The Top 6 Places to Go Sandboarding

If you want to hit the slopes but don’t want to feel the chill, heading to one of the top six sandboarding destinations is a great option for thrill and sun-seekers. Deciding on sandboarding for your adventure travel is the first hurdle; next, you will need to pick between the top destinations, which can take you everywhere from Death Valley to Chile.

1. Huacachina, Peru

Peru travel may be best known for its Inca Trails and its rich Mesoamerican history, but to sand boarders, it is home to some of the best sand slopes to glide down. In Huacachina, you will find the 2nd tallest dunes the 7 continents have to offer. Due to the depth of the dunes, beginners are advised to leave standing on the boards to the pros.

Speaking of the pros, every other year, the Sandboard World Cup is held in Huacachina, where spectators can watch everything from 360s to jumps to front flips. When you’re at the top of the slopes, you will get a panoramic view of emerald-green lagoons and photogenic palm trees

2. Te Paki, New Zealand

From Auckland, it is just a five-hour drive to the adventure travel paradise, the Te Paki Recreation Reserve. After you’ve soaked in the sights of one of the most diverse ecosystems that New Zealand has to offer and counted plenty of sheep, you will ascend the golden Te Paki dunes.

Once you have made the most of the dunes, make camp with other snowboarding enthusiasts, try out the surf breaks on the world-famous shores of Ninety Mile Beach, or submerge yourself in a snorkelling adventure.

3. Great Sand Dunes, Colorado

Colorado may not be the first destination that springs to mind for a sandboarding adventure; believe it or not, just four hours from Denver are some of the tallest and vastest sand peaks in North America.

Even at its busiest times of the year, the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve has enough space to accommodate all visitors – no standing in line and waiting your turn! As you glide down the slopes, you will get the best views of the world-famous Sangre de Cristo Mountains.

4. Chile’s Atacama Desert

If you would prefer a slightly more exotic adventure but don’t want to go to Peru travel lengths, Chile’s Atacama Desert is a favourite amongst avid sand boarders. When you’re on top of the 400-feet high dunes, you will get the spectacle of the driest desert on earth, and you will have the red-rock Salt Mountains as a backdrop to your descent!

5. Death Valley, California

There are many reasons to visit California’s Death Valley with it being one of the largest national parks; sandboarding on the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes is just one of them! As the dunes are only 100 feet high, Death Valley is the better choice for beginners or those who don’t want an epic trek to the top.

After you have made the most of the dunes, you will be free to explore the 3.4 million acres of protected land. For this destination, avoid booking your trip in the height of summer; 100+ degrees don’t make for the best sandboarding weather.

6. Wadi Rum, Jordan

Jordan is famous for its huge rock valleys, canyons, spectacular Petra and desert landscapes.  But if you're looking for some epic adventures why not hit the sand slopes of Wadi Rum for a spot of sandboarding?

About a four-hour drive south of the capital Amman, Wadi Rum has a number of large soft sand dunes that are perfect for you to get your sandboarding thrills. Plus the red sand provides for some great insta-worthy pics. Wadi Rum is a historic site and protected area, so it's best to pick an adventure tour that includes sandboarding. Going on a tour also enables you to have a small taste of the Bedouin lifestyle, ride a camel and even do a bit of rock climbing.

If you are ready to book or want more travel advice from our globe-trotting experts, give us a call, drop us an email, or chat with us online.