64 islands Updated October 20, 2026

All 64 islands, scored

64 islands, each scored the same way

Every island on the site with its six factor scores: weather, beaches and sea, things to do, getting there from the US, value and room to breathe. Sort the table by any column.

IslandRegionOverallWeatherBeachesThingsAccessValueCrowdsPassport
Puerto RicoCaribbean8.49.08.09.08.97.46.8No
CuraçaoCaribbean8.39.88.08.08.69.94.6Yes
JamaicaCaribbean8.39.47.58.59.710.08.3Yes
MartiniqueCaribbean8.29.47.58.57.88.37.0Yes
CreteGreece8.28.59.09.53.68.66.4Yes
MauiHawaii8.19.79.09.06.94.35.6No
BarbadosCaribbean8.19.58.58.08.17.44.8Yes
AntiguaCaribbean8.09.59.07.08.57.14.9Yes
Fiji (Viti Levu and the Mamanucas)South Pacific8.08.67.58.04.110.010.0Yes
OahuHawaii7.99.78.09.06.86.33.9No
St. LuciaCaribbean7.99.36.58.58.28.46.0Yes
GrenadaCaribbean7.99.67.57.57.68.16.3Yes
SicilyMediterranean7.98.17.010.04.97.08.6Yes
St. ThomasCaribbean7.89.27.56.58.88.3–No
ExumaCaribbean7.88.99.06.09.74.68.3Yes
Big Island (Hawaii Island)Hawaii7.78.27.09.06.94.29.1No
ZanzibarIndian Ocean7.79.57.58.02.110.07.0Yes
ArubaCaribbean7.69.89.07.08.65.52.1Yes
St. Martin / Sint MaartenCaribbean7.69.48.08.08.77.21.3Yes
MallorcaMediterranean7.68.28.09.05.47.93.8Yes
BaliAsia7.69.26.59.52.010.05.8Yes
PalawanAsia7.67.68.58.02.310.0–Yes
TortolaCaribbean7.59.37.08.08.36.5–Yes
St. JohnCaribbean7.49.29.06.07.33.4–No
Grand CaymanCaribbean7.49.48.56.510.04.03.7Yes
NaxosGreece7.48.08.57.53.67.86.3Yes
AnguillaCaribbean7.39.39.55.08.24.65.6Yes
RhodesGreece7.38.27.08.53.59.64.7Yes
SardiniaMediterranean7.38.19.07.04.28.38.7Yes
MauritiusIndian Ocean7.37.48.08.02.09.46.7Yes
St. CroixCaribbean7.29.46.57.08.87.4–No
Hilton Head IslandUS mainland7.16.57.06.510.07.1–No
CozumelCaribbean7.19.26.07.010.010.04.1Yes
RoatánCaribbean7.18.97.06.59.910.03.2Yes
TenerifeCanary Islands7.18.76.09.04.87.73.9Yes
PhuketThailand7.18.48.08.52.010.01.0Yes
Turks and Caicos (Providenciales)Caribbean7.09.29.55.09.73.92.0Yes
ParosGreece7.07.97.57.03.69.24.9Yes
Gran CanariaCanary Islands7.08.47.08.04.76.44.2Yes
Seychelles (Mahé and Praslin)Indian Ocean7.08.39.07.02.06.44.5Yes
BonaireCaribbean6.99.85.07.08.08.26.9Yes
Nassau and Paradise IslandCaribbean6.88.97.07.010.07.61.4Yes
Virgin GordaCaribbean6.89.38.55.07.31.5–Yes
CorfuGreece6.87.27.08.53.87.63.9Yes
Koh SamuiThailand6.89.08.07.02.09.31.6Yes
KauaiHawaii6.78.18.07.06.84.76.1No
LanzaroteCanary Islands6.78.07.07.54.76.23.6Yes
FuerteventuraCanary Islands6.48.28.05.54.78.05.1Yes
IbizaMediterranean6.48.38.07.05.45.22.9Yes
São Miguel (Azores)Atlantic6.45.74.08.56.68.55.9Yes
Key WestUS mainland6.38.44.07.510.04.3–No
St. BartsCaribbean6.39.48.55.07.11.0–Yes
MadeiraAtlantic6.37.33.09.06.08.63.9Yes
Koh LantaThailand6.37.78.05.52.09.5–Yes
MaldivesIndian Ocean6.38.79.05.02.010.02.7Yes
BermudaAtlantic6.16.37.57.09.92.92.9Yes
MilosGreece6.18.18.06.53.64.35.1Yes
Bora BoraSouth Pacific6.18.57.55.04.15.7–Yes
MykonosGreece6.07.67.57.03.67.12.0Yes
LanaiHawaii5.99.36.05.05.41.010.0No
SantoriniGreece5.98.15.08.03.69.91.0Yes
Koh Phi PhiThailand5.98.47.55.02.06.8–Yes
MolokaiHawaii5.49.74.04.05.43.210.0No
NantucketUS mainland5.23.36.56.010.02.4–No

