The 20 Most Dangerous Hobbies You Can Try

Hobbies are a great way to relax and focus on an activity that isn’t work. They are meant to be fun and enable you to escape from the real world. There are literally thousands of different hobbies you can choose from, including stamp collecting and hunting to bird watching and knitting. There really is something for everyone. While most are low-key and won’t get the heart racing, some fall under the banner of the most dangerous hobbies in the world. 

These hobbies are extremely dangerous and will appeal to a certain section of men and women. Adrenalin junkies want a hobby that will excite them and get the blood pumping. These individuals want to take a risk with their hobby and stare death in the face. These are the sort of people they need to take out life insurance because they put themselves at risk every time they pursue their dangerous hobby. If that sounds like you, you might be wondering what are the most dangerous hobbies? 

These range from skydiving to canyoneering to rock climbing. Anything dangerous that could result in injury, or worse, the loss of life, can be classified as a deadly hobby. Some of these, such as scuba diving or mountain biking you might have tried, that’s why we’ve been sure to include some of the more extreme hobbies and high-risk sports. So take out your life insurance policy, pray to your god, and get ready to read the most dangerous hobbies in the world. 

1. Skydiving

Why you would want to jump out of a perfectly good airplane is anyone’s guess, but it is a dangerous hobby hundreds of people seem to enjoy. Skydiving, or parachuting, is quite simple in theory. You strap a parachute to your back, jump out of a plane, and hurtle towards the earth before pulling the ripcord and slowly floating to the ground. 

Skydiving first became recognized as a sport in 1952, but it didn’t really get popular until the late 90s when extreme sports became big around the world. While there are reported cases of parachute malfunctions and people falling to their death, skydiving is much safer than you might think. A study in 2019 found that 15 people had died from 3.3 million jumpers or one in every 220,301 people. So for those of you a little worried, there is more chance of you getting hit by a bus than there is dying during skydiving.

2. Scuba Diving

Scuba diving might not appear to be a dangerous hobby, but it all depends on how deep you go. If you are a thrill-seeker, deep-diving might be more of an option than regular scuba diving. Deep diving is when you reach a depth below 98 feet. Here you are more at risk of running out of oxygen or running into some underwater creatures you don’t want to be near.

Although this activity is high risk, it gives you a wonderful view of what really goes on in the depths of the ocean where you will no doubt encounter sea creatures you have never seen before. 

3. Bungee Jumping

This dangerous hobby is probably one of the most experienced by those who want an adrenalin rush without too many risks. Sure, the cord could snap and you find yourself hurtling to your death, but the chances of that happening are unlikely.

Bungee jumping is popular as it doesn’t involve any training or gear and is reasonably priced. When compared to some of the other hobbies on this list, the risk is low, but it is still a blood-pumping experience that is the next level above enjoying a ride on a roller coaster. 

4. Base Jumping

Another ariel hobby, base jumping is similar to skydiving, except you do it much closer to the earth. This is a very dangerous activity that involves strapping a parachute to your back or dressing in a wingsuit and jumping off a tall structure, be it a building or mountain top. 

There are many more deaths from base jumping when compared to skydiving, and it is not hard to see why considering the distance between jumping and hitting the earth is much less. Because of this, base jumping is illegal in most American cities and many other countries around the world. 

Fun fact; the word base is actually an acronym for building, antenna, span, and Earth. 

5. Canyoneering 

This extreme hobby is all about navigating a canyon or mountain. It involves a variety of skills, including hiking, rappelling, swimming, and rock climbing. You also need to use your problem-solving skills to work out how to get from one point to the other. 

It can be lots of fun but is also one of the hobbies on this list that often results in people getting lost or stranded in the middle of nowhere. This is why it is considered such a dangerous hobby. But if you love the outdoors this could be the extreme sport for you. 

6. Hang Gliding

This is a much gentler extreme hobby than some of the others on the list. All you do is strap yourself into a frame with wings, jump off a cliff, and sail through the air like a bird. Hang gliders themselves are made of aluminum with a large sailcloth wing, making them super light, which helps them glide through the air.

It’s a much more peaceful experience and is a great hobby to start with before you try some of the other more dangerous ones. That said, people do die while hang gliding, but the numbers are much lower than many of the other dangerous hobbies on this list.

7. Rock Climbing

Rock climbing or mountain climbing is one hobby anyone can take part in. While it is generally safe, those tackling large cliff faces and mountains certainly put a lot of trust in their safety equipment. This is a hobby best enjoyed with someone else, especially if you are a beginner. The last thing you want is to be stuck halfway up a cliff in the middle of nowhere unable to get help. 

Before getting outside, our advice is to try this hobby at an indoor rock climbing center. This way you can get used to using the equipment and find out whether it is the hobby for you. 

8. Spelunking

If you aren’t a fan of enclosed spaces then spelunking probably isn’t for you. This wild sport involves crawling and climbing around underground caves. It often involves navigating tight spaces as you make your way underground towards enormous untouched caves. 

This is a very difficult and dangerous hobby where you can encounter any number of problems, from water hazards to blocked routes. And if you’ve seen The Descent, you might even be worried about nocturnal creatures roaming below the earth looking for their next meal. 

