1. Bora Bora
Luxury holiday favourite Bora Bora (located near Tahiti) is best known
for its iconic overwater bungalows and circular lagoon. The turquoise
lagoon is kept calm and tranquil by the surrounding protective coral
reefs and the reefs are also home to huge amounts of colorful tropical
fish, making Bora Bora a diver’s dream. The easy-on-the-eye romantic
villas with their thatched roofs and eco-conscious designs blend in
beautifully with the natural surroundings.
2. Boracay – Philippines
This narrow 7km long island paradise is home to several award-winning
beaches. Head for White Beach, which is lined with all the hotels and
tourist amenities you could want and Bulabog Beach which is best for
windsurfing and kite surfing. Another photogenic beach is Puka Beach
which is covered in pretty Puka shells.
3. Seychelles
The Seychelles are an archipelago of 115 islands off the east coast of Africa. The popular honeymoon destination
has distinct influences from African, European and Asian cultures and
this is reflected in the island’s art, food and architecture. Don’t miss
the Vallee de Mai, a unique natural palm forest and the Aldabra which
is a large coral atoll, home to the giant tortoise. There are also an
endless number of pristine beaches and romantic secluded areas as well
as vast forests to explore.
4. Fiji
Fiji is a group of 333 islands in the South Pacific which is both a romantic and adventurous travel destination. Book flights to Fiji
and find yourself choosing from mountain treks, water sports, shark
feeding or diving in the Astrolable Reef. You will also find many
eco-friendly resorts as well as homestay opportunities where you can
experience an interesting mix of Indian, Chinese, European, Tongan and
Samoan cultures.
5. Maldives
One of the most popular island escapes in the world, the nation nestled
in the Indian ocean consists of over 1,190 coral islands. This is
another island destination which has a mixture of cultural influences
(Asian, African and Arabian) and the Maldives is certainly a place you
wouldn’t forget in a hurry. The surrounding natural atolls make diving
in the translucent water a sublime experience and the country lives in
close cooperation with the environment making it a ‘greener’ getaway.
6. Mnemba Island – Zanzibar
Heart-shaped Mnemba can be found 1km from the island of Zanzibar (off
the east African coast) and is privately owned. The island consists of
perfect white beaches and a small inland forest. Mnemba is known as an
ideal diving destination and here is where endangered green turtles
nest, large whale sharks reside and over 600 species of fish swim around
the colourful coral reefs. Although as its privately owned, you can
only visit if you are a guest of the Mnemba Island Lodge.
7. Koh Lipe –Thailand
The small island of Koh Lipe lies in the Andaman Sea close to both
Malaysia and Thailand. It’s actually part of the Tarutao National Marine
Park and is most famous for its idyllic beaches and crystal clear water
– perfect for diving and snorkelling. The beaches are lined with laid
back beach bars and accommodation is available in the form of grass
roofed huts, resorts and bungalows. No cars are allowed on the Koh Lipe
which gives it a very relaxed vibe and the whole island can be covered
on foot within an hour. A great Thai island alternative.
8. Maui – Hawaii
No list of beautiful island escapes would be complete without a mention
of Maui. The popular Hawaii resort has an unrivaled combination of
pristine beaches, picturesque waterfalls and a unique Kahului culture.
If you time your visit right (between January and early April) you also
may be lucky enough to see the hump back whales that migrate through the
waters of Maui.
9. Langkawi – Malaysia
Located off the coast of Malaysia, this archipelago of 99 islands will
give you a glimpse of rural life with rice paddies, small villages and a
jungle covered interior. On the coast, beaches of fine white sand await
holidaymakers. Make sure you see the Telaga Tujuh waterfalls, trek the
Gunung Raya Mountain and visit crocodile Adventureland. Not only is the
island a nature lovers paradise with limestone caves, a black sand beach
and mangrove forests but handily Langkawi is also tax-free haven!
10. Bonaire – Caribbean
Although belonging to the Netherlands, Bonaire is located in the
Caribbean close to Araba and Curacao. A diver’s paradise, the diving is
some of the best in the world and the entire surrounding waters are a
marine sanctuary filled with beautiful coral reefs. Windsurfing is also a
very popular Bonaire pastime along with snorkeling, swimming and
sunbathing. Wild iguanas and flamingos frequent the flat tropical island
and when here you should also try to visit the resort’s surreal looking
salt flats and rock art.
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