One of the most memorable moments of the wedding experience for the bride-to-be is her bachelorette party, so it’s no surprise that over 75% of couples nationwide reported having a bachelor or bachelorette party in 2019 alone. Bachelorette parties have grown increasingly extravagant over the years, with 40% of women spending $1,000 or more for destination parties and 1 in 10 women spending over $4,000. As bridal parties continue to raise the bar for bachelorette festivities, more and more upscale bachelorette party ideas and destinations have become standard.
As a spectacular celebration of the woman of the hour, it’s essential that the bride’s party is larger-than-life — and if you’re the maid of honor or a loyal bridesmaid, you know this job falls into your hands. However, your planning should revolve around the bride’s preferences and personality to tailor the party to her tastes.
If your bride has a strong appetite for excitement and thrills, give her the bachelorette party of her dreams with one of our many adventurous bachelorette party ideas.
Table of Contents
- 10 Bachelorette Party Ideas for the Adventurous Bride
- Swim With the Sea Turtles
- Go on an African Safari
- Hike Across the Falls
- Relax at a High-End Spa Resort
- Spend Your Stay in the Jungle
- Enjoy an Elephant Sanctuary
- Soak up the Sun on a Beach Adventure
- Head South of the Border
- Melt Your Cares Away in a Natural Hot Spring
- Book an Upscale Cruise Across the Country
- How to Plan a Bachelorette Party for an Adventurous Bride
- Why You Should Choose a Cruise for a Bachelorette Party
- Plan Your Adventure by Booking a Bachelorette Party Cruise at Windstar Today
10 Bachelorette Party Ideas for the Adventurous Bride
There’s more to a successful bachelorette party than cocktails and clubs. Many women are trading in wild Las Vegas outings for high-end activities that allow them to experience exciting cultures and explore the beauty of nature alongside their closest friends. However, this doesn’t mean you can’t have memorable moments and thrilling adventures along the way.
Treat the swashbuckling bride to any of the following adventurous bachelorette party ideas for her big send-off into married life.
1. Swim With the Sea Turtles
Nothing says adventure like a refreshing dive amongst the sea turtles. These graceful and majestic creatures will be the life of the party as your group swims into what feels like an endless summer. This bachelorette party idea is perfect for the animal-loving bride, especially if she’s a fan of radiant beachside destinations and shimmering blue waters.
Some of the best and most beautiful locations for swimming with sea turtles include:
- Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
- The Great Barrier Reef, Australia
- Marsa Alam, Egypt
- Sipadan, Malaysia
- Akumal, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
2. Go on an African Safari
Every adventure-lover dreams of a chance to explore the vast African plains on an unforgettable safari. With the accompaniment of a seasoned tour guide, you’ll get to view dozens of wild animals in their natural habitats, such as cheetahs, giraffes, wildebeests, rhinos and African wild dogs, along with many endangered species. These guided tours offer stunning photo opportunities for you and your girls as you trek through the wondrous wilderness on foot or onboard a bustling safari vehicle.
Choose from any of the following renowned African safari destinations to give your bride the adventure of a lifetime:
- Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
- Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
- Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda
- Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe
- Chobe National Park, Botswana
3. Hike Across the Falls
If your bride is into fitness as much as she’s into adventure, take her on an epic hike to some of the world’s most spectacular waterfalls. Whether you’re looking to take swimming stops at picturesque watering holes or go on an all-day hike that puts your skills to the test, your bride is bound to feel like a world-class traveler while bonding beside her dearest friends.
Hike a gorgeous waterfall at one of these ideal bachelorette party destinations:
- Havasu Falls, Arizona
- Tappiya Falls, Philippines
- Ngare Ndare Forest, Kenya
- Fairy Pools, Scotland
- Veliki Slap, Croatia
4. Relax at a High-End Spa Resort
A luxurious spa is the perfect bachelorette party destination for brides who desire a mixture of excitement and relaxation. With so many resorts scattered across breathtaking global locations, you’ll be sure to find an upscale location that serves your bride’s needs. Some resorts emphasize wellness, while some are centered on nurturing the mind and spirit, and others are rooted in nature. No matter the theme, your party will be sure to please.
Consider one of these incredible high-end resorts:
- Borgo Egnazia, Italy
- Kamalaya, Thailand
- Palace Hotel Merano, Italy
- Bio-Hotel Stanglwirt, Austria
- Euphoria Retreat, Greece
5. Spend Your Stay in the Jungle
There’s nothing more magical than immersing your bridal party in one of the world’s many vast and vibrant jungles. This once-in-a-lifetime experience is sure to captivate the bride-to-be and her entire crew, offering a glimpse into one of the most awe-inspiring habitats on the planet.
