Category Adventure Travel

A longtime favorite of travelers for its stunning beaches and warm hospitality, the Philippines offers a delightful mix of secluded natural wonders and lively cities for anyone in search of their next adventure.

But since this archipelagic nation comprises more than 7400 stunning islands, figuring out which area to explore first can be a challenging puzzle to piece together. While it’s best to focus on one region at a time for a richer, deeper experience, careful planning for inter-island connections makes it possible to hop from hub to hub for a well-rounded Filipino adventure.

Here are 10 destinations to uncover the beauty and wonders of this treasure of Southeast Asia.

1. Palawan

Best for all-around island bliss

With a coastline of almost 2000km (1243 miles) lined with rocky coves and sugar-white beaches, Palawan – the largest island of a many-island province of the same name – easily lends itself to superlatives.

First-timers flying in via the capital Puerto Princesa should seek out the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, a UNESCO-listed natural wonder an hour’s away from the city. Marvel at the formations formed by stalactites and stalagmites jutting all around as your boat traverses sections of the 8¼km-long (5-mile-long) underground river that flows directly into the sea. 

If laid-back getaways are more your style, head to Port Barton, a coastal fishing village with easy access to snorkeling sites, sea turtles and waterfalls. If you want to take the road, head to San Vicente, and its stunning 14km-long (8¾-mile-long) fine-white-sand stretch of beach. It’s the longest one in the entire country – and it will feel like it’s all yours. 

Planning tip: Consider arriving in El Nido or Coron, then connecting Palawan’s dots by sea or land. Nagtabon Travel and Tours offers private transfers from Puerto Princesa to other rising Palawan spots, and also offers motorbike rentals. 

2. El Nido

Best for adventurous beach lovers

With striking limestone cliffs, mesmerizing lagoons and endless beaches in between azure waters, El Nido, on the north of Palawan Island, is a popular tourist hub. (Indeed, its 45 islands and islets on the northern tip of Palawan reportedly inspired Alex Garland’s novel The Beach.)

Beaches come in many varieties here. You can snorkel through crystalline waters, kayak through the karst-concealed seascapes of the Big and Small Lagoons, enter an underwater crevice to discover Hidden Beach, or simply laze under the palm trees of Seven Commandos Beach. Island-hopping tours clustered by location are easy to book online ahead of time, or once you’ve arrived. Generally fair weather year-round, boutique stays, vibrant nightlife and hip dining options make El Nido an easy pick for any traveler to the Philippines.

Planning tip: From Puerto Princesa, vans shuttle travelers 238km (148 miles) to El Nido. For flexibility, rent motorcycles to make the five-to-six-hour road trip part of the adventure: the road is fully paved and an utter joy to ride. Direct flights are also available from Manila.

3. Coron

Best for wreck diving and snorkeling

Another idyllic Palawan spot that’s accessible by air from Manila and by water from El Nido,  Coron is where you’ll find yourself face-to-face with WWII-era shipwrecks. This bucket-list destination for divers has spectacular underwater clarity, with some wrecks even visible to snorkelers. But there’s much more than dive sites here. Glide through the cool waters of Kayangan Lake, bask on the unspoiled shores of Malcapuya Island, climb the 721 steps up Mt Tapyas for sweeping panoramic views, immerse your body in the Maquinit Hot Springs and enjoy the lively food scene in town afterward. 

Detour: If you want to veer away from the crowds, take the 45-minute boat from from Coron to Culion, which boasts secluded beaches and spectacularly preserved snorkeling sites. Kawil Tours organizes overnight beach camps and expedition tours around Culion, Coron and Busuanga.

4. The Cordillera Region

Best for remote mountain treks and hikes

With majestic mountain views, sprlawing terraced rice paddies and misty, pine-shrouded forests, the Cordillera Region of northern Luzon is a fantastic destination for anyone who prefers mountains over beaches. Along zigzagging roads, the Cordillera Central Mountain Range hides remote trails and villages, to the delight of hikers looking for multi-day treks in the middle of nowhere. 

Whether you’re in the mood to explore the mountains, caves or waterfalls, guides and tours are easy to book; we recommend basing yourself in the town of Sagada (home to the famous “hanging coffins”). Rise early for sunrise treks, hike the bizarrely bright Blue Soil Hills or spelunk through the four-hour cave-connection crawl between the Lumiang and Sumaging cave systems.

A three-hour drive from Sagada takes you to Banaue, where you can stay in rural villages and arrange hiking trips to the amphitheater-shaped, UNESCO-listed Batad rice terraces. And if even all that’s not enough, Mt Pulag (2928m / 9606ft), the loftiest peak in Luzon, also beckons intrepid hikers to hike up and take in its majestic sea of clouds (weather permitting) come sunrise.

Planning tip: Book overnight buses directly from Manila to either Sagada or Banaue on Coda Lines to optimize your travel time and maximize daylight hours.

5. Batanes

Best for slow travel and cycling

Rock-hewn landscapes and winding roads hug the coast, while lookout points at every bend provide views of grazing lands and endless blue waters. In terms of size, Batanes may be the country’s smallest province. Yet these islands are blessed with far more than their fair share of postcard-worthy landscapes – which have not changed for decades.

Batan Island’s compact size, preserved culture and traffic-free terrain make it the kind of place that cyclists dream about at night. Head first to Basco Lighthouse in Naidi Hills, rock out on Valugan Boulder Beach or pick any random spot to sit and gaze in wonder at the calming rolling hills while pedaling around. 

Planning tip: Be sure to rent a proper mountain bike to tackle the hilly roads here; Bisumi Tours specializes in eco-adventures in Batanes. Plan your visit during the dry season from December to May to avoid unpredictable weather and possible flight cancellations.

6. Boracay

Best for beach bumming

Boracay is a top draw for sunseekers. Its famous beaches beckon to those who prefer to plop down in one spot and laze the days away with a cocktail in hand and modern comforts a few steps behind. When (if?) you’re ready to leave the powdery sand, glide along on paraw sailing tours or paddle away on crystal kayaks near the shore. A world of flavors awaits come mealtime, with a long strip of international dining options, local bars and seafood grills lining beachfront areas.

Planning tip: Hop on a bike to explore the island on two wheels. Isla Siklista in Station 3 offers affordable bike rentals and guided tours to explore such inland attractions as mangrove forests and secluded beaches. 

7. Cebu 

Best for those who want a bit of everything

The hub of the Visayas, Cebu offers a range of adventures beyond beaches. After you’ve taken in the vibrant vibe of the Philippines’ second city, you can plunge into impossibly turquoise waters while canyoneering in Kawasan Falls, snorkel among spectacular schools of sardines in Moalboal or trek up the jagged hills of Osmena Peak. Back in town, crowd-pleasing food abounds, with the crispy skin and tender, flavor-packed meat of lechon tantalizing the taste buds (the Cebuano version is arguably the country’s best), and uber-fresh seafood served sutukil-style, with grilled, stewed and raw fish all on one plate. 

Detour: A one-to-two-hour ferry hop from Cebu, Bohol is a great option for families, with luxury beach resorts tucked along the island’s quieter coasts. Go dolphin-spotting during island-hopping tours, and visit iconic sites like the Chocolate Hills and tarsier sanctuary on land.

8. Iloilo 

Best for adventurous eaters

If food is your main reason for traveling, Iloilo, on Panay, should be on your list. Recently named a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, Iloilo dishes out lip-smacking local delicacies that will have you throwing diet plans out the window. Savor the Ilonggo flavors in signature dishes like La Paz batchoy (a noodle soup), pancit molo (wonton soup) and inasal (grilled chicken) in atmospheric market stalls, or head to Breakthrough Restaurant, an open-air spot by the sea where you can have seafood cooked to your liking.

Detour: A 30-minute boat ride from Ilioilo’s wharf, Guimaras offers more foodie fun. It’s known for its super-sweet mangos, which are creatively added to everything from chicken adobo to pizza.

9. Samar

Best for underground exploration

With caverns the size of football fields and ethereal waterfalls shrouded deep in jungle territory, the rugged island of Samar is a spelunking paradise. Sohoton Cave, which has a cathedral-like dome, skylight and natural stone bridge, is one of the most accessible sites for tourists. The Torpedo Extreme Boat Ride on the Ulot River is also an easy adrenaline rush.

Intrepid explorers can venture to Calbiga Cave in western Samar, where through a gaping entrance you’ll enter the fascinating underworld of the largest cave in the country. It takes a lot of time and effort to reach Pinipisakan Falls, which guards a natural cave system of its own – but the fantastic sight of the fairy-tale-like cascade after hours of trekking and travel will leave you open-mouthed with wonder.

Planning tip: Based in Catbalogan City, Joni Bonifacio of Trexplore runs excellent guided tours and arranges all the gear and permits needed for spelunking adventures.

10. Siargao

Best for surfers and partying, island-style

With its world-renowned Cloud 9 break, boutique hostels, laid-back island vibe and buzzing nightlife, Siargao has become a magnet for surfers and digital nomads from all over – especially the vibrant yet relaxed town of General Luna. Here, beginners can take surf lessons; settle in to trendy cafes like Kermit and Shaka; get to know fellow travelers at social spots like the Catangan Bridge; and check in to a budget-friendly hostel or luxury resort, like Nay Palad Hideaway. Boat tours to nearby islets, rocky tidal pools and the stunning Sugba Lagoon can be easily booked online. With the delightful mix of laid-back island lifestyle and creature comforts on Siargao, many travelers often find themselves staying much longer than planned. If not permanently relocating.

Planning tip: For convenient island-hopping tours, join up with fellow travelers. Got Marked Tours offers several packages and hands-on service.

There’s no better way to experience the best of Australia than on a road trip in a camper through its stunning and wild natural landscapes.

Australia’s National Highway 1 may not be as storied as America’s Route 66, but a “lap of the map” – via endless surf beaches, koala-dotted forests, flaming red deserts and awe-inspiring starry skies – will be life-defining. If you haven’t got time for the whole shebang, you’ll have just as much fun exploring one coast (the east coast or west?) or even a smaller region.

While there’s buckets of information out there from travelers who’ve gone before, here are the key things to consider before you hit the road for your motor home adventure in Australia.

On a short break, focus on one region

If you have only a few weeks then you’ll need to stick to one region. If you want to spend more time communing with nature and less time driving then you might want to target a small region.

