Coastal
Photo credit
Ferdinand Stöhr
Azores
,
Portugal

Coastal

Where the Land Meets the Sea

Inspiring you to tour the Coastal biome and embark on a journey of discovery through its breathtaking areas of natural beauty and diverse wildlife

Discover Tours

All along our coasts, plants, animals and people live side by side, existing in a delicate ecosystem that’s home to 90% of the Earth’s marine species.

Coastal seas are the parts of the ocean that exist within 230km of land, and whilst these relatively shallow waters might not seem very far away from us, they are teaming with life.

Just a few miles off our coast there’s a world that exists, filled with birds, seals, whales, dolphins, sharks, and numerous other species. In fact, 95% of all marine production on the planet happens here.

A stone’s throw away, back on dry land, these coastal areas are home to over a billion people globally, making them some of the most densely populated on Earth.

The physical characteristics of our coastal regions are constantly changing. Storms, tides and other natural occurrences can cause vast changes in the landscape, whilst human activities like the building of ports, seawalls or infrastructure can change the way our coasts look forever.

Even with all the changes that we see along our coasts, one thing is clear: these diverse and incredibly rich habitats will remain a key destination for adventurers, conservationists, and those looking to explore what’s underneath the surface for a long time to come - so protecting them should be something that we’re all extremely conscious of.

Biome Map Image
Terpsichores, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons / modified from original

Coastal characteristics

  • Sand or pebble beaches
  • Sea cliffs
  • Coral reefs
  • Caves
  • Mudflats
  • Deltas
  • Lagoons
  • Dunes
  • Banks
  • Waves
  • Ports
  • Seawalls
  • Salt marshes
  • Mangroves
  • Neritic zones (shallow water off the edge of the continental shelf, up to 200m deep)
Côbo Bay West Coast
Enrapture Captivating Media
Côbo Bay West Coast,
Guernsey

Coastal climate

Temperature High

37

°C

Temperature High (Avg)
Temperature Low

-40

°C

Temperature Low (Avg)
Precipitation

2540

mm

Precipitation (Avg)

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Climate Change

Threats to coastal regions, unfortunately, are a reality. In fact, coasts are some of the most threatened environments on Earth - largely due to climate change, as well as human factors.

Rising sea levels due to climate change have the potential to lead to increased flooding and further coastal erosion. Areas that lay below sea level are most at risk.

Other threats to coastal regions come from rapid urbanisation and infrastructure building, and tourism that is badly managed. Loss of coastal habitats and natural resources are likely consequences of this. These events are likely to have the biggest impact on communities that rely on coastlines for the economy, for example fishing communities.

Top Coastal tours

Heading to the coast brings to mind a wealth of glorious images: brightly coloured coral reefs hiding just below the surface, sunshine bouncing off looming coastal cliffs, whales breaching a couple of miles off-shore. A coastal trip might include opportunities for rock-climbing, watersports and hikes along breezy sea paths, as well as opportunities to spot often-elusive wildlife hiding between the mangroves or flying low over salt marshes. Afternoons could be spent exploring shady caves or secluded coves, or indulging in a life-affirming drive - think South Africa’s Garden Route, or Australia’s Great Ocean Road. There’s a reason why people have been exploring coasts for centuries: because they provide a soothing escape from the realities of urban life. Read on for more inspiration ahead of your coastal adventure…

Spitting Cave, Honolulu
Kekai AhSam

Spitting Cave, Honolulu, 

United States

Tours in the Coastal biome

New Zealand - North Island Multisport
New Zealand - North Island Multisport
New Zealand - North Island Multisport
Location Icon
New Zealand
Tour type
Tour Type
Walking, Hiking & Trekking
Activity level
Activiy Level
New Zealand - North Island Multisport

8 days from

£1,629 / person

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Country Roads of Scotland - Classic Group
Country Roads of Scotland - Classic Group
Country Roads of Scotland - Classic Group
Location Icon
United Kingdom
Tour type
Tour Type
Coach Tours
Activity level
Activiy Level
Country Roads of Scotland - Classic Group

9 days from

£3,225 / person

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Romantic Britain & Ireland - Small Group
Romantic Britain & Ireland - Small Group
Romantic Britain & Ireland - Small Group
Location Icon
United Kingdom & Ireland
Tour type
Tour Type
Small Group
Activity level
Activiy Level
Romantic Britain & Ireland - Small Group

18 days from

£7,025 / person

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Costa Rica - Wildlife, Rainforest and Caribbean Beach
Costa Rica - Wildlife, Rainforest and Caribbean Beach
Costa Rica - Wildlife, Rainforest and Caribbean Beach
Location Icon
Costa Rica
Tour type
Tour Type
Small Group
Activity level
Activiy Level
Costa Rica - Wildlife, Rainforest and Caribbean Beach

13 days from

£4,235 / person

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Ecuador - Andes, Amazon and Galapagos Islands
Ecuador - Andes, Amazon and Galapagos Islands
Ecuador - Andes, Amazon and Galapagos Islands
Location Icon
Ecuador
Tour type
Tour Type
Small Group
Activity level
Activiy Level
Ecuador - Andes, Amazon and Galapagos Islands

16 days from

£5,795 / person

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Corcovado Classic Experience, Short Break
Corcovado Classic Experience, Short Break
Corcovado Classic Experience, Short Break
Location Icon
Costa Rica
Tour type
Tour Type
Coach Tours
Activity level
Activiy Level
Corcovado Classic Experience, Short Break

