13 Adventurous Valentine’s Day Ideas For Thrill-Seeking Couples

As we are nearing Valentine’s Day, it is now that time of the year when most of the couples looking for romantic date ideas and candlelight dinners. Even though you’re into celebrating Valentine’s day or not, but the countless dinner offers and gift ideas everywhere will tempt you to spend your hard earned money into spending a very conventional Valentine’s day with your partner.

If buying a red stuffed bear or a bottle of Champaign in a basket of red roses not really what you’re looking forward to on this Valentine’s Day; then you are in the right place! I asked 13 travel bloggers about their best adventurous Valentine’s Day ideas for the couples who love to be outdoors in the wild. It is always exciting to try different activities with your significant other rather than going on a boring date just like every year.

So, read along the 13 most unique adventurous Valentine’s Day ideas coming straight from the best traveling couples.

Hawaii Helicopter Volcano Tour

By James Hills of Mantripping

The perfect Valentine’s day getaway should be one that injects a little danger and ultimately sweeps you off your feet while sharing an amazing experience. I can’t think of anywhere more amazing that a helicopter tour over the lava fields in Hawaii.

While Kilauea is no longer erupting and the lava is black with steam rising from it rather than glowing orange, seeing it from the air helps you to better understand the massive scale and power of the Earth. As you fly over, you’ll notice stark contrasts between jet black lava, emerald green vegetation, and sapphire water.

Unlike seeing it from the ground though, being in a helicopter together gives you a chance to hold each other tight and share this unique perspective that few people ever will. Madam Pele – goddess of fire, lightning, wind, dance, and volcanos is also the subject of several tragic romantic legends. This makes your opportunity to explore her together with a great warning for why you should stay together and avoid fighting.

Most tour companies such as Blue Hawaiian Helicopters offer excellent narration, make sure to also visit the Hawaii Volcanoes visitor center and the Lyman Museum for even more background on the history and mythology of Kilauea.

A Trip To See The Northern Lights

By Julianna Barnaby of The Discoveries Of

Sure, you could settle for a romantic dinner at home, but why not do something a little different on Valentine’s Day. Going to see the Northern Lights is the perfect couples’ adventure for Valentine’s Day. The lights are one of nature’s most mesmerizing sights – seeing the greens, purples, and pinks dancing in the night sky has to go down as one of the most cherished experiences I’ve had with my partner.

Iceland is a great place to see the Northern Lights as they are easily spotted from most of the country (even in Reykjavik during strong showings) and it’s got so many beautiful destinations where you can watch the lights – glacial lagoons, snow-capped peaks, thundering waterfalls – you name it, it has it.

We organised our trip to go to Iceland, but there are so many destinations for spotting the Northern Lights. If you’re in Europe, Norway and Finland are also good spots, while northern Canada and Alaska are good options if you’re in the Americas. The lights are unpredictable and it’s never guaranteed that you will see them, so make sure you choose a destination that has other things to keep you occupied too.

The best thing? If you make sure you wrap up warm, and move away from sources of light pollution, you can head into the middle of nowhere with your partner and watch the lights together. I’d take that any day over a fancy dinner.

Also Read: Best Water Sports To Do In The Maldives

White Water Rafting In Chiang Mai

By Inna from The Executive Thrillseeker

Planning to spend your Valentine’s Day in Thailand and looking for an adventure? Consider going white water rafting in Chiang Mai as a part of your Thailand itinerary.

Rafting is a thrilling outdoor activity, which gives you an opportunity to get an incredible range of emotions and adrenaline rush in a short period of time. Also, you will have a great time regardless of the weather conditions: if it is sunny — wonderful; if it rains — water rises accordingly, which provides you an additional portion of emotions and adrenaline.

Rafting on the river allows you to see picturesque and untouched corners of nature around you because people rarely settle along rapid rivers. We even had a chance to see elephants near the water during our rafting tour.

At first, we were a bit scared but we supported each other. When the rafting started we worked synchronously as a team to overcome the rapids and not go overboard. Such a nice little team-building experience for you and your significant other! Shortly we realized that it was not scary at all but extremely fun and rewarding! Also, we felt safe as the team of professionals was looking out for us along the course.