Click a column to sort. Scores are 0 to 10; a dash means not scored. How we score

ISLANDS

Every island, best score first

Aerial view of the Castillo San Felipe del Morro fortress and its green lawns on the headland of Old San Juan, Puerto RicoWorth it8.4/10

Puerto Rico

Old San Juan, El Yunque rainforest, bioluminescent bays, surf in Rincon and ferry trips to Culebra's Flamenco Beach. The best-value Caribbean trip for Americans, if you are willing to drive.

Caribbean, US territory Nonstop from 41 US airports No passport needed
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Turquoise water and white sand lined with umbrellas at Grote Knip (Playa Kenepa Grandi) beneath green hills on CuraçaoWorth it8.3/10

Curaçao

More to do than Aruba and usually cheaper: the colorful UNESCO capital Willemstad, dozens of small cove beaches and easy shore snorkeling. You need a car, and the beaches are coves, not long strands.

Southern Caribbean, Dutch Kingdom Nonstop from 6 US airports Passport plus free Dicard
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White Negril Lighthouse above the low limestone cliffs of Jamaica's West End coastIt depends8.3/10

Jamaica

Most of Jamaica is open again after Hurricane Melissa. Negril and Ocho Rios are the easy picks this winter; Montego Bay's biggest all-inclusives reopen from December 2026 into 2027.

Caribbean, west of Haiti Nonstop from 24 US airports Passport, Level 2 advisory
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The shallow turquoise lagoon and sand spit of Balos on Crete, with a rocky headland beyondWorth it8.2/10

Crete

Greece's largest island packs Minoan palaces, Venetian harbor towns, gorges and some of the best beaches in the Mediterranean. It is big: pick a base, rent a car, and do not try to see it all.

Crete, Greece No US nonstop: fly via Athens 162 miles end to end
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A wooden jetty with moored boats leading to the beach and white church steeple of Les Anses-d'Arlet, MartiniqueWorth it8.2/10

Martinique

France in the Eastern Caribbean: euros, baguettes and rhum agricole, a UNESCO-listed volcano, rainforest and good southern beaches. Getting there from the US means Miami or a connection, and you need some French and a car.

French overseas region, euros Nonstop from Miami only UNESCO-listed Mount Pelée
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Morning light on Dover Beach in Barbados, with turquoise water and coconut palms shading the white sandWorth it8.1/10

Barbados

One of the most complete Caribbean islands: calm swimming on the west and south coasts, rum, cricket and a UNESCO-listed capital, easy buses and nonstops from 8 US airports. The east coast is for looking, not swimming.

Eastern Caribbean, independent Nonstop from 8 US airports UNESCO-listed Bridgetown
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Turquoise surf rolling onto the long golden sand of Makena Beach (Big Beach) below a green hillside on MauiWorth it8.1/10

Maui

The most balanced Hawaiian island: long sandy beaches on the west and south shores, Haleakala, the Hana road and winter whales. It is not cheap, and Lahaina is a town under reconstruction, not a sight.

Hawaii, USA Nonstop from 18 US airports No passport needed
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Yachts anchored in English Harbour, Antigua, seen from Shirley Heights with green hills behindWorth it8.0/10

Antigua

Calm, sandy west-coast beaches, Nelson's Dockyard and a Barbuda day trip, with nonstops from five US airports. Town rooms are cheap; beachfront rooms are not.

Leeward Islands, Caribbean Nonstop from 5 US airports Passport needed
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Palm-backed beach and resort buildings on Malolo Lailai in Fiji's Mamanuca Islands, seen from the waterWorth it8.0/10

Fiji (Viti Levu and the Mamanucas)

The most accessible South Pacific trip from the US: nonstop to Nadi, cheap rooms near the airport, and the Mamanuca islands a short boat ride out. The mainland beaches are average; the islands are why you come.