4 days from

£2,182 / person

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Wellness Costa Rica
Wellness Costa Rica
Wellness Costa Rica
Location Icon
Costa Rica
Tour type
Tour Type
Small Group
Activity level
Activiy Level
Wellness Costa Rica

8 days from

£1,449 / person

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Pura Vida Experience
Pura Vida Experience
Pura Vida Experience
Location Icon
Costa Rica
Tour type
Tour Type
Adventure Tours
Activity level
Activiy Level
Pura Vida Experience

9 days from

£1,378 / person

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Hiking in Denali National Park
Hiking in Denali National Park
Hiking in Denali National Park
Location Icon
USA
Tour type
Tour Type
Walking, Hiking & Trekking
Activity level
Activiy Level
Hiking in Denali National Park

6 days from

£2,505 / person

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Highlights of Costa Rica + Beach Extension
Highlights of Costa Rica + Beach Extension
Highlights of Costa Rica + Beach Extension
Location Icon
Costa Rica
Tour type
Tour Type
Adventure Tours
Activity level
Activiy Level
Highlights of Costa Rica + Beach Extension

11 days from

£1,699 / person

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Ultimate South Pacific with the Legendary Ghan Train
Ultimate South Pacific with the Legendary Ghan Train
Ultimate South Pacific with the Legendary Ghan Train
Location Icon
Australia & New Zealand
Tour type
Tour Type
Adventure Tours
Activity level
Activiy Level
Ultimate South Pacific with the Legendary Ghan Train

28 days from

£11,777 / person

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Highlights of South-West England
Highlights of South-West England
Highlights of South-West England
Location Icon
United Kingdom
Tour type
Tour Type
Adventure Tours
Activity level
Activiy Level
Highlights of South-West England

9 days from

£2,740 / person

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Broome to the Bungle Bungles
Broome to the Bungle Bungles
Broome to the Bungle Bungles
Location Icon
Australia
Tour type
Tour Type
Active
Activity level
Activiy Level
Broome to the Bungle Bungles

5 days from

£1,140 / person

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Natural Splendours of Costa Rica
Natural Splendours of Costa Rica
Natural Splendours of Costa Rica
Location Icon
Costa Rica
Tour type
Tour Type
Adventure Tours
Activity level
Activiy Level
Natural Splendours of Costa Rica

11 days from

£2,695 / person

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Enchanting Emerald Isle
Enchanting Emerald Isle
Enchanting Emerald Isle
Location Icon
Ireland
Tour type
Tour Type
Coach Tours
Activity level
Activiy Level
Enchanting Emerald Isle

8 days from

£2,150 / person

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Big Cats
Big Cats
Big Cats
Birdwatching
Birdwatching
Birdwatching
Canoeing
Canoeing
Canoeing
Canyoning
Canyoning
Canyoning
Cruise
Cruise
Cruise
Culture
Culture
Culture
Cycling
Cycling
Cycling
Festivals
Festivals
Festivals
Food & Drink
Food & Drink
Food & Drink
Hiking
Hiking
Hiking
Kayaking
Kayaking
Kayaking
Mountaineering
Mountaineering
Mountaineering
Natural Wonders
Natural Wonders
Natural Wonders
Photography
Photography
Photography
Polar
Polar
Polar
Primates
Primates
Primates
Rafting
Rafting
Rafting
Rail
Rail
Rail
Safari
Safari
Safari
Sailing
Sailing
Sailing
Skiing
Skiing
Skiing
Snorkelling
Snorkelling
Snorkelling
Whale Watching
Whale Watching
Whale Watching
Wildlife
Wildlife
Wildlife
Winter Sports
Winter Sports
Winter Sports
Zip Lining
Zip Lining
Zip Lining

Coastal areas of natural beauty

The coast is a go-to for explorers and those chasing adventure, so it’s not a secret that they’re often packed with stunning natural features. From coral reefs to coastal cliffs to white sand beaches that stretch for miles against calm blue sea, the Earth’s coasts offer an almost unlimited number of vistas. Here are some that we’re just itching to explore…

Wildlife

Coastal animals

Whilst coastlines make up less than 10% of the world’s land, they contain 28% of its biological diversity. Animals found at the coast include seals, whales, turtles, sea otters, crabs, dolphins, sharks, and numerous types of fish. Birds you might be able to spot at the coast include gulls, terns, curlews, peregrine falcons and redshanks. Don’t forget your binoculars.

Coastal plants

There are lots of plants, grasses and trees that have adapted to saltwater conditions and now have the ability to grow along the coast. They are often grey or light green, as they’ve adapted over thousands (or millions) of years to reflect the sunlight that’s often found in coastal regions. This helps them to avoid drying out. Plants you might find along the coast include sea holly, marram and pampas grass, gorse, pine trees, sea sandwort, and various types of seaweed.

Coastal countries

It goes without saying that some countries have many thousands more miles of coastline than others. Whether a country has a significant coastline can influence its tourism, its ecology, the animals and plants that call it home, and much more. If countries have lots of islands this can increase the number of coastlines that they have, too. The countries with the largest coastlines in the world are (in ascending order) Canada, Indonesia, Greenland, Russia, The Philippines, Japan, Australia and Norway.

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