Water Activities


The latest

Archive

After a recent shoot-out in Mexico that left two Americans dead, and a new alert warning of crime in Costa Rica, travelers are wondering if their spring-break plans to these countries should be put on hold

The journalist was was about to quit his reporting trip down a remote river in Colombia when a group of kids reminded him that finding great stories demands that you participate in normal existence

For a community of hardy souls in Maine, there’s no better way to feel fully alive in winter than immersing yourself in the frigid Atlantic

The group of scientists and adventurers gained valuable knowledge about climate change’s impact on ice in the Weddell Sea, and did additional research on weather, navigation, and marine engineering

Richard Carr was halfway across the Pacific, alone on a yacht, when he began sending frantic alerts that he was being kidnapped by pirates

Kurt Steiner has dedicated his life to skipping stones, developing a technique to produce throws that defy the laws of physics

It began in the waters off Antarctica: a crew of eco-vigilantes found the illegal fishing ship they’d been hunting. It wouldn’t end for some 10,000 miles, when one of the vessels sank.

From temperate rainforests to miles of coastline; from waterfalls and lakes to hiking, backpacking, and camping; from boating to skiing to glacier travel and mountaineering—Olympic has astonishing variety.

When visiting West Virginia’s New River Gorge, you’ve got to go with the flow—and in the fall, during Gauley Season, that means Class V rapids

When a rafter was stung by a scorpion, she assumed she’d be fine. Within hours she lost her ability to see or speak clearly.

John John Florence has remarkable physical talents, but his greatest asset as an athlete might be his enduring positive attitude

Meet an amazing man who has dedicated his entire adult life to stone skipping, sacrificing everything to produce world-record throws that defy the laws of physics. To hear him tell it, he has no choice.

The ultimate guide to rafting the Grand Canyon including how long it takes, whether you need a permit and how much it costs

What’s a traveler’s responsibility when a once quiet destination gentrifies?

Lighthouses across the country are crumbling amid worsening storms and dwindling funds. One promising exception is Graves Light Station, offshore from Boston, which has outlasted the Perfect Storm, among many poundings. Plus: lighthouses where you can spend the night.

Locals, visitors, and surfers especially were all stoked at the prospect of experiencing the rare south swell on its way from Tahiti. But for the lifeguards on duty, it meant rip currents, broken boards, and, as it turned out, an insane number of people in the water who needed a helping hand.

But seriously: at this popular South Florida park, come for the large reptiles, but stay for the subtropical scenery, varied birdlife, and all-out airboat rides

To portray the hero of the Thai cave rescue in the new film ‘Thirteen Lives,’ the Hollywood star had to go deep—literally

A father and son working a crab boat in Chesapeake Bay were caught in a rising storm when they realized that something was very wrong: water was coming up through the floor

People develop sensitivities to just about everything these days, but can you really be allergic to frigid temperatures? Our writer takes us on a wild—and potentially life threatening—journey to find out.

We’re for an official mandate: make this the season of long weekends. To help you out, we found the most fun new summer adventures.

The store isn’t just good for bulk buys or $1.50 hot dog combos. There are some great outdoor deals, too.

Nathan Williams isn’t a household name in Oklahoma (or anywhere else for that matter), but to those who take part in the adrenaline-fueled sport that is noodling, Williams isn’t just known—he’s red-dirt royalty

341 field-tested favorites for summer adventure

Leave the heavy lifting to these pieces

A new wave of inflatables is approaching shore

It’s time to settle a longstanding debate once and for all. Which sandal will be crowned king?

They’re essentially adventure flip-flops and therefore superior to every other sandal

This simple sandal has everything you need and nothing you don’t

Eight fan favorites. Three head-to-head rounds. Only one winner.

Score sunglasses, fire pits, water bottles, and more at a discount until midnight tonight

In the heart of Cornhusker country, they know how to make their own fun. Native son Carson Vaughan drafted four friends, loaded up on beer, and did what may be the strangest float trip in the world.

In an excerpt from his new book, ‘Riverman,’ writer Ben McGrath recounts how he met an itinerant canoeist named Dick Conant, a fascinating character who mysteriously disappeared shortly thereafter

Indiana Dunes National Park is an adventure gem for urban midwesterners all year long, but particularly in summer, when Lake Michigan almost appears tropical

It’ll take some miles to reach these eight remote, high-elevation lakes, but what better way to cap off a strenuous trek than diving into cool, crystal-clear water?

The fully-submersible Cyclone hip pack is the bag you want for SUP adventures. Its waterproof compartments made it one of our favorite accessories in our Summer Buyer’s Guide.

Forget waking up at dawn to save your spot or navigating through crowds on Main Street. These coastal destinations are all about empty stretches of sand, activities for everyone, and ocean-view rooms that don’t break the bank.

