There’s something undeniably magical about islands. Maybe it’s the sense of isolation, the promise of turquoise waters, or the slower pace of life where shoes are optional and sunsets feel sacred. Whether you're dreaming of a tropical paradise fringed with palm trees, a volcanic outcrop with dramatic cliffs, or a culture-rich gem brimming with local flavour, this bucket list rounds up the world’s most beautiful islands — no two alike.
From far-flung escapes in the South Pacific to Mediterranean favourites and secret stunners in Southeast Asia, this list is designed to fuel your wanderlust and help you plan your next great island adventure. We’ve included top experiences, practical travel tips, and a little something special that makes each island truly unforgettable.
Let’s get into it.
Bora Bora
Tucked away in the heart of French Polynesia, Bora Bora is the crown jewel of the South Pacific — a dreamy volcanic island surrounded by a lagoon so clear it defies belief. Framed by jagged peaks and ringed by a necklace of coral islets, it’s as famous for its postcard-perfect beauty as it is for its overwater bungalows. But there’s more to Bora Bora than luxury resorts — snorkelling among manta rays, learning Polynesian traditions, and sunset cruising in a traditional outrigger all bring you closer to the island’s wild, gentle spirit. For those seeking barefoot luxury and otherworldly scenery, this is paradise defined.
Top experiences
Snorkel with rays and reef sharks in the island’s famous lagoon
Hike Mount Pahia for a panoramic view of the island
Cruise the lagoon at sunset with a local Polynesian guide
Travel tips
Best time to visit: May to October (dry season, lower humidity)
Getting there: Fly to Tahiti, then take a short domestic flight to Bora Bora
Budget: From £200–£400 (€235–€470) per day for mid-range travellers
Bali
Set in the heart of the Indonesian archipelago, Bali is more than just a tropical island — it’s a world of contrasts wrapped into one vibrant destination. You’ll find misty mountain temples, black sand beaches, surf towns, and rice terrace valleys all coexisting alongside yoga retreats and buzzing nightlife. Balinese culture runs deep, with spiritual rituals, community ceremonies, and craftsmanship woven into daily life. Whether you're hiking through jungle to hidden waterfalls or soaking in the scent of frangipani from a hillside café, Bali casts a spell that’s hard to shake — and impossible not to fall for.
Top experiences
Visit the cliffside Uluwatu Temple at sunset
Explore the rice paddies and waterfalls around Ubud
Dive or snorkel the Liberty wreck in Tulamben
Travel tips
Best time to visit: April to October (dry season)
Getting there: Fly into Ngurah Rai International Airport (Denpasar)
Budget: From £40–£100 (€45–€115) per day depending on travel style
Santorini
Floating in the Aegean Sea like a crescent-shaped jewel, Santorini is Greece’s poster child for romance and iconic views. Built on the rim of a sunken volcanic caldera, its whitewashed villages cling dramatically to cliffs, with deep blue domes catching the light of impossibly golden sunsets. But beyond the honeymoon clichés, Santorini offers ancient ruins, volcanic beaches, and a unique local wine scene shaped by its mineral-rich soil. Whether you’re hiking across the crater’s rim or sharing seafood by the harbour in Ammoudi Bay, the island’s raw beauty and distinct energy make it unforgettable.
Top experiences
Watch the sunset from Oia or take a sunset cruise around the caldera
Explore the ruins of ancient Akrotiri, a Minoan city frozen in time
Hike from Fira to Oia along the caldera rim trail
Travel tips
Best time to visit: Late April to early June or September to October for fewer crowds
Getting there: Fly into Santorini (Thira) National Airport or arrive by ferry from Athens
Budget: From £100–£180 (€115–€210) per day for mid-range to boutique travel
Mljet
Often overshadowed by Croatia’s more famous islands, Mljet remains one of the Adriatic’s best-kept secrets — a green, peaceful escape blanketed in pine forests and edged by quiet coves. The western third of the island is a national park, home to twin saltwater lakes and a tiny island monastery floating at their centre. With only one main road, limited development, and a deep sense of stillness, Mljet invites travellers to slow down. Whether you're kayaking across the lakes, cycling past wildflowers, or sipping local wine under the stars, the island’s natural rhythm takes over.
