2025 Spring Travel Trends: Waterculturalism, Bravecations, & Travel Dupes
Last Updated on September 24, 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.
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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.
Boatsetter empowers people to explore with confidence by showing them a world of possibility on the water. Rent a boat, list your boat, or become a Boatsetter captain today.
