Somebody, at some point in the history of extreme sports, must have been fed up with the seasonal nature of snowboarding and thought how great it would be to experience the adrenaline rush throughout the year. And voilà, sandboarding There is no dearth of location for sandboarding, which makes it one of the most sought after extreme sports in the world. With its popularity growing worldwide. sandboarding is fast becoming one of the reasons to hit the desert or the coastal areas. Sand never felt more appealing. Here are eight destinations for a perfect sandboarding holiday.
Atacama in Chile
Extreme. That's the word that best describes Atacama Desert. What else would you call a desert that is one of the driest in the world Some parts of Atacama have never received any rainfall so far. Definitely something strange enough for the curious explorers to explore. Sandboarding down the dunes of Valle del la Muerte or the Death Valley in San Pedro de Atacama is definitely going to be something you'll be talking about for a long time. Sandboarding is a tough sport and it comes with a lot of challenges (how to reach the top of dunes in absence of lifts like in case of snowboarding) but that's what most of thrill seekers long for, isn't it The thrill of overcoming challenges. The sport is big in San Pedro so you won't find any difficulty getting in touch with a local tour groups organising sandboarding (going solo is not recommended).
Negev Desert in Israel
Even though Negev Desert is mostly rocky terrain, there is a sandy stretch with tall smooth dunes, perfect for sandboarding. It's the patch between Beersheba and Mitzpe Ramon, easily accessible by bus. Best option is to book a group activity which will take care of the transport too. The region is not harsh thus making it suitable of small children too. Whether you are sliding down a dune on your sandboard or tabogganing down the slopes, the experience will be an unforgettable one.
Tottori Sand Dunes in Japan
If you are wondering what else is there to do in Japan besides climbing volcanoes, soaking in culture, stuffing yourself with delicious food and slowly becoming an otaku, you have not heard of sandboarding in Japan, or Tottori Sand Dunes to be precise. The sand dunes are located in Tottori Prefecture in Japan and is the only dune system in Japan. The 30 degree slope is perfect even for kids. Once on top of the dune, you will get a beautiful view of the Sea of Japan. Come for sandboarding and stay for paragliding and camel rides too.
Namib Desert in Namibia
Namib Desert, the oldest desert in the world is also home to some of the largest dunes in the world. The desert is one of the most stunning geographical areas known to man. The coastal desert stands in contrast to the Atlantic Ocean and is one of the most visited deserts in the world. Whether you sandboard standing up or lying face down, sliding down the dunes at 80kmph will be an experience to remember. Sandboarding is popular at Swakopmund and Walvis Bay. No matter how fun it looks, we recommend a guided activity. They are not called extreme sports for no reason.