Top experiences
Kayak across the saltwater lakes of Mljet National Park
Visit the 12th-century Benedictine monastery on St. Mary’s Island
Cycle through shaded pine forests and quiet coastal roads
Travel tips
Best time to visit: May to September (warm and sunny, with quiet early/late in the season)
Getting there: Ferry from Dubrovnik or Split
Budget: From £60–£110 (€70–€130) per day for a laid-back escape
Isla Holbox
Off the northern tip of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, Isla Holbox is a sandy slice of Caribbean paradise where barefoot living is a way of life. The island is part of the Yum Balam Nature Reserve, and its eco-conscious attitude means no cars, no high-rises, and no rush. Think colourful street art, flamingos wading through lagoons, and long afternoons swinging in a beachside hammock with a cold chelada in hand. Holbox draws a chilled-out crowd — solo travellers, couples, creatives — all here for the slow pace and the surreal natural beauty, from glowing bioluminescent beaches to whale shark encounters offshore.
Top experiences
Swim with whale sharks (June to September)
Watch bioluminescence light up the sea at Punta Cocos
Sip mezcal and eat fresh ceviche on the beach
Travel tips
Best time to visit: November to April (dry season, whale sharks arrive from June)
Getting there: Bus or drive to Chiquilá, then a 20-minute ferry
Budget: From £50–£100 (€60–€115) per day for mid-range travellers
Big Island, Hawaii
Sprawling and rugged, Hawaii’s Big Island is like a planet unto itself — a land where lava meets the sea, snow dusts the mountaintops, and ancient legends echo through valleys and volcanic craters. It’s the largest and most geologically diverse of the Hawaiian Islands, home to active volcanoes, black and green sand beaches, tropical rainforests, and some of the clearest night skies on Earth. While many visitors flock to Maui or Oahu, the Big Island draws in adventurers, divers, hikers, and stargazers looking for something a little wilder and less polished — a place where nature truly takes the lead.
Top experiences
Hike through volcanic craters at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
Snorkel or dive with manta rays off the Kona Coast
Watch the stars from the summit of Mauna Kea
Travel tips
Best time to visit: Year-round, but April to October offers drier weather
Getting there: Fly directly into Kona or Hilo International Airport
Budget: From £100–£180 (€115–€210) per day depending on activity level
Zanzibar
Just off the coast of mainland Tanzania, Zanzibar is a spice-scented island steeped in history and surrounded by some of the most dazzling waters in the Indian Ocean. Once a key trading post on ancient spice and slave routes, today Zanzibar blends Swahili, Arab, Indian and European influences into something utterly unique. You’ll find labyrinthine alleyways in Stone Town, coral rag villages along the coast, and beaches where the tide rolls back to reveal miles of sandbars. Whether you're here to kite-surf, dive into turquoise lagoons, or simply soak up the soul of the island, Zanzibar delivers both adventure and serenity.
Top experiences
Get lost in the UNESCO-listed streets of Stone Town
Swim with dolphins or snorkel the reefs of Mnemba Atoll
Visit a spice farm and learn about Zanzibar’s trade history
Travel tips
Best time to visit: June to October (cooler, dry season) or December to February for warmer beach days
Getting there: Fly to Zanzibar International Airport (ZNZ), or ferry from Dar es Salaam
Budget: From £50–£120 (€60–€140) per day depending on travel style
Koh Lipe
Tucked away in the Andaman Sea near Thailand’s border with Malaysia, Koh Lipe is a tiny island with powdery beaches, turquoise shallows, and a laid-back, toes-in-the-sand kind of energy. Often called the “Maldives of Thailand,” this island is part of Tarutao National Marine Park, meaning its coral reefs are teeming with life and protected from overdevelopment — for now. By day, you can kayak to deserted coves or snorkel straight off the beach. By night, you’ll be sipping cocktails on the sand as the sun sinks into the sea and reggae tunes drift through the salty air.
Top experiences
Snorkel off Sunrise Beach or take a longtail tour to nearby reefs
Hike to the viewpoint on neighbouring Koh Adang for panoramic views
Enjoy fresh seafood and street eats along Walking Street
Travel tips
Best time to visit: November to April (dry season and calm seas)
Getting there: Ferry from Pak Bara or Langkawi (Malaysia), or fly to Hat Yai then travel overland
Budget: From £30–£80 (€35–€95) per day — backpacker to boutique range
São Miguel
The largest island in Portugal’s Azores archipelago, São Miguel is a lush, volcanic wonderland in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Here, emerald hills roll into steaming calderas, crater lakes shimmer in jewel tones, and hot springs bubble beneath the surface of sleepy villages. It’s a hiker’s paradise, a photographer’s dream, and a sanctuary for those craving quiet, nature-driven travel. You won’t find white sand beaches or tropical heat, but you will find waterfalls, geysers, wild coastline, and geothermal-cooked cozido stew served in crater-heated soil.
