Island getaways are synonymous with snorkeling, scuba diving, jet skiing, and all the other usual beach activities you see your friends posting about on social media. Sure, all of these things are a blast, but there are some excursions that will bring you out of your shell by letting you experience something truly unique and out of the ordinary. Here are some of the coolest things you can do on your island vacation.
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Hang Out on a Bioluminescent Bay
Bioluminescence is the emission of light by a living organism. When you see a firefly ignite flash in the dark, you are witnessing an instance of this natural phenomenon. But fireflies aren’t the only organisms that like to shine their light. Believe it or not, there are beaches around the planet where bioluminescent plankton like to hang out, illuminating the shoreline like a streak of lightning through the waves. Puerto Mosquito on the island of Vieques, Puerto Rico is the best known destination to witness this anomaly, making for a colorful and surreal island vacation. There are allegedly over 720,000 of these bright creatures in every gallon of water along the island’s shoreline.
Alligator Hunting
You don’t have to be a resident of the state of Florida to hunt alligators. In fact, as long as you obtain a permit, you don’t even have to be a resident of the United States of America. The alligator population in Florida is not only stable, it’s thriving. With a population of 1.3 million, alligators exist in every county of the state, and the government has allowed hunting in order to manage them. They are so abundant in the state that some are actually considered a nuisance. If hunting is your niche, an island vacation in Florida could provide you with a truly unique selection of game that is free from endangerment.
Spearfishing
Spearfishing is one of those few pastimes that has been around for millennia, yet is still popular in today’s society. The sport invites you to try to catch fish with a spear while you explore the mysterious depths of the ocean. While traditional fisherman would use a trident to stab their prey while holding their breath for minutes at a time. modern tools, like snorkels, flippers, and specialized spears make it much easier to catch fish. Many locations have rules and regulation for spearfishing. Make sure to look into them before embarking on your island vacation.
Water “Hoverboarding”
Certain companies have invented an interesting new extreme sport referred to as “hoverboarding.” The name refers to the extensive airtime a rider can achieve if they perform the ride correctly. The board is hooked up to a jet ski using a hose, and the jet ski’s power propels the water from under the board, sending it into flight. The sport is in it’s very early stages, but you can rent or buy the boards in many locations across the United States, including Florida and California.
Face it, there is more to an island vacation than tanning and snorkeling. Consider these unique activities next time you want to swim to a new current.