What are the first things that spring to mind when you hear the name Ibiza? Is it super-star DJs? Sweat-filled mega-clubs? Foam parties? €15 beers? It’d probably not Ibiza adventure holidays! But what most people don’t know is that the best Ibizan activities can rival those of anywhere on the Med!
Ibiza has long been established as the party capital of the Mediterranean, and rightly so. With venues such as Space, Amnesia and Privilege entertaining clubbers from early June until October, this little island gives Miami a run for its money.
San Antonio is often the base for those on a party holiday with cheap accommodation options, low cost food and lots of booze. The island does have a bit of a drug culture with ecstasy, cocaine and many other illegal substances easily accessible. If you find you have a problem then a New Day Recovery centre can help.
While there is a dark side to Ibiza it also excels in outdoor activities. Adventure holidays in Ibiza are becoming ever more popular as people look beyond the clubbing and party scene. Also for many people action sports complement their party holidays, however Ibizan activities are also an attraction in their own right.
Long before this Gomorrah of the Med opened its port to the international party crowd, Ibiza was a just a sleepy Spanish island. It relied on fishing and a much gentler form of tourism for its survival.
Now, we’re not suggesting that you spend your Ibiza holiday sitting peacefully waiting for a bite on your fishing rod. But it would be a shame to leave this beautiful island without experiencing some of the other attractions that it has to offer.
And Ibiza does offer adventure activities packed with enough adrenaline to rival even the biggest opening parties. And although you may ache afterwards we promise that your head won’t feel half as sore the next day.
Want to plan full on Ibiza adventure holidays? Or just want to try something a bit different and exciting in amongst the partying? Then check out the 13 best activities in Ibiza:
If the wind is refusing to blow, then get out in a kayak and power yourself around the coast. Escape the hoards of sun-worshippers to your own private cove or smugglers cave. Kayaking experiences last from a few hours to a few days for a full circumnavigation. As Ibiza adventure holidays go they are a great way to experience the nooks and crannies of the island’s underbelly.
Mountain bike tours offer a great way to see a bit more of the island. And whether you are on Ibiza for a few days holiday or have lived on the island for years, travelling its rough tracks, pine forests and wooded hills on two wheels is bound to give you a new appreciation for its stunning setting.
With beautiful coastal scenery dotted with footpaths there are plenty of walks for any level of fitness. Hiking is one of the best Ibizan activities to really get to know the island – regardless of whether you go for a half hour stroll or a full day hike.
At 475 metres, Sa Talaia is the highest point on the island can be hiked one way an around 90 minutes from the charming town of San Jose. Also worth exploring is Las Salinas National Park.
If this sounds like too much effort, then try horse-riding trip and let your very own Red Rum do all the hard work for you. There are a few stables dotted about the island, and most run trips up in to the hills or along the more deserted beaches. What better way to slow down after dancing till dawn than to gently trot into the sunset?
Take to the sky for the complete 360 degree Ibiza experience. Parasailing trips from San Antonio lift you up to 400 meters into the sky. You’ll be in the air for around 10-15 minutes giving you plenty of time to enjoy a real birds eye view of the island.
With temperatures regularly topping 30˚C, the azure sea may well seem more tempting than the arid hills. Cala Martina, Playa Pinet and Playa d’en Bossa beaches are great spots to windsurf or kitesurf in Ibiza. Although you may struggle to find enough wind in the middle of the summer in the right conditions they’re one of the best Ibizan activities.
With sharp limestone rock and plenty of sea cliffs there is some good rock climbing to be found on Ibiza. Most of it is in the North of the Island around Cala d’Albarca, although the most developed spot is in Buda in the southwest corner of the island where some routes are five pitches long.
There are plenty of companies offering sailing trips around Ibiza. These range from party boats to sailing instruction courses. You can also choose from taking out a small dingy to being part of the crew (and party!) on a mega yacht.
Of course being a party island there are plenty of watersports to try your hand at. One of the most convenient for those in San Antonio is waterskiing and wakeboarding which are offered right in the bay. As you can just try it for an hour or two it’s one of the best Ibizan activities for a quick dose of adventure between parties.
Although it’s not recommended if you have been drinking the night before scuba diving is one of the top activities to try during Ibiza adventure holidays. With wrecks, reefs and caves to explore there is something for all interests. There are also PADI scuba diving courses if you wish to get qualified.
In the Ibizan waters you can see nudibranch, conger eels, moray eels, barracuda, scorpion fish, grouper, octopus, lobster, stingray, wrasse, and amberjack. For those that can’t dive many beaches offer interesting snorkelling, plus there are boat tours offered with all the kit taking you to the top spots.
And after all this, you know there’s always a party going on somewhere. It’s Ibiza after all!
Be sure to check out our Spain activity holidays for more great ideas.