When it comes to the Most Beautiful Islands in the World the toughest question will be which one to add to your bucket list first! (And in this post-apocalyptic world, we know you have one!)
Discover the 30 most beautiful islands in the world for a travel experience like no other. From pristine beaches, untouched nature, secluded getaways, and lush jungles for an often remote, but unsurpassable, travel getaway.
Whatever type of island vacation you’re looking for, we’re sure there is something on our list. From the largest islands in the world packed with rich history, like Sri Lanka; to the famous islands home to some of the world’s top attractions, such as Santorini; the islands that are tourist attractions themselves, like the Maldives, and the tiny islands just offshore from the mainland that make for the perfect day trip.
And while our beautiful islands to visit list may focus on the tropical side (because let’s be fair, beautiful islands, tropical beaches, and lush rainforests go hand in hand!) we have also included some non-tropical islands for balance – and because they are beautiful in their own ways – and may be exactly what you are looking for.
In This Post
1 Map of the Most Beautiful Islands in the World 2 La Digue, Seychelles 3 Con Dao, Vietnam 4 The Maldives 5 Ko Rong, Cambodia 6 Phu Quoc, Vietnam 7 Lord Howe Island, Australia 8 Ko Tao, Thailand 9 Mergui Islands, Myanmar 10 Solomon Islands, South Pacific 11 Boracay, Philippines 12 Whitsunday Island, Australia 13 Palawan, Philippines 14 Cape Breton, Canada 15 Island of Mozambique (Ilha de Mocambique), Mozambique 16 Christmas Island, Australia 17 Saaremaa, Estonia 18 Bora Bora, French Polynesia 19 Santorini, Greece 20 Saint Lucia, Caribbean 21 Galapagos Islands, Ecuador 22 Turks and Caicos, Caribbean 23 Dalmatian Islands Croatia 24 Bali, Indonesia 25 Sardinia, Italy (Or Capri Italy, Or Santorini Italy, or Sicily Italy!) 26 Sri Lanka 27 St Barts, Caribbean 28 Hawaiian Islands, USA 29 Samoa, South Pacific 30 Rottnest Island, Australia 31 Iceland 32 Cook Islands, South Pacific 33 Isle of Sky, Scotland
Map of the Most Beautiful Islands in the World
La Digue, Seychelles
Although there are many things to do in La Digue the most popular is visiting Anse Source D’Argent, the most beautiful beach in Seychelles and often ranked as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Spending time on this island soaking in the mesmerizing beauty is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Con Dao, Vietnam
Here you can walk on undiscovered paths along the ocean, sunbathe on its pristine beaches, explore the primeval jungle and marvel at the great variety of its wildlife. Thanks to cheap boat transport from Vung Tau (3h15m) or Tran De (2h30m), the island has seen hotels and restaurants cropping up around the island, with its nature still untarnished.
The best eateries include Gia Minh Hand-Made Noodle Bistro, and Infinity Cafe and Restaurant, among others.
The best budget hotels and resorts are Hote Condor, Hotel Duc Thanh 2, Garden House Con Dakota, Litte Home, Con Son Green Island, and Hai Truong Hote. With an average price ranging from 15€ to 30€ per night.
Don’t forget that Con Dao is great for scuba diving and snorkeling. You can book your diving trip at Du Lich Con Dao or Con Dao Dive Center.
The Maldives
There are over 100 luxurious resorts to choose from, most with those dreamy overwater bungalows surrounded by turquoise waters bordered by coral reefs and endless marine life.
It’s the ultimate in luxury travel and is home to several resorts which are consistently voted the best resort in the world.
START PLANNING YOUR MALDIVES ESCAPE:
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– Gili Lankanfushi Review: Welcome to Paradise
Ko Rong, Cambodia
It is relatively undiscovered and there are a number of great pristine beaches, unspoilt flora and fauna and great resorts. It is perfect for a romantic getaway such as White Beach Bungalows and Sweet Jungle Bungalows.
Budget properties include Coconut Beach Bungalows at just 8€ per night, Firefly Guest House, a floating inn, costing just 10€, and Lonely Beach guesthouse with a real islander’s chilled vibe.
Keep in mind that to get to Ko Rong, you need to take a ferry from Sihanoukville, a somewhat seedy coastal town, known for its casinos and nightlife.
Phu Quoc, Vietnam
Here you can find coconut-milk white beaches like Sao Beach, a stunning wildlife safari park, a unique Cao Dao church, Hu Quoc Temple, and more. It is also the perfect place to munch on great food and meet locals.
Phu Quoc is not just pristine and little known among travellers, it also boasts great value lodgings like Lien Thon Hotel for 12€ or Ninila Fruitfarm at 10€ or the most luxurious Naomi or Palm Hill Resorts.
