Water Activities
The latest
Archive
Three testers tried eight swimsuits. These came out on top.
We surfed, ran, and swam our hearts out—and these three winners rose to the top
SUPs has become a crowded field, so we narrowed the field down to this year’s four stand-out winners
Whether you’re looking for a comfortable shoe to keep out pebbly intruders or an easy slide for your beach getaway, we’ve got you covered
Six testers rode nearly two dozen surfboards. These were the ones that came out on top.
The marine biologist and mother was struggling to find time to nourish herself. Then she found a community of wave-riding moms.
Keeping your dog safe on the water is easy. Designing PFDs for canines is hard.
After losing a leg in a car accident, the clothing designer discovered grace in scuba diving
Plymouth Gin is all about keeping our oceans clean and the martinis dirty
It took a terrifying experience in the ocean for the educator to embrace the idea that going for it isn’t always the right choice
The gear designer thought her career was over was stricken with chronic fatigue syndrome. But a decade-plus of recovery work has resulted in her best creations yet.
After I spent a decade in the grind of working motherhood, seals welcomed me to the wild
As permits on western rivers become harder and harder to get, one reader wants to take matters into his own hands
Pack up the family, and get lost (and found) in Bermuda
This is the unexpected vacation you didn’t know you needed
There’s no more difficult or uncomfortable physical challenge than holding your breath underwater for an extended period
When Scott Pirsig’s close friend Bob Sturtz suffered a stroke deep in Minnesota’s Boundary Waters, Pirsig had no choice but to leave him in the wilderness and make a desperate sprint to get help
After a recent shoot-out in Mexico that left two Americans dead, and a new alert warning of crime in Costa Rica, travelers are wondering if their spring-break plans to these countries should be put on hold
The journalist was was about to quit his reporting trip down a remote river in Colombia when a group of kids reminded him that finding great stories demands that you participate in normal existence
For a community of hardy souls in Maine, there’s no better way to feel fully alive in winter than immersing yourself in the frigid Atlantic
The group of scientists and adventurers gained valuable knowledge about climate change’s impact on ice in the Weddell Sea, and did additional research on weather, navigation, and marine engineering
Richard Carr was halfway across the Pacific, alone on a yacht, when he began sending frantic alerts that he was being kidnapped by pirates
Kurt Steiner has dedicated his life to skipping stones, developing a technique to produce throws that defy the laws of physics
It began in the waters off Antarctica: a crew of eco-vigilantes found the illegal fishing ship they’d been hunting. It wouldn’t end for some 10,000 miles, when one of the vessels sank.
From temperate rainforests to miles of coastline; from waterfalls and lakes to hiking, backpacking, and camping; from boating to skiing to glacier travel and mountaineering—Olympic has astonishing variety.
When visiting West Virginia’s New River Gorge, you’ve got to go with the flow—and in the fall, during Gauley Season, that means Class V rapids
When a rafter was stung by a scorpion, she assumed she’d be fine. Within hours she lost her ability to see or speak clearly.
John John Florence has remarkable physical talents, but his greatest asset as an athlete might be his enduring positive attitude
Meet an amazing man who has dedicated his entire adult life to stone skipping, sacrificing everything to produce world-record throws that defy the laws of physics. To hear him tell it, he has no choice.
The ultimate guide to rafting the Grand Canyon including how long it takes, whether you need a permit and how much it costs
What’s a traveler’s responsibility when a once quiet destination gentrifies?
Lighthouses across the country are crumbling amid worsening storms and dwindling funds. One promising exception is Graves Light Station, offshore from Boston, which has outlasted the Perfect Storm, among many poundings. Plus: lighthouses where you can spend the night.
Locals, visitors, and surfers especially were all stoked at the prospect of experiencing the rare south swell on its way from Tahiti. But for the lifeguards on duty, it meant rip currents, broken boards, and, as it turned out, an insane number of people in the water who needed a helping hand.
But seriously: at this popular South Florida park, come for the large reptiles, but stay for the subtropical scenery, varied birdlife, and all-out airboat rides
To portray the hero of the Thai cave rescue in the new film ‘Thirteen Lives,’ the Hollywood star had to go deep—literally
A father and son working a crab boat in Chesapeake Bay were caught in a rising storm when they realized that something was very wrong: water was coming up through the floor
People develop sensitivities to just about everything these days, but can you really be allergic to frigid temperatures? Our writer takes us on a wild—and potentially life threatening—journey to find out.
