Bright mornings and blue skies make us wish we were at the ocean or lounging on an island. Few islands across the world have served us as the perfect getaways from the city. Some are perfect to enjoy the calm and some to enjoy the loud beats of the parties. The best islands in the world have been picked from six continents and different countries to suit the tastes of all types of travellers.
Also read: The Best Islands In Malaysia Await You
10 Best Islands In The World
1. Freedive Like A Fish: Boracay, Philippines
Spread over seven kilometres, Boracay in the Philippines has beautiful landscapes and crystal clear waters. The island has 13 beaches with the main ones being White Beach and Bulabog. The island offers thrilling activities like cliff diving from Aerial Point, kite surfing at Bulabog Beach, quick zipline, and parasailing. The Boracay Pub Crawl has been going strong for 10 years, with free shots and fun nights. More recreational activities like massages, cooking classes, and shopping centres are also available in Boracay. One of the best cities in the world, Boracay is a famous place to learn how to free dive and scuba dive and is known for its Philippine Mermaid Swimming Academy.
The island was closed in 2018 for environmental reasons but was later reopened in 2019. The island was closed for six months starting on 26 April 2018 after President Rodrigo Duterte visited the island and found there were too many environmental violations. It is believed that overcrowding combined with poor waste management led to the deterioration of the environment. There were also investors who built hotels and restaurants on forest land that were torn down after the island was closed. The island reopened with strict rules such as no smoking and drinking by the beach and allowing only eco-friendly and safety-compliant facilities to work.
2. Some Of Australia’s Best Wildlife: Whitsunday, Australia
Among the best islands in the world, Whitsunday must be explored via sailboats and cruises. The string of islands is inside the Great Barrier Reef making it ideal for snorkelling, scuba diving, sailing, and cruising. Whitsunday’s waters have access to flourishing ecosystems that contain around 1625 species of fish, turtles, whales, sharks, dolphins, rays, and 1,400 types of coral. Whitsunday has islands like Hamilton Island, Hayman Island, Daydream Island and Long Island that have national parks, diverse Australian wildlife, eco-resorts, and boutique resorts that allow first-hand interaction with sharks and stingrays.
3. Luminescent Waters And Healthy Coral Reefs: Puerto Rico, U.S. territory
With adventurous activities, pristine sceneries, historical attractions, cultural squares, and a Caribbean appeal—Puerto Rico is a favourite destination for many. One of the world’s best islands, Puerto Rico has cultural and historical locations like the Old San Juan Cathedral, Ponce with colonial architecture, and Guanica. Nature here is abundant and can be spotted at La Parguera Natural Reserve with its salt marshes and coral reefs and the Rio Camuy caves. An island famous for diving is Isla Desecheo which has great visibility and varied marine life. Rincon is a surfing town and is popular for whale-watching. Don’t miss the Puerto Mosquito Bioluminescent Bay which has glowing waters making Puerto Rico one of the best islands in the world. Many restaurants offer delicious seafood and thriving nightlife mainly in Fajardo.
4. Sculpted Rocks And Coves: Paros, Greece
The perfect destination to head to in summer, Paros in Greece is not as famous as Mykonos, making it much less crowded. Cobblestone streets, zigzagging passages, white buildings, and churches are the trademarks of the island. In summer, Paros becomes very cosmopolitan but Lefkes village still preserves the traditional outlook with neoclassical architecture, quaint cafés, and taverns. One of the world’s best islands, Paros has beaches like Kolybithres that have beautiful rock formations and picturesque boat rides.
5. Centuries Worth Of Treasure: Hvar, Croatia
Croatia has grown to be one of the most visited destinations in Europe. Hvar with its indented coastline has vineyards, rustic towns, idyllic beaches, water sports, and lively nightlife. Situated on the northern side of the island, the historical town of Stari Grad, the oldest town in Croatia, is a must-visit. Other historical attractions to explore such as St Stephen’s Cathedral with Baroque and Renaissance influences, the 15th-century Franciscan Monastery and the 13th-century Spanish fort called Tvrdjava Fortica make the island interesting. Dubovica Beach and Mlini Beach are the most popular. Towns like Vrboska have narrow bays and stone bridges that make you feel like you are in Venice.
6. Whales At The Rugged Coastline: Cape Breton, Canada
Cape Breton has a unique culture that mixes Celtic culture and Acadian French. The island has various festivals and events that keep it vibrant like the Celtic Colours Festival. Cape Breton is famous for its outdoor activities like camping and hiking along the beaches and national parks. The island also has four 18-hole golf courses that attract many tourists. Cape Breton Miners Museum has tours that demonstrate mining methods. The Highland Village that preserves Gaelic culture and the fishing village of Les Trois Pignons are some of the quiet destinations in Cape Breton, one of the world’s best islands.
7. Spanish White Sand Beaches: Canary Islands, Spain
One of the best islands in the world, the Canary Islands is home to one of Europe’s largest mountains, Mount Teide. Situated off the coast of northwest Africa it has volcanic islands, fascinating canyons, and hills with lush forests. Islands like Tenerife, Gran Canaria, and La Gomera are visited the most. Beaches with their pristine waters become more special with the subtropical climate that seems like spring. The islands also have national parks, one of which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and beautiful beaches at islands like Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura. The Canary Islands are a great place for stargazing and are home to the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory on La Palma.
8. Balinese Culture And Cuisine: Bali, Indonesia
Bali is one of the islands that feature on most travellers’ bucket lists. With a variety of experiences, the island offers beaches, happening nightlife, serene temples, thrilling adventure activities, cascading waterfalls, lakes, marine, and safari parks. Padang Bai is most famous for diving and surfing. Tanah Lot Temple situated by the sea must be visited at sunset when the sun melts into the crashing waves. Try Balinese cuisine that has authentic flavours with seafood. The green sceneries of the Tegalalang Rice Terrace must not be missed.
9. Volcanic Beauties: Fiji Islands, Oceania
Located in the South Pacific Ocean, 332 tropical islands form the Fiji Islands. Wakaya Island houses lagoons, beautiful white sand beaches, cliffs, diverse vegetation, and wildlife. Fiji Islands have a thriving culture in Navala Village that has kept traditions alive like the kava ceremony. You can also explore the village trails. The town of Nadi also has cultural attractions like mud baths, authentic Fijian food, markets with hand-painted sarees, kava bowls, and cannibal forks. Among the best islands in the world, Fiji is a great destination for scuba diving, snorkelling, and other water sports.
10. Dance To The Tunes Of The Water: Tahiti, French Polynesia
French Polynesia’s most famous destinations Bora Bora and Tahiti are popular throughout the globe. The islands largely attract couples on honeymoons. Tahiti has special overwater bungalows that have a private sun deck and you sleep to the sound of the gentle waters. You can either relax with a monoi-oil massage or be adventurous while feeding a stingray. Along with fresh seafood, Tahiti’s waters also have pearls that come in black, grey, blue, green, and more colours. Make sure you enjoy the culture with Polynesian dance and traditional dishes like poisson cru (raw tuna cured in coconut milk and lemon juice). One of the world’s best islands, Tahiti’s lagoons also make for ideal waters for snorkelling and other adventure activities.
Keeping The Best Islands In The World Healthy
Islands across the world have a wide range of experiences and activities to offer tourists. Some of the above-mentioned islands have suffered at the hands of overcrowding and ecological damage. Whenever you visit these islands make sure you incorporate eco-friendly behaviors for bettering the health of the islands.