South Pacific, Viti Levu Nonstop from LAX, SFO and HNL Passport, no visa for 4 months
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Gentle surf on the golden sand of Grand Anse Beach, Grenada, with the green hills of St. George's behindWorth it7.9/10

Grenada

Green, unhurried and good value: Grand Anse beach, rainforest waterfalls, an underwater sculpture park and real cocoa estates. Its sister island Carriacou is still rebuilding after Hurricane Beryl in 2024.

Southern Windward Islands Nonstop from 4 US airports Rainforest, cocoa and nutmeg
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Aerial view of Waikiki Beach, its hotel towers and the Ala Wai district of Honolulu along Oahu's turquoise south shoreWorth it7.9/10

Oahu

Hawaii's easiest island: Honolulu's airport has the most US nonstops, Waikiki has the cheapest decent rooms we found, and you can skip the rental car. You trade quiet for a real city.

Hawaii, USA Nonstop from 28 US airports No passport needed
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Aerial view of the rocky islet of Isola Bella and its sand bar in the clear water off Taormina, SicilyWorth it7.9/10

Sicily

The Mediterranean's biggest island is a culture-and-food trip with beaches attached: Greek temples, Arab-Norman Palermo, baroque towns and an active volcano. Rent a car, and do not try to see it all in a week.

Sicily, Italy Nonstop from JFK; Newark in 2027 Passport; ETIAS not yet live
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Gros Piton and Petit Piton rising above the green hills and colourful town of Soufrière on Saint LuciaWorth it7.9/10

St. Lucia

The most dramatic scenery in the Eastern Caribbean: the twin Pitons, rainforest, a drive-in volcano and steep bays. Beaches are modest, and the main US airport sits at the far south end, a long drive from most hotels.

UNESCO-listed Pitons Nonstop from 8 US airports 41 miles from UVF to Rodney Bay
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Turquoise shallows off Stocking Island in the Exumas, framed by a casuarina branchWorth it7.8/10

Exuma

A long, quiet chain of cays with shallow sandbars, the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park and the swimming pigs. Few flights, few hotels, and nothing much to do on land, which is the point.

Central Bahamas Nonstop from 4 US airports Best seen by boat
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The white sand crescent and calm blue water of Magens Bay on St. Thomas, seen from the green hillside aboveWorth it7.8/10

St. Thomas

The busiest of the US Virgin Islands: nonstops from 16 US airports, Magens Bay, duty-free Charlotte Amalie and a 15-minute ferry to St. John. Easy and good value, but cruise crowds are part of the deal.

US Virgin Islands Nonstop from 16 US airports No passport needed
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Turquoise surf in the cove below the eroded olive-green cliffs of Papakōlea Green Sand Beach on Hawaii IslandWorth it7.7/10

Big Island (Hawaii Island)

The Big Island is for volcanoes, stargazing, manta rays and Kona coffee, not a week of beach hopping. It is huge, so plan on driving, and know that two 2026 hurricanes left damage on the south and east sides.

Hawaii, USA Nonstop from 14 US airports Kilauea erupting in episodes
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Palm trees, hammocks and swings shading white sand on a Zanzibar beach, with the lagoon at low tide beyondWorth it7.7/10

Zanzibar

Zanzibar mixes Stone Town, spice farms and reef trips with beaches where rooms start under $50. Budget $144 per person for the visa and the island's mandatory insurance, and pick your coast by the tide.

Indian Ocean, off Tanzania No US nonstop: via Doha or Dubai $100 visa + $44 insurance
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Waves rolling onto the pale sand of Andicuri Beach, a cove on the rugged north coast of ArubaWorth it7.6/10

Aruba

The easiest beach trip in the southern Caribbean: calm, sandy west coast, dry trade-wind weather, nonstops from 17 US airports. The trade-off is price and a hotel strip that can feel like Florida.

Southern Caribbean, Dutch Kingdom Nonstop from 17 US airports $20 fee via the ED card
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Tanah Lot temple on its rock islet off Bali's southwest coast, with waves washing over the reefWorth it7.6/10

Bali

Temples, rice terraces, volcanoes, diving and food make Bali the most varied island on the site, at some of the lowest prices. Its beaches are surfy and uneven, and traffic is a daily cost.

Indonesia, Indian Ocean No US nonstops, via Asia hubs $8 levy + $28 visa on arrival
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Turquoise water in the narrow cove of Cala Llombards on Mallorca, with a small beach below pine-topped limestone cliffsWorth it7.6/10

Mallorca

The most complete island in the Mediterranean for a first European island trip: a walkable capital, a UNESCO mountain range and family bays in the north. Crowded in August, quiet and cheap in January.

