After a long day of rock climbing, it’s nice to sit back and relax. But, rather than reclining in a tent or a boring bar somewhere, wouldn’t you rather kick back on the beach? You can feel the sand under your feet and listen to the waves lapping up to the shore. The little umbrella in your drink can serve as a trophy to celebrate your victories of the day.
Kalymnos, Greece
This island is located in the southeastern area of the Aegean Sea. It belongs to Greece, but it practically kisses Turkey, so you’ll have international views surrounding you! The island knows the value of its crags, so it puts a lot of effort into building a climbing culture. The climate allows for year-round adventures, but it gets crowded when there’s a climbing festival going on.
Madagascar
The island nation off the southeast coast of Africa is famous for more than just an animated film. One of the most impressive spots for scaling some rock is at the Tsaranoro Massif. This giant body of rock is the highest point of the island, and there are some pretty extreme routes up a straight rock face.
Cayman Brac, Cayman Islands
The Cayman Islands are often overlooked as beautiful Carribean Islands and thought of more as tax havens for the super-rich. However, one of the three islands, CaymanBrac, has a limestone outcropping running along the coast. With heights up to 140 feet, you can have some great climbing views right after you stash all of your money.
Lofoten Islands, Norway
These islands are within the Arctic Circle, but that doesn’t make them as cold as you might expect. Plus, the northern location allows for 24-hour sunlight in the summertime so you can do outdoor activities around the clock. There are some very picturesque fishing villages that you can use as a home base while exploring the various islands.
Tenerife, Canary Islands
Sitting off the northwestern coast of Africa and living under Spanish rule, the Canary Islands are a popular tourist destination. Tenerife is the largest of the group of seven and is known for its natural beauty. The volcanic rock formations get a lot of usages, so you’ll find plenty of bolts to help you along.
New Zealand
If you’re any level of rock climber, you don’t need to be told that New Zealand has some of the greatest mountains on the planet. Even though it’s a little larger than the rest of this list, it seemed like a crime to leave it off. Just know that if you venture to this corner of the world, the jagged peaks will take care of all your adrenaline needs.
Tonsai, Thailand
The Krabi section of Thailand might be one of the biggest tourist destinations in Southeast Asia, but it’s worth it for what it offers. Once you see the limestone cliffs jutting up from the beautiful Tonsai Beach, you’ll realize you’re in paradise and enjoy the views of blue water from the side of the walls.
Vancouver Island
To hit a location closer to North America, don’t overlook what Vancouver Island has to offer. Although it isn’t the most exotic of islands, it still has plenty of peaks to tackle. Also, rocks form a jagged spine along the island, and there are hundreds of pre-set climbing routes to follow.