For a mix of beaches, mountains and waterfalls head to northern NSW (Byron Bay and around) and southern Queensland (with an incredible coast and the lush Scenic Rim region). For something similar but with emptier roads, check out the coast southwest of Perth around Margaret River and inland to the old forests of Pemberton. Tasmania is also very driveable in two weeks with mountains, beaches and delicious produce everywhere.

Flying into Darwin would take you to some of the most incredible scenery in Australia around Litchfield, Kakadu and down to Uluru and back. From Adelaide, there are options to explore the coast, wineries and wetlands south, or head into the ancient interior of Ikara-Flinders Ranges via the wineries of the Clare Valley.

The coastal roads from Melbourne to Sydney through southern NSW are long and windy, and the geography doesn’t vary quite as much, but the weather is temperate and there are many family-friendly hamlets with good camping sites. Picking up a camper in Cairns means exploring the lush Atherton Tablelands, and the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Daintree National Park, managed by its traditional owners the Eastern Kuku Yalanji people (learn more on a Dreamtime Walk at Mossman Gorge) and the Great Barrier Reef.

But this is just a snapshot of options. With more time you can join a couple of these itineraries together and cruise on – say from Adelaide to Darwin, or from Sydney up to Cairns via Byron Bay in one trip.

Allow at least three months for a “lap of the map”

Some travelers make it their mission to circumnavigate the whole of Australia, and you’ll find plenty of blogs online with people sharing their tips for tackling the project over anything from six weeks to a year.

Three months is a good minimum to dedicate to the trip. It gives you enough time for detours and longer stops at places you fall in love with, but you can also manage costs (the longer you’re away the more you spend, and there’s greater chance that mechanical wear and tear will blow out your budget).

May to October is the best time for a camper trip in Australia

Assuming you have only 12 weeks, the best time to go will be during Australia’s cooler months (May to October). In the north, you’ll be traveling in the dry season (any other time of year and a lot of the roads are impassable). Down south, it’ll be cool (cold even, with potential for snow on the Great Dividing Range) in southern NSW and Victoria – but this means campsites and caravan parks won’t be as busy.

December and January are best avoided. These months are school holidays, which means contending with domestic travelers on big summer camping trips. It’s also a time with sweltering days where your legs stick to the car seat and the steering wheel is too hot to touch (although this could happen anytime from November to March).

If you’re traveling on a working holiday visa you’ll be able to stop and take up job opportunities wherever they find you – or if you’re on a self-funded gap year and can spend even longer traveling around Australia in your campervan – then you will be traveling in all seasons. Just make sure that you’re not attempting to visit the north outside the dry season.

Buying a camper can be cost-effective

Some travelers choose to pull some savings together to buy a vehicle for their once-in-a-lifetime campervan trip in Australia. This can prove cost-effective if you get the right vehicle and look after it, making it possible to sell it at the end of your adventure (with some anticipated depreciation for the extra mileage). As well as the cost of the actual van, you’ll need to factor in other expenses like registration (“rego”); insurance; a roadworthiness certificate (RWC); repairs needed to get one to resell later; and equipping the vehicle with any extras you might want such as a campfire oven, outdoors shower, bikes or canoes.

Rental firms offer a large range of motor homes and vans

Another option is to rent a vehicle from a reputable hire company. In addition to international chains like Avis, there are Australia/NZ-specific ones to check out like Apollo, Maui and Britz.

You’ll have a large range of vehicles to choose from whether you’re looking for a top-of-the-line motor home/RV or very minimal van set-up or roof-top tent. Age and mileage are things to take into account when choosing between companies. The less expensive brands – usually marketed to backpackers – have older vehicles. Vans with Cheapa Campa, for example, are four years on fleet and older.

You’ll need everyone who’s planning to drive to be at the vehicle collection with their driver’s license, plus a credit card (not a debit card) and an upfront security deposit to cover any potential damage. The best advantage of using a rental company is being able to choose a one-way trip: you could drive from Melbourne to Cairns or Perth to Broome (should you decide to tackle one coast or the other) without having to backtrack.

Peer-to-peer campervan rentals are usually well equipped

Just as there is AirBnB for homestays, the Australian company Camplify (now also in the UK and Spain) enables campervan owners to rent to travelers directly. The costs are more affordable, and are usually well set up for an off-grid camping adventure. Some come with solar panels and decent batteries to run devices like fridges and even satellite broadband, so you won’t find yourself without any internet signal in the middle of nowhere.

When booking you get the option of adding extra insurance to reduce the “excess” you pay out of pocket should you have an accident. The only downsides: you have to return the camper from where you borrowed it, and owners can refuse your request based on your age or planned itinerary leaving the door open for discriminatory decisions. Fortunately there are loads of campers available, so you can take your pick.

Be realistic about how much space and comfort you need

Discuss what style of camper you want (and can afford) with your travel crew. Don’t forget to consider things like how you’ll manage if you don’t have showers, a camp kitchen, or toilets on board: you’ll need to budget to stay in places with facilities and (if you’re in for the long-haul time) to stop to do laundry occasionally. You also need to plan for disposing of your waste and storing things carefully overnight to ensure your campsite is not raided by local wildlife.

Living in a small space can be challenging, (especially if one of your party is not very good at putting things away), while long drives, heat, and discomfort, can all take their toll. Consider honestly whether an RV vacation is the right trip for you before you invest in buying or hiring a motor home for a long trip. You are not going to be napping with a view of the ocean every day and some days you’ll be on the road for long stretches – Australia is big.

Get breakdown cover and download useful apps before departure

As well as adequate travel insurance to cover your vehicle and any extras, it’s a good idea to join a road users’ association like the RACV or NMRA for roadside assistance in case of a breakdown.

There are also some excellent apps to help you on the road. Download them and make the most of them when you’ve got data (there are plenty of places in Australia without mobile signal).

• Wikicamps is good for free or low-cost campsites

• CamperMate includes free and paid campsites as well as facilities you will need

• Hipcamp directs you to secluded spots on private property where you can pay to camp for the night.

• Fuel Map Australia directs you to the nearest petrol stop (although current fuel prices are not reliable)

• The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) app is a must-have for local forecasts – and potential weather warnings.

Whether you’re going solo, with friends, or taking your family on a special bucket-list trip, it’s time to get planning.

Long the domain of savvy sailors and fly-in millionaires, the spectacular Grenadines also offer plenty for the independent traveler – you don’t need your own boat to fully explore the magnificent archipelago. Spanning the nations of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada, the Lesser Antilles region offers a wide variety of authentic Caribbean experiences where nature is never far from the spotlight.

What you should know before visiting the Grenadines

Comprising 32 islands and cays stretching between Saint Vincent and Grenada, the official language of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) is English; however, most residents also speak Vincentian Creole. You’ll often hear the English-based Creole in informal settings – influenced by French, Spanish, Portuguese and the languages of the Garifuna and West Africa. The multi-island Caribbean nation is known for its unspoiled natural beauty, luxury accommodations, and sailing and pirate history. Visitors also flock to the island chain for marine and wildlife encounters and outdoor wonders like the active La Soufrière Volcano. 

Throughout the region, there is no shortage of cultural activities across islands – from blues and gospel festivals to regattas and Carnival. Each island’s traditions and history are as lush as its landscape, making this the ideal destination for island hoppers and history buffs.

Most recently, the July 1, 2024, landfall of Category 4 Hurricane Beryl caused considerable devastation and infrastructural disruption to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, more so than any of the other Caribbean islands. While Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and its people remain in recovery, ports are open and islands are safe to explore.

Read on to discover which island in the Grenadines you should include in your trip.

Bequia 

Best for: Dining out

The most visited of the Grenadines and rightly so, beautiful Bequia is the quintessential slow-paced Caribbean island that really does have it all. Visitors can swim, dive or hike through dazzling natural beauty by day and then soak up the tropical atmosphere in the evening, sipping cocktails or tucking into a gourmet meal on a panoramic terrace.

Among its many draws are Princess Margaret Beach and Lower Bay, two wonderful stretches of sand backed by lush greenery, just a short hike from the capital Port Elizabeth.

As the second-largest island in the chain, Bequia offers plenty of attractions for nature lovers. There are good drift dives along the leeward side of the north of the island while the remote hilly north of the island affords ample opportunity for exploration; climb some of the imposing forested peaks for fine views of Saint Vincent and other Grenadine islands.

Bequia is an island that’s bound to entertain regardless of the time of year. The four-day Bequia Music Festival, one of the island’s most popular events, kicks off the year in January. A smaller-scale Carnival celebration takes place at the end of June, as part of the regional Vincy Mas, while Bequia Fisherman’s Day is the largest annual fishing event (held the Saturday after Vincy Mas). For a bit of holiday spirit during vacation, partake in the tradition of Nine Mornings – a local pre-Christmas activity where residents sing and celebrate throughout the island over the nine nights leading up to the holiday.

Getting there: Visiting Bequia is a breeze thanks to its efficient regular fast ferry service linking it with Kingstown on Saint Vincent Island. SVG Air has flights from the airport on the south of the island to Kingstown, Barbados and St Lucia.

Mustique 

Best for: Kicking back with rock stars

Mysterious Mustique, home to rock stars and the uber wealthy, is the island that fomented the image of the Grenadines as playground for the rich and famous.

The private island has some of the priciest accommodations in the region – if you have the bank balance, you can crash at the Balinese themed villa built by David Bowie. Mustique is also reported to be a longtime home of music and fashion icons like Mick Jagger and Tommy Hilfiger. But you don’t need to be rolling in it to visit – day trips on yachts from Bequia allow visitors to get a taste of Mustique’s manicured lawns and pure tropical perfection. Visitors can lie on pristine beaches and have a drink at the iconic Basil’s Bar overlooking the main harbor – you never know who might be at the next table.

Mustique Blues Festival, celebrating its 30th year in 2025, is a highlight of the island’s event calendar. This gathering of the world’s biggest blues acts typically occurs at the end of January and through February. Artsy travelers will enjoy aligning their visit with the annual Mustique Charitable Trust craft fair, where local vendors sell handmade beauty products, banana art, baskets, jewelry and other SVG-made keepsakes to add to your decor collection. Like other islands in the region, the shared traditions of Carnival, Nine Mornings and regatta culture are equally important in Mustique.