Balearic Islands, Spain Seasonal nonstop from Newark Passport; ETIAS not yet live
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Limestone karst islands rising from the clear turquoise lagoon water of Bacuit Bay near El Nido, PalawanWorth it7.6/10

Palawan

El Nido's limestone lagoons, Coron's shipwreck dives and the Underground River make Palawan the beach-and-boat pick in Asia. It takes effort: domestic flights, long vans and a December-to-May window.

Philippines, Sulu Sea Via Manila, no US nonstops Best December to May
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The long white sand beach and turquoise water of Orient Bay on St. MartinWorth it7.6/10

St. Martin / Sint Maarten

Half French, half Dutch, with the most US nonstops in this corner of the Caribbean, good beaches, Grand Case restaurants and ferries to Anguilla and St. Barts. Cruise days are crowded.

French and Dutch Caribbean Nonstop from 13 US airports Simpson Bay room: $134, Jan
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Sailboats anchored in Cane Garden Bay on Tortola, seen from the forested hillside aboveIt depends7.5/10

Tortola

The British Virgin Islands' main island and charter-boat hub. Steep roads, a few very good beaches and the best day trips in the Virgin Islands, with Miami nonstops now.

British Virgin Islands Nonstop from Miami to Beef Island Ferries from St. Thomas
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Calm turquoise water along the white sand of Seven Mile Beach on Grand Cayman, with sun loungers in the foregroundWorth it7.4/10

Grand Cayman

One of the calmest, simplest family beaches in the Caribbean, a Level 1 US advisory and nonstops from 20 US airports. Not much to do beyond the water, and rooms start well above $300 in January.

Western Caribbean, south of Cuba Nonstop from 20 US airports Level 1 US travel advisory
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Naxos Town's white houses and hilltop castle seen from Palatia islet, with the stone causeway and harbour in frontWorth it7.4/10

Naxos

Long sandy beaches with shallow water, a marble mountain interior with real villages, and food grown on the island. July rooms from $122, and no nonstop from the US.

Cyclades, Greece No US nonstop: fly via Athens Shallow sandy west coast
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Turquoise surf washing onto the white sand of Trunk Bay on St. John, with Trunk Cay offshore under heavy cloudsWorth it7.4/10

St. John

Most of the island is Virgin Islands National Park, with calm north-shore beaches, reef snorkeling and real hiking trails. Quiet and expensive, reached only by ferry from St. Thomas.

US Virgin Islands Ferry only: 15 min from St. Thomas No passport needed
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Turquoise water lapping the powdery white sand of Shoal Bay on Anguilla under a cloudy skyWorth it7.3/10

Anguilla

Long, calm, uncrowded beaches and serious restaurants, with very little else to do. A Miami nonstop helps, but most visitors still come by ferry from St. Martin.

Leeward Islands, British territory Nonstop from Miami, more in winter $30 ferry from St. Martin
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Aerial view of the Le Morne Brabant mountain and peninsula ringed by a pale turquoise lagoon in southwest MauritiusWorth it7.3/10

Mauritius

The Indian Ocean island with the most to do beyond the beach: reef-sheltered lagoons, Le Morne, Black River Gorges and Port Louis. Rooms in Grand Baie from $60. The catch is the trip there and summer cyclones.

Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar No US nonstop: via Dubai or Paris Passport + online arrival form
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The acropolis of Lindos on its clifftop above sea caves and the white village houses, RhodesWorth it7.3/10

Rhodes

A walled medieval town built by the Knights of St John, the clifftop acropolis at Lindos and a sandy, sheltered east coast. Good value and open all year.

Dodecanese, Greece No US nonstop: fly via Athens $96 a night in July
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Turquoise water and white pebbles at Cala Goloritzé on Sardinia's east coast, below a limestone pinnacle and rock archIt depends7.3/10

Sardinia

The beach island of the Mediterranean: white sand and pale water from the Costa Smeralda to Chia, plus 7,000 Bronze Age towers. You need a car, a booking app for some beaches, and a summer date.

Sardinia, Italy Newark-Olbia from May 27, 2027 Passport; ETIAS not yet live
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Forested hills dropping to a turquoise sea and a narrow sandy beach on the northwest coast of St. CroixIt depends7.2/10

St. Croix

Two Danish-era towns, Buck Island Reef, wall diving at Cane Bay and the lowest prices in the USVI. The beaches near the hotels are average and nonstop flights are thin since Spirit's shutdown.