It is a great couples retreat experience for adrenaline lovers!

Traditional Photoshoot In South Korea

By Marie of Be Marie Korea

Korea is the country where couples act all cute and show outsiders how happy they are in their relationship by wearing matching outfits, have couple rings and do couple photo shoots. These couple photo shoots are getting more and more popular among foreign travelers coming to Korea for their honeymoon.

Especially the traditional photo shoots where you back in time to the Joseon Dynasty and reenact a traditional Korean confusion wedding. This includes all the stunning red and blue robes and all the symbolism like the chickens that represent phoenixes, all the fruit, the alcohol and the whole ceremony. 

Apart from doing the traditional Korean wedding ceremony, you can just book a regular couple photo shoot. Here you go around the most beautiful places in Seoul and have a professional photographer take pictures of you and your significant other. This kind of shoots seem to be much cheaper than the traditional Korean wedding shoot but are not as traditional. 

The shoot normally lasts a whole day and upon arrival you get your makeup and hair done. At the end of the day, you will home with a set of around 30 pictures and a stunning photo album which you can keep as a nice souvenir. 

Camel Safari In Rajasthan, India

By James Ian Of Travel Collecting

If sleeping on a sand dune in the desert under the stars with no one but your loved one beside you sounds romantic, then a camel safari from Jaisalmer is the perfect Valentine’s Day adventure for you! 

Jaisalmer is Rajasthan’s famed golden city, surrounded by the Thar Desert, at the far western reaches of northern India, rising from the desert plains like a fantasy.  February is the best time of year to visit, and taking a camel safari from the golden city into the desert is a fascinating way to experience Rajasthan and celebrate Valentine’s Day. 

The trip starts with a pickup from your hotel in Jaisalmer to a desert camp about an hour away.  After breakfast, you mount your camels and are lead off into the desert.  You will visit several isolated villages along the way, where you see how people eke out an existence in this harsh land.  After a leisurely afternoon sheltering in the shade from the worst of the heat, hop back on your camels and ride until you arrive at dunes for the evening. 

Several operators in Jaisalmer run trips that take you to small but isolated dunes where you will be the only people.  Several travel companies offer private tours for two, and this is what we did.  The guide cooks you dinner, then unrolls a pre-made bedroll with white linens, a pillow and two thick blankets for the night.  With nothing but the stars above and the sand dunes around you, this really is incredibly romantic. 

Skiing At The Jasna Ski Resort In Slovakia

By Joanna of Overhere

Skiing in Slovakia might not be the first thing which comes to our mind when we think about Valentine’s Day. Who goes skiing in the mountains on such romantic day? Well, we did and it could not be better!

Jasná Nízke Tatry ski resort is located on Chopok mountain slopes. Chopok reaches 2024 metres and the views from the top are breathtaking! It is actually the amazing landscape of Low Tatra mountains which is the biggest advantage for me. On a sunny day the skiers get to admire astounding panorama of Slovak Tatra mountains.

Jasná Nízke Tatry ski resort is also very modern. It offers comfortable, fast and efficient ski lifts. There is even one small-gauge train! This ski resort is equal to many Western European skiing destinations.

There are lots of ski pistes on Chopok slopes. Some are very steep, some are good for beginners and some can even get skiers in the middle of the forest, there are several freeride zones. There is also a snow park and fun zone prepared for advanced skiers to keep them entertained.
Jasná Nízke Tatry resort offers also the chance of night skiing (from 6 PM to 9 PM) which is super romantic!

When we get tired or cold, we can go for a romantic dinner or hot chocolate in a mountain restaurants located here and there in the resort. The best restaurant is the highest one located on the very top of the mountain – the views are brilliant!

Being Active In Nature At The Cheow Lan Lake In Thailand

By Darja of DeeGees Travel

First of all, Valentine’s day doesn’t need to be a boring dinner and second – it doesn’t need to be one day only. Why not celebrate love by spending a weekend away out in the nature being active?

