15 Unexpected Ways to Fall in Love With Coastlines Around the World
By: Frayed Passport
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Coastlines are the planet’s greatest natural show-offs. They’re where the earth flirts with the ocean, creating drama, mystery, and some of the most incredible scenery you’ll ever have the chance to view. And if you want to match the drama of the seaside, you shouldn’t stick to a beach chair or a hotel balcony.
Time to shake things up. The world’s best coastlines deserve more creative exploration than a quick photo and a sunburn. Let’s talk about some fun ways to explore the world’s beautiful coasts!
Get Intimate With the Water
1. Kayak Through Sea Caves and Hidden Coves
Skip the crowded beaches. Sea kayaking gets you into places that bigger boats can’t reach and swimmers can’t access. Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast has limestone caves you can paddle right into, while Thailand’s Phang Nga Bay has emerald lagoons hidden inside giant karst formations. Clear-bottom kayaks let you spy on underwater life while you paddle.
2. Stand-Up Paddleboard at Sunrise
SUP boarding at dawn means having entire coastlines to yourself while the rest of the world sleeps in. The water’s usually calmer, the light is magical, and you might spot wildlife that disappears once the crowds arrive. Paddleboard rental companies in coastal towns often offer sunrise tours with coffee included!
3. Try Coasteering for the Ultimate Adrenaline Rush
This Welsh-invented activity combines climbing, jumping, swimming, and scrambling along rocky coastlines. You’ll leap off cliffs into deep water, crawl through rock arches, and traverse coastlines in ways that would make mountain goats nervous. Professional coasteering guides can provide safety equipment and know exactly where it’s safe to jump.
4. Night Swimming Under the Stars
Swimming after dark transforms familiar coastlines into alien landscapes. Bioluminescent plankton in places like Mosquito Bay, Puerto Rico create underwater light shows, while night swimming in calm bays offers a peaceful intimacy with the ocean that daytime crowds destroy.
Sail Away From the Ordinary
Photo by Andrew Castillo on Unsplash
5. Charter a Traditional Sailing Vessel
Skip the motor yacht and book passage on wooden schooners, traditional dhows, or vintage sailboats. Turkish gulets in the Mediterranean can offer week-long voyages with local crews who know hidden anchorages that cruise ships may miss. You’ll sleep on deck under stars and wake up in different coves each morning.
6. Learn to Sail While Cruising Coastlines
Many sailing schools offer live-aboard courses where you learn navigation and seamanship while cruising scenic coastlines. By the end of the week, you can handle the boat yourself and have sailed past some of the world’s most beautiful shores. Plus, you’ll leave with skills that last a lifetime.
7. Join a Tall Ship Adventure
Square-rigged sailing ships offer the romance of traditional seafaring with modern safety standards. Organizations like Sail Training International coordinate voyages where you help raise sails, stand watches, and experience coastlines the way sailors did centuries ago.
8. Experience Luxury Yacht Charters
For those seeking ultimate comfort while coastal cruising, crewed yacht charters provide five-star service with ever-changing views. Professional crews handle navigation while you focus on snorkeling, dining, and relaxing. Some adventurous travelers even browse superyachts for sale as inspiration for their own floating home base, imagining a lifestyle where every day brings new horizons and pristine anchorages.
Land-Based Coastal Adventures
Photo by Quaid Lagan on Unsplash
9. Cycle Entire Coastlines
EuroVelo routes like the Mediterranean Route let you pedal along thousands of miles of coastline, stopping at any place that catches your interest. You can swim when you’re hot, explore fishing villages, and cover ground at a pace that lets you really see details. Electric bikes make challenging coastal climbs manageable for average fitness levels.
10. Take Epic Coastal Train Journeys
Some of the world’s most scenic railways hug coastlines for hundreds of miles. Norway’s Nordland Line crosses the Arctic Circle with views of fjords and islands, while California’s Pacific Surfliner runs right along beaches for miles. You get stunning views without worrying about driving or navigation.
- Read our story about a journey through some of the most beautiful places in America on the California Zephyr!
11. Hike Coastal Paths and Cliff Walks
Long-distance coastal hiking trails like the South West Coast Path in England or the GR20 in Corsica offer weeks of coastline exploration on foot. You’ll see beaches, cliffs, and coves that are impossible to reach by car, plus get the satisfaction of earning your views through physical effort.
12. Sleep in Coastal Lighthouses
Many historic lighthouses now operate as unique accommodations. You can spend nights in converted keeper’s quarters, often perched on dramatic headlands with panoramic ocean views. Start your lighthouse search (or go down a fascinating rabbit hole) here!
Unique Perspectives and Hidden Gems
13. Explore Coastlines by Seaplane
Scenic flights in small aircraft reveal coastline patterns invisible from ground level. You’ll see how currents create sandbars, how islands connect at low tide, and how human development impacts natural shorelines.
14. Go Tide Pooling Like a Marine Biologist
Low tide turns rocky coastlines into temporary aquariums filled with sea stars, anemones, and crabs. Marine biology guides can help you identify creatures and understand coastal ecosystems. The best tide pooling occurs during new moon low tides, when the water recedes the farthest.
15. Document Coastlines Through Photography
Challenge yourself to capture coastlines in different ways – try long exposures that smooth out the waves, drone shots that reveal geological patterns, or macro photography of coastal details. Photography workshops focused on coastal landscapes can teach techniques for dealing with challenging lighting and weather conditions.
Ready to Travel?
Every coastline tells a different story through its geology, wildlife, and human history. The more creative you get about exploring them, the more stories you’ll collect. Happy Travels!
Featured image by Michael Held on Unsplash
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