Islands that promise adventure

Journey to these islands for adventures clambering up precipitous cliff faces, mountain biking across red plateaus baked by the sun or surfing down the steep slopes of a volcano.

Bungee jumping in New Zealand

Given that New Zealand boasts some of the world’s most wild and mighty land and seascapes, it makes sense that this outdoorsy nation is also home to a spectacular selection of extreme sports and adrenaline-fuelled activities. To combine heart-in-mouth thrills with heart-stopping views, make the trip to Queenstown for The Kawarau Bridge Bungy. This was the world’s first commercial bungy-jumping site and stands on a suspension bridge, wedged between rocky cliff faces and looming over luminous turquoise waters. There’s also The Ledge Bungy, which requires a gondola ride up to it and is completely freestyle (meaning you can fling yourself off the edge of this clifftop platform in a creative pose instead of waiting for directions). Finally, The Nevis Bungy is New Zealand’s highest, with a 134-metre drop and a freefall of eight and a half seconds. Catch your breath after your intoxicating adventure at the luxurious Rees Hotel.

Rock climbing in The Faroe Islands

The Faroe Islands has long attracted climbers from across the globe to its wealth of jagged cliffs and monoliths. This archipelago in between Iceland and Norway is where you’ll find the approximately 750-metre high Cape Enniberg – the world’s tallest sea cliff. Though rock climbing and abseiling both form a way of life for the Faroese, many parts of the island are still unexplored due to the need to climb or rappel to get there. But for those looking to experience the raw beauty of the Faroes with a nascent climb, there’s the option of an organised climbing tour – with routes attempted on these tours ranging from 13- to 40-metres high. Wherever you choose to scale the islands’ rocky peaks, be prepared for the spectral presence of the landscape when seen from various summits, with dense fog hugging headlands buffeted by frothing waves. And if you want to practise before you head outside, you’ll find a dedicated climbing wall for all experience levels in the village of Norðradalur. Enjoy the island vistas from the wooden huts at The View.

Volcano surfing in Vanuatu

On the rugged slopes of Mount Yasur – a volcano on the South Pacific island of Vanuatu – the extreme sport of volcano surfing was invented. Equipped with a plywood or metal board, surfers hike up the charcoal-black slopes caked in volcanic ash. Once they reach the rim of the crater, it’s time to hurtle down the slopes. Volcano surfing is less common at Yasur volcano these days due to the level of volcanic activity present and wayward clumps of volcanic rock. For adventurers, however, this only makes the surfing more of an authentic and suitably extreme experience. Far removed from the volcano, Alofa Beach Bungalows offers a calming antidote to an otherworldly day out.

Kiteboarding in The Dominican Republic

Combining five different sports into one, kiteboarding is extreme in nature. And the Dominican Republic is one of the world’s major hubs for it. A Caribbean nation found on the island of Hispaniola, its tracts of white sands and slightly windy waters provide perfect conditions for kiteboarding. The sport involves strapping a board to your feet and a kite to your upper body, which will then whisk you across the waters at high speeds, guided by gusts of wind. It takes time to get the hang of and for those starting out, a kitesurfing school is your best bet. Head to one in Cabarete – where you’ll find the headquarters of the International Kiteboarding Organization – or the cosmopolitan and sheltered coastal town of Las Terrenas. Spend the night at the Grand Bahia Principe El Portillo.

Mountain biking in Madagascar

One of the best ways to explore Madagascar’s gorgeous terrain is by mountain bike. Rent a bike in Antananarivo, Madagascar’s capital, while staying at The Citizen, and take part in an organised tour or plan your own route. You’ll be able to explore paddy fields, fruit orchards, rainforests, sculpted rock formations and dusty highland plains. The island is a thriving metropolis for animals too; catch lemurs lazing languidly on branches (look for the unbearably cute bamboo lemur) as you glide past, while reptiles peep out from sprouting baobab trees. Plan for a 14-day ride from the capital to the west coast, and revel in the atmosphere of an island fully submitted to the wild.