Six-week sabbatical. Where to go?

[timpdx]

Hi there,

I live in Portland, and was bitten by the SUP bug in August. Since then, I've done one race, and have been flat water SUPing on nearby rivers at least once every weekend. I've never surfed, but would love to learn.

I'm eligible for a sabbatical for six weeks after March of 2013. I'd love to travel to Hawaii (for downwinders), or Thailand for some flat-water or surf SUPing. Maybe something to help me get into shape for the 2013 race season?

Does anyone have any advice for a 'once in a lifetime', or a 'must see' SUPcation? Something epic..

Thank you,
Tim

[PonoBill]

If you haven't been to Maui, the answer is pretty easy. Maui. If you've been it might be time to do something different. I've been going to Maui pretty much every year since the mid 80's, and I never tire of it. At the end of six months I'm ready to get back to Hood River, but the first few months are pure magic.

[MB]

Check out this thread for some info: http://www.standupzone.com/forum/index.php?topic=17929.0

[finsider]

Places I want to SUP in no particular order:
1. Fiji (or similar Pacific Island)
2. Australia, to paddle with the Aussie crew!
3. Hawaii
4. The Mediterranean Sea (Italy, France, Greece, Turkey)
5. Morocco
6. South Africa
7. Costa Rica/Nicaragua
8. mall in Canada

I have about 1000 more places on my list but I will stop there.

[bts]

Always wanted to spend  a couple of months sailing around the South Pacific.  Charter a big cat and drop off the grid.  I think I could squeeze in a little stand up.

[timpdx]

Thanks for your responses. I've never been to Maui, so I shall put that first on my list. Also never been diving on the Great Barrier, so that's on the list as well. Likely get some SUPing there as well. Never been to Fiji either, so that's on the short list.

When is a good time to visit Maui? It looks like it's easy to rent boards there..

[NoSaltSuper]

I'll second Maui.

lived on Oahu for 3+ years, visited Maui a number of times, it was my favorite island by far.

Locals were far nicer than on Oahu, plenty of night-life but not Honolulu crazy, beaches and waves a plenty. Overall, just beautiful.

And, Charles Lindbergh is buried there too. He picked a great spot for his final resting area.

[uglysupper]

Maui. For sure.

[Waves4supper]

some other suggestions, which may be good that time of the year:

South Africa and/or Namibia
Morocco
Spain & Portugal

[feet]

For flat water, I would check out the Rift Valley in East Africa.  Lake Tanganyika and Lake Malawi look amazing. 

I'd be willing I am the first to recommend SUPing those lakes...on this forum at least. 

Perhaps a little heart of darkness is in your future?

Good luck! I'm jealous!