Don’t miss out on Phu Quoc biking tours and cycle your way around Phu Quoc.
You can get here by ferry by Ha Tien or Rach Gia (a cheaper option) or on a plane from Ho Chi Minh City (more hassle-free).
Lord Howe Island, Australia
Take a hike up Mount Gower and be rewarded with sweeping views or lounge on Ned’s Beach in the north – and at all times keep an eye out for seabird colonies that call the island home.
It is only a 2-hour flight from both Sydney and Brisbane, but you’ll feel like you’ve landed in another world. And with visitor numbers capped to no more than 400 at any given time, to protect and preserve the natural environment, you’ll want to make sure you save up and book in advance to experience this incredible place.
Ko Tao, Thailand
This is one of the best off-the-beaten-track islands in Thailand that is also great for digital nomads. It is situated in the Gulf of Siam, it’s smaller than Ko Phangan and Koh Samui but offers unique rural charm. It feels truly serene and is actually Thailand’s best place to go scuba diving.
What is more, it offers a great choice of accommodation and dining options, all the while boasting a convivial community of really cool islanders.
To get here fly to Surat Thani and get a combo bus and ferry ticket to Koh Tao (the cheapest option) or fly to Koh Samui and hop on a ferry to Koh Tao (the quickest option). Keep in mind that Ko Tao has no immigration Center of its own so to extend your stay you will have to make it to Koh Phangan or Koh Samui Thailand.
RELATED: On the other side of the mainland you’ll find Ko Phi Phi Don and Koh Phi Phi Ley and if you’re looking for somewhere off the beaten path, be sure to add Trat to your itinerary where you can visit Koh Chang and Koh Mak.
Mergui Islands, Myanmar
Go on an organized tour and see for yourself what savage nature is like. Keep in mind that Burma has just started reopening so double-check with a licensed provider of touristic packages to travel to the Mergui.
Solomon Islands, South Pacific
From the remote communities with their kastom cultures to the clear blue waters, home to pristine coral and amazing marine life, not to mention the world war II history that projected these islands onto the world’s stage in the first place.
There are 6 major islands and over 900 smaller islands (although only a small proportion of those are inhabited) in the Solomon Islands archipelago, and as such, there are plenty of places to escape to where you can be practically alone if you are seeking seclusion, and almost certainly on a digital detox, with limited connectivity throughout the region.
To get here there are international flights from Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and Brisbane, Australia; and domestic flights and boats between the islands.
START PLANNING YOUR DREAM TRIP TO THE SOLOMON ISLANDS:
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Boracay, Philippines
Boracay Island is also a great place for water sports, delicious food, nightlife and infrastructure.
To get here fly to Caticlan or Kalibo, take a ride to Caticlan Jetty Port and then sail to Boracay on a ferry, one of the most pleasant ways of travelling in the Philippines to uncover its authenticity, somewhat briny, maritime charm and scenic sea cape.
Whitsunday Island, Australia
Like the majority of the islands, Whitsunday Island itself is uninhabited and so best visited by boat (or seaplane, or helicopter!) and explored on foot – either by spending time on the famous Whitehaven Beach or walking the hiking trails through the lush jungle at the island’s center.
And don’t forget your snorkel gear – you don’t want to miss the miles of coral and colourful sea life on the Great Barrier Reef.
Palawan, Philippines
Palawan Island is the largest island in an archipelago of over 1700 including the areas of El Nido and Coron, making the region that stuff that island-hopping dreams are made of (you can even zip-line between 2 of them!); but be sure not to miss the underground river and caves in the capital, Puerto Princesa or take a paddle down the Iwahig River and see the fireflies come out after dark.
To get here, fly directly in from the Philippines capital, Manila, or from domestic airports in Cebu and Borocay. (There are also boats available from Manila but the crossing can be a bit hectic, so if you are prone to seasickness, we’d suggest giving it a miss!)
Cape Breton, Canada
Located on the Atlantic Coast in Nova Scotia, Cape Breton (Mi’kmaq, Unama’ki) is famous for dramatic coast views, highland scenery and Celtic heritage, Bras d’Or Lake, and the world-renowned Cabot Trail.
As an island surrounded by water, it should be no surprise the seafood is incredible – and if you want a uniquely Canadian dish with an island twist, be sure to try the Lobster Poutine at the Rusty Anchor in Pleasant Bay. You won’t regret it!
If you’re ready to start planning your Cape Breton adventure, there are 3 ways to get here: you can drive on the Canso Causeway from mainland Nova Scotia; take a Marine Atlantic ferry from Newfoundland; or hop on a flight into Sydney’s J.A. Douglas McCurdy Airport.
