There are a whole array of different excursions, trips, days out and activities. A good first port of call for information is your local tourist office; here you'll find information to take away and read to help you plan days out. Keep a look out for discount vouchers and package deals incorporating two or more attractions. No matter where your interests lie, there is something here for you and your family.

Listed below are some of the main attractions - from water parks to target shooting, mountain biking to animal sanctuaries - but there is so much more to do on land, sea and in the air! Be sure to also check our important dates page for the main regular local events.

BORN TO BE WILD
Address: C/ Igualada 3, 29670 Marbella or visit the Blue Dolphin Beach Club, Estepona Beach.
Web: www.borntobewild.es
Discover the Andalucian wildlife with this comprehensive adventure company. They have over ten years' experience in the area and offer first rate half or full day tours and excursions. Pilot your own speedboat in search of the local dolphins on their Dolphin Eco Tour; learn about these incredible sea mammals, get close enough to touch them in their natural habitat. Jeep Eco Tours are also available to the Andalucian Sierras for a day of adrenaline and adventure. After a full day you can also chill out in their very own beach Chiringuito - the Blue Dolphin - and enjoy mouth-watering local seafood dishes or international cuisine. They are open daily from 9am until 8pm.

CABLE SKI MARBELLA
Address: C/ Las Medranas S/N, 29679 Marbella
Web: www.cableskimarbella.com
No boat? No problem. Here you can brush up on your wakeboarding or water-skiing technique. An all day ticket is available for 34 Euros or you can opt to pay per lap - but this works out more expensive if you plan to be there for the day and we're sure one lap won't be enough! The timetable varies according to the season so it's best to check their site for further information.

CLUB HIPICO 'EL JINETE'
Address: La Cala de Mijas.
Telephone: 952 932 209
This English run riding stables offers lessons for all standards at all ages (children included).

CROCODILE PARK
Address: C/ Cuba, 14 29620 Torremolinos (MÁLAGA)
Telephone: 952 051 782 | Email: arkosaurio@crocodile-park.com | Web: www.crocodile-park.com

Only a short drive from Estepona is the famed 'Croc Park'. These magnificent creatures have survived the test of time and are the focus of activists such as Steve Irwin. You'll be able to marvel (in safety!) at these 200 million year old reptiles - including Paco, the largest crocodile in Europe at present - and get your picture taken with baby crocodiles. With interesting and informative daily guided tours and scheduled feeding times, it makes for a great family day out. They are open most of the year; check their site for opening and closing times. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

EL REFUGIO DEL BURRITO
Address: Fuente de Piedra, Málaga.
Telephone: 952 735 513
Only 30 minutes drive from Malaga is the Donkey Sanctuary. A subsidiary of the UK-based Donkey Sanctuary, they are devoted to providing a comfortable home for these gentle and loveable creatures that are all too often neglected and abused. A perfect stop-off point when visiting the nearby Flamingo Lake; just being with the donkeys will relax you and give endless joy to the children... "Mum, can I have a donkey?" Open 11am until 7pm daily.

ESCUELA DE ARTE ECUESTRE
Address: CN340 Km 159, Estepona.
Telephone: 952 808 077

There couldn't be a more memorable way to travel through the impressive Sierra Bermeja that overlooks the area than by horseback. Only really suitable for more advanced riders, the journey allows you to get back in touch with nature and the traditional lifestyle of Andalucia.  With breaktaking views en route, you'll be riding with people who know much about the local area. There is also a feature show on Fridays with Andalucian horses, and they provide daily training lessons for those not quite so confident on horseback.

FUENGIROLA ZOO
Address: Avda. Camilo José Cela, 8-10, 29640 Fuengirola
Web: www.zoofuengirola.com
With over 140 species represented, 1300 animals on site and a strong conservation interest, the zoo offers plenty to learn about and lots to see. Enjoy a tranquil break from the busy beach lifestyle and give the kids something to talk about. Strolling through enclosures laid out to mimic the rainforests of Madagascar, equatorial Africa and South East Asia, you will feel like you're on a different continent. Highly recommended is the moonlight tour (only occurring in July and August) when the jungle comes to life with the noises and activity of the animals by night. It's a totally different experience and the perfect place to take a walk after an evening meal.