Getting there: There are no public ferry services to Mustique. Travelers can visit on a day sailing cruise from Bequia; a recommended boat is the elegant Caribbean schooner Friendship Rose. Visitors with accommodation can find regular flights from Barbados, Kingstown, Grenada and Saint Lucia with Mustique Airways.

Tobago Cays 

Best for: Snorkeling

Uninhabited and protected as a marine park, the gorgeous Tobago Cays are the highlight of any trip to the Grenadines. Surrounded by an impressive barrier reef, they offer some of the best snorkeling in all of the Caribbean with warm, shallow waters filled with hard corals that are alive with marine life, including a thriving population of marine turtles.

The beauty of the cays is no secret among travelers, but they rarely feel overrun thanks to their remote location and lack of development. A day trip here is a thoroughly relaxing experience with bouts of snorkeling, swimming and lazing on the sands interrupted only by freshly caught seafood meals.

Getting there: There is no public transportation to the Tobago Cays, but it’s possible to charter a small boat for a day trip from any one of the populated Grenadine islands; Mayreau is the cheapest departure point, followed by Union Island. To see the cays in style, book a sailing tour from Union Island on the pirate ship Scaramouche.

Mayreau 

Best for: Relaxing beaches, bar hopping

Tiny Mayreau may not have a hospital, school or any police, but the lack of development doesn’t stop the small population of locals from having a good time. Mayreau is famed locally for its hard partying. In fact, those that work on the boats swear that Mayreau’s weekly beer order far eclipses that of far larger neighbor Union Island.

Apart from bar hopping, there are plenty of other reasons to pay a visit. The island is part of the Tobago Cays Marine Park and has spectacular beaches. Long a secret amongst yachties in the know, Salt Whistle Bay on the northern tip of the island is one of the most perfect bays in the Grenadines: a full horseshoe-shaped crescent of brilliant white sand lined with coconut palms that looks almost too good to be true. It’s a fantastic place to swim.

The undeveloped nature of Mayreau means there are plenty of rarely visited smaller bays to discover, and the small size of the island means you’re never too far from home (or cold beers) once you tire of exploration.

Getting there: Some southern Grenadines ferry services, including the MV Barracuda, call at Mayreau on the Kingstown-Union Island run. Alternatively, a school boat runs between Clifton on Union Island and Mayreau every weekday morning and afternoon. There’s no airstrip on Mayreau.

Canouan 

Best for: Private beaches, snorkeling

A tale of two islands – Canouan is a peculiar place that, in some ways, shows the perils of tourism development. Once a normal Grenadine paradise, more than half of the island was sold off by the SVG government to private investors for a mega resort project, leaving local residents bunched up in the village on the southern reaches of the isle without access to some of Canouan’s loveliest spots. Of course if you’re staying in the resort, you will enjoy access to absolutely stunning beaches with first class snorkeling and zero crowds.

While many of the nicest beaches are within the resort boundaries, there is also fine snorkeling and some lovely sands to the south and east of the village of Charlestown, although infrastructure on the island is limited for independent visitors.

Held typically in May, the Canouan Regatta attracts visitors from around SVG for several days of boat races, family-friendly cultural activities, and sporting and dance competitions.  

Getting there: Canouan is accessible by ferry services running between Kingstown on Saint Vincent and Union Island with MV Barracuda. There are flights to Kingstown and Union Island – a five-minute hop over the channel – with SVG Air.

Union Island 

Best for: Kiteboarding, meeting locals

An outpost at the far southern end of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and across an international border, mountainous Union Island has traditionally been off the radar for many visitors but has recently been discovered by a new wave of adventurous independent travelers.

With a couple of laid-back villages and no major resorts, it’s one of the best islands for visitors to mix it up with locals. The main street in Clifton is lined with little cafes and restaurants, and it’s a fun place to relax in the evening after sun-soaked adventures.

As a true Grenadine, Union Island is not without its share of astonishing natural beauty. Big Sand on the west side of the island is a wonderful crescent of powdery white fronted by brilliant turquoise sea and framed by jungle covered bluffs. The waters to the east of the airport runway on the north side of the island offer some of the best kiteboarding in the archipelago.

Union Island is the home of a uniquely special Caribbean celebration, the Maroon Festival. Taking place on the full moon of May each year, the festival draws inspiration from the harvest rituals of enslaved West Africans, acknowledged today in the form of ancestral song, dance and drum rhythms passed down generationally. 

Getting there: Union Island is the last stop on the southern Grenadines ferry routes from Kingstown, and both the MV Gem Star and MV Barracuda spend the night here. The small local airport receives regular flights from Kingstown as well as less frequent services from Grenada, St Lucia and Barbados. Bookings can be made through SVG Air.

Carriacou 

Best for: Culture

Home to the Grenadines’ most vibrant Carnival as well as one of its leading music festivals, Carriacou is the archipelago’s largest island and also its most culture-focused. Sure, it has the requisite first-class beaches – Paradise Beach on the west side of the island very much lives up to its name, while secluded Anse La Roche is a delightful cove surrounded by bush with coral reefs just offshore – but there’s also plenty going on once the sun goes down.

Carnival in Carriacou is a raucous affair involving oil-covered bodies dancing in the street until the early hours. But Carriacou Carnival’s biggest claim to fame is the intriguing Pierrot or “Shakespeare Mas,” where pairs of costumed men recite verses from the bard and bash each other with sticks if they fluff their lines.

Other cultural showpieces include the Big Drum Dance – an ancestral dance performed on special occasions and accompanied by plenty of rum – and the Carriacou Maroon and String Band Music Festival, a full-on celebration of drumming, dancing and smoked foods.

Getting there: Carriacou is one of the easiest islands in the Grenadines to visit thanks to the regular fast ferry service run by Osprey Lines from St Georges on Grenada, which has good international air links.

Know before you go

While Saint Vincent and the Grenadine Islands are still in recovery mode from Hurricane Beryl, the islands remain open for tourism, depending largely on visa-exempt travelers from the US and United Kingdom as an economic source, especially in times of restoration. 

The unprecedented impact of the storm on this region of the West Indies has affected approximately 52% of the island’s population, although many of the resorts now operate as normal for guests. As resiliency projects continue to support each island’s recovery, the outlook for a full recovery is approximately two years, according to the Minister of Tourism for Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, the Honourable Carlos James.

All of Switzerland is crazily gorgeous, but Grindelwald takes this to a whole new level – it is eyes-on-stalks beautiful. All around colossal, near-4000m-high peaks (13,123ft) send your gaze and soul spiraling ever higher – the gnarly north face of Eiger of mountaineering legend and rope-breaking tragedy, the crown-like peak of Wetterhorn, the dagger-like summit of Schreckhorn. 

Whether seen in the alpenglow pink of a summer sunset, with piny scents and cowbells on the breeze, or under a fresh blanket of snow in winter, Grindelwald makes a spectacular base for tossing yourself into all the outdoor activities the Jungfrau Region of the Bernese Alps has to offer. Hiking, ziplining, skydiving, glacier swinging, mountain biking, skiing, sledding, snowshoeing – name your adventure, it’s right here. Read on for our first-time guide to getting around and making the most of one of Switzerland’s most charismatic, adventure-mad mountain towns.

When should I go to Grindelwald?

Grindelwald swings with the Alpine seasons. The winter season goes with the snow, with the town leaping to life roughly from December, when the first flakes start to fall, through to early April, when the first rays of spring sunshine kick off the big thaw. In May, October and November, the resort flicks into rest mode, with many hotels, restaurants and cable cars closing.

In winter, the town is a ready-made Christmas card, with skiers and boarders whizzing down slopes in the shadow of Eiger’s fearsome north face, cable cars winging you effortlessly up to glacier-capped heights, and a raft of low-key, family-geared activities – from moonlit snowshoeing and sledding to winter walking and cross-country skiing in snow-iced forests. Dodge school holiday times and Christmas for better deals. Crowd-pulling events include unmissables like the ice sculpting World Snow Festival in mid-January, and the crazy Velogemel World Championships in February.

Summer looks different, but just as lovely. Alpine meadows bloom and jangle with cowbells, family-run cheese dairies fling open their doors (great for picnics), and trails thread like veins up into the craggy surrounding peaks for knockout views of steep mountain faces and crevassed glaciers. You can whack on boots for high-elevation hikes, tackle a big climb in the company of a guide, or test your nerve on pretty much every Alpine pursuit imaginable, from zip-lining to mountain-biking and carting and canyoning. Street festivals, sunset cinema and July’s Eiger Ultra Trail race star on the events calendar.

If you like things more peaceful, September can be glorious. The biggest crowds have departed, room rates are plunging and early autumn can bring golden days for hiking and biking.

How much time should I spend in Grindelwald?

Why the rush? If you book a couple of nights in Grindelwald, you’ll wish you had the whole week or longer – we swear. Grindelwald makes a cracking springboard for diving deep into the sky-high Alps of the Jungfrau Region. Much of the focus here is on outdoor action, so be sure to build in the odd rest day for the chance to unwind and spend a some time just kicking back in an Alpine hut or wandering around the village.

With five days to hand, you can get a taste of all Grindelwald has to offer, hopping in a cable car to nearby peaks like 1387m (4550ft) Pfingstegg for zip-lining, bobsledding and hiking to the dramatic Glacier Gorge, and First for entrancing hikes to mountain lakes, zip-lining, and tearing downhill on a mountain cart or Trottibike scooter. Kleine Scheidegg (with its soul-stirring Eiger Trail), the family-friendly peak of Männlichen, and a once-in-a-lifetime ride up to Jungfraujoch should also be high on the agenda. Tag on an extra few days and there’s time to hike and ski in pretty-as-a-picture villages like Wengen and Mürren, and see mist-dashed waterfalls plunge over vertical cliff faces in Lauterbrunnen.

Is it easy to get in and around Grindelwald?

Frequent, efficient SBB trains speed from Zurich International Airport to Interlaken in just over two hours. The airport is well connected to other European destinations, served by airlines including easyJet, British Airways, Swiss and Lufthansa. From Geneva Airport, the journey to Interlaken takes three hours. Either way, the train ride is so scenic you’ll be glued to the window the entire way. From Interlaken Ost station, there are half-hourly trains to Grindelwald (the journey takes 35 minutes). Renting a car is pointless – public transport here is the way to go.

