These 6 coastal activities are on the rise—here's how to try them
This article was produced by National Geographic Traveller (UK).
The coast has always held a magnetic pull. It's where we walk for clarity, drawn by the hypnotic crash of waves; where we plunge into saltwater, emerging recharged; and where we linger at sunset, captivated by the endless horizon. Research shows that being near water can lower stress and enhance wellbeing — a feeling many travellers are now actively seeking. Fortunately, there's no shortage of coastal activities on offer, from adrenaline-fuelled coasteering in Australia to foraging for sea greens along South Africa's shores. E-biking the Shimanami Kaido, Japan
The trend: The boost of an electric motor is transforming two-wheeled adventures, making steep climbs effortless and longer coastal routes more accessible. This low-impact, high-reward travel style is surging in popularity, especially in scenic coastal regions like Portugal's rugged Algarve and California's sun-drenched shores.
Where to do it: E-bike your way along the Shimanami Kaido, a 43.5-mile route that links Japan's main island, Honshu, to Shikoku, crossing the Seto Inland Sea via seven dramatic suspension bridges. 'Gliding from bridge to island and island to bridge, with the Seto Inland Sea stretching endlessly around you, is a truly unforgettable experience,' says Miho Ogura, co-founder of Hidden Japan Travel, a tour operator specialising in outdoor experiences in Shikoku. Hidden Japan Travel's three-day self-guided tour is the ultimate coastal escape, winding through serene fishing villages, citrus-scented islands, white sandy beaches and seafood-rich shores. The Kayak Trail is a boutique company specialising in guided kayak and wild camping adventures across the Stockholm Archipelago. Photograph by Johner Bildbyra Kayak camping in the Stockholm Archipelago, Sweden
The trend: Those with an appetite for adventure are searching for new ways to test their grit and, with much of the world's land so well-trodden, solitude seekers have found an intrepid solution: kayak camping. This growing pursuit blends the freedom of kayaking with the raw beauty of wild camping, unlocking access to remote coastlines — from the rugged fringes of the US to the forested islands of Scandinavia.
Where to do it: Scattered across the Baltic Sea, the Stockholm Archipelago is a vast sprawl of more than 30,000 islands, many of which are uninhabited. 'I spent my childhood summers sailing the archipelago,' says Jakob Rudberg, co-founder of The Kayak Trail, a boutique company specialising in guided kayak and wild camping adventures across the Stockholm Archipelago. 'There are no tides, currents or big swells to worry about, and the weather is often stable and fair.' Adventurers can paddle late into sunlit summer nights, spot Baltic seals and moose, plunge into refreshing waters and sleep on serene island shores. Plus, a right of public access provides the sweeping freedom to roam — and even set up camp — almost anywhere in the great outdoors. According to the British Sauna Society, Finnish-style public saunas have seen a scorching 63% year-on-year rise nationwide. Photograph by Wildwater Sauna Saunas in Pembrokeshire, Wales
The trend: While saunas have long been a Nordic staple, they're now making serious waves in the UK. According to the British Sauna Society, Finnish-style public saunas have seen a scorching 63% year-on-year rise nationwide from 2024 to 2025, with coastal regions like Wales leading the charge. 'People are increasingly seeking new ways to improve their health, de-stress and connect with others,' explains Scott Chalmers, co-founder of Wildwater Sauna, a luxury, wood-fired sauna in Pembrokeshire, Wales. 'Not only does our circulation, heart, lungs and skin respond positively to hot and cold exposure, it also has a profound effect on our immune system, metabolism and mental health.'
