Holidaymakers turn to adrenaline-fuelled trips as top trending bucket list activities are named

From watching glowing skies to trekking through remote jungles, travellers are increasingly looking for unforgettable encounters with the natural world. A new study suggested one adrenaline-fuelled activity is rising faster than any other.

Shark cage diving has been named the fastest-growing natural bucket list experience for 2026, with global search interest soaring by almost 1,500 per cent year-on-year.

The research from InsureandGo analysed online discussions from travel enthusiasts alongside year-on-year Google search data for “experience tours” to find the natural adventures surging in popularity.

While dramatic landscapes and wildlife encounters dominate the rankings, the chance to get face-to-face with one of the ocean’s most feared predators has seen the biggest spike in interest.

Shark cage diving tours — often offered off the coast of South Africa’s Western Cape or around the Galápagos Islands — recorded a +1,464 per cent increase in search demand, suggesting more travellers are adding the once-in-a-lifetime experience to their adventure wish lists.

Natural bucket list adventures trending for 2026

• Shark cage diving tours (+1,464%)
• Northern Lights tours (+573%)
• Iguazu Falls tours (+543%)
• Gorilla trekking tours in Uganda (+441%)
• Banff National Park tours (+373%)
• Galápagos Islands tours (+265%)
• Grand Canyon tours (+244%)
• Victoria Falls tours (+229%)
• Amazon Rainforest tours (+193%)
• Mongolia horseback riding tours (+103%)
• Great Barrier Reef tours (+77%)
• Antarctica tours (+59%)
• African safari tours (+58%)
• Patagonia tours (+53%)
• Svalbard tours (+48%)

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Wildlife encounters feature heavily throughout the rankings, making up nine of the top 15 trending experiences.

These range from gorilla trekking in Uganda to Arctic expeditions in Svalbard, where travellers hope to see polar bears in the wild.

Dramatic landscapes also remain a major draw. The Northern Lights rank second on the list, while iconic natural wonders like Iguazu Falls and Victoria Falls continue to attract travellers looking to tick off world-famous sights.

Geographically, the Americas dominate the list, accounting for six of the fastest-rising experiences — including the Grand Canyon, the Amazon Rainforest and Canada’s Banff National Park.

Head of communications at InsureandGo, Letitia Smith, said: "Our research proves that travellers are looking for extraordinary moments that bring them closer to nature.

"Whether it’s witnessing the Northern Lights, staying in Eastern Africa to see mountain gorillas or exploring the world’s great waterfalls, people are clearly seeking more unforgettable experiences in 2026."

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