Everyone loves the relaxed and carefree atmosphere of an island getaway. You can forget about your responsibilities, take off your shoes, and enjoy delicious cocktails. Island vacations offer more than just lazy days on the beach – although that is definitely a major highlight.
They also provide exciting opportunities for adventure, water sports, observing wildlife, and experiencing ancient cultures that have existed for thousands of years. Whether you’re seeking a classic tropical beach vacation or a trip to a secluded and pristine ecosystem unaffected by tourism, there’s an island waiting for you to explore.
17. Bali
Bali is a very popular island known for its appeal to yogis and surfers who often attend retreats there. Although Bali has become more commercialized, there are still many opportunities to experience the local culture.
The island is surrounded by beautiful features such as forests, stunning beaches, and rice fields, and you can find Balinese temples, traditional villages, and tourist towns if you explore. One major attraction in Bali is the Uluwatu Temple, located on a cliff and known for its breathtaking sunset views.
Bali is also a great place for water activities, especially snorkeling and diving, as it is part of the Coral Triangle, which has a wide variety of marine life.
16. Faroe Islands
The Faroe Islands, consisting of 18 volcanic islands, offer many captivating attractions that would require at least a week to explore. Despite being closely associated with the Kingdom of Denmark, the island country is actually self-governed. What sets the archipelago apart is its underrated and off-the-beaten-path nature.
Surprisingly, you can witness the enchanting Northern Lights here between November and February. Along with the stunning scenery of majestic valleys, secluded villages, and breathtaking waterfalls, the islands are also frequented by nature lovers eager to observe numerous coastal bird species, including puffins nesting on the cliffs.
15. Seychelles
The Seychelles are a group of beautiful islands that are highly sought after by wealthy and famous individuals. These islands, located in the Indian Ocean, consist of 115 granite islands and can only be described as idyllic. They are filled with amazing nature reserves, stunning golden beaches, lush rainforests, and extraordinary coral reefs, making them a paradise on earth.
Each of the islands has its own unique attractions: Mahe offers a rich cultural experience, La Digue allows you to get close to nature, Praslin is perfect for beach hopping, and Silhouette is a great place for diving. When you visit the Seychelles, you’ll have the opportunity to share the beaches with giant Aldabra tortoises that are over 100 years old, as well as catch a glimpse of protected bird species like the rare Seychelles black parrot, which is also their national bird.
14. Mallorca
Mallorca is a popular island in Spain’s Balearic Islands known for its beautiful beaches and abundant sunshine. It offers peaceful coves, majestic mountains, fragrant citrus orchards, and charming villages overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, making it an ideal destination for relaxation. However, Mallorca has more to offer than just natural beauty.
The island is also home to ancient Roman and Moorish ruins, showcasing its rich history. Additionally, the capital city, Palma, offers a vibrant nightlife scene. History enthusiasts should explore the royal palace, which displays stunning Moorish architecture, and the Palma Cathedral, known for its captivating Gothic facade. This cathedral is particularly unique as it was built on the grounds of a former Moorish mosque and features one of the world’s largest stained glass windows.
13. Whitsundays
The Whitsundays is a beautiful collection of 74 sunny islands located between the coast of Australia and the Great Barrier Reef. It is a special place that attracts divers and wildlife lovers because of its diverse animals and untouched nature.
These islands are mostly uninhabited by humans, but they are home to a wide range of wildlife including dolphins, sea turtles, saltwater crocodiles, kangaroos, whales, and wallabies. As expected, most activities in the Whitsundays are water-based like sailing, snorkeling, and scuba diving.
However, there are also opportunities for hiking, exploring the popular tourist spot of Hamilton Island, and relaxing on stunning beaches like Whitehaven Beach.
12. Martinique
Martinique is a culturally interesting island in the Caribbean’s Lesser Antilles, with a mix of French and West Indian cultures. The food, such as Boudin Creole and Boudin Blanc, is really worth trying, especially the popular dish called ‘Colombo’ made with spicy chicken and coconut.
Apart from the food, the island offers stunning scenery including beautiful beaches, botanical gardens, volcanic peaks, and historical architecture. Exploring the capital, Fort-de-France, is a great way to learn about the island’s history through its museums. It is also highly recommended to visit Saint-Pierre, a modern city built on the ruins of the former capital after it was destroyed by the eruption of Mount Pelée in the 1900s.
11. Hvar
The Croatian island of Hvar is located on the edge of the Adriatic Sea. Although it is famous for its beach parties and vibrant nightlife, there are many other things to see and do on Hvar besides partying and feeling hungover.
You can learn about the island’s history by visiting the oldest town in Croatia, Stari Grad, and also by exploring the fortress on top of a hill in Hvar Town with its Venetian-style architecture.
Moreover, you can enjoy the island’s beautiful natural landscapes, including private beaches, lavender fields in the inland areas, and rolling vineyards known for their high-quality Croatian wines.
10. Easter Island
Easter Island, located in the southeastern Pacific, is a secluded and historically important place. The island is famous for its massive Moai statues, which add an element of history and intrigue to this distant island. Scattered across the island, there are over 800 statues that resemble humans with large heads.
These statues were created by the Rapa Nui people many centuries ago, and it took them at least a year to make each one by hand. However, there is more to Easter Island than just the Moai statues. The island offers stunning beaches, hidden caves, ancient petroglyphs, and various hiking and cycling routes. Additionally, experiencing a traditional Rapa Nui dancing show provides an unforgettable insight into the island’s culture.
