With the summer holiday season on the horizon, millions of Brits will be turning their attention to organising beach-filled days, sunny retreats and al fresco dinners.
But alongside museum-hopping, cocktail-sipping and poolside-splashing, high-octane activities are becoming increasingly popular on holiday.
Whether it’s the freedom of being ‘out of office’ or the thrill of trying something different while in brand new surroundings, it’s clear the change of scenery brings out the inner adrenaline-seeker in many holidaymakers.
So much so, in fact, that psychologists have even reported we are hard-wired to seek out extreme sport fun on holiday.
But with such activities come risks – and sometimes a threat to your life.
Last week, five scuba divers from Italy died while exploring underwater caves in the Maldives.
The group, including 51-year-old Monica Montefalcone, a respected marine biologist, TV personality, and professor, as well as her 20-year-old daughter, had set off on a diving expedition on Thursday morning to explore the Vaavu atoll – but never resurfaced.
It’s not just cave-diving that’s so risky. Even something as seemingly innocuous as swimming can have consequences.
The Maldives is a luxury holiday destination popular with divers – but last week, divers went missing close to Alimathaa (pictured)
RNLI crews on the Brighton lifeboat and Shoreham all-weather lifeboat were also involved in the search for three women who died near Brighton beach
Also last week, three young women were found dead in the sea off Brighton beach.
While the exact cause of their death is still under investigation, in one scenario put forward by coastguards, the women may have waded out to sea from the beach before getting into difficulty after stumbling off a shingle shelf where the seabed descends sharply into deep water.
And in January last year, a tourist fell to his death at a well-known waterfall in Thailand while reportedly taking photos with his girlfriend.
Alexis Vergos, 22 and from France, was visiting Na Muang Waterfall 2 on the island of Koh Samui when he slipped on wet rocks on January 5 2025.
There have been many accidents in the area, as the waterfall is a notorious spot for travellers seeking to take the perfect selfie shot.
Alex Andreichuk, CEO of Altezza Travel and head of one of Tanzania’s leading mountaineering and safari operators, says that the key is preparation – and not falling into the trap of social media-inspired activities without doing your research.
Alex Andreichuk, CEO of Altezza Travel, shared his view on how to stay safe while travelling
He told the Daily Mail: ‘Experience shows that such tragedies occur when the worst possible circumstances all fall into the right order for a disaster to happen.
‘And in most cases, unprepared travelers are the final link that completes the chain: underestimating the environment, overestimating their abilities, or entering extreme situations without the knowledge or preparation to react accordingly if something does go wrong.
‘Unfortunately, we’re seeing more people getting inspired by the content they see on social media and believing they can do the same with little to no preparation.
‘Examples like travellers accessing difficult sea caves in flip flops, climbing unstable coastal cliffs, or waterfalls for selfies are just a few of the “trying your luck” activities that have enormous potential to go wrong. While most people come back with a good story, some never make it back at all.
‘The main issue is that the people who do return often post their reckless adventures on social media, encouraging others to do the same. That “if they did it, so can I” attitude may be one of the most dangerous holiday activity mindsets.’
So, how do insurance companies assess the riskiness of an activity?
Through a system called ‘micro morts’, effectively a unit of risk that equals a one in a million chance of dying – one micromort is roughly equivalent to a 230-mile car ride.
Risk expert Rob Schumacher, co-founder at Feather, an insurance company specialising in cover for expats, told the Daily Mail last summer: ‘To make it easy to understand, we work it out as “how many miles would I have to drive in the UK to have an equally risky experience?”.’
So, how do popular holiday activities, from cave-diving to swimming and paragliding, rank in terms of real risk to tourists?
CAVE DIVING
Micro mort ranking: 23,000 miles
Cave diving – exploring underwater caves with diving equipment – is among one of the most dangerous activities you can try
In light of the recent Maldives disaster, Alex said: ‘The most dangerous activities are those where nature leaves no room for errors.
‘Cave diving, in particular, is among the most dangerous activities, as even the smallest panic movement can lead to very low visibility, quickly leaving the diver disoriented and making panic decisions.’
SCOOTER AND MOTORCYCLE RENTALS
Karen Sofía Quiroz Ramírez, 25, known online to her tens of thousands of followers as Bikergirl, tragically passed away in a devastating motorcycle accident
It’s hardly a surprise that motorcycles and scooters can be dangerous, with frequent reports of death and injury as a result of the popular pastime.
Just last year, Karen Sofía Quiroz Ramírez, 25, known online to her tens of thousands of followers as Bikergirl, tragically passed away in a devastating motorcycle accident.
She tried to pass between two vehicles but reportedly lost control and collided with a car on one side before falling under the wheels of a lorry on the other side.
Sarah Rodrigues, a travel expert working with Avanti Travel Insurance, said that scooters account for a huge number of tourist injuries every year, adding that ‘many people don’t realise their travel insurance won’t cover them if they’re riding without a valid licence or wearing a helmet.’
She went on to explain: ‘People also need the check the bikes engine size. That’s not small print; it’s a genuine requirement for your safety.’
She’s not the only expert issuing warnings.
Bryan Olijslagers, the CEO of medical transport company Bryan Morgan Care, told the Mail: ‘This year alone, we’ve already coordinated multiple emergency repatriations back to the UK involving life changing injuries. In one case, a traveller lost both feet following a scooter accident. Another suffered devastating hand injuries that ultimately required amputation.
‘In many cases, the traveller never believed they were taking a serious risk in the first place.
‘It’s rarely just the activity itself that causes the tragedy. It’s usually a combination of overconfidence, lack of preparation and holiday vibes. Most holidays end with memories. Some end with a medical evacuation flight home.’