Where to try it: Wildwater's magic lies in its movement. This roaming hot box glides along Pembrokeshire's coastline each month, setting up in stunning spots like the secluded cove of Nolton Haven and the sweeping sands of Whitesands Bay. 'Each location offers a fresh perspective and a bracing post-sauna plunge into the icy Atlantic,' Scott says. 'We want to give our guests an ever-changing experience that deepens their connection with nature.' Foraging is enjoying a renaissance, driven by a growing desire for self-sufficiency and mindful consumption in the wake of climate change. Photograph by Alex Oelofse Coastal foraging in Scarborough Beach, South Africa
The trend: Foraging is enjoying a renaissance, driven by a growing desire for self-sufficiency and mindful consumption in the wake of climate change. The coast is a particular draw, as it's where a nutrient-rich larder can be found across intertidal areas, like the UK, Scandinavia, the Pacific Northwest and South Africa.
Where to try it: Explore the intertidal wonders of dune-fringed Scarborough Beach with Veld and Sea's summer coastal foraging experiences. This briny banquet of biodiversity features everything from nutrient-rich kelp and nori to shellfish, sea urchins, sour figs and samphire. 'With the warm Indian Ocean on the east coast and the icy Atlantic on the west, the biodiversity is incredibly rich,' says Roushanna Gray, founder of Veld and Sea, a South African company offering wild food foraging workshops and unique nature experiences. A half-day workshop takes you through rock pools, sustainable harvesting techniques and the art of preparing and preserving your wild finds. The experience culminates in a seasonal, ocean-inspired feast served in Veld and Sea's enchanting glasshouse. Coasteering in Australia
The trend: Born on the rugged Welsh coast around 40 years ago, coasteering has since made a splash worldwide, from the chilly cliffs of Cornwall to the sun-drenched shores of the Mediterranean and Australia. A fusion of 'coast' and 'mountaineering', this adrenaline-fuelled adventure combines swell-riding, rock jumping, sea-cliff scrambling and even wildlife-spotting, unlocking coastlines once thought unreachable.
Where to do it: Western Australia's Margaret River region is a coasteering paradise, says Jaydn Woosnam, owner-operator of Margaret River Adventure Co, a coasteering operator in Western Australia: 'With more than 62 miles of untouched rugged coastline, we're spoiled with stunning beaches, towering granite formations and an ocean teeming with wildlife.' Suit up in a wetsuit, life jacket and helmet, then take the plunge — scramble through natural sea canals, ride surging swells, leap from cliffs and keep an eye out for seals or migrating whales along the way. Coasteering has since made a splash worldwide, from the chilly cliffs of Cornwall to the sun-drenched shores of the Mediterranean and Australia. Photograph by Margaret River Adventure Co. Family-friendly tide pool tours are among the most sought-after experiences in regions rich with marine life, such as the UK, Pacific Northwest and New Zealand. Photograph by Sophie Smith Tide pooling in the Oregon coast, US
The trend: As coastal communities increasingly prioritise the protection of their fragile natural habitats, educational tours have gained popularity. Family-friendly tide pool tours are among the most sought-after experiences in regions rich with marine life, such as the UK, Pacific Northwest and New Zealand. These tours offer a unique opportunity to explore intertidal ecosystems and observe the fascinating creatures that live there.
Where to do it: The rugged Oregon coastline, stretching from Yachats to Heceta Head, is home to one of the Pacific Coast's most biodiverse ecosystems. 'The rocky basalt cliffs create the perfect environment for extraordinary tide pools,' says Jamie Kish, a field guide and tide pool ambassador at Oregon's Cape Perpetua Collaborative, a conservation group within the Cape Perpetua Marine Reserve. 'Incredible life thrives in the countless nooks and crannies, enduring the harsh elements along the rugged edge of the world's largest ocean.' On a tour (available by donation from late May to August), discover a kaleidoscope of vibrant species, including purple urchins, giant green anemones, striped shore crabs, ochre sea stars and colourful sea slugs. Published in the Coastal Collection 2025 by National Geographic Traveller (UK).
To subscribe to National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine click here. (Available in select countries only).