In his new book ‘Wayward: Stories and Photographs,’ Chris Burkard takes readers behind the camera on his quest for meaningful experiences

And faced my fear of the ocean to boot

Reeling from her husband’s request to divorce after 25 years of marriage and two kids, Florence Williams was experiencing debilitating grief. An accomplished reporter, she decided to explore the science of heartache to see if she could find a cure. In this excerpt from her new book, ‘Heartbreak: A Personal and Scientific Journey,’ she heads out for a 120-mile solo paddle on Utah’s Green River, with a too heavy portable toilet and a shattered heart.

Cap off a day on the trail with a soak in a steamy mineral pool. We found the best from Alaska to North Carolina.

A secret abortion, pirates, and the peace found at the bottom of the ocean

Seasonal outdoor work seems idyllic, but it isn’t an easy lifestyle. Guides are starting to open up about the challenges of constant transitions, and new research offers insight into their unique situation.

Outside’s ethics guru on why it’s not the nudity that’s offensive

Meet the grassroots movement of women fighting to open up surfing to a more diverse range of body types

Some of our favorite recent releases explore the life of Jacques Cousteau, a nonbinary climber’s journey to embrace their identity, and the search for the world’s loneliest whale

Plan your next adventure on one of the nation’s most resplendent waterways with the help of Gaia GPS

Tim Zimmermann’s feature about a 12,000-pound orca that killed a SeaWorld trainer changed the future of marine parks, was developed into a powerful 2013 documentary, and turned the author into a vegan

Cold water is no obstacle if you’re prepared

How two rival teams fought storms and sleep deprivation to claim an 18-year-old paddling FKT

We caught up with author Sebastian Junger to find out how he reported the incredible Outside Classic story of the Andrea Gail’s crew, what’s changed in the commercial fishing industry, and why he’s drawn to people who have dangerous jobs

It’s not just a momentary mood booster, but a reminder of what we’re capable of

If it seems like you’ve been hearing about lakes and beaches closing down more often, you’re right. Various types of toxic algae are multiplying like crazy in bodies of water across the country, and stopping them won’t be easy.

“I would contend that stupid behavior is sometimes the proper response to stupid laws”

With summer here, we’re getting back into ambitious recreation, and that means a return to grit, sweat, and serious post-fun scrubbing. Cleanliness connoisseur Danielle Sepulveres explains how these wetdowns can create memories all their own.

The first Yulex wetsuits were expensive and stiff, but with more wetsuit makers adopting the technology, that’s changed

Summer is here. This is what we’re using to stay cool—in every sense of the word.

It took me months of cold, scary failure to learn how to roll my boat in the open ocean. The effort taught me that barriers to outdoor proficiency, no matter how daunting, can be overcome if you don’t give up.

Six accessories to get your entire crew on the water

Kayla Lockhart was desperate for relief from the panic that plagued her. She found it at the edge of a stream.

Teenage diver Sebastian Morris and his dad were hunting for treasure in the Gulf of Mexico when they found a below-the-knee prosthetic. How do you lose that in the ocean? Amazingly, they solved the mystery.

The odds of being attacked by a shark are less than one in 11 million, which makes it nearly impossible to find people to turn to when you become that one. Enter a support group of survivors called the Bite Club—the most exclusive club nobody wants to join.

When a massive swell surprised author William Finnegan, he was left with only one option: paddle for his life

What does it take to get through the worst-case scenario? A very special combination of physical and mental strength.

What do you do after surviving a near-death experience? Visit a dying natural wonder, of course. After his husband suffers a stroke at the age of 40, our writer plans the trip of a lifetime to the Great Barrier Reef—and discovers new meaning in the term "last-chance tourism."

During her college break, the author went all in on solitude—living alone on a Down East island and working for one of the area’s few female skippers. Luna Soley reflects on a time of loneliness, hard work, and natural beauty.

How young is too young for risk? During an Idaho river adventure that included her seven-year-old, Tracy Ross faced this question in the most harrowing way imaginable.

At 59 years old and with a preexisting condition, Paralympic rower Angela Madsen had plenty to worry about as the coronavirus spread across the country. So she dipped the oars of her small rowboat in the Pacific and pointed the bow toward Hawaii. She never returned.

It's one of the most astonishing survival stories we’ve ever heard—and it might even be true

From a young age, the ocean provided relief from mental illness, something I've been unable to replicate with any other form of nature. It turns out, there's a science behind why some people prefer water.

Treat your skin to reef-safe protection and soothing aftercare

In 'The Art of the Mini Adventure,' mother-daughter combo Els and Pippa venture out for a microadventure near their home in Vermont

Next