Getting around in Grindelwald is more than just about going from A to B – it’s part of the fun. The center is walkable and heart-racingly beautiful trails lead along the river, through forests and twist ever higher into the mountains in every direction. The network of trains, cable cars and funiculars makes zipping about a breeze and a pleasure, whether you want to visit Europe’s highest train station 3454m (11,332ft) Jungfraujoch on the tri-cable Eiger Express, hit slopes in the shadow of Eiger at Kleine Scheidegg, or go for a play on the adventure peak of First. Surrounding resorts like waterfall-splashed Lauterbrunnen, Wengen and pretty Mürren are easily doable as half-day or day trips.

Top things to do in Grindelwald 

Find an Alpine playground at First

If you only have time to tick off one peak in Grindelwald, make it 2184m (7165ft) First. Before launching yourself into all the activities up here, swoon over the dress-circle views of the Bernese Alps from the cliff-hugging First Cliff Walk, jutting into the void.

Now it’s all about getting back down the mountain in the most exhilarating ways possible. You can ping towards Eiger on the feet-first First Flyer and head-first First Glider zip lines. Then thunder downhill from Schreckfeld to Bort in a chunky mountain cart, with the Alps but a blur. In Bort, switch to a Trottibike scooter for the final speedy leg back down to Grindelwald. Or to give the crowds the slip, chuck your boots on for the two-hour, 6km (3.7-mile) return hike from the summit to Bachalpsee, a mountain-rimmed beauty of a lake that holds up a mirror to the 4078m (13,379ft) fang of Schreckhorn.

Hitch a ride on the Eiger Express to Jungfraujoch

You can’t help but gasp out loud in the Eiger Express. Grindelwald’s ultra-green, tri-cable gondola floats over pine, meadow and peak up to Eigergletscher station in just 15 minutes, getting so close to Eiger’s mile-high, glacier-encrusted north face you feel you’ll smash straight into it. From here, switch to the nostalgic Jungfrau Railway, the red train that has been trundling up to the summit of Europe’s highest station – Jungfraujoch – since 1912. At the top, a Narnia-like wintry scene unfolds, with astonishing views reaching across the 23km (14 mile) ripple of the Aletsch Glacier and a host of 4000m (13,123ft) peaks. Wander through the sparkling chambers of the Ice Palace, hacked out by mountaineers in the 1930s, or lose the crowds by stomping 45 minutes through the snow to the 3650m-high (11,975ft) Mönchsjochhütte for a warming bowl of goulash or cheese raclette.

Feel nature’s force in the Glacier Canyon

Wrap up warm as temperatures average just 10°C (50°F) even in the height of summer in the cool depths of Grindelwald’s Glacier Canyon. The Lower Grindelwald Glacier, which has long since retreated, carved out this dramatic gorge, where the raging waters of the Lütschine River crash past towering 300m-high (984ft), spectacularly lit rock walls veined with pink and green marble. A walkable, web-like net spanning the gorge allows you to spider across it for dizzying views. Or to ramp up the action further still, take a run and freefall jump from the 90m-high (295ft) platform of the Canyon Swing. Only for the brave…

Dash down Europe’s longest toboggan run

With a name like “Big Pintenfritz,” you might expect big things – this epic 15km (9-mile) sled run doesn’t disappoint. But you have to earn your thrills here, tiptoeing away from the crowds and hoofing it uphill as you haul your sled for a good two hours through the snow from First to the 2681m (8796ft) summit of Faulhorn. Now the fun begins as you pinball down the mountain all the way back down to Grindelwald, careering around icy bends and through snow-daubed forests, with wow-eliciting views of the Bernese Alps. Pause to warm your frozen fingers over a mug of glühwein (mulled wine) at Bergrestaurant Bussalp.

Take the kids up to Männlichen

A cable car lifts you from Grindelwald Grund to the 2343m-high (7687ft) peak of Männlichen in just 20 minutes. At the top, sensational views of the Jungfrau Alps crack open. This is a terrific mountain for families, with nature-focused activities including a huge Alpine playground with a giant cow and a treetop path. On the Lieselotte Trail, there are action stations where kids can test out an alphorn and glimpse marmots through binoculars. There’s superb hiking up here, too, with top billing going to the easy-going, one-and-a-half-hour, 4.5km (2.8-mile) Panorama Trail, which twists through flowery meadows to Kleine Scheidegg. The scenery is mind-blowing – towering cliffs, glinting glaciers and up-close views of the “Big Three:” Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau.

My favorite thing to do in Grindelwald

Rent out a Velogemel, a vintage wooden ski-sledge-bike hybrid that was invented by a Grindelwald carpenter in 1911 to make zipping around the Alps easy for everyone from doctors to postal workers. The Velogemel looks like absolute madness, but with a little patience – and the odd snowy tumble – it’s pretty simple to get the knack and go flying down the mountain, digging your heels in to break. It’s such a legend these days, it even has its own wacky world championships in February. I gave it a whirl at Kleine Scheidegg, but you could also take it up on the Eiger Run (for fabulous views) or the final 9km (5.6 miles) of “Big Pintenfritz” starting at Bussalp.

How much money do I need for Grindelwald

This is Switzerland – Grindelwald ain’t cheap. That said, if you’re prepared to forego luxury in favor of hostels (try the lodge-style Swiss Youth Hostel Grindelwald or the green-minded, nature-focused Naturfreundehaus), camping (try the riverside Gletscherdorf) and inexpensive hut meals or picnics, you can save plenty of francs. At the other end of the spectrum are posh spa and boutique hotels with front-row Eiger views and slick restaurants where tasting menus whisper of Michelin stars to come. Price wise, the sky’s the limit.

• Dorm room in a hostel: Sfr50–80 (US$58–93) 

• Double B&B in a boutique hotel: Sfr250–600 (US$289–694)

• Self-catering apartment per week: Sfr500–2500 (US$578–2891)

• Train ticket to Interlaken: Sfr10 (US$11.56)

• Jungfrau Ski Pass per day adult/child: Sfr79/38 (US$91/44)

• Heisse Schoggi (hot chocolate): Sfr6–8 (US$6.94–9.25)

• Cheese fondue at a mountain hut: Sfr30 (US$35)

• Five-course tasting menu at an upscale restaurant: Sfr135 (US$156)

Save on mountain transport

Transport is likely to be a hefty chunk out of your budget, so it’s well worth investing in a pass, such as the 3- to 8-day money-saving Jungfrau Travel Pass, offering unlimited travel on most mountain railways and cable cars. If you want Jungfraujoch included, opt for the Jungfrau Summer Pass or Jungfrau Winter Pass instead. For longer journeys beyond the region, the Swiss Travel Pass is really handy.

First things first – whittling down the best places in the world to snowboard is a difficult task. The fantastic interconnectivity of France’s Les Trois Vallées, for example, will always go down a storm with snowboarders keen to max out their mileage, while the ridiculously stunning tree runs you’ll find in places like Whistler Blackcomb will never fail to leave other resorts for dust when it comes to the fun factor. This is precisely why, as a former snowboard instructor who taught in Canada and spent winters working in ski hotels in Italy and France, I considered a range of factors, rooting out the resorts that have gone all-out to create snowboarder-friendly terrain, while offering a great range of accommodation. These spots also rank highly for having dedicated infrastructure that allows snowboarders to max out their time on the slopes, which might include squadrons of snow cannons to ensure an abundance of the white stuff or high-speed lifts that will whisk snowboarders to the top of the mountain for their next adrenaline fix.

With that in mind, if you’re looking for the best places in the world for snowboarding, here are the ski areas worthy of your winter radar.

1. Hokkaidō, Japan

Best for beautiful backdrops

Japan has an almost mythical status amongst both snowboarders and skiers. Not just because of its legendary ‘Japow’ (fine, dry powder snow that doesn’t clump or stick) but because of its aesthetic appeal. Hokkaidō, Japan’s second-largest island is where you’ll find some of its top resorts – places like Niseko, with its pristine, powder-covered slopes and snow-dusted pine trees. The resorts are a cut above when it comes to aesthetics too, whether it’s the recently opened Ritz-Carlton Higashiyama Niseko Village with its in-room onsens and views of Mt Niseko-Annupuri, or the temple-like Kasara Niseko Village Townhouses, filled with Japanese artwork. Take a tactical approach to timing when snowboarding in Japan, and consider avoiding later February, when the slopes fill with visitors celebrating the Lunar New Year. I recommend visiting in March when slopes are generally crowd-free and flights, lift passes and accommodations cost slightly less.

2. Les Trois Vallées, France

Best for freestyle fun

Les Trois Vallées, the world’s largest skiing and snowboarding area, is a high-altitude French paradise with a seriously high fun factor. It’s got seven resorts – the most famous of which are Méribel, Val Thorens and Courchevel. This spot is a magnet for snowboarders with a love of freestyle, thanks to the presence of a knee-jarring six snowparks and 37 fun zones. It’s also one of Europe’s most snow-sure resorts, which is a major advantage when flinging yourself off rails, kickers and tabletops (for the uninitiated, these are obstacles designed specifically for snowboarders). This is due to its altitude – its 595km (370 miles) of slopes are between 1100km (3608ft) and 3230m (10,600ft) above sea level, and 85% of the ski area is above 1800m (5900ft).

3. Kitzbüheler Alps, Austria

Best for beginners

Learning to snowboard is much easier when you’ve got a beautiful backdrop (as long as you can resist the temptation for a mid-slope selfie) and Austria’s Kitzbüheler Alps are breathtakingly beautiful, as well as a great spot for novices. The area has 20 towns and 900km (559 miles) of pistes, which means there’s plenty of room for beginners. One of my favorite resorts is St Johann in Tyrol, famous for its crowd-free, wide-open slopes. Additionally, a seven-day lift pass for the entire area costs just €319, which means less pressure to spend every waking hour on the slopes.

4. St Moritz, Switzerland

Best for luxury

Snowboarders with a weakness for the finer things in life will love St Moritz, the name of both an alpine town and a ski area, and one which has been a magnet for celebs – ranging from royals to rappers and everyone in between – for decades. This is a place with some of the swankiest ski hotels, such as Badrutt’s Palace with its army of butlers on hand to carry visitors’ snowboards and dole out hot chocolates (or something stronger), and where annual events include the SunIce Festival (often referred to as the Coachella of the Alps) and the Snow Polo World Cup. But don’t get it wrong – with 87 slopes located at between 1798m (5900ft) and 3292m (10,800ft) above sea level, the terrain is outstanding, and there’s a reason it’s hosted the Winter Olympics twice.

