Are you tired of the snow and counting the days until summer? If so, there’s still time to sail away to paradise, like an island engulfed with blazing heat and sea-green water. From Fiji to the Whitsunday Islands, gentle breezes will summon you! This guide features ten of the best islands in the world that will become your new favorite vacation spots.
The Best Islands in the World Await!
Table of Contents
Maldives
With flawless white sand beaches and crystal-clear water, marine life, snorkeling, and diving, the Maldives is one of the most popular and the best islands in the world to visit. The Maldives consists of 1,200 coral islands that continue to offer unique experiences to all visitors – from extravagant resorts with their own private islands to locally-owned villas and guesthouses. You can live in the lap of luxury or backpack on a budget when you visit the Maldives.
Travel with PML Holidays to the elegant Reethi Faru Resort in the Maldives in a speed boat from Male Airport. Discover the breathtaking renowned dining venues, a world-class spa retreat, and much more. Set in a beautiful tropical paradise, the beaches, reefs, and water villas are spread across the island with many luxuries and adventures. This is one of the best islands in the world to experience a beautiful, secluded paradise that will have your senses in awe of the natural beauty that surrounds you.
Interesting Fact: The Maldives archipelago is only 3 meters above sea level, at most. This makes it the world’s lowest-lying nation, and that measurement is decreasing every year.
Read More: 10 World Famous Luxury Spas For Getting Pampered
Crete, Greece
Crete is one of Greece’s largest islands and is absolutely flawless. The island features ancient gems, stunning beaches, and gorgeous landscapes that are seen throughout Crete. If you’re into Greek mythology, makes sure you check out Mount Ida, the highest mountain in Crete. Legend states that the caves in Mount Ida are where Zeus was reportedly born. While Crete is super-popular among tourists, you’ll be surprised and pleased at the traditions, customs, and culture you get to experience there. Crete is definitely one of the best islands in the world for picturesque landscapes and rich culture.
Interesting Fact: Crete is the biggest island in Greece and the fifth-largest island in the Mediterranean. Its beaches are spread over 160 miles.
Whitsunday Islands, Australia
The breathtaking Whitsunday Islands are a group of 74 mini paradises drifting in serene waters. This tropical paradise also doubles as a marine park and a gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, one of the world’s most colorful places. The sandy beaches, lush rainforests, and challenging hikes make the Whitsunday Islands one of the best islands in the world to vacation for a solo journey, couple’s trip, or family holiday. The Whitsunday Islands can be a very adventurous island where you can sail, swim, dive, and snorkel. When you are done adventuring and sunbathing, there are plenty of golf courses, archaeological sites, and bushwalking excursions that await.
Interesting Fact: The Great Barrier Reef stretches for over 2600 km in length along Australia’s Queensland coast. It contains over 2,900 individual reefs and can be seen from outer space.
Read More: Top 7 Islands In The British Virgin Islands
Cook Islands
The remote Cook Island nation still holds to its Polynesian values while progressing into a contemporary tourist destination. Water sports are prevalent, but the focal point is the chance to go swimming in mysterious underground cave pools. If you’re looking to discover more about the culture and associate with some friendly locals, then check out the Atiu Tumunu Experience. Here, you can enjoy fabulous activities and even sample home-brewed bush beer created from oranges. The Cook Islands are some of the best islands in the world, with thriving food culture and picturesque hiking on coral cliffs. The Cook Islands are ideal for adventure and are ready when you are!
Insider Tip: The Cook Islands are known for their beautiful aquamarine lagoons, palm-fringed beaches, and volcanic peaks.
Isles of Scilly, England
The Isles of Scilly are outstandingly beautiful, uncrowded, and amongst the best islands in the world. They consist of about 50 small islands lying southwest of Cornwall, England, with five being sparsely inhabited and hundreds more islets, skerries, and rocks that stretch out to the Bishop Rock Lighthouse. The economy is based on tourism, commercial flower growing, and vegetable farming.
Interesting Fact: In the Isles of Scilly, Prince Charles owns a property called Dolphin House.
Read More: Experiencing The Best In Mazatlan, Mexico
Fiji
Fiji, located in the sunny South Pacific, consists of an archipelago of more than 330 islands, of which about 110 are permanently inhabited. Fiji is known for its welcoming people and luxurious private-island resorts, making it the perfect place to relax and one of the best islands in the world. Fijians popular games include drinking ceremonial kava, sculpting wood, dancing, and singing. When scuba diving, the waters surrounding Fiji’s 332 islands are filled with abundant marine life, including dolphins, sea turtles, exotic fish, and some of the planet’s most striking corals. The white-sand beaches and translucent turquoise waters make Fiji one of the most famous islands to visit.
