For some people a vacation just isn't a vacation without white sand and blue water, the sound of waves in your ear and a cool drink in your hand. What's not to like? A beach vacation is the perfect mix of active fun in the sun and rest and relaxation. You can do as much or as little as you like, and either way you'll return to your daily life reinvigorated and ready for whatever the world throws at you. But what if you want to stick to the same types of locations while trying something a little different? The beach is great, but there's only so long you can lie on a towel frying in the sun before you're ready for action. So here are five exciting activities for your next beach vacation.

Your first stop should be to check in with the local boating community and look for snorkeling opportunities. Snorkeling is an incredibly popular beach activity, primarily because you can enjoy it in many different beach environments. The kids can even try snorkeling in tide pools and will have a blast. But for a bit more excitement, try out a snorkeling adventure in and around a coral reef. You'll see literally hundreds of varieties of fish, and the colorful plant life and amazing coral architecture will create an impression you'll never shake.


If you want something more elevating, check out parasailing. This sounds a lot more dangerous than it is, but it will certainly get your heart beating in a hurry. You basically strap into a parachute, drop into the water and a speed boat races off, lifting you up into the air. From there you simply get to float along in the breeze, checking out the
beach from a unique perspective. You can adjust directions as well, to sail from one side of the boat to the other.

Perhaps you like the wind in your hair but prefer to keep your feet on the ground. In that case you should check out windsurfing. This is a mix of surfing and sailing. You stand on the board and hold onto a sail, jetting through the wind for as long as you have the energy to hold yourself up. You can get some serious speed on a windsurfing board, and expert windsurfers can even take some waves and launch into the air.

If the ocean holds more appeal to you when seen from the comfort of shore, it's time to check out some beach games. Building sandcastles is always good fun, but the real excitement can be found on the beach volleyball court. Most busy beaches have nets set up, and you can either ask your way into a pickup game or get your friends and family together for an afternoon of competition. With the sand under foot there's no real concern about hurting yourself, so you'll dodge and dive with ease. But it's a difficult fast-paced game and a real workout in the end!

Excitement can also be found by interacting with other species. So consider booking some time on a sightseeing boat. In some instances the goal is some killer deep sea fishing, and you'll find tons of destinations around the US coast to enjoy this hobby. But also consider putting the hooks away and catching a glimpse of some whales in paradise. They're tough to see, so do your research to find the ships and courses that have the most luck. But there's nothing quite like catching a glimpse of these giant mammals to deliver a type of excitement you've never experienced before.



Stingray City Grand Cayman photo source