5. Paridiski, France

Best for families

France’s Paradiski region, which has 425km (264 miles) of perfectly maintained trails, has two of the world’s top resorts at its heart: La Plagne and Les Arcs, connected by the Vanoise Express, a double-decker cable car, which was the biggest, longest and fastest cable car in the world when it opened in 2003. The smaller villages that surround the larger resorts are great bases for families (one example is Peisey Nancroix, which is one of the prettiest and still has fast lift access to the main ski area), and discounted family lift passes mean snowboarding here doesn’t have to break the bank. There are numerous beginner areas in which nervous first-timers can hone their skills, too – La Plagne has six (served by dedicated lifts that are free to use) while each of Les Arcs’ six villages has its own dedicated beginners’ area. There’s also a fantastic range of off-piste activities, ranging from laser tag to bowling.

6. Whistler Blackcomb, Canada

Best for après-ski

Regarded by many snowboarders as the world’s best resort for off-piste fun, Whistler Blackcomb, which has 200 trails spread across 33 sq km (8171 acres), is a place where the fun doesn’t stop when the last lift grinds to a halt. This Canadian resort has everything from buzzing nightclubs (particularly Moe Joe’s, famous for its lively dance parties) and cocktail bars to cosy après-ski hangouts such as the Braidwood Tavern, where you can rest weary legs while sipping beers from local breweries (most of which offer brewery tours, incidentally). The liveliest spots include the Longhorn Saloon, at the base of Whistler Mountain. Anything goes here – be prepared to see plenty of dancing on the tables, and don’t be surprised when the bartender pulls out a champagne cannon to spray the crowd with fizz.

7. Espace Killy, France

Best for advanced snowboarders

Say hello to one of the world’s top ski regions, France’s Espace Killy – 299km (186 miles) of slopes, at a height of between 1548m (5080ft) and 3450m (11,318ft). Although there’s plenty for beginners and intermediates here, it’s a also magnet for daredevils who come to slash through the off-piste powder stashes of the Parc National de la Vanoise and test their freestyle skills in the snow parks (our favorite of which is the DC Park, which has chillout zones and free wifi for that all-important slopeside selfie). The biggest resorts are Tignes, where one of the most challenging runs is the 10km (6-mile) La Sache, which streaks from the top of the L’Aiguille Percée (meaning “the eye of the needle”), and Val d’Isère, where you can challenge yourself on the Face, a run which featured in the 1992 Winter Olympics, when Patrick Ortlieb took a mere two minutes to ski from top to bottom.

Beaches are usually packaged as sun, sea and sand, but visits to the coast don’t need to be limited to warm-weather days. Throw caution to the wind – quite literally – by embracing the dramatic dunes, impressive surf and rugged shores of these spectacular beaches that shine – even when the clouds come out.

Here’s our pick of the best beaches from around the world that are perfect in cold winter weather.

1. Kvalvika Beach, Lofoten Islands, Norway

Best remote beach

Arrive at Kvalvika Beach in the Lofoten Islands and you’ll feel like you’ve reached the end of the earth. But you’ll certainly have to put the work in to relish the feeling – this remote spot is only accessible via a 4km (2.5-mile) hike over 543m-high (1782ft) Ryten Mountain. Most astounding is the contrast of the sheer sea cliffs against the turquoise waters. You’ve walked miles, whipped by the elements, but after that first glimpse of ocean, you’d be forgiven for thinking you were in the tropics.

Several hikes circle the mountain and its peak, and it’s worth climbing for the view alone. You’ll pass occasional sheep grazing against a panoramic backdrop of cliffs that appear to slide into the icy Norwegian Sea. The trail can be wet and slippery, so make sure you’re kitted out correctly. Set up camp anywhere you fancy along the green grassy ridges, wait for the sun to go down and, if luck is on your side, catch a glimpse of the aurora borealis (northern lights) streaking across the night sky.

2. Charmouth Beach, Dorset, United Kingdom

Best for fossil hunters

While it may not be the warmest beach to visit in winter, fossil finders will be happy to forget about taking a dip and stay on shore. Located on England’s Jurassic Coast, Charmouth Beach is famous for its abundance of fossils. If you want to get in on the action, the side west of the river is the best spot to search for prehistoric relics. But remember to keep your fossicking to the stones and rocks on the foreshore – no digging into the cliff face.

3. Reynisfjara Beach, Vik, Iceland

Best beach with black sand

White-sand beaches are old news. When it comes to dramatic coastlines, the black basalt landscape at Reynisfjara wins hands down, any day. The beach can be accessed by foot from Iceland’s southernmost town, Vik, a 2½-hour drive from Reykjavík. Once there you can wander among some of the world’s most majestic and astonishing natural rock formations on jet-black sand.

Adding to the already ghostly atmosphere, Reynisfjara Beach comes with its own folk tale. Legend has it that trolls pulled a ship to land here but, in a stroke of bad luck, daylight turned them to stone in the form of imposing sea stacks.

On a happier note, the beach is also home to a puffin colony. There are viewing platforms, but you’re equally as likely to spot the birds nesting, flying or bobbing on the waves.

4. Plage de la Conche des Baleines, Île de Ré, France

Best beach for winter sunsets

This gorgeous and tiny island off France’s Atlantic coast is a picture-perfect vision of southern France, complete with whitewashed buildings, terracotta roofs and a relaxed atmosphere. In July and August, the place is packed and it’s hard to find somewhere to stay.

Luckily, combing the coastline for seashells is just as beautiful in winter as it is in summer – and far less busy. There are bikes for hire in the villages, which can see you winding along quiet cycle paths through pine groves on the edge of the sand. And, most importantly, the legendary sunsets are a spectacular sight all year round.

5. Inchydoney Beach, West Cork, Ireland

Best beach for rock pools

Ireland’s coastline is all about rugged rock formations, with relentless waves crashing upon jagged boulders and rocky outcrops provide the dramatic setting for world-renowned wonders like Skellig Michael and the Giant’s Causeway. But why not go against the grain, and discover the country’s equally breathtaking, and arguably more scenic, sandy stretches?

Looking out bravely toward the Atlantic, Inchydoney is a beach that Cork is proud of. The smooth, vast curve of sand on Inchydoney Island is connected to the land by two grassy causeways. Come here in autumn or winter for an umbrella-in-hand day out to explore rock pools with the family or, if you’re feeling brave, to surf.

Before you get completely soaked, you’ve got a well-stocked selection of pubs to take shelter in over at neighboring Clonakilty, including famed De Barra’s Folk Club, with hearty pints and local trad (traditional music) sessions to warm the cockles.

6. Hot Water Beach, Coromandel Peninsula, New Zealand

Best beach for natural hot pools

Okay, this one might be a sly addition. But Hot Water Beach, located on the far reaches of New Zealand’s paradisiacal Coromandel Peninsula, is one of the very few places where you can sink into natural hot pools in the sand even when it’s chilly. Geothermal activity means the water underneath is still warm even when it’s below 15ºC (59ºF) outside. While a free, homemade hot tub on the beach isn’t likely to be your little secret, the best part about this spot for cold-weather enthusiasts is that chillier days usually mean fewer crowds.

Don a swimsuit, bring a spade and dig yourself a personal hot pool in the sand. The water can reach around 60ºC (140ºF), so bear in mind that if you visit in winter your surrounding environs will seem much colder. Make sure you check the tide charts too – you won’t want the sea rushing in mid-spa, although it can be refreshing to feel the whip of cold air and ocean spray at a safe distance. Sink into your steaming hot tub and watch the powerful surf from afar.

7. Cannon Beach, Oregon, USA

Best beach for an atmospheric horseback ride

If you want moody and atmospheric, this is it. For a beach that sits on the US’s Pacific Coast, it sure does buck sun-kissed, palm-fringed expectations. The Beaver State’s Cannon Beach is home to Haystack Rock, a giant formation that sticks out like a sore thumb along a distinctly misty coastline. It’s an optimal choice for dog walking and reflective strolls as it does get chilly, even in the summer, so you’ll want to keep moving.

Want a dash of the Wild West with your waterfront wanderings? Throw in some adventure and saddle up. There’s no better way to experience the Oregon coastline than on horseback, and nearby riding schools offer both daytime and sunset rides. The town of Cannon Beach itself is as charming as can be, and large chains have been prevented from opening here to preserve its quaintness.

8. Cox Bay Beach, Tofino, Canada

Best beach during stormy weather

You won’t have to look far to find the ideal cold-weather beach in Tofino, a small westerly town on Vancouver Island. The stormy weather here is a genuine tourist attraction – a favorite pastime in Tofino is storm watching. So which beach is best for the thunder-hungry visitor? Chesterman might be Tofino’s most popular, but Cox Bay will cater to your windy and wild beach needs.

With panoramic views of the stormy Pacific Ocean and driftwood dotting the white sands, a stroll down Cox Bay takes you along a picturesque, forest-adjacent boardwalk. It’s also a great spot for fairly experienced surfers – when the waves surrounding Tofino are big, you’ll find them even bigger at Cox Bay.

During a “storm watch period,” hole up in one of the storm-proof hotels and restaurants, such as Long Beach Lodge or Cox Bay Beach Resort, that line the shorefront. Keep warm and catch lightning shows from your window, or witness those surfing the huge swells from a hot tub overlooking the beach.

Sensational Sydney has enough appeal to make even the most hardened visitor consider a one-way move.

And that comes before you learn that the New South Wales capital’s surrounding region brims breathtaking natural beauty, Aboriginal and colonial history, and plenty of domestic critters to spot.

In short, this city and its environs have it all.

The Blue Mountains draw walkers with epic, bush-clad vistas and prehistoric forests in hidden valleys. The Hawkesbury River region and the Royal National Park both offer spectacular walking with water views. The Central Coast stretches north with uncrowded surf beaches and inlets rich with sea birds. And the Hunter Valley is blessed with leafy country roads dotted with producers of fine wine, chocolates and cheese.

Some of the richest experiences in all of Australia, these are the best day trips from Sydney.