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6 of the best summer festivals to travel to, according to an expert
This article was produced by National Geographic Traveller (UK). There's no better time to visit a new place than during a festival. These heightened moments, special points in the calendar, are when a culture reveals itself most vividly: town squares are festooned with flowers and draped in finery, people conceal themselves beneath extravagant costumes and wild-eyed masks, and the air is filled with the sound of music and the delicious smells of festival food. But beyond just being outwardly captivating, festivals are also fascinating portraits of human behaviour. While writing my book about festivals, Fiesta: A Journey Through Festivity, I travelled from Indonesia to Ingol, Lancashire – and found that, across the world, festivals reflect certain universal patterns. The —sual rules of life are upended: social hierarchies dissolve, inhibitions are shed, and altered states of consciousness are pursued with relish. Whether you're a participant or an observer, the experience of a festival can be inspiring, life-affirming and, sometimes, transcendent. Here are six of the best festivals to visit across the world this summer. Summer solstice (20/21/22 June)It may have entered the horror pantheon thanks to the celebrated 2019 movie Midsommar, but there's nothing (too) scary about Scandinavia's real-life summer solstice celebrations, the most famous of which is to be found in the central Swedish town of Leksand. As many as 30,000 spectators descend on the town to watch locals, dressed in traditional white blouses, colourful dresses and floral wreaths, process from the town church to the Sammilsdal, a natural grassy amphitheatre. Here, they dance around a maypole covered in plants and flowers, singing folk songs which celebrate the warmth and light of the year's longest day. 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Omanis flock from the oppressive heat of the north to refresh themselves in the fine misty rain, swim in natural pools framed by resplendent greenery, and relish the scent of the world's finest frankincense trees in full bloom. The carnival-like Khareef Festival sees three months of music and dance performances, souks selling handicrafts and traditional foods, and hot air balloons soaring in the sky above. 29 JuneThe tiny Mediterranean nation of Malta has one of the most jam-packed festival calendars in Europe, with more than one hundred festi – the local celebration of Catholic saints' days — held between March and September. Each has its own character. Rabat hosts a stately affair in March, with regal decorations and a brass-band procession, while Mqabba marks its festa with some of the most rip-roaring fireworks displays imaginable. But the most memorable is arguably Mnarja (or L-Imnarja), held on 29 June to celebrate saints Peter and Paul. 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National Geographic
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6 of the best summer festivals to travel to, according to an expert
One of the most famous Midsummer celebrations is found in the central Swedish town of Leksand. One of the most famous Midsummer celebrations is found in the central Swedish town of Leksand. One of the most famous Midsummer celebrations is found in the central Swedish town of Leksand. One of the most famous Midsummer celebrations is found in the central Swedish town of Leksand. Festivals, when cultures reveals themselves most vividly, are some of the best times to visit a new destination — here are the six best summer festivals to travel to this summer. 6 of the best summer festivals to travel to, according to an expert This article was produced by National Geographic Traveller (UK). There's no better time to visit a new place than during a festival. These heightened moments, special points in the calendar, are when a culture reveals itself most vividly: town squares are festooned with flowers and draped in finery, people conceal themselves beneath extravagant costumes and wild-eyed masks, and the air is filled with the sound of music and the delicious smells of festival food. But beyond just being outwardly captivating, festivals are also fascinating portraits of human behaviour. While writing my book about festivals, Fiesta: A Journey Through Festivity, I travelled from Indonesia to Ingol, Lancashire – and found that, across the world, festivals reflect certain universal patterns. The —sual rules of life are upended: social hierarchies dissolve, inhibitions are shed, and altered states of consciousness are pursued with relish. Whether you're a participant or an observer, the experience