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Travel and social media are intrinsically intertwined. We all long for those perfectly framed pics in our feeds and, sometimes, they nudge us out onto the open road. This form of Insta-driven-tourism is often so successful that idyllic beaches end up getting shut down due to over-tourism. And though we’re never going to say “don’t travel” or even that social media is negative, maybe it’s time to start thinking about other parts of the world. Places where the wanderlusty gaze of the masses isn’t threatening delicate ecosystems due to over-exposure.
That’s why we thought we’d cobble together a short list of some of the most beautiful places around the world that have yet to hit the Instagram Explore page. The list below isn’t necessarily full of places that are hard to get to — though you’ll need a visa here and there — these are simply spots that aren’t overcrowded and (we believe) deserve your attention. Our litmus test here was hashtagged based; we only picked places that haven’t broken 1,000 posts. They’re all special, a little less tourist-touched, and definitely worth the effort of exploring on your own.
CERAM SEA, INDONESIA — 138 posts
For Comparison’s Sake: Bali has 42,345,314 Instagram posts.
Indonesia is a magnificent corner of the world. The 20,000 islands that make up the archipelago are a diverse mix of cultures, foods, and environments. As you can tell from the fact that Bali has 40 plus million posts, the majority of the tourism-gaze is there. And, that’s fine. Bali is rad.
However, there’s a vast array of islands sitting between Sulawesi and West Papua (New Guinea) throughout the Ceram Sea. It feels like an endless peppering of paradisiacal islands in a postcard-perfect setting. You can dive on coral reefs few have seen, you can island hop from beach to beach, and you can immerse yourself in island cultures that you may have never even heard of. Those are all wins.
ENNEDI PLATEAU, CHAD — 62 posts
For Comparison’s Sake: Wadi Rum has 178,193 posts.
The Ennedi Plateau and canyons are a mystical corner of the planet where few tread. Breathtaking feels like too small a word to describe the rugged almost Mars-like beauty of the place. Then there’s the wildlife — it’s abundant and rarely encroached upon.
You have to be aware that Chad isn’t the most stable of places. So of course that’s going to hinder broad tourism. Still, we believe, that with a little foresight and knowledge, you can totally go and experience a place that’ll feel unlike any other. This is adventure travel at its finest and worth every effort.
HUSHE, PAKISTAN — 812 posts
For Comparison’s Sake: The Torres del Paine have 356,908 posts.
Ask any adventure traveler their favorite country and Pakistan will inevitably come up. The gargantuan natural beauty, warm locals, and killer food combine to make Pakistan one of the best hidden gems of the travel world.
Hushe is a bit of a weigh-station on the way to the world’s second tallest peak, K2. The valley and mountains that dominate the area are so rugged and striking that you’ll wonder if you’re really on earth. The rock towers, glacial rivers, and purely wild nature can be unforgiving, so trek smartly.
YUZHNY ISLAND, RUSSIA — 3 posts
For Comparison’s Sake: Svalbard has 245,025 posts.
Travel to Russia is always an enlighting experience. The country is so freakin’ vast that you really can’t sum it up in one paragraph. Russia is one of those places you can spend a lifetime exploring and really only scratch the surface.
Yuzhny Island is one of the biggest islands in the world (part of the Novaya Zemlya archipelago). The island was designated an official nuclear testing site back in the Stalinist days and is now pretty much an unofficial natural reserve with huge bird populations and the remains of the Indigenous Nenets people. Access to the island is hard, you’ll need to book a Russian Arctic cruise, but every second in this wild place will be well worth it.
BATHURST ISLAND, AUSTRALIA — 919 posts
For Comparison’s Sake: The Whitsundays have 547,883 posts.
Just north of Darwin sit a few small islands which are still largely run and populated by the Indigenous population. The economy of these places is based on their art centers and tourists coming in to experience their culture in a little slice of paradise.
Bathurst Island offers a slice of Indigenous life that you simply don’t get every else in (white) Australia. The beaches are damn near empty save for a few fishermen and artists (there are saltwater crocs, to be fair). The climate is very tropical, which makes it the perfect destination for a hot vacation. This place kind of has it all from tropical escapism to supporting an Indigenous community. Everybody wins.
TABUAERAN, KIRIBATI — 59 posts
For Comparison’s Sake: The Cook Islands have 166,005 posts.
The South Pacific is a wonderland of beautiful islands, gorgeous seas, and hidden corners. A lot of the focus is pulled by the big hitters like Tahiti and Fiji since they’re the easiest to get to by plane. If you’re traveling by boat, then a huge amount of the Pacific opens up to you — allowing you a long list of options without the crowds.
Tabuaeran, previously Fanning Island, is the perfect blend of South Pacific natural beauty and isolation. There’s amazing surfing, beach bum life, and all the white sand and crystal clear blue waters you can dream of. You can surf all morning, spear some fish in the afternoon, and spend the evening next to a fire on the beach — life will be good.
NIKOLSKI, ALASKA — 725 posts
For Comparison’s Sake: Kodiak Island has 159,570 posts.
The Alaskan Islands reaching out into the Pacific towards Russia are some of the most striking dots of land in America — maybe even the world. Almost every island is a volcano with a micro-ecosystem that’s largely untouched by man.
Nikolski on Umnak Island only has 39 people living on it. It’s one of the most remote corners of America that has a very Iceland feel to it. Hell, there’s even an old hollowed out plane for photo ops. In the end, this is one of the most remote and wild places you can go to without a passport right now.
MORESBY ISLAND, BRITISH COLUMBIA — 289 posts
For Comparison’s Sake: Vancouver Island has 1,726,838 posts.
The Inside Passage between Vancouver, BC, and Alaska is another wild and beautiful slice of the world. The immense and dense rainforests, mountains crashing into the sea, and teeming wildlife (on land and in the sea) make for adventure travel in a heightened form.
Moresby Island is nature turned up to eleven. Craggy beaches lead you into mossy forests where you will feel like you’re blazing a new path into the wilds. Find a dope spot, set up a tent, and unplug from everything. You’ll be better for it and more in tune with the world… even if just for a weekend.
CAYOS MISKITOS, NICARAGUA — 23 posts
For Comparison’s Sake: Little Corn Island has 26,816 posts.
A lot of time development is what’s holding back the Instagram travel generation. Some places just aren’t ready for the droves. Cayos Miskitos is a tiny collection of stilt houses off the Atlantic coast that has stayed small. You can take a boat out, rent a hut (for next to nothing), and live an unplugged life for a few days (or weeks).
The over-the-sea huts and platforms make for a wholly unique community of people living off the sea and tourism. Right now, Cayos Miskitos still feels authentic — whatever that means — but you can sense that one day it’ll blow up and lose that edge. So maybe go now, before the Pina Colada bar opens up.
SANDAKHPHU, INDIA and NEPAL BORDER — 303 posts
For Comparison’s Sake: Everest Base Camp has 121,394 posts.
The Himalayas stretch through Pakistan, India, Nepal, China, and Bhutan. That’s a lot of dense and striking nature to choose from across varied and intense cultures (all with great food). One of the most accessible corners of the range is along the Nepali and Indian border on a peak called Sandakhphu.
The tiny village sits at about 14,000 feet above sea level. You’ll need to trek for three days to get there but the view you get at the top will be one of the most outstanding in the world. To the west, you’ll see the very top of Everest. Right in front of your eyes, you’ll get a full vista of Kachendzoga (the world’s third highest peak). Although the view is worth it, the hike up the mountain is where the true memories are etched. You can stay at teahouses with locals who’ll offer you tea, hot water, rice, and dahl to fortify you for another day’s hike up and then down. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
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