10 Epic Earth Day Experiences Around the World, According to Viator Travelers
The astronomer Carl Sagan once famously said, “The Earth is the only world known so far to harbor life. There is nowhere else, at least in the near future, to which our species could migrate.” Indeed, decades later, our planet—one dot in a galaxy among billions—is still the only known world to harbor life. And thanks to efforts like Earth Day, a global event aiming to support environmental protection, we can expect that life to thrive for many more years to come.
In honor of this year’s Earth Day, these epic outdoor and green travel experiences—including ones focusing on ecology and sustainable travel—can help you celebrate the wonder of the only natural world we have.
1. Snorkel between Earth’s tectonic plates
The North American and European tectonic plates meet in the Silfra Fissure within the UNESCO-listed Thingvellir National Park, located just east of Reykjavik in Iceland. You don’t have to admire the otherworldly geological features from afar: Don your wetsuit and snorkeling gear and swim through the protected underwater canyon where continents collide and the elusive Arctic char swim.
What one reviewer said: “Beautiful experience, like nothing else I have ever done. Fun friendly staff, Mike was an excellent guide that really cared about your experience.” thomas_a, October 2025
2. Leave no trace as you power through Ketchikan
On this tour, hop on your eco-friendly, battery-powered electric bike and ride to the end of Ketchikan’s “Road to Nowhere,” an unfinished gravel highway that winds through nothing but the low forests and remote scrubland of southeastern Alaska. Then, trek through the protected wilderness and rainforest of the Tongass National Forest, where it’s not unusual to see salmon spawning in streams and dolphins, sea lions, and humpback whales breaching off the shoreline. This is what nature restoration travel is all about.
What one reviewer said: “It's a great experience led by experts. Our guides were kind and patient giving e-biking instructions to a bunch of newbies and were very knowledgeable about the area during our forest hike. I'd advise anyone who's ever ridden a bike to give it (a) try. It was a lot of fun!” Linda_H, September 2025
3. Discover Florida’s mangroves and manatees
Endangered manatees feeding in estuaries, cuckoo birds calling from mangroves, and loggerhead turtles nesting on beaches—see all this and more in Florida’s Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge, one of the largest expanses of mangrove forests in North America. This short wildlife conservation trip is long on wildlife encounters: Navigate through remote islets looking for manatees, dolphins, turtles, and eagles, and search for seashells on a remote island with a naturalist guide.
What one reviewer said: “Captain Ed and Jules were fantastic! They made sure we saw dolphins and our dolphins even gave us a show! We saw a manatee and hunted for (sand) dollars. It took about 2 hours and we thoroughly enjoyed it. Would book again.” Katherine_H, June 2025
4. Witness manta rays during their night feeds in Kona
Among the world’s most intelligent (and endangered) sea creatures, magnificent manta rays are friendly to humans—and this tour lets you swim near them while they feed on plankton at night. Cruise to an ideal manta-viewing location at the mouth of Keauhou Bay near Kailua-Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii, get in the water with light-equipped flotation devices, and spotlight the rays as they barrel roll and turn in the water.
What one reviewer said: “Was awesome! Guides (...) were amazing. Saw like 7 mantas, one even brushed up against us. 100% do this if you’re going to Big Island.” Ella_N, November 2025
5. Get a bird’s-eye view of Denali National Park
Carl Sagan also famously called Earth a “pale blue dot” as seen from space—but you don’t have to travel that far to appreciate our beautiful planet. You can, for example, fly above the Alaskan wilderness and see Denali National Park from above. On this flightseeing tour, soar over some of the most remote rivers, valleys, and glaciers in the US—it’s a roughly 6-mile (10-kilometer) route from the Denali summit over the Ruth Glacier, the Great Gorge, Mount Huntington, the Moose's Tooth rock peak, and other geological wonders.
What one reviewer said: “Very informative and a great way to see Denali. Would not be a complete Alaska trip without this activity. Great crew at K2!” Ben_S, August 2025
6. Explore two of Puerto Rico’s top natural wonders
The only rain forest in the National Forest System, El Yunque National Forest has canopy walkways, dwarf forests, Indigenous petroglyphs, and—best of all—natural pools beckoning visitors to take a dip. Start this day-trip adventure by hiking to some of the forest’s most beautiful swimming spots; then, take a kayaking trip through mystic mangroves to bioluminescent Laguna Grande, where microscopic plankton produce natural light at the touch of your paddle.
What one reviewer said: “Amazing experience with Jason. Got amazing photos/videos and he encouraged me to do things I’ve never done like cliff jumping and water slides all while ensuring I was comfortable and safe. He explained all the flora and fauna on the way and always had a smile and high energy. 10/10 recommend to anyone! (...)” ShivaKruthi_K, July 2025
7. Watch caves transform into underground starry skies
Let’s keep the bioluminescent theme running with this off-the-beaten-track glowworm-caving adventure in Waitomo, New Zealand. Pull on your boots and helmets and dive headlong through the underground labyrinths, galleries, and grottos of Mangapu Gorge and Mangarongapu Cave, where millions of bright green glowworms illuminate the limestones. The resident species of glowworms, officially called Arachnocampa luminosa, are known worldwide but found exclusively in New Zealand.
What one reviewer said: “Excellent tour with Ash, and great hosting by Michelle. Super kind and oh so fun. They provided everything you need. Uneven ground, some scrambling. Excellent!” Tami_P, October 2025
8. Take a whale-watching cruise in Reykjavik
According to official research, conservation efforts have helped the global humpback whale population rebound in recent decades. What better way to celebrate than by cruising out of Reykjavik’s Old Harbour to witness the giants breaching and swimming in Faxaflói Bay and along Iceland’s graceful coast? It’s easy to spot dolphins along the way, but the best part of this tour is the success rate for seeing whales: 95 percent in summer and 80 percent in winter.
What one reviewer said: “We had an amazing experience with Elding Whale Watching in Reykjavík. The crew was friendly, knowledgeable, and clearly passionate about marine wildlife. We were incredibly lucky with sightings—throughout the trip we saw a minke whale, harbour porpoises, playful white-beaked dolphins, and even two (yes two!) majestic humpback whales at the harbour entrance while we returned!” Kristine_A, November 2025
9. Spend three nights at an eco-lodge in the Peruvian jungle
Sometimes, one day is simply not enough to experience the wonders of the natural world. On this eco-tourism adventure, you’ll spend four days exploring the Tambopata National Reserve, a swathe of protected land in southeastern Peru. Fly in from Puerto Maldonado, cruise the Madre de Dios River, and anchor near the EcoAmazonia Lodge, one of the best eco retreats and lodges in the area, where you’ll get to sleep for three nights. Spend the rest of your trip spotting wildlife—think caimans, monkeys, and river otters—on nearby islands, visiting local communities, exploring a Brazil nut plantation, and more.
10. Chase the elusive northern lights
It’s hard to find a natural wonder that inspires the imagination more than the northern lights. They’re notoriously elusive, but you can find them (relatively) easily enough if you have a good guide and travel during the right time—especially in Iceland. With this northern lights hunt, venture out into the countryside near Reykjavik after dark, stop at remote viewpoints according to the official forecasts, and sample Icelandic pastries and hot chocolate as you wait for the lights to appear.
What one reviewer said: “We had a great time on this tour! Our guide was a lot of fun and very knowledgeable about Iceland and the Northern Lights. He took us to great spots to view the show and amazing pictures that he shared with us very quickly after the tour.” Katie_K, November 2025
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