Top August Adventure Destinations: Volcano Climbs, Whitewater Rafting, and Family Coastal Thrills
August is the perfect month for global adventures, from scaling volcanoes in Ecuador and conquering the Zambezi's rapids to kayaking Britain's rugged coastlines or trekking Spain's Pyrenees. Thrill-seekers, here's your expert guide to adrenaline-fueled escapes.
Multi-Activity Adventure in the Spanish Pyrenees: Hike, Bike, Kayak, Abseil, and Raft
Picturesque towns and stone villages in the Spanish Pyrenees nestle amid stunning mountain landscapes, serving as ideal bases for family-oriented outdoor pursuits like hiking, cycling, canyoning, abseiling, kayaking, and rafting. Cozy guesthouses and restaurants offer respite for recharging before the next day's exploits.
August delivers reliable weather, snow-free high paths, and fully operational facilities. Key bases include Vielha and Sort (prime for rafting) near Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park in northern Catalonia, plus Berdún in adjacent Aragón.
- Trip plan: Fly into Bilbao, Toulouse, or Girona depending on your Pyrenees focus. Specialist tour operators provide tailored family adventure packages in northern Catalonia and Aragón.
- Need to know: Activities can be adapted for children, but ensure they're confident cyclists and swimmers.
- Other months: Jul-Sep: summer peak; Oct-Nov: variable weather; Dec-Feb: winter skiing; Mar-Jun: snow on higher passes.
Ecuador: Volcano Treks, Rainforest Exploration, and Vibrant Markets
Compact Ecuador encapsulates South America's highlights: colonial gems in Quito and Cuenca; Inca ruins at Ingapirca; indigenous markets in Otavalo, Saquisilí, and Zumbahua; iconic volcanoes like Cotopaxi along the Avenue of the Volcanoes; and rich wildlife in the Amazon, Galápagos, and cloud forests.
August brings dry conditions to the highlands and rainforest, ideal for cultural immersion, volcano hikes, and whitewater rafting.
- Trip plan: Start in Quito, visit Mindo's hummingbirds and Otavalo market (equator-straddling en route). Head south for Cotopaxi or Chimborazo hikes, Baños hot springs, Ingapirca ruins, and Cuenca. Fly deep into the Amazon's Napo River for authentic eco-lodges.
- Need to know: Skip Galápagos cruises in August due to rough seas and cloud cover.
- Other months: Jan-May: cool and wet in highlands/Amazon; Jun-Sep: driest; Oct-Dec: wet Amazon, dry highlands.
Family Coastal Adventures on Wales' Pembrokeshire Coast
Pembrokeshire's expansive beaches, charming fishing villages, and seabird-filled cliffs rival Cornwall's allure but attract far fewer crowds. In August, claim your own slice of paradise amid hiking, coasteering, climbing, cycling, surfing, and kayaking. Explore castles at Pembroke, Carew, and Manorbier; St Davids' hidden cathedral; porpoise cruises; and boat trips to puffin-packed Skomer, Skokholm, and Ramsey Islands.
- Trip plan: Stay in Tenby or Manorbier (east), Lower Solva or Porthgain (west), Fishguard or Newport (north), or St Davids. Summer buses provide good connectivity.
- Need to know: Book island accommodations early; arrive promptly for boats. Puffins leave Skomer by August—visit sooner for peak sightings.
- Other months: Mid-Jun–mid-Sep: warm, busier; Apr–mid-Jun & mid-Sep–Oct: quieter shoulders; Nov–Mar: winter walks from Feb.
Thrilling Whitewater Rafting on the Zambezi River
Counterintuitively, low water from August signals peak rafting on the Zambezi below Victoria Falls ('Mosi-oa-Tunya'—the smoke that thunders). In Batoka Gorge under the 354 ft (108m) falls, tackle rapids like Oblivion, Washing Machine, and Gnashing Jaws of Death. Spot Taita falcons on cliffs, then swim Devil's Pool on Livingstone Island and safari for elephants, buffalo, and giraffe in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park.
- Trip plan: Fly to Livingstone via Johannesburg or Lusaka. Choose half-day to four-day rafting, plus markets, falls viewpoints, safaris, and upper-river kayaking.
- Need to know: Trips also depart from Zimbabwe's Victoria Falls town.
- Other months: May-Aug: cool, dry; Oct-Nov: hot, dry; Dec-Apr: wet (Aug-Dec: best rafting).
Need more ideas? Discover 360 escapes in our book Where To Go When, from family adventures to wildlife and retreats.
Article first published June 2017, updated June 2019.