These environments are home to over half of the world’s plant and animal species, and some even have exciting lodging opportunities, such as exotic Chena hut pavilions, floating lodges and treetop resorts.
Consider visiting one of these rich jungle destinations:
- Borneo, Asia
- The Amazon Rainforest, Brazil
- Papua New Guinea
- India
- New Zealand
6. Enjoy an Elephant Sanctuary
If your bride has a heart for animals, give her the bachelorette party of a lifetime by taking her and the rest of the crew to an elephant sanctuary. This trip will be both fascinating and meaningful as the bridal party ethically interacts with rescued elephants living in peaceful rehabilitation.
Bear in mind, a humane elephant sanctuary will not allow visitors to climb, ride or touch the elephants and will not subject them to performances — they are strictly observational.
Some of our favorite elephant-friendly reserves include:
- David Sheldrick Orphanage, Nairobi
- Tarangire National Park, Tanzania
- Elephant Nature Park, Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Save Thai Elephant Park, Thailand
- Barumun Nagari Wildlife Sanctuary
7. Soak up the Sun on a Beach Adventure
With a beach-bound bachelorette party, your bride will have the time of her life basking in an island paradise. Nothing provides a sense of opulence and serenity like a salty sea breeze on a warm sandy beach. These destinations are also perfect for many adventurous bachelorette party activities, such as scuba diving, snorkeling, surfing, parasailing, windsurfing and more.
We recommend looking into one of these exciting beach destinations:
- Tahiti
- Maui
- St. Lucia
- Fiji
- Maldives
8. Head South of the Border
You can find an endless string of riveting adventures when you take your bachelorette party south of the border. You’ll find some of the most beautiful travel destinations bursting with culture and history, whether your bride wants to saddle up and go horseback riding along the Pacific Coast, explore ancient Aztec ruins or enjoy the bustling nightlife.
Take your bridal party to one of these spectacular southern spots:
- San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
- Antigua, Guatemala
- Puebla, Mexico
- L’Ajoupa-Bouillon, Martinique
- Tulum, Mexico
9. Melt Your Cares Away in a Natural Hot Spring
Why settle for a hot tub when you can soak in the Earth’s steamy waters as nature intended? Hot springs are considered highly therapeutic and are known to soften and detoxify the skin, increase blood circulation and relieve body pain. On top of the physical benefits, natural hot springs are also a gorgeous sight to behold.
Some of the world’s most breathtaking hot springs include:
- Travertine Hot Springs, California
- Blue Lagoon, Iceland
- Terme di Saturnia, Italy
- Kurokawa Onsen, Japan
- Hot Springs Cove, British Colombia
10. Book an Upscale Cruise Across the Country
There’s nothing more fun-filled and versatile than setting out to sea on a high-end cruise ship. Cruise ships offer more than a single bachelorette party destination ever could, including endless onboard activities and entertainment and action-packed trips across numerous destinations, from small towns to big cities.
Your bride will fall head over heels for this upscale bachelorette party idea — maybe even more than she fell for her soon-to-be spouse.
When you book a bachelorette party cruise for the blushing bride, you can travel to any of these astounding destinations and beyond:
How to Plan a Bachelorette Party for an Adventurous Bride
Planning a bachelorette party is a big job to undertake, but that doesn’t mean the process can’t go smoothly. No matter how extravagant your bride’s celebration will be, expertly organize every element with these simple steps.
1. Determine the Guest List
First and foremost, make sure you know who to invite to the bridal party bash. Chances are, your bride will have a preference for who she wants at the party, so make sure to accommodate her requests. Will it be a bridesmaid-exclusive event? Does she want family members involved? Does she have other close friends she wants to invite? Once you figure out who makes the cut, you can begin planning the party with group size in mind.
2. Choose a Destination
The trip destination is one of the most vital aspects of the party. To begin your search, try consulting with the bride to get an idea of what locations she has in mind if you don’t know already. She may have her heart set on a specific venue, or she might be open to suggestions.
Once you have an understanding of the bride’s preferences, you should consider various destination-specific factors to determine your party’s perfect fit, such as:
- Temperature
- Climate
- Activities
- Comfort
- Safety
- Atmosphere
- Cost
3. Set the Dates
Once you know where you’re going for the party, it’s time to figure out when. The average length of a bachelorette party in 2021 is three days, with 75% of celebrations taking place over two or more days. Discuss with the bride and bridal party how many days they want the party to last. From there, ask the bride to choose a handful of dates that work for her, then run a poll to determine which of these days works best for her guests.
