9 Active Beach Vacations With Snorkeling and Hiking

One of the best goals you can make for an upcoming trip is to return home feeling healthier than when you left. While beach vacations aren’t always conducive to staying active, working in activities like hiking or snorkeling is an easy way to experience everything the destination has to offer. Not only does being more active help you feel healthier on vacation, it gives you more scope to appreciate where you are.

We’ve scoured the globe for the best active beach vacations, from over-water rock climbing in Thailand to hiking in Acadia National Park. Here are nine exhilarating options for travelers who love outdoor adventure as much as the coastal lifestyle.

Canggu, Bali

From Seminyak to Jimbaran, each of Bali’s beach towns has its own personality. In the Canggu area, there’s a large community made up of expats and locals who have honed a culture of healthy eating, surfing, and mindful yoga sessions. If you’re looking for a yoga retreat in an idyllic setting, look into training at The Practice Bali. The main studio is open-air with a gorgeous thatched roof, making it the perfect place to strengthen, restore, and strike your best savasana pose.

Guanacaste, Costa Rica

Costa Rica’s northwestern coast boasts incredible beaches and an active culture — which isn’t surprising considering people come to Guanacaste to do every water sport imaginable. This area is a major windsurfing destination, while Jet Skiing, swimming, snorkeling, surfing, and diving are also quite popular. No resort in the region nails the detox-retox culture quite like the W Costa Rica – Reserva Conchal, offering an active lifestyle paired with a happening nightlife scene, Here, you can golf, snorkel, kayak, bike, trail run, and squeeze in a daily gym workout without ever leaving the hotel.

Todos Santos, Mexico

About an hour’s drive north of Los Cabos on the west coast of Baja California Sur is the fast-growing surf town of Todos Santos. While the area has surged in popularity in recent years, it has managed to retain the laid-back charm of a still-undiscovered destination. In terms of staying active, it’s the perfect place to indulge in a week of surfing lessons, whether you’re a first-timer or a sage surfer honing your technique. While Los Cabos is known for choppy waters that aren’t necessarily inviting to swimmers, Todos Santos has several great beaches for swimming and snorkeling (try Playa Los Cerritos and Punta Lobos, for starters). Many accommodations here have a boutique vibe — Hotel San Cristóbal and Paradero Todos Santos are among the town’s fan favorites.

Acadia National Park, Maine

If you’re looking for a domestic vacation that promises just as much time on the hiking trails as it does on the beach, you can’t do better than a trip to Acadia National Park. The dog-friendly park is home to more than 150 miles of trails, with some of the most popular hikes including Cadillac Mountain (easy), the Gorham Mountain Loop (more challenging), and tougher, iron-rung routes like the Beehive Loop. Unwind after a strenuous morning of hiking at Seal Harbor Beach or along the shores of Echo Lake.

Railay Beach, Thailand

Railay Beach isn’t just known for its soft white sand and laid-back Thai atmosphere, it’s also famous because of its wide range of rock climbing opportunities. The area, which is just outside the city of Krabi in southern Thailand, is flanked by limestone cliffs that climbers of all skill levels come from all over the world to scale. While novices can take on beginner-level courses, more experienced thrill-seekers might want to try deep water soloing, which lets you free climb on cliffs jutting out over the ocean — the only downside is you’ll plunge into the water if you miss a hold. Hop on a boat from Krabi and spend the day at Railay Beach, where you’ll find several guided rock climbing excursions to choose from.

Lanai, Hawaii

At the Four Seasons Resort Lanai, create your own Hawaiian-island wellness retreat by blending healthy menu options, yoga sessions, workout classes, and plenty of rest and recreation. Golf enthusiasts can hit the links at the Jack Nicklaus-designed Manele Golf Course, which boasts ocean views and cliff-perched holes, while tennis and pickleball players can take lessons before indulging in a sports massage. Overall, the Four Seasons Resort Lanai encourages holistic wellness — in other words, reveling in relaxation time as much as active time in a luxurious, tropical setting.

Galápagos Islands, Ecuador

You’ll find you’re never not moving in the Galápagos Islands, whether you’re trying to spot native wildlife by land or sea. Several islands in this archipelago about 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador are known for their hiking trails. Be sure to do the Frigate Bird Hill hike on San Cristobal, and on Isabela, hit the trails around Sierra Negra, an active shield volcano and one of the world’s largest craters. For scuba fans, some of the best dive sites include Wolf Island (where you’ll likely spot turtles), Darwin Island, and Punta Carrión.

Crete, Greece

While most Greek islands are all about beach life — from swimming and boating to sunbathing and beach clubbing — Crete offers far more hiking terrain. The landscape here transitions seamlessly from rocky beaches to jungle topography so you can spend your days hiking to far-off beaches and gorges. Head south to Samaria Gorge for a scenic six-hour hike — the longest gorge trek in Europe — or Zakros Gorge on the eastern end of the island, also known as the Gorge of the Dead (it once served as a burial ground for the ancient Minoans).

St. Lucia, Caribbean

Aside from its stunning beaches and delicious food, St. Lucia is one of the best hiking destinations in the Caribbean. The Gros Piton and Petit Piton trails are two popular treks for outdoorsy travelers keen on exploring the island’s emblematic twin peaks. There are also water activities aplenty, including tennis, beach volleyball, sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, and snorkeling, available via St. Lucia’s many luxury properties, like Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort.