significance and festival atmosphere provide memorable experiences, but witnessing serious injuries firsthand made me question the wisdom of this tradition. Once was absolutely enough to understand why this adventure belongs in the category of experiences better left as single-time cultural observations rather than repeated thrills.