Island of Mozambique (Ilha de Mocambique), Mozambique
While one of the poorest parts of the world, the island is home to some incredible properties including the five-star Coral Lodge, the exquisite Terraco de Quitandas, and really en vogue Jardim dos Ales – but this destination is not the Maldives.
As far as beautiful islands go, this one is quite off the beaten path. And being here is almost like stepping back in time – raw and unpolished, there is very little tourism infrastructure to speak of. But in our opinion, is part of its charm.
To get here be prepared to travel overland on bumpy roads – whether by bus or by private transfer. And pack your patience, this is rural Africa.
Christmas Island, Australia
Add in the beautiful landscapes, amazing coral & marine life, lush rainforest & the friendliest locals that just want you to enjoy and love the island as much as they do – and you’ve got the ingredients for an unforgettable adventure.
As a very remote island, there are only a few ways to get to it. (Domestic) flights from Perth in Western Australia are the most popular, with limited international flights available from Jakarta (Indonesia) and Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) – however, both are suspended at the time of writing.
And accommodation is limited – with only around 200 guest beds on the whole island – be sure to book in advance, especially if visiting during the crab migration.
Saaremaa, Estonia
It is best to head to Saaremaa in summer when the sea is warm but the air sufficiently cooler than in the heat-parched south of Europe. It is also much cheaper than tourist-heavy islands like Sardinia, Mallorca or Corfu.
Bora Bora, French Polynesia
A small tropical island, dotted with luxury hotels – many of which have an array of picture-perfect overwater bungalows, with the iconic view of the extinct volcano Mount Otemanu, rising from the water behind them making for the dreamiest sunset snaps… It’s easy to understand why Bora Bora is one of the top islands when you think of luxury travel.
Getting here requires an international flight to Faa’a International Airport in Tahiti followed by a 45-minute flight to Bora Bora. And while that may seem arduous – and an expense before you even get to your luxurious overwater bungalow – visiting this little slice of paradise is a once-in-a-lifetime experience (for most, anyway!)
Santorini, Greece
From the stunning Santorini caldera to the beautiful sunset views in Oia Santorini, there is plenty to see here, especially if you’re looking for a romantic getaway.
Famous blue-domed roof-tops, Santorini is very popular year-round and can get crowded especially when the cruise ships are in and at sunset, but it is still one of the prettiest islands and somewhere everyone needs to see at least once.
Most people visit Santorini and the other Greek Islands of the Cyclades (Mykonos, Milos, Naxos etc) on a Greek Island Hopping adventure, with the trip from Naxos to Santorini taking 1 and a half to 2 hours via ferry. But if you don’t want to arrive by sea, there is an international airport on the island as well.
Saint Lucia, Caribbean
Located in the Eastern Caribbean, Saint Lucia is the second largest of the Windward group in the Lesser Antilles, and is framed by a pair of dramatically tapered mountains, the Pitons, on its west coast. The coastline on the exterior of the island is home to volcanic beaches, reef-diving sites, luxury resorts, and fishing villages.
On the interior, trails through the lush rainforest lead to stunning waterfalls – like the 15m-high Toraille, which pours over a cliff into a pool that makes for a great way to cool off from the year-round tropical temperatures.
Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
The islands and surrounding waters are home to nearly 9,000 different species of plants and animals – the majority of which are endemic and found nowhere else on the planet. This makes it easy to see why it’s considered one of the world’s foremost destinations for wildlife viewing and explains how Charles Darwin’s observations on his visit back in 1835, later inspired his theory of evolution.
Beautiful islands, with beautiful animals, surrounded by beautiful water. It’s a photographer’s dream.
Turks and Caicos, Caribbean
Found halfway between the Bahamas and the Dominican Republic, Turks and Caicos is a British Overseas Territory, and thanks to its climate and location, is home to multiple luxury resorts, boutique shops, and fine dining restaurants – particularly around Grace Bay.
It also boasts some impressive Scuba-diving sites including a 14-mile barrier reef on the north shore of Provo and a dramatic 2,134m underwater wall off Grand Turk island, as just two examples.
Dalmatian Islands Croatia
Whitestone Vancian houses are the backdrop of the island and offer fantastic landscape views of the island’s natural beauty. Though extremely popular, Hvar Croatia has lost none of its paradise island vibes, and it is this that draws in people year after year.
Located on the southern Dalmatian coast, Dubrovnik is also one of the nation’s premier tourist destinations and is seen as one of Croatia’s cultural heartlands for centuries and has the art, culture, and architecture to back it up. In recent years it has become a popular place for fans of the TV show Game of Thrones, in which the city features a lot.