We’re for an official mandate: make this the season of long weekends. To help you out, we found the most fun new summer adventures.
The store isn’t just good for bulk buys or $1.50 hot dog combos. There are some great outdoor deals, too.
Nathan Williams isn’t a household name in Oklahoma (or anywhere else for that matter), but to those who take part in the adrenaline-fueled sport that is noodling, Williams isn’t just known—he’s red-dirt royalty
From the mighty St. Lawrence River to ocean exploration, summer and fall in Québec are all about enjoying nature on and around the water
It’s time to settle a longstanding debate once and for all. Which sandal will be crowned king?
They’re essentially adventure flip-flops and therefore superior to every other sandal
This simple sandal has everything you need and nothing you don’t
Eight fan favorites. Three head-to-head rounds. Only one winner.
Score sunglasses, fire pits, water bottles, and more at a discount until midnight tonight
In the heart of Cornhusker country, they know how to make their own fun. Native son Carson Vaughan drafted four friends, loaded up on beer, and did what may be the strangest float trip in the world.
In an excerpt from his new book, ‘Riverman,’ writer Ben McGrath recounts how he met an itinerant canoeist named Dick Conant, a fascinating character who mysteriously disappeared shortly thereafter
Indiana Dunes National Park is an adventure gem for urban midwesterners all year long, but particularly in summer, when Lake Michigan almost appears tropical
It’ll take some miles to reach these eight remote, high-elevation lakes, but what better way to cap off a strenuous trek than diving into cool, crystal-clear water?
The fully-submersible Cyclone hip pack is the bag you want for SUP adventures. Its waterproof compartments made it one of our favorite accessories in our Summer Buyer’s Guide.
Forget waking up at dawn to save your spot or navigating through crowds on Main Street. These coastal destinations are all about empty stretches of sand, activities for everyone, and ocean-view rooms that don’t break the bank.
In his new book ‘Wayward: Stories and Photographs,’ Chris Burkard takes readers behind the camera on his quest for meaningful experiences
Reeling from her husband’s request to divorce after 25 years of marriage and two kids, Florence Williams was experiencing debilitating grief. An accomplished reporter, she decided to explore the science of heartache to see if she could find a cure. In this excerpt from her new book, ‘Heartbreak: A Personal and Scientific Journey,’ she heads out for a 120-mile solo paddle on Utah’s Green River, with a too heavy portable toilet and a shattered heart.
Cap off a day on the trail with a soak in a steamy mineral pool. We found the best from Alaska to North Carolina.
A secret abortion, pirates, and the peace found at the bottom of the ocean
Seasonal outdoor work seems idyllic, but it isn’t an easy lifestyle. Guides are starting to open up about the challenges of constant transitions, and new research offers insight into their unique situation.
Outside’s ethics guru on why it’s not the nudity that’s offensive
Meet the grassroots movement of women fighting to open up surfing to a more diverse range of body types
Some of our favorite recent releases explore the life of Jacques Cousteau, a nonbinary climber’s journey to embrace their identity, and the search for the world’s loneliest whale
Plan your next adventure on one of the nation’s most resplendent waterways with the help of Gaia GPS
Tim Zimmermann’s feature about a 12,000-pound orca that killed a SeaWorld trainer changed the future of marine parks, was developed into a powerful 2013 documentary, and turned the author into a vegan
How two rival teams fought storms and sleep deprivation to claim an 18-year-old paddling FKT
We caught up with author Sebastian Junger to find out how he reported the incredible Outside Classic story of the Andrea Gail’s crew, what’s changed in the commercial fishing industry, and why he’s drawn to people who have dangerous jobs
It’s not just a momentary mood booster, but a reminder of what we’re capable of
If it seems like you’ve been hearing about lakes and beaches closing down more often, you’re right. Various types of toxic algae are multiplying like crazy in bodies of water across the country, and stopping them won’t be easy.
“I would contend that stupid behavior is sometimes the proper response to stupid laws”
With summer here, we’re getting back into ambitious recreation, and that means a return to grit, sweat, and serious post-fun scrubbing. Cleanliness connoisseur Danielle Sepulveres explains how these wetdowns can create memories all their own.