If it’s one thing that every travel enthusiast has to add to their holiday plans, it’s visiting the most famous islands in the world. These premium locations are each unique and known for having tourism built around natural wonders from the surrounding oceans to the slow island culture life inland.
Additionally, many have plenty on offer outside of relaxing on beaches as adventure sports and historical attractions are part of the tourism service. Thus, where you’re seeking a dip in the sea or a romantic getaway with a packed itinerary, these islands will always have something surprising to provide.
Here are the five best island destinations for your travel bucket list:
1. Fiji
It’s nearly impossible to beat the picturesque beauty of the Pacific Islands, which are some of the most visited island destinations in the world. Fiji, in particular, boasts world-class luxury resorts that include fantasy-invoking underwater hotels and jetties extending far into the sea. The island also features long uninterrupted coastlines and a large variety of non-beach-related island activities to do while you visit.
Furthermore, one of the best perks of choosing Fiji as a getaway destination is its serenity and seclusion due to its distance from other islands. You can go snorkeling, hiking, or scuba diving to take in the colorful coral reefs in Viti Levu on the Coral Coast. To make the best out of your trip, it’s best to opt for all-inclusive holiday packages such as Naviti Fiji, which are a great value for money. Deals like this allow you to save costs while enjoying the many ventures on offer that also include spectacular traditional firewalking from local Fijians.
2. Saint Lucia
No island destination list would be complete without the diverse sights and sounds of the Caribbean. This region dotted off the coasts of Central and South America is consistently rated among the top island travel destinations in the world, with Saint Lucia rising to match the other more well-known Atlantic Ocean West Indies Islands.
The zipline tours in the lush inland forests and anchored boats in Marigot Bay have attracted celebrities and cosmopolitan travelers alike. One of the best reasons justifying a visit has to be the cultural mash-up of food and cultures stemming from Europe, Africa, South Asia, and Native Caribbean groups. This has translated to its food at the Castries Market, as well as music and entertainment at the Gros Islet all-night street party.
3. Iceland
Despite not being the typical warm tropical beach island destination, Iceland is still one of the most popular Islands in the world to visit. This is mainly due to its incredible dramatic and dark mountainous landscapes used as perfect backdrops for fantasy films, picturesque small towns, and showcasing the fascinating Viking history of the North Atlantic.
Of course, nobody could forget the unbeatable front row to witness the Northern Lights best seen in the countryside. Many of the tours can take you to ice caves, hot springs and geysers, glacial lagoons hiking, and for a more historical option, the famously sharp-shaped Hallgrímskirkja church in the capital Reykjavík. Photography lovers will be enraptured by the naturally black sand beaches on the southern coasts as they make for eerily beautiful pictures.
4. The Maldives
The Maldives is the most low-lying archipelago nation in the world situated south of India and right in the Indian Ocean. It’s most famous for its imagery of resorts jutting out of the main island pier where families and couples can have the villa to themselves while visible corals and marine life swim under the bungalows. Just be aware of the green tax levy when you arrive.
The romanticism of the Maldives can also be found in its frequented activities, which include dolphin watching, sunset cruises, and unforgettable candlelit dinners on a private beach or an underwater restaurant. Additionally, you can immerse yourself in local Maldivian culture in the capital, Male, where bustling markets and local Indian and seafood fusion cuisine await your tasting.
5. Santorini, Greece
One of the most popular destinations in Europe for honeymooning couples all over the world, Santorini will charm you with its stark white homes lining the hilltops and contrasting the deep blue Aegean Sea. Being one of the 170 inhabited Greek islands in the volcanic archipelago, Santorini travelers enjoy spending time on its largest islet of Thira.
The town offers the most stunning sunset views of the islands amidst the blue-domed churches and windmills or go off the coast on a cruise to take in the entire caldera while sipping on dinner and drinks and snorkeling at the right time. If you prefer more quiet inland activities, you can take a stroll along the narrow staircase walkways, go café hopping and wine tasting in Oia, and visit historical landmarks such as the Akrotiri Archaeological Site, which preserves an ancient city discovered in the 17th century.
Conclusion
The best island destinations for your bucket list are a romanticized mix of tropical paradises, volcanic-shaped terrains, and cultural excursions that give each island its distinct identity. They’re perfect for solo travel or taking a partner for a luxury escape.
What’s more, you’ll never run out of things to do as island tourism packs in as many activities as it can. The choice is yours regarding what you want to do to create lifelong memories.
