When nature calls… visit Ibiza!

“For a long time, Ibiza’s reputation was primarily all about having the best clubs in the world,” explains Dynamic Lives founder George Burdon, who has seen a rise in the demand for more active Ibiza holidays in recent years. “Recently there’s been more of a shift – people are cottoning on to the fact that there’s so much more to explore here.” This very human desire to dig beneath the island’s surface, coupled with an increasing need to step away from laptops and distractions and be outside among the elements, has led a wealth of new age holidaymakers to uncover Ibiza’s true essence. While epicurean pastimes are very much still available to those who seek them, we’re seeing an increase in requests for outdoor activities from our discerning international clientele. It seems getting your heart rate up by being out and about in nature is every bit as satisfying as getting your blood pumping on a dance floor (if not more).

Fortunately, Ibiza is primed for alfresco living – we’ve got the remarkably warm climate to thank for that (300 days of sunshine thank you very much). The island is also aesthetically blessed from whatever angle you look at it – from the crystal clear waters to the terracotta soil to the zesty green of the pine trees, the natural beauty here is bountiful. “It doesn’t matter where you go on the island,” George confirms. “It’s picture perfect everywhere. Nothing beats that feeling of getting out there among rock, sea and tree – it just lifts the soul.” With that in mind, our team of on-island experts are well equipped to show off this side of the island to you through a carefully tailored outdoor itinerary – we’ve spent 18 years cultivating a little (OK, it’s big) black book of on-island experts who can put you through your paces, take you off the beaten track, get you out on the water and help you get a solid dose of naturally produced dopamine.

First off, we set you up with a luxury home away from home that allows you to loosen the shoulders as soon as you pass the threshold. Whether you’re a family with young kids or teenagers, a crew of friends who share full throttle interest, or if your group is divided between sun-seekers and action lovers – it’s important to us to get to know the dynamic of your group in order to find a villa that will suit each and every person in the group. Once you’re all settled in, that’s when the real fun starts – those looking for adventure can be whisked away for activities that get the blood pumping and the spirit soaring. In the process, you get to soak up some of Ibiza’s natural treasures, which makes for a win-win situation. “Even if you still want to go clubbing, nothing will perk you up better than next day than a hike through the hills,” says George, with the air of a man who has been there, done that and knows which option he prefers best these days.

It’s universally known that the best way to clear foggy heads is by taking a great, big breath of fresh air. Guided walking tours are available all across the island – from the more rural enclaves of the north to the untouched coves of the south, pounding rock with foot is a surefire way to stimulate the senses, not to mention really get to know Ibiza and what she has to offer. Some of our favourite walks include the walk to Atlantis, where you can swim in enormous rock pools in an ancient quarry opposite Es Vedra; we also love the meander through the easygoing south-west countryside to arrive at what’s known as ‘Ibiza Henge’ (a 23-carat gold topped art installation inspired by the Fibonacci sequence that can be seen from space) and down into a secret cave just outside Cala Conta. If intense hiking isn’t your preference then gentle strolls can be arranged – let us know what’s comfortably within your ability and we’ll find the right guide to lead you through it.

If that still doesn’t tempt you, why not employ a means of transport instead? Horse riding is particularly popular in Ibiza these days and another great way to see the island while connecting with Mother Nature on a whole new level. Mounting a horse feels a bit like stepping back in time and that in itself can slow the seconds, giving your mind time to switch off from the stresses and strains of daily routine and be totally absorbed in the moment. For those more partial to getting their adrenalin kicks, mountain biking is an excellent option. Ibiza’s craggy hills are testing bike territory but there’s nothing like the challenge of careering safely down a cliff-side, blue above and rising from below. Millennials and teens always love the thrill of a quad bike; groups of guys love the more full-throttle thrill of dirt biking and if you’re not into the idea of exerting toomuch energy (it is your holiday time, after all), we can arrange electric bicycle tours through some of Ibiza’s beautiful villages and the surrounding campo.

Elsewhere and it would be a crime to come all the way to Ibiza only to admire those crystalline waters from afar. We’ve always believed the best way to enjoy them is to launch yourself in head first – or not, as the case may be if you’re trying something like SUP boarding, where the aim is to remain upright and for the most part, dry – and there are plenty of alternative options for all the daredevils out there. Our team can hook you up with all the classics, like jet skiing, kayaking and wakeboarding to more modern activities like flyboarding (picture yourself rising like Iron Man out of the water), and eFoiling (essentially an electric surfboard with an underwater fin).

For those who aren’t afraid of heights, cliff jumping is an excellent way to test your own nerve (under the guidance of one of our experienced guides), while parasailing is great for getting a bird’s eye view of the island. Meanwhile, those keen to explore underwater worlds will relish the opportunity to go scuba diving – Ibiza and Formentera have some incredible (and still quite secret) dive sites that have even the most experienced of divers coming back for more. “You name it, we’ll arrange it,” says George. Consider the real world well and truly forgotten.