PARAGLIDING
Micro mort ranking: 3,105 miles
Paragliding certainly offers majestic views – but doesn’t come without risks
Alex says: ‘Activities where you rely on equipment have the most potential to escalate into a disaster.
‘Some of these, such as paragliding or skydiving, are generally less accessible without professional supervision and strict safety controls.’
While they have caused death and serious injury, these sports can be done safely with the right expert support.
SKYDIVING
Micro mort ranking: 2,070 miles
Skydiving deaths are rare, but the sport is certainly not for everyone
This is a similar risk scenario to paragliding – where people should assess the risk themselves and not be afraid to shout if things don’t feel right.
HIKING
Micro mort ranking: 115 miles
Hiking can seem relatively harmless, but certain conditions and routes can quickly become dangerous
Reports of tourist deaths on hiking trails are unfortunately on the up.
A Washington state hiker who went missing was found dead 800 feet below a mountain trail on Tuesday.
The 34-year-old man from Bothell, a city just northeast of Seattle, was reported missing after he failed to show up for work, according to the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office.
As such, despite it being a seemingly safe activity, hikers still need to be wary.
Alex says: ‘Activities where you rely on equipment have the most potential to escalate into a disaster. Some of these, such as paragliding or skydiving, are generally less accessible without professional supervision and strict safety controls.
‘Others, like free diving, cliff jumping, difficult hikes, entering remote sea caves, volcano trekking, glacier hiking, waterfall climbing, snorkeling in rough currents, or renting scooters and jet skis without prior experience, are far easier for travellers to attempt on their own.
‘And that’s exactly where holiday adventure becomes dangerous.’
SCUBA DIVING
Micro mort ranking: 1,150 miles
Scuba diving absolutely requires expert supervision – otherwise it can fast become risky
Plenty of holidaymakers try scuba diving safely every year – but you really need to be trusting a pro with this. It’s not something to take risks with.
Sarah said: ‘Cave diving and deep scuba diving sit in a different category entirely.
‘These are specialist disciplines that require advanced certification and years of experience. They’re not for beginners, no matter how confident you feel in the water.
‘My honest recommendation is before booking anything adrenaline-related, check if your travel insurance covers it. Research activities providers thoroughly – but ultimately, if your gut says the operator seems questionable, trust that instinct.’
HOT AIR BALLOONING
Micro mort ranking: 173 miles
One visitor said crash landings after hot air balloon rides pose a potential threat
From a journey above the Sahara desert to a trip to Turkey’s Cappadocia, hot air ballooning is a bucket-list item for many – but it doesn’t come without its risks.
Brit Ruben Chorlton-Owen warned those partaking to be wary of harsh landings, saying that ‘around nine times out of 10 it seems to be more of a harsh crash landing than a gentle one.’
He shared his experience in Morocco, explaining: ‘When we came down, the basket tipped over after slamming into the ground three times.
‘A lady next to me hit her head, so did my partner, and I hurt my back slightly, although after a little while I was okay. It was definitely more intense than I expected, and I’m honestly surprised no one fell out over the top edge when it tipped.’
It came after a 27-year-old pregnant woman, Juliana Alves, was killed after an illegally operated hot air balloon crashed in Brazil near Boituva last year.
More than 30 people were onboard the hot air balloon – and 11 of them were injured.
Also last year, a hot-air balloon caught fire and tumbled from the sky in Brazil’s southern state of Santa Catarina, killing eight people, while 13 jumped to safety.
The horrifying crash happened in the country’s Praia Grande region – a popular destination for hot-air ballooning.
While there are risks, opting for a well-reputed company with licensed pilots and insured companies is a great way to ensure both a safe and fun experience.
SKIING
Micro mort ranking: 173 miles
Frederic Jarry, project manager at the National Association for the Study of Snow and Avalanches in France, weighed in on the dangers associated with skiing
News of avalanches and the rising death toll on the slopes hit headlines earlier this year, suggesting that skiing is becoming an increasingly dangerous pastime.
Parts of Switzerland and France even issued a 5/5 risk of avalanche warning during parts of the previous winter season – the maximum level, very rarely issued.
Frederic Jarry, project manager at the National Association for the Study of Snow and Avalanches in France (ANENA), told the Daily Mail in February: ‘This year, the high number of fatal accidents and deaths is specifically due to the season’s unique snow and weather conditions.
‘In terms of avalanches, skiing is just as dangerous as before. The danger itself remains unchanged. As long as there’s snow with a slab structure on a slope steeper than 30 degrees, the risk is present.’
But the risks are not purely to do with conditions.
Frederic added: ‘Ultimately, it’s people’s behavior that determines the danger of the activity, not the mountain itself. The mountain, the snow and weather conditions, are constantly evolving.
‘It’s up to the participants to adapt their approach and know when to change their plans, abandoning certain routes to choose more suitable and interesting ones.’
QUAD BIKING
Micro mort ranking: 13,800 miles
Quad biking can be enjoyed safely with the right supervision and conditions
Bryan added: ‘The incidents that worry me more are often the ones people see as harmless holiday fun.
‘Quad bikes, dune buggies, jet skis, scooters, parasailing, small recreational flights, boat excursions, these are all marketed as part of the experience. Something spontaneous. Something almost anyone can do.
‘Where they get a piece of paper, don’t read it, and in the end find out it’s not insured because a quad bike or a sports plane is an “extreme sport” by most insurance standards.
‘People are driving unfamiliar vehicles, in unfamiliar environments, often in extreme heat, while tired, distracted or after drinking. Safety standards also vary far more between countries than many travellers realise.’
