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Best kayak and SUP destinations in Asia

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Krabi
Paradise of Cliffs and Crystal Waters
7.4
Limestone mogotes rise along the coast and inland. The province counts 154 islands. Caves hold stalactites and prehistoric rock paintings. Marine parks include Hat Noppharat Thara and Mu Ko Phi Phi. Than Bok Khorani is another protected area. The Moken, often called sea gypsies, also live in the area.
Highlights:
  • 🌅 Watch the sunset at Railay Beach West
  • ⛩️ Climb the 1,237 steps to Tiger Cave Temple
  • 🚤 Take a longtail boat to the Phi Phi Islands
Ha Long
Mystical limestone islands and emerald seas
7.5
About 1,969 islets, mostly limestone, fill roughly 600 square miles of Quang Ninh waters. Most islands are steep towers that rise 160 to 330 feet. Surprise Cave on Bo Hon Island is one of the best known. Fishing villages such as Cua Van float on boats and rafts. UNESCO first listed the bay in 1994.
Highlights:
  • 🌅 Watch sunrise from the deck of an overnight cruise
  • 🛶 Kayak into hidden lagoons and explore sea caves
  • ⛵ Cruise through Ha Long Bay’s limestone karsts and emerald waters
Palawan
Paradise of Lagoons and Limestone Cliffs
8.2
The province spans roughly 1,780 islands and islets. Coron Reefs has seven lakes surrounded by craggy limestone cliffs. Kayangan Lake lies in the mountain walls near Coron and takes a steep 10 minute climb to reach. The Puerto Princesa Underground River runs 5 miles and is a UNESCO site.
Highlights:
  • 🏝️ Go island hopping around the turquoise waters of Coron Bay
  • 🛶 Explore the Puerto Princesa Underground River, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • ⛵ Sail through the limestone cliffs and lagoons of El Nido
Maldives
Coral atolls, lagoons and overwater villas
9.2
About 1,192 coral islands form a double chain of 26 atolls built from live reefs. Land totals just 115 square miles scattered across roughly 35,000 square miles of sea. The highest natural point is only 7.9 feet. Tourism began with the first resorts in 1972 and drew over 1.7 million visitors in 2019.
Highlights:
  • 🌌 Watch a glowing beach at night on Vaadhoo Island
  • 🦈 Snorkel with reef sharks and manta rays at Hanifaru Bay
  • 🏝️ Stay in an overwater villa surrounded by turquoise lagoon
Lake Baikal
World's deepest lake, Siberia's jewel
7.9
Maximum depth reaches 5,387 feet in the deepest lake in the world, estimated at 25 to 30 million years old. Most of the lake stays below 50 degrees Fahrenheit and peaks near 61 in August. Shallow southern bays can reach 68 to 75. Summer visibility is typically 16 to 26 feet.
Highlights:
  • ❄️ Swim in the icy, crystal-clear waters of Baikal
  • 🚂 Ride the Circum-Baikal Railway for breathtaking views
  • 🥾 Take a winter trek across the frozen lake surface
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