Emerald Island, North Carolina
Situated in the North Carolina, Emerald Island is one of the more popular barrier island resort destinations of the Crystal Coast. As the island is virtually flat, it is a you can rent a cruiser bike and go for an easy ride to take in the sea views. The beach also offers swimming and good waves for bodyboard and boogie-board surfing. This is also a place where anglers can get in some in-shore or deepwater fishing for both saltwater and (in upstream tidal areas) freshwater fish. The local catch includes blue marlin, speckled trout, redfish, tuna and mackerel. Some of these fishing trips, as well as the operators for sea kayaking and scuba diving excursions, operate from marinas only a short drive away on the mainland.
Koh Phangan, Thailand
This is one of the most popular beach destinations in a country that is packed with beaches. Koh Phangan is most popular as the setting for the famed Full Moon Party, which has spawned worldwide imitators. However, the island's main virtue is its variety of beaches, which offer a choice of development and expense.
There is Haad Rin with its partying backpackers, Chaloklam with its more quiet, budget environment, Haad Salad with its posh resorts, and plenty of mid-range options in between. The island is also a prime scuba diving and snorkeling destination, with some limited options for mountain biking and hiking in the interior highlands.
Pine Island, Florida
Sitting off Florida's southwest coast in the Gulf of Mexico, Pine Island offers a range of outdoor activities that set it apart from Florida's other, better known beach destinations. The island is a birder's dream, as there are roughly 20 bald eagle nest sites on the island. You can find egrets, herons, hawks, owls, osprey, pelicans, spoonbills and endangered wood storks.
The saltwater fishing offers a wide ranging catch, with something in season just about all year. The list of fish in the area waters includes both sea trout and sea bass, barracuda, blacktip reef sharks, grouper and snapper.
With so much brown, green and blue water in the island and its surrounding channels and mainland tidal creeks, the sea kayaking in the area is very good. Local marinas on the mainland offer access to further boating opportunities, as well as scuba diving and snorkeling trips that include the chance to swim with manatees.
Tenerife, Spain
Tenerife is the largest and most visited of Spain's Canary Islands, and as it sits off the coast of Mauritana, it offers a combination of semi-tropical weather with European style. For the outdoors enthusiast, the arid conditions of the island's interior offers special challenges. Tenerife is dominated by Mount Teide, a 12,188-foot semi-active volcano. The mountain offers both hiking and climbing opportunities, as well as sulfurous fumaroles and staggering views. There is also mountain biking and hiking on other parts of the island, as well as fishing, sea kayaking, sailing, scuba diving and snorkeling.
