The Rise of “Expedition Beaches”: Where Adventure Meets the Coast

A new trend is shaping coastal travel in 2026. Recently, Priceline.com (one of the world’s biggest online travel agencies) published a report mentioning the rise of “expedition beaches.” According to the company’s data, over 80% of travelers look for the beach to be more than lounging in the sun. People seek exciting activities, thrilling excursions, high-adrenaline water sports, and deeper cultural immersion. The beach becomes a gateway to a memorable expedition, a way to live your own adventure. We’ve collected the best coastal trips for this purpose. From island-hopping in Phu Quoc to sunset surfing in Weligama, zip lining in Omiš, and jungle trekking in Montezuma, here are the world’s top expedition beach destinations. 

Gulf of Thailand waters hug Phu Quoc, the largest island in Vietnam, and home to an archipelago of 22 islands. Bigger in size than Phuket, this destination remains less known than its Thai counterparts. You can experience two sides of the island. There are touristy, purpose-built resort towns resembling Venice and Amalfi with five-star hotels and amusement parks. But the real magic lies in the wilder Phu Quoc, a tropical paradise of white-sand bays, coconut palm trees, smaller islets surrounded by the turquoise waters and mountain hikes in the island’s interior.

Snorkeling is amazing in the tiny southernmost islands of Hon Vong, Gam Ghi and May Rut. They are part of popular island-hopping tours, but you can also hire a private boat for a more tranquil experience. Free of resorts, Sao Beach is the most picturesque stretch on Phu Quoc, offering various water sports. If you’re looking for a jungle retreat, Ong Lang is where you’ll find the seaside bungalow properties and a more inspired vibe.

Omiš’s setting can not be more epic. The teeth-like limestone mountains rise over the red rooftops of the Old Town. There’s an ancient pirate fortress dotting one of the cliffs and another, a Venetian one, crowning the mountain. The town stands where the emerald waters of the Cetina River meet the blue Adriatic Sea. It’s impossible not to feel adventurous with panoramas like that. Thankfully, Omiš makes it easy to enjoy its dramatic surroundings. First adventure is Zip Line Croatia, featuring 8 wires and 2100 meters of length above the gorgeous Cetina River canyon.

Whitewater rafting and canoeing are other high-adrenaline river activities to try. A via ferrata, or rock climbing trail with ropes and railings, starts right from the Old Town. And then there’s always a vast Velika plaža, the town’s main sandy beach, where you can jet ski and enjoy banana rides.

Phra Nang is the definition of an expedition beach. You arrive at the popular Railay Beach by a traditional longtail boat into the heart of the jungle, surrounded by the tall limestone cliffs. Then you follow an easy jungle route to find yourself gazing at a paradisiac white-sand bay where monkeys roam freely. There are caves to explore on both ends of Phra Nang, and more short treks to get to other hidden bays. Beginner adventurers can rent a kayak and leisurely glide around the Ko Rang Nok sea stack.

High-octane seekers will be delighted to find some of the best rock climbing routes in Thailand. The whole Railay area is a climber’s paradise, with over 20 walls of different levels. You can climb in the jungle, over the lagoon, or on the beach. After dark, try your luck hunting for the magical blue glow of the bioluminescent plankton at the northern end of Phra Nang Beach.

Located in the under-the-radar O’ahu north coast, Pupukea gives you the quintessential Hawaii oceanside experience. Here, exploration never ends. The area is home to a diverse selection of beaches and natural attractions. Shark’s Cove is a series of tidal pools with ideal snorkeling conditions and a chance to encounter sea turtles. Walk a bit south to find Three Tables, a charming bay with more quality offshore snorkeling.

Then, there’s Waimea Bay Beach Park, where the Northern shore is at its most epic. Calm in the summer and thundering in the winter, it’s an incredible natural attraction. When the waters are tranquil, the bay is a fantastic spot for exploring the underwater world and spotting the dolphins. Experienced surfers descend to Waimea in winter to conquer the big waves. It’s also a fun place for boogie boarding enthusiasts.

