Hawaii is well known among travelers for its weather and very stunning beaches that surround the island. Hawaii has been one of the most visited islands in the world to go relax and spend vacations making it a top vacation spot for many people. When people plan vacations to Hawaii, the range of things to do is very extensive and the different isles and atolls have activities for everybody and every taste which include well known attractions such as Waikiki, North Shore beaches, Pearl Harbor, 3 active volcanoes, gorgeous waterfalls, black sand beaches, coffee farms, snorkeling and many more.
But what about those extreme sports that are so popular now? The Hawaiian landscapes are known for their rough terrain and high level waves which allow the thrill seekers to have a blast. Extreme sports in Hawaii are more popular than you think and here are some of them to include in your next trip to this amazing island.
Surfing: maybe the most popular extreme sport among people that visit and locals. The history of surfing is attached to the island culture because in ancient Polynesian culture one way of selecting the chief of the village was to battle the waves in open sea to prove your talent and strength and in, modern times, a guy called Duke Kahanamoku who was an Olympic swimmer that traveled around the world and showed the people modern surfing in the 1950s. Some of the best surf spots are Hanalei Bay in Kauai, Hilo in the Big Island, and the Pipeline and Kalapana in Oahu.
Scuba diving: if you know the basics of scuba diving, you can adventure into amazing depths and waters that will give you more than goose bumps because of the wild ocean life you will encounter. For people who have never gone scuba diving before, there are more suitable classes to learn and it is easy to find a place to learn around the islands.
Shark diving: yes, it is literally diving into shark infested waters. This one is not for the ones that get easily scared. They place the people in secure steel cages and then are lowered into the water to experience the amazing sharks in their natural habitat. People can see different types of sharks such as gray reef sharks, Galapagos sharks, and even tiger sharks from the safety of the cage. Please keep your hands inside the cage, you don’t want to spoil your vacations. The most popular businesses to find these types of programs are the Sharks Cove Grill, the North Shore Shark Adventures and the Hawaii Shark Encounters.
Kayaking: kayaking in Hawaii allows you to go places and experience them in a totally different way. Some of the most beautiful sceneries are not accessible by car or foot. You can fly alongside them and appreciate them from the air, but you can also enjoy them by using a kayak to gain access and actually feel them. You can find any type of route to go kayaking from the calm waters in Kaneohe Bay in Oahu and the Napali Coast in Kauai to rivers such as Hanalei River and its bay, and the Wailua river. All of these kayaking destinations offer unique sightseeing and wildlife encounters.
Image courtesy of cd_1940 at Flickr.com
Skydiving: it is the scariest of all extreme sports and it is definitely not for the faint-hearted. Skydiving consists of throwing yourself from an airplane and “performing acrobatic maneuvers in the air under free fall before landing by parachute”. It may seem a little extreme and very scary, but it is a total rush in the Hawaiian islands. People who dare to go for the thrill, experience amazing speeds and views from a very unique point of view from the airplane and when they are cruising hanging from the parachute. The rest is a 30 second rush that will give you something to remember for the rest of your life. Some of the ventures that offer skydiving are the Sky Dive Hawaii and the Pacific Skydiving Center.
Extreme terrain biking: can you imagine biking down places like the ones seen in the movies Jurassic park or Godzilla? This is what extreme terrain biking is about. In Hawaii you can escape a little bit from the beaches and waves and get into some inland tours with extreme trails to bike and why not to hike. Some degree of expertise is required , but there are also some trails that are easy for the average rider.
Next time you think about Hawaii, the waves, the beaches and the sun, try to include some different plans to enjoy this amazing set of islands that provide all type of extreme activities and adventures to enjoy. Try to look for some other plans that might tickle your curiosity and take the adventurer out of you.