of a festival can be inspiring, life-affirming and, sometimes, transcendent. Here are six of the best festivals to visit across the world this summer. Around 30,000 spectators descend on the town of Leksand to watch locals, dressed in traditional white blouses, colourful dresses and floral wreaths, process from the town church to the Sammilsdal, a natural grassy amphitheatre. Photograph by Anna Holm, Visit Dlarna 1. Midsommar, Leksand, Sweden Summer solstice (20/21/22 June) It may have entered the horror pantheon thanks to the celebrated 2019 movie Midsommar, but there's nothing (too) scary about Scandinavia's real-life summer solstice celebrations, the most famous of which is to be found in the central Swedish town of Leksand. As many as 30,000 spectators descend on the town to watch locals, dressed in traditional white blouses, colourful dresses and floral wreaths, process from the town church to the Sammilsdal, a natural grassy amphitheatre. Here, they dance around a maypole covered in plants and flowers, singing folk songs which celebrate the warmth and light of the year's longest day. The party continues long into the twilight of the midsummer night, with revellers eating pickled herring and strawberries and drinking aquavit, the potent local liquor. (6 of the best destinations to celebrate midsummer in Europe.) Glastonbury's Pyramid Stage sets the scene for unforgettable summer performances. Anna Barclay 2. Glastonbury Festival, Pilton, England Last weekend of June More than just the archetypal summer music festival, Glastonbury reflects many of the strands common to festivity across the world — seasonality, debauchery, connection to nature, music and dance – and the resulting atmosphere is that of a folkloric utopia, all soundtracked by the finest musicians on the planet. A primordial rooting in the earth and connection to the seasonal calendar — common to many of the Glastonbury area's festivals — is fostered by the event's timing close to the summer solstice, and bards, druids and pagans of all stripes can often be found gathered at the festival's very own stone circle — built not in 3000 BCE, but 1992. The festival's proximity to Glastonbury Tor, meanwhile, infuses the event with a touch of King Arthur mythology. And five miles from the festival site, many more solstice celebrants can be found at this green hill topped with a medieval tower, which is often identified with the mythical Isle of Avalon from Arthurian legend. In the nearby town of Glastonbury itself, meanwhile, celebrants gather at the Chalice Well, a sacred spring held in some legends to hide the Holy Grail. 3. Khareef Festival, Dhofar, Oman 21 June-20 September Every summer, in the Dhofar region of Oman's less-visited south, the desert blooms. From June to September, the tongues of the southeast monsoon lash the coast around Oman's second city, Salalah, causing waterfalls and rivers to burst into life and seeing this otherwise arid corner of the Arabian Peninsula erupt in a riot of tropical green. Omanis flock from the oppressive heat of the north to refresh themselves in the fine misty rain, swim in natural pools framed by resplendent greenery, and relish the scent of the world's finest frankincense trees in full bloom. The carnival-like Khareef Festival sees three months of music and dance performances, souks selling handicrafts and traditional foods, and hot air balloons soaring in the sky above. 4. Festa of Mnarja, Buskett Gardens, Malta 29 June The tiny Mediterranean nation of Malta has one of the most jam-packed festival calendars in Europe, with more than one hundred festi – the local celebration of Catholic saints' days — held between March and September. Each has its own character. Rabat hosts a stately affair in March, with regal decorations and a brass-band procession, while Mqabba marks its festa with some of the most rip-roaring fireworks displays imaginable. But the most memorable is arguably Mnarja (or L-Imnarja), held on 29 June to celebrate saints Peter and Paul. Held outside Rabat in the Buskett Gardens woodlands, the event sees locals dressed in medieval ruffs and velvet tunics, displays of fruit and vegetable carving, wandering minstrels playing Maltese folk tunes, and mountains of traditional food, including the national dish, rabbit stew. 5. Abare Festival, Ushitsu, Japan 4-5 July Travel guides to Japan often emphasise the politeness and gentleness of its people, their cultural aversion to public outbursts and their dedication to exquisite, traditional arts and crafts. All of which makes it somewhat surprising to turn up in the Noto Peninsula town of Ushitsu each July and find it consumed by the chaos and fury of the Abare Festival, a.k.a the 'Fire & Violence