Insider Tip: Diving, snorkeling, fishing, and surfing are all popular things to do in Fiji, one of the best islands in the world.
Seychelles
Seychelles is a small island nation consisting of 115 islands found in the Indian Ocean on Africa’s east coast. It’s where nature meets nurture, in the form of perfect beaches and secluded resorts. There are two sets of islands, the 45 inner granite islands, and the outer coral islands. The inner granite islands are the world’s only oceanic granite islands. Mahé Island is the largest island of Seychelles and the capital city is Victoria.
On Mahé Island, you can examine the multicultural Creole experience, see precious flora and fauna, and the world’s largest tortoises. Also, enjoy day trips to nearby isles, such as Praslin and La Digue. Resorts on the two offer a combination of low-key relaxation and beautiful views, with giant granite boulders that seem to be placed by the gods on spectacular powder-soft beaches.
Insider Tip: Seychelles features some of the planet’s richest fishing grounds, making this a top destination for fishermen and one of the best islands in the world.
Read More: 18 Luxury Resorts We Wish We Could Visit
James Bond Island, Southern Thailand
After this beautiful island appeared in the 1974 James Bond movie, “The Man with the Golden Gun,” Khao Phing Kan, sometimes also called Ko Khao Phing Kan, became widely referred to as “James Bond Island” in tourist guides. Locals rarely use their original names. The island is a famous landmark in Phang Nga Bay. This famous bay’s distinctive trait is the number of steep limestone cliffs that vertically extend out of the emerald-green water. This has become a popular destination for sailing and kayaking. Most organized tours stop at other popular islands in the Andaman Sea, including a seafood lunch at the lovely Koh Panyee, a fishing village built on stilts.
Insider Tip: Excursions depart from the popular resort areas of Phuket, Khao Lak, and Krabi on photogenic longtail boats. On tour, explore hidden lagoons, rocky sea caves, and a floating village at one of the best islands in the world.
Mauritius
Mauritius is a stunning island located in the Indian Ocean and is about 500 miles east of Madagascar. This multicultural, mountainous sea island has something for everyone! It features beautiful beaches, great golf courses, challenging hikes, terrific bird watching, colonial structures, and even one of the world’s oldest horseracing tracks, Champs de Mars, located in Port Louis’s capital. The island’s mix of Indian, Creole, Chinese, French and African cultures gives its energy and warmth that accents its hospitality and cuisine.
Mauritius is the place to create vivid travel memories, whether you visit for fun at a beach resort, seek an adrenaline rush adventure scuba diving, or an incredible waterfall hike! So it is not surprising that many consider this one of the best islands in the world.
Interesting Fact: Mauritius’ lagoons are protected from the open sea by the world’s third-largest coral reef, which surrounds the island. These reefs protect beachgoers from attacks by sharks and jellyfish. There are 93 miles (150 km) of white sandy beaches in Mauritius.
Moorea
This heart-shaped magical island has inspired the show tune, Bali Hai, from the 1949 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical South Pacific. Moorea is one of the most scenic striking islands in French Polynesia. The South Pacific paradise has lush mountains and is surrounded by a serene turquoise lagoon.
Rent an overwater bungalow for two and enjoy relaxing massages with heavenly monoi oil, sunset cocktails or a Polynesian dance show! There are also snorkel cruises where you can feed stingrays and black-tipped reef sharks, 4×4 excursions through scenic valleys, as well as shopping for Tahitian black pearls. Moorea is one of the best islands in the world for a relaxing and breathtaking vacation in paradise.
Interesting Fact: Moorea houses the world’s largest coral reef eco-system, consisting of 3,000 separate reefs.
After basking on sublime white-sand beaches washed by eye-popping blue water, rugged coastal peaks, mouthwatering cuisine, a unique blend of cultures, and ancient archeological treasures, heading home will be difficult. The best islands in the world are perfect for Instagram-worthy shots and guaranteed to lure you back for more!
WANT TO READ MORE?
Once you’ve virtually visited the best islands in the world, check out the 10 Best Cruise Ships For A Voyage On The Seas.
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