US Virgin Islands Nonstop from 5 US airports No passport needed
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Waves breaking over limestone rocks in front of the beach and palapa huts at Playa El Mirador on CozumelIt depends7.1/10

Cozumel

A diver's island with cheap rooms and nonstops from 8 US airports. It is also Mexico's busiest cruise port by far, and its calm west coast is mostly rock and beach clubs.

Quintana Roo, Mexico Nonstop from 8 US airports 4.7M cruise passengers, 2025
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The red and white Harbour Town Lighthouse above boats moored in the marina at Hilton Head IslandWorth it7.1/10

Hilton Head Island

A drive-to island in South Carolina with flat, wide beaches, bike paths, golf and villas. Cheap for a US beach island and easy with kids, as long as you are not expecting Caribbean water.

South Carolina, USA Nonstop to SAV from 39 airports No passport needed
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Longtail boats moored in the calm water off the long sandy curve of Kata Beach on PhuketWorth it7.1/10

Phuket

Thailand's biggest island has the most flights, beaches and hotels, and some of the cheapest 4-star rooms on the site. The catch: crowds in Patong and rough west-coast seas from May to October.

Andaman Sea, Thailand No US nonstops, via Bangkok Passport, 30 days visa-free
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Clear shallow turquoise water at West Bay on Roatán, with fishing boats tied up at a wooden dockIt depends7.1/10

Roatán

The cheapest good reef-and-beach island on this site, with nonstops from 6 US airports. The trade-offs: a Level 3 advisory for Honduras, limited medical care and big cruise days.

Bay Islands, Honduras Nonstop from 6 US airports Level 3 advisory, Honduras
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The Roques de García rock spires in front of the volcano Teide in Teide National Park, TenerifeWorth it7.1/10

Tenerife

The biggest Canary Island: Spain's highest peak, a UNESCO old town, family water parks and cheap winter hotels. The catch for Americans is the connection in Europe and a sea that never gets warm in January.

Canary Islands, Spain No US nonstop: connect in Europe US passport; ETIAS not yet live
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Rolling golden sand dunes of Maspalomas on Gran Canaria with the Atlantic beyondWorth it7.0/10

Gran Canaria

Long sand beaches at Maspalomas, a city beach in Las Palmas and a UNESCO-listed mountain interior an hour inland. Pricier than Tenerife in January, with the same cool winter sea and a connection in Europe.

Canary Islands, Spain No US nonstop: connect in Europe US passport; ETIAS not yet live
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Whitewashed waterfront houses and tavernas above a rocky shore in the village of Naoussa on ParosWorth it7.0/10

Paros

Two lived-in towns, Parikia and Naoussa, sandy bays on every coast, and a ferry hub for the central Cyclades. July rooms from $89, but the wind is strong in high summer.

Cyclades, Greece Ferry hub: Naxos 50 min away $89 a night in July
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Coconut palms above the white sand and turquoise surf of Anse Intendance on Mahé, SeychellesWorth it7.0/10

Seychelles (Mahé and Praslin)

Mahé, Praslin and La Digue have some of the most photogenic beaches anywhere, plus the Vallée de Mai and giant tortoises. Rooms near Beau Vallon started at $139, and your stay must be on the official licensed list.

Indian Ocean, off East Africa No US nonstop: via Dubai or Doha Passport + paid travel permit
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Powdery white sand and bands of turquoise water at Grace Bay Beach on ProvidencialesWorth it7.0/10

Turks and Caicos (Providenciales)

Providenciales has the best beaches in our Caribbean set: Grace Bay, Taylor Bay and Sapodilla Bay. It is pricey, flat and quiet, and one stray bullet in your bag can mean prison.

Atlantic, southeast of Bahamas Nonstop from 19 US airports Calm, shallow Grace Bay
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Turquoise waves breaking on the rocky limestone shore of Washington Slagbaai National Park, BonaireIt depends6.9/10

Bonaire

Bonaire is built for divers and snorkelers: a protected marine park along the whole coast, reef you can walk into from the road and very little crowding. Beach lovers and non-divers will find it thin.

Shore diving from the roadside Nonstop from 4 US airports $75 entry tax + $40 nature fee
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Aerial view of the forested headland and deep blue bays of Paleokastritsa on Corfu's west coastWorth it6.8/10

Corfu

A Venetian-built old town on the UNESCO list, wooded hills, coves on the west coast and day trips to Paxos and Albania. Greener and less windy than the Aegean, with more pebbles than sand.

