Gulp. Big jump. Really big jump. Skydiving at Mokulei’a (North Shore of Oahu) is one of those Indiana Jones leap of faith kinda deals. I mean, hurling yourself out of a plane it pretty counter-intuitive. But well worth it.: Between the sky and the deep blue sea Hawaii looks completely different – when you’ve jumped out of an airplane, that is. Skydiving aficionados swear that this jump is one of the most amazing on Earth. The reason for their devotion is apparent. Sailing down over the North Shore, the shallow reefs marked by surging white water paint an abstract canvas on the deep blue ocean. The view is particularly good when surf is up, as the ocean looks like an enormous, undulating wave of corduroy fabric stretching to the horizon. Experienced jumpers can go solo but mere mortals take the plunge in tandem with an instructor.

Skydive Hawaii / 808 637-9700

—Alex, 08/15/07