The best islands to visit around the world in 2021

The whole point of an island getaway is to get away. Any island that’s easy to reach is naturally overrun with tourists, so you have to go a little further to find relief from other annoying travelers and any reminder of the world you left behind. Skip Bora Bora and Tahiiti, and retreat to Raiatea, which means “faraway heaven,” a 45-minute flight from the capital, Papeete, according to Thrillist. There’s not much in the way of beaches on the island itself, but you can hire a boat to take you to a motu, a tiny spit of sand in a lagoon, where you can guarantee no one will interrupt your bliss.

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It’s popular for a reason. Maui has everything you’re looking for in an island vacation: amazing scenery caught between epic mountains and lapping waves, swaying palms, waterfalls, world-class resorts, excellent restaurants and bars, beaches that will make your eyes water, plenty of hiking through gorgeous national and state parks, helicopter tours, surfing, snorkeling — we’ll just stop here for the sake of space.
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The largest province of the Philippines is an archipelago in the country’s Southeast, known for its beaches, rainforests, resorts, and activities like scuba diving around WWII wrecks and paddling along the subterranean river at Puerto Princesa, all of which rocketed the area to the top of Travel and Leisure’s audience poll in 2020.
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Most islands are beloved for their natural splendor, and while Crete has some beautiful scenery — cough, Samaria Gorge, cough — its most striking decorations are the ruins of empires past: Roman, Venetian, and Turkish, to name a few. Fuel up on some classic Greek fare then head off to explore a few ancient palaces.
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If you’re looking for more of an adventure than a lounge on the sand, head to the Galapagos, where eco tours will introduce you to all sorts of indigenous wildlife. You’ll find flamingos, iguanas, and of course the famed giant tortoises.
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Even island hoppers need to eat. According to US News & World Report, Anguilla is often called the culinary capital of the Caribbean, combining the lush beaches and relaxing vibes you expect with fireworks in the kitchen you might not. The island’s cuisine has influences from indigenous, Spanish, French, English and African cultures, all on display at the island’s 100-plus restaurants, many run by top-tier chefs.
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Not all island destinations are tropical. Nor does every traveler want the typical white sand with tropical cocktails experience. For the person who prefers a more rugged adventure, Thrillist points out, the Isle of Skye off Scotland’s northwest coast (accessible by bridge from the mainland) offers the sort of stunning mountains, green hillsides, and clouded beauty to make you feel alive. Be sure to indulge in some hearty local cuisine and whisky to warm up at the end of the day.
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Travelers from the East Coast are lucky to have Bermuda within puddle-hopping distance from any major airport. A little over two hours from New York, the island is a quick escape for pink sand beaches, caves and swimming holes, upscale shopping, and plenty of rum-based drinks like the island’s own Dark & Stormy.
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Don’t just tack on the Canary Islands to a European tour. They deserve your full attention. The “island of eternal spring” offers excellent weather any time of year, it’s relatively affordable compared to party islands nearby — oh and the scenery is some of the most jaw-dropping, outrageous beauty you’ll ever see: lava fields, laurel forests, submerged mountains.
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Off the eastern coast of Africa, just north of Madagascar, you’ll find the Seychelles, a 115-island archipelago in the Indian Ocean. Anse Source d’Argent on La Digue, the third largest of the islands, is often named the most beautiful beach in the world, with massive boulders, crystal clear waters, and tropical forest that runs right up to the sand. You’ll find plenty of wildlife, hiking, and Creole cuisine to round out your stay.
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