1. See Aboriginal rock art and birdlife in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park

Travel time: 1 hour by car, 2 hours by bus

The majestic Hawkesbury River flows to the ocean past honeycomb-colored cliffs and historic townships, and into quiet bays and inlets. Along its course, it passes through a series of national parks, including the spectacular Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. Preserved since 1894, the park takes its name from its original inhabitants, the Guringai people. Remnants of pre-colonial Aboriginal life are visible today thanks to the preservation of more than 800 sites, including rock paintings, middens and cave art.

For information about Ku-ring-gai and walks in the area stop by the NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service information center at Bobbin Head (accessible by car). There’s also a marina, picnic areas, a cafe and a boardwalk leading through mangroves here.

Further inland, t​he riverside hamlet of Wisemans Ferry (yes, that’s the town’s name) spills over a bow of the Hawkesbury River. It’s another perfect spot to access the Hawkesbury, and its rich ecosystem of with bird life including kookaburras and sea eagles.

The surrounding area retains remnants of the convict-built Great North Road, originally constructed to link Sydney with the Hunter Valley and now part of UNESCO’s Australian Convict Sites World Heritage listing. As well as walks, consider booking a boat tour or hiring a kayak to get out on the river. Even better, if you have the time: do as Sydney locals do and stay longer on a houseboat.

How to get to Hawkesbury River from Sydney:

Take the train from Central Station to Hawkesbury River Station to explore the river by boat. Buses also run from central Sydney’s Wynyard to Mona Vale and then on to ​​Church Point, where you can get a ferry across to the park.

2. Savor the finer things in life around the Hunter Valley

Travel time: a full-day roundtrip by car or coach tour

While picturesque roads crisscross this verdant valley, a country drive isn’t the main reason to visit. Over two hours by car from Sydney, the Hunter Valley is famous as Australia’s oldest wine region, with some vines dating from the 1860s. It’s the perfect spot for anyone who appreciates fine wine, gourmet restaurants, boutique beer, chocolate, cheese, olives…you name it. It’s also a beautiful spot to go hot-air ballooning while in Australia.

You’ll probably recognize some of Australia’s biggest names in new-world wines, especially for sémillon, shiraz and chardonnay. The valley’s 150-plus wineries range from small-scale, family-run affairs to massive commercial operations – so let your nose guide you. Most offer cellar door tastings either free or for a small fee. You can get a copy of the free touring map from the Hunter Valley visitor center and use it to seek out the tucked-away small producers.

If no one’s volunteering to be the designated driver, you can book one of many guided coach tours, which range from minibuses that just do basic hop-on-hop-off transport between wineries to full-on gourmet extravaganzas, some on bicycle, horseback or in a chauffeured classic car.

How to get to the Hunter Valley from Sydney:

If driving, take the M1 Pacific Motorway north from Sydney to Newcastle, where the Hunter Expressway will lead you into the valley.

3. Hike rainforests, cliffs and waterfalls in the Blue Mountains

Travel time: 1½ hours by car, 2 hours by train

The cool blue haze that gives the World Heritage–listed Blue Mountains their name comes from a fine mist of oil exuded by huge eucalyptus trees. The mountains are protected by eight connected conservation areas that rise as high as 1100m (3609ft), with lush rainforests and epic waterfalls that can be explored on well-marked hikes of varying lengths.

Trees form a dense canopy across a landscape of deep, and sometimes inaccessible, valleys and chiseled sandstone outcrops. In fact, some valleys are so hard to reach, a species of tree once considered extinct, the Wollemi pine, was rediscovered in a valley here in 1994.

The three most popular walking areas for day trippers are the Jamison Valley, south of Katoomba, the Grose Valley, north of Blackheath, and the Wentworth Falls area. Some top choices include the Giant Stairway and the Grand Canyon Walk, but check the NSW National Parks site for track conditions and closures. Note that these ravines can be surprisingly cool throughout the year, so bring a warm layer.

These are the homelands of six Aboriginal groups – the Darug, Gundungurra, Wiradjuri, Wanaruah, Darkinjung and Tharawal – and you can gain insights into the mountains’ importance to their traditional Aboriginal custodians by taking a guided walk such as the Buuynal Tour at Scenic World. You’ll see one of the best showcases of Aboriginal rock art in the region at Red Hand Caves near Glenbook.

How to get to the Blue Mountains from Sydney:

Hourly trains to Katoomba take two hours from Sydney’s Central Station. You start your walk through the forest right from here, or catch the Blue Mountains Explorer Bus to tour the region, with options ranging from one-hour tours to all-day hop-on-hop-off tickets to see it all.

4. Get hiking, canoeing and photographing in the Royal National Park

Travel time: 1 hour by car, 2 hours via train and ferry

To Sydney’s south, the Royal National Park protects 15,091 hectares (37,290 acres) over a 32km (20-mile) stretch of beautiful coast. Constituted in 1879, it is also one of the world’s oldest national parks. As well as secluded beaches, sea cliffs, heathlands and forest, the park protects a cornucopia of Australian animals including wallabies, lyrebirds and raucous flocks of yellow-tailed black cockatoos.

At the junction of Kangaroo Creek and the Hacking River, Audley is home to the main visitor center and is the perfect place to pick up park maps, enjoy a picnic or hire a canoe to get out on the river. There are a number of walks to tackle in the park – especially the fabulous 26km (16-mile) Coast Track – but unless you’re Usain Bolt, you will only have time to complete one of the shorter marked trails on a day trip.

The park is also home to the Insta-famous Figure Eight Pools, a series of tidal pools that are indeed shaped like the number “8,” near Burning Palms Beach. Only visible and safe to visit at low tide, the pools can be reached via a two-hour hike to the rock shelf. Check tide times and conditions before heading out, as waves can (and do!) wipe out visitors, causing major injuries. Check the National Park website for details.

How to get to the Royal National Park from Sydney:

The easiest way to visit is by car; an entry fee of $12 (US$7.75) per vehicle per day applies. If you’re counting on public transport, take the train from Sydney’s Central Station to Cronulla (45–60 minutes), from where Cronulla Ferries travel hourly to Bundeena (45 mins).

5. Discover secret beaches and forests along the Central Coast

Travel time: a full-day roundtrip by car

Running between Sydney and Newcastle, the Central Coast includes some gorgeous beaches, swathes of national park and a series of inlets and saltwater lagoons. Closer to Sydney, the southern end of the Central Coast near Ettalong can be accessed by ferry from Sydney’s Palm Beach. On the north side of the mouth of the Hawkesbury are enticing Killcare Beach, Pearl Beach and Bouddi National Park.

Beyond this point, you’ll need a car – and you’ll be glad to have one, thanks to all the epic spots for stopping off on the ride north, including the pelican-packed town of The Entrance and deep, placid Lake Macquarie. Popular beaches to take a dip along the way include Avoca or Terrigal.

Newcastle is blessed with an eclectic mix of historic architecture, as well as a much-loved beach and ocean baths. South of Newcastle Beach and below King Edward Park is Australia’s oldest ocean bath, the convict-carved Bogey Hole. It’s an atmospheric place to splash about in when the surf’s crashing over its edge. The most popular surfing breaks are at Bar Beach and Merewether Beach, two ends of the same beach a bit further south. Merewether has huge ocean baths of its own.

How to get to the Central Coast from Sydney:

If driving, take the M1 Pacific Motorway north toward Newcastle from Sydney; the Gosford exit will take you to the road along the coast.

Adrenaline-pumping activities, pristine beaches, untamed forests, show-stopping wildlife and a culture of welcoming visitors all serve to make Costa Rica an irresistible destination for adventurous travelers.

In 2019, Costa Rica received the Champions of the Earth award, the United Nation’s highest environmental honor – high praise indeed!

You’ll hear the term “pura vida” – literally, “pure life” – everywhere you go in Costa Rica. More than just a phrase, it’s a philosophy of living in the moment, finding joy in simple things and respecting nature. Most visitors quickly fall in love with the Ticos’ unhurried way of life.

But how safe is travel in Costa Rica, what do you need to pack and what do you need to know about the local etiquette? Here’s our guide to the most important things you need to know before you go.

1. How much time do I need in Costa Rica?

You could stay for weeks in Costa Rica without running out of things to do, but you can also squeeze a lot into a week if time is short. If you’re traveling to this accessible corner of Central America from the US, you can enjoy even shorter trips, perhaps even a long weekend.

But remember, although the country appears to be small, getting around will take longer than you think.

If you’re short of time and looking for memorable outdoor adventures, head to either La Fortuna and the Arenal volcano, or the dense forests of Monteverde. If you’re craving a beach break, fly into Liberia – close to the beaches lining the Pacific Coast – rather than San José.

On the Pacific shore, you can combine surf and jungle adventures in as little as a week; if you have longer, go off-the-beaten track on the biodiverse Osa Peninsula or explore the wild beaches along the Caribbean coast.

2. Costa Rica has two seasons but pack for four

Officially, Costa Rica has two seasons. The dry season runs from December to March – the driest and hottest month, when the temperature hovers around 35°C (95°F). The rainy season runs from May through to November, with September and October being the wettest months.

But the country has a multitude of microclimates. Rainforest trails tend to be hot and steamy, but it can get chilly when you enter Costa Rica’s lofty cloud forests.

Alongside T-shirts, shorts and flip-flops, pack a raincoat and a fleece or warm jacket, waterproof hiking boots, closed-toe hiking sandals, a rash guard and lightweight, quick-dry clothing.

Rain can arrive without warning so bring a dry bag or other waterproof gear to protect your valuables. Don’t forget high-factor, water-resistant sunscreen and bug spray; both will be cheaper at home.

3. Plan ahead if you’re traveling at peak times

Book your accommodation well in advance if you plan to visit Costa Rica at peak times such as Christmas, New Year, Easter or the US spring break. Prices also rise during major festivals and events, and high-end restaurants and popular tours should be booked ahead of time.

4. Carry a mix of cards and cash

The colón is Costa Rica’s official currency, but US dollars are widely accepted. Carry a mix of both, with a stash of small bills for tipping, taxis, small shops and local restaurants. You can pay for everything else with credit and debit cards.

5. To tip or not to tip?

Tipping is optional in Costa Rica but a tip is much appreciated by hard-working guides and drivers. Aim for around 10% of the tour price, or more if the service is exceptional. Restaurants are required to add a 10% service tax to your bill as well as a 13% sales tax, but top it up if you feel your server went the extra mile.

6. Do I need to speak the lingo?

English is widely spoken in Costa Rica, but a little Spanish goes a long way. Rolling out a few polite phrases will be met by big smiles from locals. Add the phrases buenos días (good morning), por favor (please) and gracias (thank you) to your lexicon.