Together, the Dalmatian Islands of Croatia provide the perfect mix of culture and beaches.
Bali, Indonesia
A lush island paradise, it is famous for its beaches, and picturesque rice terraces; is a favorite with surfers, not to mention the home of hundreds of yoga retreats/wellness retreats and day spas. And if that’s not enough, Bali, and particularly the area around Seminyak, offers some of the top restaurants in the whole of the country!
START PLANNING YOUR DREAM TRIP TO BALI:
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Sardinia, Italy (Or Capri Italy, Or Santorini Italy, or Sicily Italy!)
If you can’t decide which of these beautiful Italian islands to visit (like we couldn’t!), take a peek at our guide to 20+ Incredible Places to Visit in Italy PLUS 15 Top Italy Tips to Know Before You Go.
Sri Lanka
It has long been a favorite country on the backpacker trail and has more recently been rediscovered by tourists and travelers alike.
Sri Lanka is home to some of the most stunning beaches in the world – with a beach for every occasion. From relaxing to surfing to fishing and whale watching – there are even a few sea turtle sanctuaries along the coast. Plus lots of culture, history, wildlife, lush rainforest (perfect for nature lovers), and 8 UNESCO world heritage sites!
Hikers will love the challenge of climbing Adam’s Peak, and explorers can enjoy one of the most scenic train journeys in the world on the picturesque blue train through the tea fields and over the famous 9 arch bridge on the journey between Kandy and Ella.
START PLANNING YOUR DREAM TRIP TO SRI LANKA:
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St Barts, Caribbean
A volcanic island almost entirely circled by shallow coral reefs, visitors are enthralled by endless pristine beaches; entranced by the tri-cultured capital of Gustavia which effortlessly blends French, Nordic, and Caribbean flair; and given the thrill of their lives when landing on one of the shortest runways in the world when arriving by air.
To get here, most arrive by yacht, but small prop planes fly from nearby St Martin – just be prepared to hold your breath as you whoosh over the sunbathers on St Jeans beach seconds before you land!
Hawaiian Islands, USA
And as the 50th State of the USA, it is not only really easy to get to but fast became one of the most visited destinations in the whole country, with Maui Hawaii, Kauai Hawaii, and The Big Island being the biggest draws.
However, while we have included the islands of Hawaii on our list of the most beautiful islands in the world – because, let’s face it, how could you not – there have been calls, in 2022, requesting tourists to ‘pause’ their visits as it is putting a considerable amount of strain on the island’s resources and, for example, where water is being limited for residents, is making them second class citizens to the incoming tourists.
Samoa, South Pacific
There are rock formations you can slide down at the Papase’ea Sliding Rocks, you can feel the power of the waves at the Alofa’aga Blowholes, visit the Sale’aula Lava Fields, step into Treasure Island history at the Robert Louis Stevenson Museum, swim in the naturally stunning Tao Sua Ocean Trench, chase waterfalls, laze on the beaches, learn at Samoan culture at the Heritage Centre and so, so much more.
START PLANNING YOUR DREAM TRIP TO SAMOA:
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Rottnest Island, Australia
The island allows no private motorized vehicles, so the best way to explore the island is definitely via bicycle, which can be rented on arrival. Spending the day riding around the island and exploring the hidden coves, lighthouses, and beaches is the perfect day trip that you cannot miss.
Iceland
Boasting amazing landscapes, geothermal pools, black sand beaches and glacier lagoons (to just name a few!), it is the country that has something for everyone and with all the cheap flights through Wow Air and other short-haul European carriers, who can blame people for flocking to this incredible part of the planet?!
START PLANNING YOUR DREAM TRIP TO ICELAND:
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Cook Islands, South Pacific
An unspoiled paradise, it oozes understated luxury, complete with white sand beaches. The largest island, Rarotonga, is home to rugged mountains and Avarua, the national capital. To the north, Aitutaki Island has a vast lagoon encircled by coral reefs and small, sandy islets.
Isle of Sky, Scotland
Skye is the second largest island in Scotland, with epic rugged landscapes that look like they come straight from a movie screen. (And have in quite a few cases!)
There you have it — a complete list of the most beautiful islands in the world! Let us know which one is at the top of your bucket list and which one (or two, or three, or four!) you want to visit first!
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READY FOR MORE TRAVEL INSPIRATION? YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN THESE TRAVEL TIPS, TRAVEL ARTICLES, DESTINATION GUIDES, BUDGET TRAVEL RESOURCES, PACKING GUIDES, AND RELATED POSTS ABOUT OTHER PLACES TO EXPLORE:
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