Think about it. Fresh air, beautiful views, physical activity with a bit of adventure, just the two of you disconnected from the hustle and bustle of your everyday lives… Pro tip – if you go for it, make sure you switch off your phone and only use it in case of emergency.

Last year we spent unforgettable two days at the Cheow Lan Lake in the Khao Sok National Park, Thailand. The views of this magnificent lake in the middle of the rainforest were absolutely stunning. We were immediately awe struck. During our stay we hiked the jungle, climbed cascades of waterfalls and kayaked at sunrise. It was fantastic!

Wild nature being wild nature, our otherwise very romantic overnight stay at the iconic floating bungalows turned out to be quite an adventure. Our boat almost sank and then caught fire, there were huge venomous snakes in the lake we had just been swimming in and at the end, we had to cross that same lake back to the harbor in the middle of severe tropical rain.

Despite these nerve-wracking conditions,  this was an amazing bonding experience we will forever cherish. Sharing moments like this is a great way to strengthen your relationship and celebrate your love. 

Rock Climbing At Moab, Utah, USA

By Shazia Chiu of Shazia Chiu

Rock climbing in Moab, Utah, USA is an incredible adrenaline rush and an awesome bonding experience! There are hundreds of routes in the area for beginners as well as experts, and most of the routes are easily accessible from Arches National Park or Moab City Center.

There are spire climbs like the one pictured here, extra-long “multi-pitch” routes that require additional gear and specialized training and bouldering areas where you can climb short distances without ropes. 

A great way to prepare for this activity is to practice at an indoor climbing gym. You’ll want to be comfortable with belaying (supporting a climber from the ground), basic climbing moves and using your climbing gear. For your first outdoor climbing trips you’ll want to go with either a certified guide or someone who can teach you the basics for climbing safely outside–there is a lot to learn!

Once you and your partner are trained and feel confident about climbing, a weekend on the red rock in Moab is the perfect romantic getaway.  Wrap up your day of climbing with a delicious meal at the Moab Diner, a walk down Main Street or a night hike under starry skies. 

Ziplining And Tubing In Costa Rica

By Vanessa Hunt of Wanderlust Crew

For the adventurous couples that need more than just lazing on the beach or relaxing by the resort pool during their vacation, there’s no better destination than Costa Rica. With incredible beaches offering water sports of all kinds, and lush jungles with hiking, tubing, and canopy ziplining tours, there is no shortage of activities that will satiate your need for adrenaline and adventure.

During our last trip to Costa Rica, we stayed at the gorgeous Andaz Papagayo, which is probably the most beautiful resort I’ve ever stayed in. They do an incredible job of incorporating luxury into the surrounding natural habitat. You can see capuchin monkeys during the day and hear the howler monkeys during the night. While we certainly did enjoy a little rest and relaxation here, as well as incredible food, we were also able to leave the resort for some outstanding adventures.

We booked at the incredible tour through Swiss Travel that allowed us to visit the Rincon de la Vieja Volcano region where we were able to go horseback riding through the jungle, tubing down a gorgeous river (which was way more terrifying than it sounds), rock climbing through a canyon, and zip-lining through the canopy!

During our time at the resort, we were able to use kayaks, paddleboards, and jet skis to zip around the bay, enjoying the scenery and exploring hidden beaches. Costa Rica is definitely not somewhere you’ll be bored on your romantic getaway.

Related: If you’re from the Americas – Check this list of Best Places To Visit On Valentine’s Day

Lost World 100m Abseil and Caving Adventure, in Waitomo, New Zealand

By Catherine of Waitomo Adventures

If you are looking for a couple’s adventure, the Lost World 100m Abseil and Caving Adventure, in Waitomo, New Zealand will not disappoint!

Waitomo is located on New Zealand’s north island and is home to an extensive underground cave system. My husband and I visited New Zealand for our honeymoon, and this is one of the first activities that we signed up for! We participated in the 4hr tour which is a dry tour, and it was hands-down one of the most exhilarating experiences of my life.

This tour begins by abseiling (rappelling) down 100 meters into a vast and other-worldly cavernous hole in the earth. It is simultaneously terrifying and invigorating; it has the feel of a tropical jungle but also rugged mountain terrain.