Another useful Ticos phrase is pura vida, which can be used to say everything from “hello” and “goodbye” to “what’s up?” or “that’s great.”

7. Respect the flora and fauna

Costa Rica is famed for its dazzling biodiversity. This small Central American nation is home to an estimated 5% of the world’s plant and animal species, with around 28% of its landmass under protection.

Locals take conservation seriously; Costa Rica generates 99% of its electricity from renewables and aims to be carbon neutral by 2050.

To play your part, choose lodgings with sustainable practices (look out for the Certification of Sustainable Tourism), travel with ethical tour guides and eat local. Always keep your distance from wild animals – use a zoom lens or binoculars to see wildlife up close.

Costa Rica was the first country to launch a #stopanimalselfies campaign, so decline offers of photo opportunities with animals. And national parks have banned single-use plastics, so carry a reusable water bottle.

8. Is Costa Rica safe?

Costa Rica is generally safe, although petty crime does occur. Take the usual precautions and don’t flash expensive possessions.

Avoid carrying all your credit cards together in one place, and if you need an ATM, try to use one inside a bank during the daytime. Foreign visitors are asked to carry their passports at all times but the police will usually accept a photocopy.

Watch out for pickpockets in busy areas, such as bus stations and markets, and keep an eye on your belongings on buses and beaches. Steer clear of poorly lit streets and avoid wandering around dodgy neighborhoods alone after dark – seek local advice on spots to avoid.

If you visit bars and clubs, don’t leave your drink unattended, as there have been reports of spiking. In case of emergency, call 911.

9. Don’t climb Arenal Volcano

Up until 2010, Volcán Arenal’s lava pyrotechnics thrilled onlookers. Now in a resting phase, its picture-perfect cone may look ready for climbing, but resist the temptation unless you’re a permit-carrying volcanologist – it’s illegal and could get you fined.

Instead, you can crunch over its lava-covered lower slopes on a variety of hiking trails or get active in the surrounding national park. Make time for mountain biking, horseback riding, rappelling and ziplining, or kayaking and windsurfing on nearby Lake Arenal, then relax in the region’s natural hot springs.

10. Keep healthy and avoid bug bites

Costa Rica’s healthcare system is ranked among the best in the world (according to the United Nations and the World Health Organisation), but you’ll have to pay for treatment, so it’s always wise to take out travel insurance with cover for medical care.

Malaria is rare but local mosquitoes can carry other nasty diseases such as dengue and Zika, particularly in low-lying urban areas and along the coast. The best way to avoid bug bites is to use insect repellent containing at least 20% DEET (diethyltoluamide), covering up bare skin, particularly in the evenings.

11. Stay safe in the surf

Costa Rica is a great place to surf, with cool surf camps and year-round rollers along the Pacific Coast. Playa Hermosa on the Nicoya Peninsula was declared Central America’s first World Surfing Reserve in 2022.

However, rip currents are common and you won’t always find lifeguards around, so look out for warning flags – a red flag indicates a danger zone, black means stay out of the water.

Don’t swim or surf alone. If a current starts to drag you out to sea, try to keep calm, shout for help, and swim parallel to the shore until you escape the current. And always check that rivers and lagoons are crocodile-free before diving in.

12. Be careful on the roads

Self-driving a hire car in Costa Rica offers the freedom to travel at your own pace, but there are a few things to consider. Most rental agencies require drivers to have comprehensive insurance in addition to purchasing mandatory liability insurance.

A 4WD is a must if you’re planning to tackle dirt roads; always check the vehicle’s condition and ensure it has all the necessary safety equipment, including a functional spare tire.

On the road, drive slowly and defensively. In case of a breakdown, call the rental company or 911; it can be risky to accept unsolicited help from strangers.

Never leave valuables unattended in your car, and try to use public parking lots with surveillance. Road trips always take longer than you think, so plan your journey ahead to avoid driving after dark.

13. Tap water is usually safe

With Costa Rica’s heat and humidity, it’s important to stay hydrated, especially if you’re doing anything active.

Tap water is normally safe to drink but if you’re going to remote rural areas or you’d rather not take the risk, save the environment (and some money) by investing in a water filter bottle such as the LifeStraw Go.

Natural wonders appear everywhere you turn in Vietnam. If you take an atmospheric ride on one of Vietnam’s long-distance trains – the Reunification Express, perhaps, linking Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) – you’ll witness an endless patchwork of almost impossibly green rice paddy fields, broken up by sand-lined bays and highlands cloaked in dense forest.

Then there are the coastal karst islands of Halong Bay, Lan Ha Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay – a vision of ethereal beauty, whether viewed from a cruising junk or a bobbing kayak. At Mui Ne in the deep south, you can wonder at a Sahara-esque landscape of wind-sculpted dunes from the basket of a hot-air balloon. In the stupendous karst mountains of the far north, bewitching natural landscapes unfold around every corner.

To help you build a trip around bounteous nature, here are our favorite natural wonders in Vietnam.

1. Halong Bay

Best for coastal views

With its stunning combination of karst limestone islands and sheltered, shimmering seas, it’s no surprise that Halong Bay is one of Vietnam’s top tourist draws. But with more than 2000 greenery-capped limestone islands to explore, there’s plenty of superb scenery to go around.

To maximize the gazing time, book an overnight cruise around the bay and make your own special moments in this World Heritage-listed natural wonder. Rise early for an ethereal misty dawn, or pilot a kayak into the mouths of flooded grottoes and across secret lagoons.

Detour: If you’re hankering for more karst action, move on to less touristy but equally spectacular Lan Ha Bay. Most tourists visit on a one-night cruise, but if you can, consider a longer 2- or 3-night trip to see more of the islands, with more time for kayaking, hiking and swimming.

2. Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park

Best for underground adventures

With jagged highlands shrouded in rainforest, and mountain rivers coursing through impressive ravines, Phong Nha-Ke Bang is one of Vietnam’s most spectacular national parks. Head underground for even more proof that this wonderful natural area belongs on any Vietnamese itinerary. We’ve given legendary Hang Son Doong its own entry later in our list, but the world’s largest cave is just the showpiece of a national park that is worm-holed with caverns.

Amongst the more accessible caves at Phong Nha-Ke Bang are Hang Toi (Dark Cave), an atmospheric hub for ziplining and kayaking, and aptly named Paradise Cave, an other-worldly beauty filled with giant stalactites and stalagmites.

Planning Tip: The easiest way to explore Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park is on organized tours from the town of Son Trach, but note that many caves are closed during the wet season from mid-September to late November or early December.

3. Hang Son Doong

Best for journeys to another world

Hidden away in the jungles of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, Hang Son Doong (Mountain River Cave) is believed to be the world’s largest cave, and it’s one of the most spectacular – and exclusive – sights in Southeast Asia. Public access was only approved by the government in 2013, and entry is only permitted to controlled numbers of people on organized tours.

This monster cavern was discovered surprisingly recently, by Ho Khanh, a hunter from a jungle settlement close to the Vietnam–Laos border. He stumbled across the gargantuan Hang Son Doong cavern in the early 1990s while seeking shelter in his mountain homeland, but the sheer scale of the cavern was only confirmed when British explorers returned with him in 2009.

Visiting Hang Son Doong is expensive but truly spectacular. The majestic principal cavern is more than 5km (3.1 miles) long, and the roof is 200m (656ft) high in places, reaching a maximum width of 150m (492ft). Expeditions involve days of trekking and overnight stops at campsites inside the caverns.

Planning Tip: All trips to Hang Son Doong must be organized through the tour agency Oxalis, with bookings opening up two years in advance, and spaces selling out quickly.

4. The Tonkinese Alps

Best for mountain views and tumbling rice terraces

The spectacular Tonkinese Alps (Hoang Lien Mountains) soar skywards along the rugged, uncompromising northwest fringes of Vietnam, taking their name from the old French term for this corner of Southeast Asia. The dramatic range includes 3147m (10,325ft) Fansipan, Vietnam’s highest peak, which can be climbed on a challenging day hike from the gateway town of Sapa.

There’s more to see here than glorious mountains. From sinuous and spidery ridges, spectacular rice terraces cascade down into river valleys that provide a home for Vietnamese ethnic minority groups such as the Hmong, Red Dzao and Giay peoples.

5. Phu Quoc

Best for beach lovers

Lapped by azure waters and hemmed by the kind of white-sand beaches that make sunseekers sink to their knees in praise, Phu Quoc is Vietnam’s most beautiful island escape. This paradisiacal getaway is way down in the south of Vietnam, but you can fly here directly from cities across Southeast Asia, and visitors are free to stay visa-free for up to 30 days. 

The island is perfect for a hassle-free beach break – imagine days on the sand, then reaching for a seaside cocktail as a blood-orange sun dips into a vivid blue sea. In addition to beautiful beaches, more than 70% of the island is preserved as a leafy national park, full of wildlife such as macaque and langur monkeys and slow lorises, and dotted with quiet coves where you can kayak or scuba dive.

With picture-perfect white sand, the delightful curve of beautiful Sao
Beach follows a blue bay of mineral-water clarity just a few
miles from An Thoi,
the main shipping port at the southern tip of Phu Quoc. There are a
couple of beachfront restaurants where you can settle into a deckchair,
change into bathers or try some of the water sports on offer.

Planning Tip: If you want to get away from the crowds, rent a bike, motorcycle or scooter and hit the red-dirt roads. The island is relatively compact, around the size of Singapore, but you’ll need an international driving permit to rent a motorcycle or scooter.

6. Ban Gioc Waterfall

Best for observing the power of nature

Tucked against the Chinese border in the far north of the country, churning Ban Gioc is one of Vietnam’s best-known waterfalls, and in photo form, it adorns the lobby of many a budget Vietnamese guesthouse. Fed by the Quay Son River, which marks the border with China, the falls reach their full force during the wet season, but the best time to visit is during the rice harvest season in September and October, when the surrounding rice fields turn a warm gold color.

Aim to visit around lunchtime when the dam upstream is opened, allowing the cascade to run at full flow. Boat owners can punt you to the cascades on bamboo rafts for a small fee, bringing you close enough to the waterfall to feel the spray on your face.

Planning Tip: The falls span two countries, and each side has its own boat operators – those on the Vietnamese side have blue canopies; on the Chinese side, canopies are green.