In Hikkaduwa, meeting a sea turtle is almost effortless. They swim so close to the shore that you can watch these majestic creatures without snorkeling goggles. Paradoxically, the town itself is among the busiest tourist stretches on Sri Lanka‘s South coast. Head to the Turtle Beach to spot the animals. You can either go snorkeling on your own or get a guide for a more informative experience. Don’t touch, feed, or otherwise interact with the turtles—any interference harms them. Early morning is the best time to enjoy turtle watching, with clear waters and no crowds.

Outside the town is the Hikkaduwa Lake, a magnificent lagoon with mangrove forests and a colorful bird population. You can embark on a lagoon safari, kayaking through the water with a guide and spotting the animals, including the lizards, snakes, and flying foxes.

Gracing all the promotional photos of Mauritius, Le Morne might be one of the most striking coastal destinations on the planet. Soft white-sand beaches with transparent waters—check! A surreal wall-like mountain in the background—check! There will also be miles of jungle hikes, a national park with multicolored dunes (Chamarel Seven Colored Earth Geopark), plenty of waterfalls and Lavilleon Adventure Park (featuring rock climbing, a via ferrata, and a series of ziplines). In other words, traveling to Le Morne is a quintessential coastal expedition.

Be sure to hike to the peak of Le Morne Brabant for an unforgettable view of the ocean and the lush interior of Mauritius. The public beach at the foot of the mountain is also a popular kitesurfing hangout. Shallow waters are great for easy snorkeling.

For decades, Portugal‘s Atlantic coast has been Europe’s hottest surfing area. Peniche is the unofficial capital of wave-riding in the country. A year-round destination, it offers breaks for surfers of all levels. The town lives and breathes surfing culture—you will find plenty of beginner-friendly schools, surfing camps for all budgets, surfing-themed cafes and restaurants, and shopping. Praia Baleal – Sul is the wilder beach north of town, great for beginners and intermediates. But it’s the Supertubos beach that made Peniche legendary in the surfing community.

This Atlantic stretch is generally regarded as one of the best barreling breaks on the planet. Even if you’re not into catching waves, Peniche is a charming Portuguese getaway with a lively Old Town, a medieval fort and spectacular rugged Cape Carvoeiro coastline.

The coastal gem of the biodiverse Machalilla National Park, Los Frailes is Ecuador’s most beautiful beach. If you enjoy vast, wild landscapes, it’s the one. The Pacific Ocean waves crash into the white sands of the miles-long coastline. Headlands rise dramatically from the water. Behind the beach, the immense dry tropical forests of Machalilla are home to a diverse wildlife, including hundreds of bird species, howler monkeys, iguanas, and anteaters.

The beach visit is usually combined with a hike through the forest and a cycling trip to the Agua Blanca community in the jungle. Piscina de Azufre, a sulphur swimming hole, is another highlight of the trip.

Montezuma is that dream of a village lost in the jungle where life is easy, beaches are idyllic, and time slows down. Located in the Nicoya Peninsula, on the country’s Pacific Coast, it’s a perfect base for experiencing Costa Rica‘s famed biodiversity and soaking up the tropical atmosphere. Its playas are vast, flanked by rich vegetation, and made of volcanic sand. Waterfalls, hidden beaches, and secret sea caves surround Montezuma.

In the south, visit the pristine Reserva Natural Cabo Blanco with a white-sand beach. Hike through the divine coast up north to find spectacular Playa Grande and Playa Cocalito, both paradise-looking. Horseback riding is one of the nicest ways to experience the Montezuma coast, and many local companies offer scenic tours.  

Laid-back Palolem is the best base for exploring South Goa. It’s the expedition beach for those who prefer calmer adventures. The main stretch here is a mile-long crescent-shaped bay, where you find a wide range of popular water sport activities: kayaking, jet skiing, parasailing, snorkeling, and banana riding. Unspoiled jungle and mesmerizing bay await at Butterfly Beach, a secluded strip between Palolem and Agonda, reached either by a peaceful trek from the latter or by boat. Dolphin-spotting tour is another great activity in Palolem.

For more untouched nature, head to Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary, Goa’s second-largest natural park and home to flying squirrels, mouse deer, slender loris and pink-bottomed macaques. South Goa is also perfect for waterfall-hopping—trek to such stunners as Bamanbudo, Naturlem, and Mainapi.