9. Whitewater Rafting 

One of the more accessible activities, whitewater rafting can be done right across the USA, particularly in many big national parks. Despite its popularity, it is considered dangerous because of the number of injuries people suffer and the risk of death. People are often flung from the raft while traversing the rapids, resulting in all sorts of injuries from concussions to broken bones. Then there is the risk of drowning, which is the biggest danger associated with this extreme sport. 

Despite these risks, whitewater rafting is really fun and a great rush and highly recommend. Just make sure you can swim.

10. Cave Diving

This dangerous hobby mixes scuba diving with spelunking. As the name suggests, it involves exploring caves underwater. What makes this hobby so thrilling is the fact that many of the underwater tunnels and caves are quite tight. There is a real fear of being stuck or getting lost. With only a limited amount of air, this is sure to make some people feel a little nervous about taking part.

If you do give this hobby a crack, you will get to experience some incredible sights and see some things you would never normally get to see above ground. 

11. Mountain Biking 

Riding a bike in the city is dangerous enough, but doing it on a mountain brings about a whole new set of challenges. These trails are often downhill and quite narrow, meaning you have to keep your balance while speeding past trees, water hazards, tight bends, and other obstacles on the track. 

This one will really get the adrenalin going and while anyone can use their old Mongoose BMX, most people who take part in this hobby own bikes worth thousands of dollars, as you need something that is lightweight and durable. Just be sure to wear a helmet before embarking on your downhill adventure. 

12. Free Climbing

Like rock climbing except without the rope or harness. You basically climb mountains without any safety equipment, which is absolutely crazy. You have to be a special kind of person to take part in this hobby. 

While most people climb walls and cliffs where a fall won’t kill them, those looking for a real rush are known to take on huge mountains where any type of fall will result in death. Just think Tom Cruise in Mission: Impossible 2. Insane. 

13. Parkour

Parkour might not seem that dangerous, but it is when it involves jumping from building to building. At its core, this extreme sport is about getting from point A to point B as fast as possible without using any equipment. It was big in the early 00s and is usually performed in urban environments.

Parkour runs can include everything from jumping off platforms, ducking under low arches, and rolling through enclosed spaces. It is fast-paced and physical, even crossing over into Hollywood and featuring in films such as District 13 and Casino Royale. 

14. Body Surfing

This one can be enjoyed by anyone as it requires no expensive equipment, just a knowledge of swimming. Body surfing is like bodyboarding, just without the board. You just use your body to catch waves and propel you to the shore. Some people invest in a pair of flippers but this isn’t necessary. The main danger here is being sucked underwater when on a wave or being caught in a rip, which could end in tragedy. 

15. Ice Climbing

If you have conquered rock climbing and free climbing, then why not give ice climbing a crack? This extreme sport involves, you guessed it, climbing ice. Well, not just ice. Taking place in below-freezing temperatures, climbers tackle sheer cliff faces that have been covered in ice and snow, making it much harder to climb. You also have to battle chilling winds, storm-like conditions, and the possibility of an avalanche. This is not a hobby for the faint of heart.  

16. Running of the Bulls

This annual event is widely known as a Spanish tradition but also occurs in several other countries, including Portugal and Mexico. This hobby involves unleashing a large number of bulls in a city center. Then trying to outrun them and not get gored by them. Fun, right? 

As you can imagine, this is super dangerous and often results in people sustaining life-threatening injuries. While deaths are uncommon, they do occur, so you will want to make sure you have taken out some insurance before attempting this one.

17. Heli-Skiing

Any activity that involves jumping out of a helicopter is going to be somewhat dangerous. Heli-Skiing is all about tackling slopes that are only accessible via helicopter. It is favored by skiers and snowboarders who want an adrenalin rush. These slopes are often extremely difficult to ski or snowboard down as they have more obstacles. There is also the chance of setting off an avalanche, which could be life-ending. 

18. Motorcycle Racing

Riding motorcycles might not seem that dangerous, but if you have ever watched professional racers you understand the risks. These bikes travel at speeds of up to 186 mph and are literal death machines. Then you have motocross, where riders are participating in death-defying stunts. They often jump 30-foot high gaps while battling against other competitors on mud-filled tracks. 

Some form of insurance is definitely recommended if you are trying this as your new hobby. As is making sure you have all the correct protective gear to stop any serious accidents from occurring. 

19. Ski Jumping

You may have seen this sport at the Winter Olympics. It is essentially strapping yourself to a couple of skis and then hurtling down a massive ramp. You then shoot into the air, perform some tricks, and hope you can land safely. This is a crazy hobby where the risk of serious injury is huge. If you don’t land correctly you could suffer all manner of broken bones or internal injuries. This is why it is one of the most dangerous hobbies in the world.

20. Boxing

Boxing is great from a workout point of view. But if you want to take it up as a serious hobby expect to find yourself crashing to the canvas more than you’d like. This is a violent sport that often results in serious brain injuries for those who compete at a high level. Joe Lewis and Sugar Ray Robinson are just two boxers who have suffered long-term head injuries from this sport.

If you are only boxing as a way to stay fit and get a good workout, you will be fine. Just be sure to wear all the safety equipment necessary to save you from serious injury.