4 Travel Destinations for Chill Guys
Four destinations for travelers who want a laid-back, chill getaway: Miyakojima's Miyako Blue waters, Sumba's unspoiled traditions, Yamba's quiet Australian beaches, and the aurora-lit Westfjords of Iceland.
Here are four destinations for anyone who has ever dreamed of a surfer’s life, riding the wind under the sun and cutting through the waves. Read on, and you may soon find yourself lying on a sandy beach, watching the aurora.
Words Pyo Youngso
What’s the Fuss About Miyako Blue? Miyakojima
In late May 2024, Jin Air launched a new direct flight between Incheon and Miyakojima. It is the first time a Korean carrier has operated a regular direct route to the island. Thanks to this, the journey, which used to require an extra flight of just under 50 minutes from Okinawa, has become far easier. Miyakojima (宮古島市) is the fourth-largest island in Okinawa Prefecture. Its beaches, lined with soft white sand, are counted among the best in all of Japan. The sea is so beautiful that its color has earned its own name, ‘Miyako Blue,’ and the waters are also ideal for snorkeling and diving. Be sure to visit sights such as the awamori distillery in Gusukube village, famous for its excellent water; the Yukishio salt factory, which makes the island’s signature snowflake salt; and Utopia Farm, where a variety of tropical plants and fruits are grown. Renting a car is a must for exploring the island. If driving feels daunting, a taxi tour is another option.
Indonesia’s Sustainable Destination, Sumba
In November 2024, the Indonesian government agreed to the Bali provincial government’s policy of restricting development in order to ease overtourism. For at least two years, the construction of tourist facilities such as new hotels and nightclubs will be banned in popular areas that draw many visitors. With 29 million people visiting Bali in the first half of this year alone, and some 200,000 foreign residents living there, the decision was made to protect Bali’s traditional culture and the daily lives of locals.
About 400 kilometers east of Bali (a little over an hour by plane), Sumba Island is roughly twice the size of Bali and has natural scenery every bit as captivating. Yet it receives only about one-hundredth as many visitors. In November 2024, the global travel media outlet AFAR named Sumba one of the places to go in 2025, citing its untouched nature along with a distinctive cultural heritage preserved over the centuries, including the traditional ancestor-worship belief ‘marapu’ and the island’s traditional houses. It is also striking that eco-resorts such as Nihi Sumba, which we featured in Pitch by Magazine Issue 1, as well as Cap Karoso and The Saubari, settled on the island before the tourist crowds did. Centered on these resorts, efforts are under way to preserve the island’s nature and traditions rather than overdevelop it, so it may well be worth hoping that Sumba becomes a great alternative to Bali.
If Byron Bay Is Too Crowded, Try Yamba, Australia
An hour and a half’s drive south from Byron Bay along Australia’s east coast brings you to the small seaside town of Yamba. Condé Nast Traveler named it one of the ‘hidden destinations to add to your bucket list this winter.’ Located in northeastern New South Wales at the mouth of the Clarence River, Yamba lets you enjoy both river and beach. Famous surf spots, including Main Beach, are scattered around town. You can fish in both the ocean and the river, and watch marine life such as dolphins and sea turtles, as well as birds. It is also ideal for savoring a quiet beach free of crowds. If you are a traveler hoping to chase the Southern Hemisphere’s summer this winter, keep Yamba in mind.
The Edge of Iceland, the Westfjords
In October 2024, experts at NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) officially announced that the 11-year solar cycle had reached its peak, and predicted that the prime season for aurora viewing would continue through next year. Even in peak season, though, it is true that whether you see the aurora depends entirely on luck. NOAA’s advice for improving your odds is to get out of the city, aim for the right season and time of night, check the local weather, and head to the best viewing spot. Iceland’s Westfjords meets all of these conditions. Iceland is known as the land of the aurora because it lies on the edge of the Arctic Circle, and Westfjords is a remote peninsula in its far northwest. Nights are longer and the weather tends to be clearer than in the south of the island, and with almost no light pollution compared with the city, it is quite simply the perfect setting for watching the aurora. You can also see spectacular fjords that adorn the dramatic coastline, waterfalls plunging from 100 meters, and charming little villages. The Bolafjall viewpoint, a popular attraction near the small fishing village of Bolungarvík, offers magnificent coastal views by day and the aurora by night. For reference, the best time to see the aurora is from late September through March.