9. Palawan
Palawan is located in the westernmost part of the Philippines and is an island province. It is a stunning destination that consists of national parks, mysterious limestone caves and bays, and beautiful turquoise inland lakes and lagoons.
Exploring the waters around Palawan is an incredible experience, with unforgettable diving sites like the shipwrecks in Coron Bay that have turned into coral reefs. Each day in Palawan is filled with magic, from swimming in waterfalls to kayaking in hidden lagoons and enjoying paddle boat rides to see the glowing fireflies at night. It’s no wonder that Travel and Leisure declared Palawan as the 2nd best island in the world.
8. Maldives
The Maldives is a stunning archipelago located in the middle of the Indian Ocean. The weather there is warm and tropical all year long, making it a great destination for relaxing on the beach. The Maldives is known for its luxurious accommodations and slow-paced lifestyle, making it an ideal choice for couples on their honeymoon.
You can choose from a variety of unique and extravagant accommodations, including underwater villas and over-water villas. There’s even a restaurant where you can dine underwater and be surrounded by tropical fish. In the Maldives, the focus is on relaxation, so you can spend your days enjoying cocktails and sunbathing, with the option of going snorkeling, diving, or surfing to add some excitement to your trip.
7. Ko Phi Phi
Ko Phi Phi is a very famous group of islands in Thailand that is known for its natural bay. The bay became famous because it was featured in a movie called The Beach, which had Leonardo DiCaprio in it. Many people visit Ko Phi Phi with the intention of seeing this famous bay, but there are many other reasons to visit besides that.
The six islands that make up Ko Phi Phi are incredibly beautiful, with white sandy beaches and clear green waters. You can spend your days swimming and snorkeling alongside amazing marine life, or you can even rent a longtail boat to explore the surrounding islands. One of these islands is Monkey Beach, which is home to a lot of naughty monkeys that swing from the trees.
6. Kauai
Kauai, also known as the Garden Isle, is a beautiful Hawaiian island with stunning waterfalls, lush jungles, secluded beaches, and rugged coastlines. It offers more than just a typical relaxing vacation. There are exciting adventures waiting to be discovered at every turn, and your experience is entirely up to you.
You can create lasting memories by zip-lining through the jungle, hiking to breathtaking waterfalls, kayaking along winding rivers, and observing dolphins and whales. Kauai is a paradise for nature lovers as well, with attractions like the striking Waimea Canyon and the famous Napali Coast, which has been featured in over 60 movies and TV shows.
5. Santorini
Santorini, a volcanic island, is well-known worldwide for its distinct features such as the whitewashed and blue-domed Cycladic towns situated on cliffs by the Aegean Sea.
The island is famous for its breathtaking sunsets that you can enjoy while taking leisurely walks through the charming streets of Oia town, visiting upscale restaurants to savor delicious food, relaxing on the unique volcanic beaches, or embarking on a luxurious catamaran cruise.
As Santorini is quite expensive compared to other Greek islands, you’re likely to encounter wealthy and famous individuals during your visit. With its stunning views and pleasant Mediterranean weather, Santorini is truly a remarkable destination.
4. Bora Bora
Bora Bora is a volcanic island known for its beautiful beaches and luxurious resorts. People visit mainly for the turquoise lagoon and the white sandy beaches, as well as the romantic over-water bungalows. However, there are also other things to do besides the beach.
You can hike up Mount Pahia for amazing panoramic views, go snorkeling in the coral gardens at the northern tip of the island, and even swim with sea turtles as part of a local conservation project. If you have a PADI license, you can try scuba diving and have thrilling encounters with manta rays, lemon sharks, blacktip sharks, and grey reef sharks. Just make sure to bring your underwater camera!.
3. Galapagos
The Galápagos Islands, also known as the Enchanted Isles, are a group of volcanic islands and smaller islets located in the Pacific Ocean near Ecuador. These islands are special because they have a diverse ecosystem that is home to unique animals, plants, fish, and birds that can’t be found anywhere else.
A large portion of the islands, up to 97%, is protected as a national park and biosphere reserve, which has been in place for over 60 years. The Galapagos is famous for its extraordinary geology, including active volcanoes, and it has more iguanas than human inhabitants.
Despite being located near the equator, the Galapagos enjoys a cool climate thanks to the refreshing sea breezes. In fact, it has the only penguin colony in the Northern Hemisphere. This unique climate makes the Galapagos a great destination to visit at any time of the year.
2. St Lucia
Saint Lucia, an island in the Eastern Caribbean, is known for its stunning natural beauty. It features the iconic Pitons, rainforests, waterfalls, plantations, and volcanic beaches. Many people visit for the luxurious beach resorts and charming fishing villages.
The capital city of Castries is a popular stop for cruise ships, offering attractions like sulfur springs, secluded bays, lively markets, and lively Caribbean dance parties. Overall, Saint Lucia offers a diverse range of experiences for visitors.
1. Lofoten
Lofoten is a group of islands known for its breathtaking natural beauty such as tall mountains and deep bays. Many people visit this place in the hopes of seeing the mystical Northern Lights or climbing the famous Svolvær Goat, which is a popular peak for climbers in Norway.
If you want to go somewhere less crowded, this archipelago offers many activities like fishing, bird watching, cycling, and sea kayaking during the summer. In winter, you can enjoy skiing and try to catch a glimpse of the Aurora Borealis.
Exploring these islands is an unforgettable experience since the villages have a charming old-fashioned feel to them. Plus, the sun stays up until midnight for part of the year.
