Fteno Bay Islet, Milos, Aegean Sea, Greece
Accessibility: 3 | Impact: 1
How to get there: Rent 4 m dinghy in Pollonia, 20 min motor north, anchor in 3 m sand.
Difficulty: Easy sail, moderate SUP swell on north side.
Duration: 3 hrs round trip, full day with picnic.
Best seasons: May-June flat, Sept calm.
Where to stay: Sleep aboard or bivvy under tamarisk, no fires.
White volcanic sand pocket, sea cave glows turquoise, goat tracks only path. SUP through arch at slack tide, locals fish squid at dusk. Bring mask, octopus hide in cracks.
Guitar Island, Andaman Sea, Myanmar side
Accessibility: 5 | Impact: 1
How to get there: Liveaboard from Ranong, 3-day sail via Surin, anchor 500 m off.
Difficulty: Expert open ocean, 15 km paddle from nearest land.
Duration: Overnight mandatory, 2 nights ideal.
Best seasons: Nov-April dry, monsoon closed.
Where to stay: Deck or reef tent, dig cat-hole 50 m inland.
Shape like a broken guitar, reef ring glows neon. Night bioluminescence strokes, paddle lights up like stardust. Fishermen visit once a week, trade rice for stories. Pack 20 L water, no spring.
Sandy Cay, Tobago Cays, Caribbean Grenadines
Accessibility: 4 | Impact: 1
How to get there: Charter bareboat Union Island, 2 hrs sail to horseshoe reef.
Difficulty: Moderate trade winds, SUP inside lagoon calm.
Duration: Day sail or 3-night anchor.
Best seasons: Dec-May steady breeze, June-Nov hurricane watch.
Where to stay: Swing on mooring (free), hammock ashore okay.
Postage-stamp sand, one palm, turtle grass shallows. SUP to reef edge, spot rays glide. Locals BBQ lobster on nearby Mayreau, bring rum to share, no cash.
Polyaigos East Cove, Cyclades, Greece
Accessibility: 4 | Impact: 1
How to get there: Kimolos ferry port, rent 15 ft skiff, 45 min east.
Difficulty: Choppy meltemi, SUP only in cove.
Duration: 5 hrs return, overnight anchor.
Best seasons: June-Sept wind, May flowers.
Where to stay: Boat or cliff ledge bivvy, goat trails only.
Blue cave at waterline, monk seals nap on rocks. Sail in at golden hour, water turns mercury. Bring headlamp, scorpions nocturnal. No fresh water, fill in Kimolos.
Cinque Isole North Spit, Nicobar Islands, India (permit zone)
Accessibility: 5 | Impact: 1
How to get there: Government vessel Port Blair to Campbell Bay, local longtail 4 hrs north, special permit.
Difficulty: Expert current, 8 km open paddle.
Duration: 2-day minimum, ranger escort.
Best seasons: Jan-March glassy, Dec-April safe.
Where to stay: Sand spit tent, ranger hut shared.
Five micro-islands, sandbar links at low tide. Dugongs graze seagrass, coconut crabs bigger than your head. SUP the passage at dawn, water glass, reef sharks circle below. Permit strict, zero plastic entry.