Festival'. Huge, beautiful lanterns, painted with mythological scenes and folktales, are painstakingly created throughout the year, only to be ritualistically destroyed by a band of drunk, loincloth-clad men, who smash the decorations against lampposts and pavements before burning them at the town's main shrine. This symbolic riot of rage has its origins in the 17th century, as a way to ward off disease. Before, during and after the main procession, much sake is consumed by participants and spectators alike. During Phuket's Vegetarian Festival, spirit mediums process through the streets of Phuket Old Town by the thousand with swords, skewers and other sharp objects stuck through their faces at all angles. Photograph by the Copyright of the Tourism Authority of Thailand 6. Phuket Vegetarian Festival, Phuket Old Town, Thailand Ninth lunar month (September or October; dates vary) A vegetarian festival, you might think, sounds pretty wholesome; a celebration of the tasty, health-bestowing properties of a meat-free diet. The island of Phuket, however, clearly didn't get the memo. While this celebration does incorporate much delicious plant-based food, the nine-day Phuket Vegetarian Festival is more explicitly characterised by deafening noise and mind-boggling ritual mutilation, with spirit mediums processing through the streets of Phuket Old Town by the thousand with swords, skewers and other sharp objects stuck through their faces at all angles. Firewalking and climbing ladders of knives are among the other trials which the spirit mediums undertake, all while in a deep trance, to the sound of a chorus of firecrackers. Not an event for the faint of heart. (Pearls, Peranakan culture and rare rituals: this is Phuket — but not as you know it.) Daniel Stables is the author of Fiesta: A Journey Through Festivity published by Icon Books (14 August 2025), RRP £20 National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine click To subscribe to(UK) magazine click here .(Available in select countries only).
Yahoo
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6 whisky distilleries to visit in Scotland this summer
This article was produced by National Geographic Traveller (UK). Pagoda chimneys rising above pine-forested glens, the babble of a highland spring, the distinctive aroma of toasted malt — distilleries are far more than functional factories. Often set in spectacular settings, they're crucibles of living, breathing Scottish heritage. And many invite visitors inside to view bubbling mash tuns, gleaming copper stills and warehouses filled with oak barrels, revealing the almost alchemical process that turns a few simple, local ingredients — barley, yeast, spring water — into fiery, golden spirits. Monasteries were Scotland's first de facto distilleries, putting rain-soaked grain to good use, with the earliest recorded mention of this 'water of life' (uisge beatha in Gaelic) dating from 1494. Today, there are over 150 active distilleries nationwide, falling into five officially recognised regions. Covering much of the mainland and islands, Highland is the largest and most diverse, while Speyside carves out a slice of the north east, and Lowlands lies just north of the English border. The peat-heavy Hebridean island of Islay gets its own designation, as does Campbeltown, a wee, southwesterly peninsula. Visitor experiences run the gamut from rustic, hard-hat tours to bespoke 'bottle your own single-malt cask' offerings — and some of these are seriously high-end. The Glenrothes private estate's multi-day experience, for example, costs a whopping £250,000. Most tastings will offer 'drivers' drams' — miniature pours to take home — meaning whoever's behind the wheel doesn't miss out. And with more distilleries adding restaurants, bars or overnight stays, even Scotch sceptics can find something to savour. Small in size, but big on character, Deanston's unpretentious, experimental attitude has resulted in waxy, honeyed, full-bodied drams with a cult following — including a 15-year-old single malt finished in tequila casks. Deanston even looks different to most distilleries — the red-brick, riverside buildings were in fact an 18th-century cotton mill, before they were converted to whisky-making in 1966. The place still hums with hydropower: one of the greenest scotch brands around, the whisky here is made from organic grain sourced from local farmers. Book the Warehouse No 4 experience, in Deanston's former cooperage, for direct-from-cask tastings and an atmospheric whisky-ageing education. Or compare some of its Master Blender's favourite, hard-to-find past releases on the Old & Rare Tasting. How to do it: £25 per person (Distillery Tour); £40 per person (Warehouse No 4 Experience); £130 per person (Old & Rare Tasting). There's a hint of Bond villain's lair about this Speyside distillery's sleek, subterranean architecture, which has been the brand's home since 2018, rippling beneath a wildflower-covered roof (fittingly, the 007 movies feature a few Macallan cameos). Within cathedral-height interiors, an interactive archive showcases 200 years of whisky-making heritage and limited-edition bottles, which resemble artworks. The central bar serves drams dating back 80 years, classic cocktails and tutored tastings — The Story of Oak, for instance, compares how sherry-seasoned casks impart Macallan's signature notes of dried fruits, ginger and cinnamon. Its culinary credentials are also next level: the team have collaborated with Spain's three-Michelin-starred El Celler de Can Roca at its fine-dining restaurant TimeSpirit, and The Macallan Mastery Experience tour concludes with a six-course tasting menu here. All this makes The Macallan the cream of Speyside visitor experiences — no mean feat given this region has the highest concentration of distilleries. How to do it: £50 per person (The Story of Oak); £250 per person (The Macallan Mastery Experience). Islay punches above its weight with powerful, peat-rich styles and nine active distilleries. Alongside established names like Lagavulin and Laphroaig, the buzz is all about Port Ellen: this Kilnaughton Bay landmark reopened in 2024 after a 40-year closure and £185m makeover. It's a dazzling, steel-and-glass temple to carbon-neutral whisky innovation, where handbuilt replicas of original copper stills stand beside the world's first 10-part spirit safe and a Scandi-chic, ocean-view tasting lounge. While new expressions are maturing, aficionados can nose the distilleries new-make spirit and draw from a 1979 vintage cask on the Port Ellen Reborn tour, uncovering the mineral, smoky soul of this phoenix-like brand. How to do it: Book well in advance for free, monthly open days (reservations essential); £250 per person (Port Ellen Reborn). Overlooking a sea loch on the myth-steeped Isle of Skye, Talisker's peaty whiskies are as rugged and elemental as its setting. Take the classic 10-Year-Old: a bracing ocean breeze on the nose, followed by black pepper and bonfire smoke. No wonder Talisker was one of Robert Louis Stevenson's reasons for calling whisky 'the king o' drinks'. Thanks to big investment from international drinks powerhouse Diageo, Talisker's raft of visitor experiences goes well beyond classic tours, including chocolate and whisky-pairing tastings, an offshoot of Michelin-recommended restaurant The Three Chimneys and a state-of-the-art visitor centre for multi-sensory storytelling about Talisker's wave-lashed heritage. Linger in the Campfire Bar for a dram or whisky-based cocktail — the venue sometimes hosts live folk music sets, too. How to do it: £20 per person (Talisker Made By The Sea Tasting Experience); £35 per person (Whisky & Chocolate Tasting). In its Victorian heyday, Campbeltown was hailed as the world's whisky capital and was home to 32 distilleries within one tiny patch of Argyll's Atlantic-lashed Kintyre Peninsula. That figure's now fallen to just three, making family-owned Springbank both survivor and standard-bearer — notably, it's one of Scotland's only distilleries to complete 100% of the whisky-making process on site, from floor malting to bottling. The briny, oily character of Springbank's signature single malt — layered with smoky, grassy notes — reflects its coastal location, and the original 1828 building is an atmospheric labyrinth of cobbled courtyards and coal-fired kilns. Out of its various tours and tastings, Barley to Bottle is the most hands-on, access-all-areas option, letting guests create their own bottle of whisky in the Blending Laboratory, followed by a seafood lunch. How to do it: £15 per person (standard tour); £250 per person (Barley to Bottle). With its delicate, floral profile, Auchentoshan's sometimes dubbed 'the breakfast whisky', as well as 'Glasgow's malt', since the city's only a 20-minute drive away. Whisky newbies and sweet tooths can often be converted by its lighter, creme brulee character. That silkiness and clarity is the result of triple distillation — a process Lowland whiskies are renowned for — and the Auchentoshan Ultimate Tour details each stage. The space itself is fittingly clean-lined, light-filled and refined, with windows framing the Kilpatrick Hills. How to do it: £20 per person (Origin Tour); £45 per person (Cask Exploration); £75 per person (Ultimate Tour). To subscribe to National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine click here. (Available in select countries only).
