Backed by verdant green mountains, this pint-sized tropical island only recently opened up to international visitors, so now is the time to explore. While it might be small, there’s plenty to keep visitors occupied too, from brilliant beaches to botanical gardens. It’s not just popular with humans either; bottlenose dolphins, spinner dolphins, sperm whales and humpbacks all play in its surrounding waters.
Beloved for its palm-fringed beaches, reggae beats and zingy jerk chicken, Jamaica is the third-largest island in the Greater Antilles Caribbean. While it’s always been popular with holidaymakers – particularly Montego Bay, Negril and Ocho Rios – 2022 is a particularly important year for the island, as it celebrates 60 years of independence.
A far cry from Thailand’s notoriously overcrowded corners, Koh Mak is committed to developing its tourism infrastructure sustainably. That means working with nature and the local community, rather than exploiting it, by investing in recycling, renewable energy and prohibiting gas-guzzling vehicles. Little wonder, then, how it’s managed to maintain its status as one of the most idyllic islands in the world.
This eco-friendly island stretches just 16 miles long, but it packs a real punch. From pink-hued beaches to historic ruins to spectacular snorkelling, there’s something for every taste and budget. This year, there’s a whole string of new restaurants to check out and hotels to check into too, from Meads Bay Bar and Restaurant to Hummingbird Villa.
For years, Madeira was the destination of choice for retirees, but these days it’s drawing younger crowds for its lively towns, beautiful beaches and epic hiking trails. It’s even home to its own island chain – The Desertas Islands – known as the Galapagos of Europe. As well as jaw-dropping beaches, it’s home to a colony of Mediterranean monk seals, which can reach three metres long and 300 kg in weight.
Lummi Island yet feels lightyears away from the bustle of Seattle. It’s a sleepy, scenic island with a thriving artist community, local and organic dining, and stunning vistas of the Salish Sea. Coming here is like going back into the past where life is a little bit slower and a lot more meaningful. It’s an ideal place to get off the grid and enjoy seaside strolls, bicycle rides and a good book.
Set in Brisbane’s backyard, just a 75-minute ferry ride from the city, Moreton Island is made entirely of sand – the third largest of its kind in the world. From snorkelling the Tangalooma wrecks to tobogganing down sand dunes at 40 km/ph, it’s the ultimate island getaway or families. Plus, a friendly family of dolphins have visited the shores since the early 1990s, so guests at the resort can book feeding sessions too.
Widely recognised as the crowning jewel of the shimmering Andaman Islands. The region is home to 89% of India’s coral diversity, including Staghorn coral, sea fans and plate coral. Radhanager, a sweeping crescent-shaped stretch of sand backed by jungle, frequently ranks as the best beach in Asia. For an ultra-luxurious stay, check into the newly-opened Taj Exotica, the first five-star resort on the island.
Iceland isn’t short on good-looking islands but Flatey can now claim its place as one of the best islands in the world. There are beautifully kept old houses dotted along the island, but just two families stay here throughout the winter. In a charming way, it feels very much like a movie set. And so it is. Many movies are set on the island, most notably The Honour of the House based on a short story by Nobel Prize winner Halldór Laxness.
For a long time, Mallorca and Ibiza got all the attention, but Menorca has recently come into its own in recent years. Billed as the Balearic’s most eco-friendly holiday spot, the whole of the island is recognised as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve thanks to its bountiful flora, fauna, birds and beaches. It’s also the largest marine biosphere in the Mediterranean and a Starlight Reserve and Starlight Destination.
The Indonesian island of Bali has long been a huge draw for everybody from surfers to honeymooners for decades, but it’s been closed to tourists for more than two years. But as of June 2022, its doors are wide open. This paradise island has something for everyone – terraced rice fields, pristine beaches, world-class surf spots and historical temples.
Set three kilometres off the northeast coast of Unguja, Mnemba Island is a teeny-tiny island that sits within a halo of coral reef. Perfect for those seeking seclusion, the island offers 12 luxurious beachside banda suites and double the number of staff to guests. Days here are best spent stretching out on sugar-soft white sands, snorkelling in the shallows and sipping champagne as the sun sets against the casuarina pine forest backdrop.
Looking for paradise? You’ll find it in the Maldives, a tropical nation in the Indian Ocean of more than 1,000 coral islands. It’s home to some of the world’s most luxurious hotel resorts, with white sandy beaches, underwater villas and restaurants and bright blue waters. You’ll struggle to pick just one spot to visit here, but highlights include Rangali Islands and its incredible underwater resort.
Everyones talking about Qatar this year thanks to the Fifa World Cup, but if you’re looking for some respite from the crowds, you might want to consider hopping across to on of the nation’s islands. Unlike many of Qatar’s islands, Purple Island isn’t manmade and instead boasts a fascinating history. Once a temporary campsite for trade with Bahrain and used by fishermen and pearl divers since 2000 BCE, it’s home to some fascinating ruins, as well as a wide variety of birds and marine animals.
Denmark might not be the first place that springs to mind when it comes to idyllic islands, but that’s all part of Bornholm’s charm. Technically closer to Sweden, this picturesque island is a 30-minute flight or 2.5-hour drive from Copenhagen. Combining pristine beaches, picturesque fishing villages and a renowned culinary scene, it’s the perfect place to while away a few days.
This beautiful, bohemian island is famous for its good food, wine and art, but it’s heartstoppingly beautiful too. The second-largest island in the Hauraki Gulf of New Zealand, it’s just a 40-minute ferry ride from downtown Auckland, which makes it popular with city-dwellers too. The beaches are breathtaking too, boasting secret coves, calm waters and endless expanses of sugar-soft sand.
Those looking to combine some of the world’s best snorkelling with an epic party scene will be hard pressed to find better than Ambergris Caye. It’s the largest island in Belize, surrounded by the Belize Barrier reef, the largest barrier reef in the Americas. As well as endless white sandy stretches, waters teeming with marine life and mangrove-lined lagoons, there are upmarket hotels, bustling beach bars and party hotspots like Placencia and Punta Gorde.
Santo – as locals call it – is the largest of the 83 Vanuatu Islands. It still remains largely unspoilt, with powdery white sand and freshwater Blue Holes surrounded by natural rainforests. You’ll fall in love with this place the moment you spot it from the plane. One of the world’s most picturesque islands, this spot has clear blue waters and sparkling sand.
It’s fair to say Slovenia is having a bit of a moment. Ranked as one of the greenest destinations in the world, thousands of tourists are hot-footing here for hiking, biking and more. Lake Bled, which rises out of the country’s most beloved lake like a magical mirage, is bewitching. Open daily, the tiny island is home to the Church of the Assumption, a tiny museum, Provost’s House and the petna – an impressive gondola offering swapping views over the fairytale landscape.
For proof that you don’t need to book a flight to the Caribbean for coral beaches and turquoise ocean views, head to Sommarøy. But what really sets this Nordic destination apart is the “Midnight Sun”. Sommarøy, which means ‘Summer Island’, hardly sees sunset during the summer months. The sun doesn’t set for 69 days every summer, and is in constant darkness from November to January.