7. Thuy Son

Best for combining nature and culture

Thuy Son is the largest and most famous of the five Marble Mountains, topped by scenic pagodas and pockmarked by natural caves that were converted into Hindu and Buddhist sanctuaries from the 17th century onwards. Sitting outside Danang, these mountains have been a hub for marble carvers for centuries, and carving workshops ring their bases (today, masons use marble imported from China).

Of the two paths heading up Thuy Son mountain, the one closer to the beach (at the end of the village) makes for a better circuit. At the top of the staircase is a gate, Ong Chon, which is pockmarked with bullet holes from the American War, leading to Linh Ong Pagoda – a delightful jumble of religious architecture, statues and greenery.

8. Ba Be National Park

Best for escaping the crowds

Detour off the regular Vietnam tourist trail in Ba Be National Park, an essential stop for adventurous travelers, with towering limestone mountains, plunging valleys, silent waterways and evergreen forests. Waterfalls, cave systems and lakes combine in a landscape that sustains more than 550 different plant species and hundreds of different species of birds and animals. 

Arriving at Ba Be from Hanoi on an organized tour by chartered car – or independently using a series of connecting buses – you can explore Ba Be’s spectacular natural landscapes by boat or on trekking and mountain-biking excursions, before relaxing and recharging in rustic homestays and village guesthouses run by people from the local Tay ethnic minority.

9. Mui Ne Sand Dunes

Best for shifting sands

Accessible by open-tour bus from Ho Chi Minh City, Mui Ne is famous for its enormous red and white sand dunes, created by the action of wind over thousands of years. It’s a remarkable landscape to discover amid the lush greenery of southern Vietnam. The smaller red dunes, or doi hong, are conveniently located north of the main village strip, but the more impressive white dunes, or doi cat trang, are 24km (15 miles) northeast. 

Near-constant oceanic winds have sculpted the pale-yellow sands into wonderful Saharaesque formations, but as this is Vietnam not deepest Mali, don’t expect to enjoy the scenery in silence. While the landscapes are dramatic, tours are big business and the dunes see plenty of quad bikes and dune buggies, and youngsters enthusiastically encourage visitors to hire plastic sleds to ride down the dunes.

Planning Tip: To get the best from this surprising landscape, consider taking a hot air balloon ride, which will lift you up above the dunes at sunrise.

From artifact-filled quarries and historic shipwrecks planted in the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea to thrilling shark encounters in the Pacific, you don’t have to leave the USA to experience a diverse and vibrant underwater world. 

There are endless dive sites in the USA that are suitable for everyone, from beginner divers to experienced pros, exploring everything from warm tropical oceans to cold water lakes. And American dive shops can help you learn to dive on courses certified by PADI, the Professional Association of Diving Instructors – the most recognized dive training system worldwide.

Whether you are just starting out as a diver or have hundreds of dives under your belt, here are six of the best US dive sites to put on your must-dive list.

1. Molokini Crater, Maui, Hawaii

What to expect: Home to a multitude of sharks, eels and manta rays, the Molokini Crater off the island of Maui in Hawaii is a partially submerged volcanic caldera, celebrated for its clear visibility and diverse coral landscapes full of cauliflower and tube corals. Dives range from shallow reef dives inside the crater to the “back wall” – a popular place for drift and wall dives at around 80ft, visited by gray, white and blacktip reef sharks.

What to know: Early morning dives typically provide optimal visibility at the crater. You can dive year-round as the water temperature rarely drops below 75°F.

How to make it happen: Dive Wailea and Ali‘i Nui Sailing Charters offer rental gear, certification courses and guided scuba tours. Visitors can combine a dive at Molokini with an excursion aboard the newly built Ali‘i Kai Catamaran – sunset dinner cruises feature gourmet Pacific Rim cuisine and a top-shelf open bar.

2. Burlington Bay Horse Ferry, Burlington, Vermont

What to expect: Powered by a horse-operated treadmill, horse ferries were a common mode of transport in the 19th century for crossing rivers and lakes. Vermont’s Lake Champlain, the ninth largest freshwater lake in the United States, hides the wreck of one of these historic horse ferries – today a thrilling dive site.

Dating back to the first half of the 19th century, this time-worn wooden vessel is 63ft long and 23ft wide and sits at a depth of 50ft. The lake’s cool waters have preserved many features – look for the remnants of the paddle wheels’ iron hubs and oak spokes. Post-dive, you can learn more about the lake’s wrecks at the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum in Ferrisburgh.

What to know: Drysuit diving is recommended, as the water temperature ranges from around 40°F to a high of just over 70°F in the summer. Visibility ranges from 10ft to 30ft, and the dive season runs from May to October.

How to Make it Happen: Burlington’s Waterfront Diving Center is the best place to start your diving experience in Lake Champlain; established in 1988, the center rents, repairs and sells diving and swimming gear and runs regular dive trips on Lake Champlain between June and October.

3. USS Oriskany, Pensacola, Florida

What to expect: Formerly part of the US Navy, the 44,000 ton, 911ft-long aircraft carrier USS Oriskany was sunk off of Pensacola in Florida in 2006 to create an artificial reef for marine life. The “Great Carrier Reef” is the largest artificial reef in US coastal waters, and it’s a bucket list dive for history buffs and nature lovers alike.

Sitting between 84ft and 212ft, the wreck is in impressive condition. Divers can explore the conning tower, gun turrets, the bridge and even the ship’s bell while getting close to marine life such as goliath groupers, sea turtles, parrotfish and lobsters.

What to know: You’ll need at least a PADI Advanced Open Water Diver certification for this dive, as the top of the ship’s tower sits at 84ft. More experienced divers can venture deeper and explore the bottom of the ship at 212ft. If you are prone to seasickness, take medication before starting the boat trip, as the ship sits 22 miles off the coast of Pensacola.

How to make it happen: Rent a full set of dive gear at DivePros; if you are Nitrox-certified, they can provide oxygen-enriched air tanks, allowing for longer dives. Book an early morning dive trip to the Oriskany with Niuhi Dive Charters in Pensacola, a charter company that specializes in recreational and technical diving trips.

4. Pennyroyal Scuba Center, Hopkinsville, Kentucky

What to expect: Whether you’re a beginner diver or an expert, the Pennyroyal Scuba Center in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, is a place to dive and interact with more than 35 fun manmade artifacts that have been submerged in the clear waters of a 22-acre rock quarry. 

In these shallow waters, you can dive with such surprising items as a phone booth, a basketball net, a skeleton dressed as a pirate, and a fire truck from 1941, as well as various sunken treasures. Visibility in this limestone quarry often exceeds 25ft, and depending on your location, you may spot trees growing underwater.

What to know: In the summer months, a wetsuit is sufficient to explore the quarry, but if you decide to visit in the winter, a drysuit is necessary. Training dives descend to 20ft; more advanced divers can explore beyond 115ft.

How to make it happen: Most divers explore the Pennyroyal Scuba Center on dive courses, from PADI Open Water Diver training to more advanced technical courses. You can rent a full set of dive gear from their on-site shop.

5. Nellie’s Cove, Port Orford Heads State Park, Oregon

What to expect: Alive with harbor seals, rockfish, prickly sea urchins and passing gray whales in the summer months, the southern coast of Oregon calls out to cold water divers. A short boat ride from Port Orford, Nellie’s Cove at Port Orford Heads State Park is the place to slip into a beautiful underwater world, with dark green sea kelp creating ethereal shadows below the surface.

You can witness the sustainability efforts of the local community firsthand on a dive at Nellie’s Cove. The Oregon Kelp Alliance (ORKA) has been working hard to preserve the region’s kelp forests, which are vital to a healthy underwater ecosystem.

What to know: It’s best to get certified as a PADI Dry Suit Diver before attempting this cold water dive as temperatures hover between 48°F and 52°F throughout the year.   

How to make it happen: Operating out of Port Orford, South Coast Tours is a charter boat company that runs trips around southern Oregon, and they take parties of up to six divers out on dives. Engage the services of a local dive guide from Eugene Skin Divers based in Eugene or Coral Sea Scuba and Water Sports at Grants Pass.

6. St Peter Shipwreck, Lake Ontario, New York

What to expect: Designated in June 2024, the Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary in upstate New York is home to numerous shipwrecks, many dating back more than 200 years to the days when the lake was busy with steamships and schooners.

One of the most popular wrecks here is the St Peter – a three-masted schooner that sank in 1898 while carrying a cargo of coal. Divers can explore the ship’s masts and bows, encountering freshwater aquatic life such as bass, trout and perch. Back on land, check out one of the ship’s anchors on display at the Hughes Marina & Campground.

What to know: The best months to dive in the Sanctuary are May, June and October – you’ll avoid algal blooms and enjoy the best water clarity. The St Peter is an advanced dive, reaching depths up to 125ft. The water temperature at the bottom ranges from 35°F to 45°F depending on the time of year, and visibility can reach 100ft in good conditions.

How to make it happen: Reach out to Finger Lakes Scuba in Auburn, New York – a full-service snorkeling and diving facility offering all levels of scuba certification, plus equipment rentals and sales and diving trips in Lake Ontario and the neighboring Finger Lakes.

7. The Maze, Islamorada, Florida Keys

What to expect: Off the coast of Islamorada and full of striking marine life such as yellowhead jawfish, green sea turtles and squid, the dive site known as The Maze is great for beginners and advanced divers alike. Diving here offers a chance to see some of the dozens of coral “trees” created by the MOTE Marine Lab.

Underwater, at a depth of 20ft, you can view the spectacular growth of coral species such as elkhorn coral. These corals are grown using a fragmentation process in the lab and then reintroduced to reef environments to help restore the underwater ecosystem.

What to know: Due to the shallow dive depth, it’s only necessary to have a PADI Open Water Diver certification (or equivalent) to explore this dive site. The water temperature can dip into the low 70s in the winter, so a wetsuit may be necessary.  

How to make it happen: Book a two-tank dive with Key Dives based at Bud n Mary’s Marina, a 15-minute drive from the Fiesta Key RV Resort, where you can camp out in a rental RV and pull right up to the edge of the marina for easy access to the dive boat.

Post-dive, visit the coral nursery at the MOTE Marine Lab at Bud n Mary’s Marina to learn more about their efforts to restore some of the coral reef systems in the Keys.