Europe, Asia, Africa, Americas

Best Island Vacations and Destinations

5 June, 2022

Including Bahamas, Hawaii, Kauai, and more, these destinations are the top island vacations. Create your perfect vacation with this list of Best Island Vacations, including some of the most beautiful islands in the world.

Beaches, rich cultures, and untouched pockets of wilderness are just a few characteristics of the best island vacations. Each of the islands listed here boasts something extra that keeps travelers enchanted.

That is why this list features the Best Islands vacations and destinations that you can take this year!

Dalmatian Islands, Croatia

The sunniest places in all of Croatia are located in the Dalmatian Islands, they invite you for a stay where you’ll enjoy everything from restaurants and resorts to hiking and water sports.

Whether you choose to party on the beach, explore the lavender fields and vineyards, or take in the history of the 13th-century walls and Fortresses, it’s an ideal place to experience the authentic Dalmatian culture.

Boracay Island, Philippines

You won’t get much sleep when you visit Boracay Island. During the day you’ll find yourself in a paraw, on a jet ski, kitesurfing, or diving to explore the marine life, then at night, live music and fire twirlers set the tone for you to dance the night away.

When you find a spare moment, there are even massage stations at some of the beaches that offer a handful of options guaranteed to loosen you up.

Langkawi, Malaysia

If you’re looking for a chill place that hasn’t been totally overrun by tourists, then the UNESCO Global Geopark of Langkawi is a great option. Perfect for shopaholics, duty-free and bargain shopping is very popular among tourists.

If you’re looking to stay above water, be sure to check out the night markets, go jungle trekking, and try the amazing cuisine. When you’re ready to get swimming, you have to explore the underwater wonderland of Pulau Payar Marine Park.

Bahamas

The Bahamas is a coral archipelago with 700 islands and more than 2000 cays scattered over 100,000 square miles of the Atlantic Ocean, about 50 miles off the coast of Florida. Home to the Andros Barrier Reef, the Bahamas are a scuba divers paradise and some of the best tropical islands to visit in the Caribbean.

The crystal clear waters of the Bahamas are the clearest in the world and offer visibility of up to 200 feet or more. It is a great family vacation spot, with something for everyone, from fascinating tours and lavish resorts for ultimate pampering, to fishing, boating, kayaking, diving, or doing nothing at all on one of the spectacular white beaches.

Turks and Caicos Islands

The Turks and Caicos Islands combine to form this breathtaking location. These islands are known to the world for their fantastic reefs, magnificent beaches, and welcoming people. Located in the North Atlantic Ocean, the islands are a popular vacationing spot that offers excellent snorkeling, diving, fishing, and water sports.

Most accommodations are located on the island of Providenciales, located in the Northwest Caicos Islands. This island is known as a party island and features luxury resorts, fancy shops, and fine restaurants. Other noteworthy islands include North, South, and Middle Caicos, Salt Clay, and Grand Turk.

Barbados

The self-proclaimed culinary capital of the Caribbean, Barbados doesn’t disappoint. For the ultimate foodie experience, travelers should time their visit to include the annual Barbados Food and Rum Festival. To understand the importance of rum to Barbadian culture, visitors will want to go to the Mount Gay distillery.

Founded in 1703, it has the distinction of being the world’s oldest rum producer, and visitors can learn all about its story. This magical island is also called “Land of Flying Fish,” due not only to the abundance of flying fish but also to islanders’ mastery at deboning and cooking it. In fact, the national dish is Flying Fish and CouCou, a must-taste experience.

Trinidad & Tobago

Visitors can expect a vibrant Trinidad & Tobago culture, coral beaches, and tropical jungles. Trinidad is the more developed of the two islands with luxury resorts and charming cities. Eco-travelers will appreciate Tobago’s even more laid-back ambiance. It’s a quieter island with an emphasis on protecting the natural environment.

Dominican Republic

On the eastern side of the island of Hispaniola, the Dominican Republic is a top choice for budget traveling. Rich in history and culture, also boasts some of the most diverse eco-systems in the Caribbean, with steamy jungles, deserts, mangroves, coral reefs, savanna, and soaring green peaks.

Venture away from the tourist strips, and you’ll discover a world of adventures. You can climb the highest peaks in the Caribbean, raft the white waters of the Río Yaque del Norte, hike to waterfalls through the jungle, bike through forests along alpine trails, and explore the beaches of the Samaná Peninsula.

St. Barts, The Caribbean

A constant stream of stars and mega-moguls means that accommodation and food cost more here than in other destinations. However, in return, you’ll find beautiful beaches backed by green hills, world-class shopping and dining, and cultural sophistication that many other tropical destinations lack.

Like everywhere, the low season offers great deals. Plus, all the beaches are public, so you can hide away in a private villa or boutique hotel and live the life of the rich and famous for less. Besides basking on the beaches, shopping, and feasting on mouthwatering continental delicacies, other popular things to do in St. Barts include snorkeling, diving, kitesurfing, kayaking, fishing, surfing, and sailing.

Zanzibar

Tanzania’s Zanzibar archipelago is a popular post-safari island escape. Zanzibar Island anchors the archipelago. This is the most popular place to stay, thanks to its beaches and UNESCO-listed historic center, Stone Town.

Take a walking tour through the tangle of cobbled streets, and explore the island’s historic sites, from its architecture and spice-packed bazaar to the richly-carved doors for which the island is famous.

Relaxing on Zanzibar’s beaches is a quintessential Tanzania experience. Graceful glide along turquoise waters rimmed by bone-white sand, and snorkeling and diving are excellent along the islands’ coral reefs, especially off the island of Pemba.