Top experiences
Hike around Sete Cidades and take in the twin crater lakes
Soak in the thermal pools of Furnas and Terra Nostra Garden
Visit tea plantations and taste Europe’s only locally grown tea
Travel tips
Best time to visit: May to October (milder weather and fewer rain showers)
Getting there: Direct flights from Lisbon or Porto to Ponta Delgada airport
Budget: From £60–£120 (€70–€140) per day for mid-range travellers
Palawan
Scattered across the Sulu Sea in the western Philippines, Palawan is a long, slender island fringed by over 1,700 smaller islets, many of which remain completely untouched. Towering limestone cliffs plunge into crystal-clear lagoons, while dense jungle hides secret waterfalls and ancient caves. Whether you’re kayaking in El Nido, diving shipwrecks in Coron, or sipping fresh coconut in sleepy Port Barton, Palawan feels like nature showing off. It’s dramatic, exotic, and still feels wonderfully off-grid in all the right ways.
Top experiences
Island-hop through the Bacuit Archipelago near El Nido
Dive WWII wrecks and coral gardens in Coron Bay
Hike to secluded beaches or visit the UNESCO-listed Puerto Princesa Underground River
Travel tips
Best time to visit: November to May (dry season and best sea conditions)
Getting there: Fly to Puerto Princesa, El Nido, or Busuanga depending on your base
Budget: From £30–£80 (€35–€95) per day — backpacker to mid-range
Fernando de Noronha
A true hidden gem off Brazil’s northeast coast, Fernando de Noronha is a volcanic archipelago that’s fiercely protected — and jaw-droppingly beautiful. With visitor numbers capped daily, the beaches here are blissfully empty, the reefs pristine, and the wildlife abundant. Dolphins frolic in the surf, sea turtles nest on golden shores, and dramatic black cliffs rise from the Atlantic like something out of a fantasy novel. It’s a place for nature lovers, divers, and those looking to experience raw, wild beauty with almost no distractions.
Top experiences
Snorkel at Baía do Sancho, often voted one of the best beaches in the world
Spot dolphins at sunrise from Mirante dos Golfinhos
Hike volcanic trails to panoramic viewpoints across the island
Travel tips
Best time to visit: August to January (dry season and great visibility for diving)
Getting there: Fly via Recife or Natal, with environmental fees payable on arrival
Budget: From £100–£200 (€115–€235) per day — strict caps and eco-taxes make this a pricier spot
Sicily
Floating at the toe of Italy’s boot, Sicily is an island that refuses to be one thing — it’s wild coastlines, smoking volcanoes, Baroque cities, Greek ruins, and olive groves all rolled into one. Food here isn’t just a passion, it’s practically a religion, with street markets and seafood feasts waiting in every town. You’ll explore ancient temples in Agrigento, hike Mount Etna’s lunar landscapes, and swim in cobalt waters beneath hillside villages. Sicily is history-rich, fiercely proud, and impossible not to fall in love with.
Top experiences
Wander the Valley of the Temples and learn about Sicily’s Greek past
Take a boat trip along the coastline of the Aeolian Islands
Feast on arancini, cannoli, and pasta alla Norma in Palermo or Catania
Travel tips
Best time to visit: April to June or September to October for sunshine without the summer crowds
Getting there: Fly into Palermo, Catania, or Trapani depending on your route
Budget: From £60–£130 (€70–€150) per day depending on travel style
Honourable Mentions
Madeira, Portugal – A hiker’s dream with dramatic cliffs, natural lava pools, and lush levada trails
Caye Caulker, Belize – Caribbean charm, crystal-clear snorkelling, and a relaxed “go slow” lifestyle
Moorea, French Polynesia – Just a short hop from Tahiti but less polished (and pricey) than Bora Bora
Jeju Island, South Korea – Volcanic landscapes, waterfalls, and tea fields with a distinct Korean twist
Ischia, Italy – Thermal spas, gardens, and coastal charm — Capri’s more affordable cousin
Nosy Be, Madagascar – Island-hopping, lemurs, and incredible marine life off Africa’s eastern coast
Corsica, France – Wild and rugged with a mix of Mediterranean beaches and alpine hiking
Corsica, France.
From the remote coral atolls of the South Pacific to the volcanic peaks of the Azores and the street-food-filled lanes of Sicily, the world’s most beautiful islands are as diverse as they are unforgettable. Some are all about barefoot luxury and crystal lagoons; others are about raw nature, ancient cultures, or just finding the perfect hammock to watch the sunset.
Whether you're planning your next tropical escape or daydreaming from your desk, this bucket list is your starting point — a passport to paradise that goes beyond the usual suspects. So pack light, think big, and get ready to hop across the globe, one island at a time.
Looking for more inspiration? Check out our guides to island-hopping in Southeast Asia, diving adventures around the world, or the best budget island destinations for 2025.