KARTING CLUB MÁLAGA
Address: Camino de Coin, s/n  - Mijas 
Telephone: 952 581 704
Suitable for adults and kids over six years old, the karting club in Marbella offers you the chance to race the circuits as Lewis Hamilton once did! Attractions also include trampolines, bumper boats and other children's rides.

NATURA AVENTURA THEME PARK
Address: C/Santa Beatriz, San Pedro.
Telephone: 902 011 077 | Web: www.natura-aventura.com/
Natura Aventura has much to offer outdoor enthusiasts: rock climbing, kayaking, pot holing, archery, paintball, 4x4 safaris and quad bike tours. If it's a totally action-packed day you're after, this place won't disappoint. Paradise for kids of all ages. Located just outside Puerto Banus.

ORIGINAL DOLPHIN SAFARI
Address: Marina Bay, Gibraltar.
Telephone: 9567 71 914 | Web: www.dolphinsafari.gi
If your dream is to see dolphins, then look no further - contact these guys who can organise your whole day out in style. Actually recommended by Sir David Attenborough, they're regarded by many as the best tour operator of their kind around.

PARQUE ACUATICO MIJAS
Address: Carretera Nacional 340 km.209, 29640 Mijas Costa
Telephone: 952 460 404 | Email: aqualand@aquamijas.com | Web: www.aquamijas.com
Open from May through October and only 26km from Marbella, the aquatic attractions here are include numerous waterslides, an adventure river, a wave pool and kiddies play area; in short everything you'd expect to find in a water park and more. A truly family-friendly park. You'll have to drag the kids away at the end of the day!

SEALIFE CENTRE
Telephone: 952 560 150 | Web: www.sealifeeurope.com
Has over 5000 different species on show including many native to the Mediterranean. An unmissable attraction on the Costa; get close to sharks measuring 2 metres in length in the classic 'walk through' glass tunnel (as seen in Jaws 2). Look out for discount vouchers at the local tourist offices, although prices for entrance are extremely reasonable even without these.

SELWO ADVENTURE PARK & SELWO MARINA
Address: CN340 Km 162.5, Estepona.
Telephone: 902 190 482 | Marina Telephone:  952 577 762 | Web: www.selwo.es / www.selwomarina.com

Boasting over 2,000 different species from five continents and including some of Africa's big game animals (lions, tigers, elephants, rhinos and hippos) this is a true safari experience and one of the Costa's favourite destinations. Packages can include both the Adventure Park and Marina (home to the first dolphinarium in Andalucia and also host to other fun and friendly creatures such as sea lions and penguins). Beware that during the hot summer months you will need to bring hats and sun protection as in some parts of the park shade is limited. They are open daily from 10am until 9pm, but be warned - one visit might not be enough to see everything.

TELEFÉRICO BENALMÁDENA
Address: Explanada Tívoli, s/n, Arroyo de la Miel, 29630 Benalmádena
Telephone: 902 190 482 | Web: www.teleferico.com
Close to Selwo is the cable car where you can take in great views across coastal Andalucia and the Calamorro mountains. Climbing to an altitude of 769 metres above sea level, on a good day you can take in panoramic views of the Sierra Nevada, Gibraltar and the coastline of North Africa. Open from 10am to 6pm.

TIVOLI WORLD
Address: Avda Tivoli s/n, Benalmádena, Costa del Sol
Telephone: 952 577 016 | Email: info@tivoli.es | : www.tivoli.es
The largest amusement park on the Costa Del Sol, Tivoli combines rides, attractions and live shows to create a lively and fun experience for the whole family. With beautiful gardens, Jurassic adventures and attractions such as 'Pirates', 'Dinolandia' 'Barco Misterioso' and the 'Castillo del Terro', at only 4 Euros entrance fee it’s a total value for money day out. As some rides cost extra, we recommend the 'SuperTivoli' ticket that allows access to virtually all rides and attractions for only 10 Euros. Be aware that height restrictions do apply for many rides. Open daily from 1pm.
 