4. Book Your Lodgings
When planning a destination bachelorette party, it’s crucial to book accommodations for the group. Some travelers choose to rent a house for the trip, while others prefer hotel suites. Take into account how many people are coming and be sure to gauge everyone’s budgets to determine which lodgings are most suitable.
5. Coordinate Activities
No bachelorette party is complete without an action-packed itinerary. When deciding what the excursion will entail, plan enough activities to fill each day but few enough that the group won’t get fatigued. It’s a good rule of thumb to plan downtime throughout the party to make sure your crew stays energized and ready for the next event.
Some examples of tried-and-true bachelorette activities for the adventurous bride include:
- Guided tours
- Spa treatments
- Group classes
- Boat charters
- Beach days
- Poolside parties
- Outdoor picnics
6. Confirm Attendance
Finally, it’s time to confirm how many people will be joining the bride for her bachelorette weekend. It’s vital to get a final headcount to determine a base cost for the trip and split the expenses accordingly. Be sure to contact the group and communicate the estimated costs so that potential guests can make their final decisions about attending.
Why You Should Choose a Cruise for a Bachelorette Party
For the bride’s final send-off into married life, consider embarking on a bachelorette party cruise. When you bring the bridal party onboard a top-of-the-line cruise ship, your bride will enjoy an unforgettable experience packed with splendor, excitement and indulgence. While cruises are endless fun for the bride, they also provide a stress-free planning process for the bridesmaids, making it the ideal option for everyone.
Treating your group to a bachelorette cruise means experiencing many benefits for the whole crew to enjoy.
Unbeatable Value
For most destination bachelorette parties, you’ll have to budget for your flight, meals, alcohol, lodgings and entertainment — and these expenses add up. When you book a cruise, the cost includes your accommodations, food and entertainment. You can also purchase unlimited drink packages, while more upscale cruises often include them in their base price.
Activities for Everyone
Booking a cruise means endless activities and entertainment for days. Cruise ships have something for everyone, so even the most diverse bachelorette party crew can find things they enjoy. You can expect various onboard activities like spa experiences and entertainment options, such as comedy shows, musicals and trivia. Whatever your bride’s style, you can find pastimes that suit her interests.
Other examples of common cruise ship activities include:
- Spas
- Swimming pools
- Sports
- Dance classes
- Games
- Hot tubs
- Yoga
- Fitness classes
- Wine tastings
Numerous Travel Destinations
Cruises aren’t just for onboard activities. They also allow you to visit numerous exciting destinations without booking multiple flights or arranging other transportation.
When you purchase a shore excursion, you’ll get to choose from hundreds to thousands of onshore experiences to picturesque locations with fascinating histories. These expeditions are designed to immerse travelers into the local culture and give them a one-of-a-kind experience without putting in the research. Many cruise ships even offer English-speaking guides to accompany passengers on their excursions, so you won’t have to figure out how to navigate any language barriers.
Minimal Planning
No bridal celebration is easier to plan than a bachelorette party cruise. Instead of taking the time to figure out where your party will be staying, how you’ll get from place to place, where to eat and what activities to plan, you’ll get all of those things included in your cruise ship experience — all you have to do is pick the cruise you want. This is great news for bridesmaids feeling overwhelmed with the planning process and brides hoping for their dream bachelorette party.
No Designated Driver Needed
Perhaps one of the biggest challenges of planning a bachelorette party is coordinating designated drivers for the duration of the experience. Either you’ll have to assign group members to go sober for the night or rack up the funds to call nightly ridesharing services.
Cruise ship parties eliminate this aspect entirely. The ship is your transportation, so the bride and all of her friends can let loose and enjoy the festivities day after day without thinking about how they’re getting back to their rooms at the end of the night.
Plan Your Adventure by Booking a Bachelorette Party Cruise at Windstar Today
Plan the bachelorette party of your bride’s dreams with an upscale cruise from Windstar Cruises. Our small-scale cruise ships provide an intimate and unique travel experience for every guest, immersing travelers into local cultures while delivering personalized onboard adventures. With a maximum of 342 guests per voyage, trade in the hustle and bustle of a crowded cruise ship for a relaxed and welcoming ambiance.
Contact us to begin planning your ocean adventure today!