The abseil, although a truly breathtaking experience, only takes ~30 minutes. The next 3 hours are spent exploring the cave system while hiking back up to the surface. The cave system is awash with glow worms, massive stalactites and stalagmites, beautiful rock formations and extraordinary colors that appear to dance through the air. The final ascent back to the surface is accomplished by climbing a 30m ladder.

This tour is not for people who are claustrophobic. If you are afraid of heights this *may* not be for you; however, there were a few people on our tour who were scared of heights, and they enjoyed the experience.

Classic Car Ride In Havana, Cuba

By Ayngelina Brogan of Bacon Is Magic

Perhaps one of the most romantic getaways is to return to a simpler time when you can just relax and enjoy the moment. While many complain that internet in Cuba isn’t great, that is exactly what makes it perfect for a romantic weekend. A digital detox when you can focus on the sites and the company you are with. This is Cuba, there’s no need to rush. Nowhere to be. No need to check your phone.

The classic cars of Cuba are one of its most iconic features. It’s also a very reasonable price and is the best way to get your bearings in Havana. You can either book in advance, or simply walk down to Parque Central to pick out which brightly coloured car you’d like to spend a few hours in. The most common colour is pink but there are so many others from purple to polka dot – something for everyone!

Most of the drivers speak English and are excellent tour guides. If you don’t know what you’d like to see they’ll share the most common attractions and allow you to simply sit in the back and enjoy the ride. Don’t be shy about asking for photos, who can turn down hopping into the drivers seat and getting a photo? They’ll even lend you their straw to get the perfect shot. 

Watching The Sunset By Climbing The O2 Arena In London

By Anisa Alhilali of Two Traveling Texans

Watching the sunset with your honey and a bottle of bubbly can be so romantic.  You could also make it adventurous by catching the sunset at the top of The O2 Arena.  With the Up at The O2 Experience visitors can walk on a path suspended 2 meters above The O2.  On the viewing platform at the top, 52 meters high, you have time to take in 360 degree views of London and even enjoy some champagne if you like.  

It may look dangerous, but don’t worry it’s completely safe.  You have a guide with you and you wear a safety harness. At the beginning of the climb, you are going up at a 28-degree incline, then it levels off as you approach the top.

Going down, in a way it’s more difficult than going up.  The incline is slightly steeper at 30 degrees. If you are worried about looking down, you might want to try going down backwards. Don’t let your fears stop you, It’s quite a unique experience!

If you want to make the experience romantic, I suggest splurging for a private climb.  Time it right and you can watch the sunset as you reach the top.

Check out Anisa’s YouTube video on Climbing The O2 Arena

A Trip To The Antelope Canyons In Page, Arizona

By Ketki Sharangpani of Dotted Globe

Page, Arizona is one of our favorite adventure travel destinations. Visiting Page is easy, it can be easily combined with an awesome Las Vegas Grand Canyon road trip and makes a perfect road stop. My husband and I love visiting Page for many reasons, the chief being the beautiful Antelope Canyons.

For sheer romance, we recommend the easy and beautiful Upper Antelope Canyon tour but if you prefer squeezing through narrow canyons and climbing tall ladders then Lower Antelope Canyon is your best bet. The views of both the slot canyons are very beautiful so whatever you chose, you will never go wrong.

Lake Powell in Page is great for kayaking and paddle boarding; you can even take a boat tour to a different area of the Antelope Canyons. Other things to do in Page include ATV and 4 wheel drive tours to unique areas of the Arizona desert landscape, horse riding, whitewater rafting the Colorado River.

We also love hiking the trail up to Horseshoe Bend Overlook and seeing the beautiful geological formation below. Other activities in Page include a helicopter tour of the Horseshoe Bend and Grand Canyon area and floating down the Colorado River.

I am sure all of these adventurous Valentine’s day ideas must have inspired you by now to ditch those typical conventional dinner dates and movie nights. So, get your adrenaline rushing and venture for a memorable adventure this Valentine’s day with the love of your life.

And if you want to keep your valentine date sweet and simple – Read this guide on Inexpensive Valentine Date Ideas.

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