LOBO PARK (WOLF PARK)
Address: Ctra. Antequera-Alora (A343), 16 km, Apartado de correos 244, 29200 Antequera
Telephone: 952 03 11 07 | Email: info@lobopark.com | Web: www.lobopark.com
A little further afield but well worth the trip is the fascinating Wolf Park. A nature park in the heart of Andalucia, here you can learn about one of the world's most well-known but rarely seen animals, the wolf. There are timber wolves, tundra, Iberian and even the extremely rare Alaskan white wolf all living an almost natural existence within this unspoilt 40 hectare protected area. Great care has been taken not to domesticate the animals and they are provided with the respect they deserve. There is also a vast collection of rare animal and plant species to be seen. Informative guided tours are available at set times during the day (check their website for times) and the Wolf Museum is also open. The site also has a small petting zoo and horse riding is available too.

WHALE WATCH ESPAÑA
Address: Avenida de la Constitución 6, 11380 Tarifa
Telephone: 639 476 544 | Email: whalewatchtarifa@whalewatchtarifa.net www.whalewatchtarifa.net
With the season starting in March every year, a short boat trip out to the strait of Gibraltar can provide unforgettable experiences. You should see common, striped and bottlenose dolphins, as well as pilot whales, and it's not unusual to also see killer whales, sperm whales and fin whales on their migratory route! This is a true 'experience of a lifetime' right on your doorstep; viewing these incredible animals in their natural environment. The group are a non profit making organisation concerned with the protection and well-being of the creatures within this area and the education of their guests. Trips are dependent upon the current weather conditions and depart from three different locations. A real value for money trip that combines education and wildlife conservation for the benefit of us all. Not to be missed! Don’t forget your camera and be prepared to get wet or wear waterproof clothing.

I.O.E MARINA 
YACHT HARBOUR OF ESTEPONA
Telephone: 607 217 683 | Web: www.ioemarina.es
Rental service for a fleet of modern boats at the marina of Estepona. Take advantage of their special programmes including dolphin watching and sea fishing.

BUGGY SAFARI MARBELLA
Address: Centro commercial Contur, Ctra. de Cádiz 191, Elviria, Marbella, 29604
Telephone: 952833664 | Email: info@buggysafarimarbella.com | Web: www.buggysafarimarbella.com
As seen on BBC's 'Living in the Sun', Buggy Safari is touted as one of the area's newest adventure experiences. Offering half day, full day and three day packages, you'll hit the Andalucian mountains in your very own two-seater buggy. Cruising through pine forests, mountain woodland, secluded valleys, and splashing through streams, you are sure to get wet and very dirty! At the end of the day you'll be in need of a long shower, but will have a smile on your face and a story to tell! Half day tours last about 3.5 hours; a full day is about 6 hours and the three-day package includes accommodation - it's a novel way to explore the area. Whilst this is suitable for the whole family, remember that a a current driver's licence is needed to pilot your own buggy!

MARBELLA GUN & COUNTRY CLUB
Address: Cuesta de la Herrera, s/n, 29110 Monda, Málaga
Telephone: 95 211 2161 | Email: marbellagun@yahoo.co.uk | Web: www.marbellagunandcountryclub.com

Take aim at clay pigeons, use a crossbow or practice with air pistols. This superb venue, located in the heart of the mountains, also offers excursions into the surrounding area on quad bike or horseback. Safety is paramount; their fully trained instructors will look after you whilst keeping a high element of fun involved. They have restaurants on site open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

AQUALANDIA
Address C/ Cuba, nº 10 , 29620 TORREMOLINOS
Telephone : 952 388 888 | Web: www.aqualand.es
Boasting the new 'Boomerang Ride' this water park is worth the drive. Rides like the 'Kamikaze' are not for the faint of heart!

SPHERE MANIA
Web: www.spheremaniaespana.com
Fancy being strapped inside a giant ball and being pushed down a hill? You're not alone; this attraction has become very popular all over the world. Here you can try it for yourself - just don’t eat too much beforehand!

JOY RIDERS MOUNTAIN BIKE TRIPS
Telephone: 957 723 363 | Email: info@joy-riders.com | Web: www.joy-rider.com

If you're into mountain biking give Joy Riders a call; they're a well-established, small and friendly company who provide tailor-made holidays, day trips and multi-day packages. Whether you are a beginner wanting to break into the sport or an advanced rider they can cater for you. Routes throughout the area include an outstanding 4000 ft descent in Estepona. The trails are graded (as with ski slopes); there are green, blue, red and black runs. Bear in mind that you'll need to have a good level of fitness. Some routes can be quite challenging and last up to 5 hours. There are no chairlifts so you'll have to rely on pedal power alone to get you through.