Sandboarding is an adrenaline sport that any beginner can try if they are brave enough. As a known scaredy-cat (you’ll never catch me doing a sky dive) I actually really enjoy this activity when I’m travelling. Here are tried and tested great places in the world to go sandboarding.
Is sandboarding scary?
When you’re at the top of a sand dune looking at a vertical slope it can be terrifying. However, I have always found that once you are sliding down the slope it’s not scary at all just really fun. I still scream on the way down more of a release of all the nerves I had before hand. And like rollercoasters, it feels more fun when you scream/whoop during the drop.
What makes it less scary is you can control the speed you go. If you spread your feet further apart you’ll slow down.
Sandboarding in Huacachina, Peru
If you are visiting this dessert oasis as a day trip from Lima or travelling to/from Cusco for Machu Picchu you won’t miss all the tours to the sand dunes. There are several you can book on Get Your Guide or Viator or book through your hotel/hostel. I would recommend booking a sandboarding and dune buggy tour where you are driven around in a 4×4 as that was literally like a rollercoaster. You’ll also get to see the sunset over the dunes.
Sandboarding in Mui Ne, Vietnam
Many backpackers stay in Mui Ne for 1 night travelling to the South of Vietnam but you can also do a very long day trip from Saigon/Ho Chi Minh. The day tour includes a visit to the fairy stream and fisherman’s village and riding on the back of an ATV. Compared to the hair raising ATV, riding a sandboard at sunset on the less steep red dunes will be very mild.
Sandboarding on Moreton Island and Fraser Island Australia
Moreton and Fraser Island are both in the top 3 biggest sand islands in the world and offer great sandboarding opportunities.
I visited Fraser Island as part of a 3 day tour with Pippie’s which was brilliant. It includes sandboarding on a sand blow on the first night where you take some of your tinnies and enjoy the sunset.
Moreton Island has a number of tours. Sunset Safaris offer a Get Wrecked tour which includes kayaking, snorkelling the shipwreck and sandboarding. If you do this tour I’d suggest doing the sandboarding in the morning and in the water to cool off in the afternoon if you get to choose.
Why should I go sandboarding?
Unlike other experiences like seeing wildlife or going skydiving you don’t have to rely too heavily on the weather or nature playing ball. It might not be the most impressive photos (not the most flattering exhibit A below) but the adrenaline will be fun and a great memory of your trip. These trips also offer amazing sunset spots and views of sand dunes which is unlike your hometown or city that you’ll be returning home to.
