2025 Spring Travel Trends: Waterculturalism, Bravecations, & Travel Dupes
Last Updated on February 3, 2025 by Boatsetter Team
The California coast, Florida beaches, Washington D.C. peak cherry blossom season, national parks best explored by boat — whether planning a epic boat trip or seeking a Spring Break “travel dupe,” the key takeaways of 2025 spring travel trends suggest water-based activities are at the frontier of adventure.
Find unique boat rentals & on-the-water experiences near you
Key takeaways
- According to Tripadvisors Trendcaster for 2025, “Waterculturalism” is the most popular travel trend of 2025. (1)
- Among five-star nature experiences, wildlife sightings dominate with nearly 40% of reviews celebrating these encounters with traditional activities like fishing coming second. (2)
- “Bravecations” are gaining momentum as travelers seek challenging, adventurous experiences that push their comfort zones (3).
- In response to over tourism, more people will continue to visit “travel dupes,” lesser-known destinations offering similar experiences to well-known destinations. (4)
Top 10 Spring destinations for boating & on-the-water experiences
From cherry blossoms in Washington, D.C. to the world-famous whale watching in Dana Point, spring 2025’s most sought-after destinations offer unique perspectives from the water.
- Miami, FL
- San Diego, CA
- Destin-Fort Walton, FL
- The Bahamas
- Washington, D.C.
- Monterey, CA
- Key West, FL
- Sanibel Island, FL
- Lake Powell, AZ/UT
- West Palm Beach, FL
Explore the Best Places to Explore by Boat in Spring
Waterculturalism is having a moment
“Waterculturalism” is a term in the outdoor exploration and adventure space that describes the spike in on-water activities bookings that help people connect with nature. The appeal is clear: among five-star nature experiences, wildlife sightings are the most celebrated moment, appearing in nearly 40% of reviews with dolphins stealing the spotlight, appearing in 68% of wildlife-focused reviews (5).
As waterculturalism reshapes travel in 2025, dolphin encounters by boat offer a gateway to authentic nature experiences:
- Florida’s Emerald Coast boasts the world’s highest concentration of bottlenose dolphins. By boat, dolphin encounters are practically guaranteed.
- Pink dolphins has captivated people going out on Miami waters. Keep on eye out for these rare rose-tinted creatures making surprise appearances in Biscayne Bay
- The Pacific Northwest’s wild orca pods showcase nature’s raw power, as these magnificent dolphins (yes, orcas are actually dolphins) play in their natural habitat.
- With a boat in Dana Point–the whale capital of the world–offers encounters with five different dolphin species: bottlenose, common, Pacific white-sided, Risso’s, and rare megapods.
Challenge accepted: spring #bravecations
From sailing aboard to a historic schooner to deep-sea fishing excursion with a pro angler, a “bravecations” is the latest trend to emerge in light of travelers increasingly seeking adventures that push their boundaries and build new skills. With a boat, bucket listers can add their spring plans:
- Add a boat to your beaching camping trip
- Explore a state or national park by boat
- Getting up-close to unique marine life
- Sailing the Waikiki Coast
Explore Epic Trips that Will Challenge You
Discovery is just offshore
Boats are enabling budget-conscious travelers to discover #traveldupes. Think of them as the “getting-the-designer-look-for-less” of travel planning. Florida’s Palm Beaches exemplify this trend as the top option in-state travelers, showing a 48% increase in bookings compared to last spring by Guests from the Miami-Fort Lauderdale area (6). Looking to explore spring break travel dupes? Here are some savvy swaps for your next adventure:
| Popular spring destinations | Spring travel dupes | Feature |
| Miami, FL | West Palm Beach, FL | Gold-sand beaches, million-dollar homes, mega yachts. |
| San Francisco, CA | Monterey, CA | More affordable waterfront dining and less crowded beaches. |
| Austin, TX | Lake Austin | Enjoy a slower pace of the fastest growing city of the country. |
| Kalymnos Island, Greece | Tarpon Springs, FL | North of Clearwater, this is largest Greek community outside of Greece. |
| Panama City Beach, FL | Gulf shores, AL | Your classic beach vacay with the family-friendly vibes. |
The Year of the Explorer
1. Tripadvisor Global Travel Trends, 2025 Trendcaster Report
2. Boatsetter Guest Experience Data, analysis of 777 verified five-star nature experience reviews, January 2025
3. https://skift.com/2024/12/20/what-are-the-travel-industrys-biggest-challenges-going-into-2025/
5. Boatsetter Guest Experience Data, Of 300 documented wildlife encounters, 203 mentions “dolphins,” January 2025.
6. Based on year-over-year increase in Boatsetter bookings searches for spring 2025 compared to spring 2024.
Gabriela dos Santos is an experienced Editor known for her insightful and engaging writing. Gabriela has been working in editorial writing for 3 years, with a background in writing for magazines and media outlets. In 2022, she joined the Boatsetter Team, bringing her dedication, passion for storytelling and factual accuracy to the Boatsetter Blog. She is always on the lookout for stories of connection and community; to inform, to entertain, to inspire! In her free time, Gabriela loves traveling and spending time by (or on) the water.