Ionian Islands, Greece No US nonstop: fly via Athens UNESCO-listed old town
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Palm-covered slopes and rooftops above the blue water of Chaweng Bay on Koh Samui at duskWorth it6.8/10

Koh Samui

The Gulf of Thailand's resort island has calm, sandy east-coast beaches and good value villas. It is the best Thai pick for summer and the worst for the late-year monsoon.

Gulf of Thailand No US nonstops, via Bangkok Best January to September
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Aerial view of downtown Nassau and its harbour, with Paradise Island and its resort towers across the waterIt depends6.8/10

Nassau and Paradise Island

The easiest Bahamas trip from the US: 23 nonstop airports, Atlantis on Paradise Island and day trips to the Exuma pigs. Expect cruise crowds, a Level 2 advisory and resort prices once you leave the cheap end.

New Providence, The Bahamas Nonstop from 23 US airports 6.1 million cruise visits, 2025
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Giant granite boulders on the beach at The Baths on Virgin Gorda, seen from the clear turquoise waterWorth it6.8/10

Virgin Gorda

Granite boulders at the Baths, calm bays like Savannah and Spring Bay, and a yacht-filled North Sound. Getting here takes a ferry or small plane, and winter rooms are scarce and costly.

British Virgin Islands $30 ferry from Tortola The Baths: $3 day pass
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Towering dark sea cliffs and the Honopu natural arch above a strip of sand and turquoise water on Kauai's Na Pali CoastIt depends6.7/10

Kauai

Kauai has the Na Pali cliffs, Waimea Canyon and Hanalei Bay, and fewer resorts than Maui. In September 2026 it took Hawaii's first direct hurricane hit since 1992, so check what has reopened before you book.

Hawaii, USA Nonstop from 11 US airports Hurricane recovery, late 2026
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The green lagoon of Charco de los Clicos below the red and ochre cliffs of El Golfo crater on LanzaroteWorth it6.7/10

Lanzarote

Black lava fields, white villages and César Manrique's art in the landscape, plus sheltered sand coves in the south. Rooms cost more than on Tenerife, and the trip from the US needs a connection in Europe.

Canary Islands, Spain No US nonstop: connect in Europe US passport; ETIAS not yet live
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Wind-rippled golden sand dunes at Corralejo on Fuerteventura under a sky of scattered cloudsIt depends6.4/10

Fuerteventura

Long white and golden beaches, dunes at Corralejo and some of Europe's best kitesurfing. Rooms are cheap. Wind, a cool winter sea and a thin list of sights make it a beach-and-water-sports island only.

Canary Islands, Spain No US nonstop: connect in Europe Kitesurf and windsurf hub
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The rocky islets of Es Vedrà and Es Vedranell off a turquoise bay below the cliffs of Ibiza's southwest coastIt depends6.4/10

Ibiza

A small island with a split personality: superclubs and beach bars around Ibiza Town and Sant Antoni, pine-backed coves and farmhouse hotels in the north. Expensive in July, half-shut in January.

Balearic Islands, Spain Newark nonstop from May 31, 2027 Passport; ETIAS not yet live
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The Sete Cidades crater lakes framed by hydrangeas and green slopes on São Miguel in the AzoresWorth it6.4/10

São Miguel (Azores)

Green volcanic craters, lakes, tea fields and hot springs, a few hours from the East Coast. Winter rooms are very cheap. Weather changes by the hour, and the beaches are black sand with cool water.

Azores, Portugal Nonstop from 3 US airports Crater lakes and hot springs
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The striped Southernmost Point buoy in Key West, marked 90 miles to Cuba, beside the blue Florida StraitsIt depends6.3/10

Key West

The southernmost town in the continental US: Old Town inns, Mallory Square sunsets and the Dry Tortugas ferry. Come for the town, not the sand, and go in winter if you can pay for it.

Florida Keys, USA Nonstop from 24 US airports No passport needed
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Gentle surf on the long sandy shore of Klong Khong Beach on Koh Lanta, backed by palms and beach hutsIt depends6.3/10

Koh Lanta

The calm, cheap alternative to Phuket and Phi Phi: long sandy beaches, family bungalows and an old fishing town. Few sights, no airport, and a wet season that shuts down boat trips.

Krabi province, Andaman Sea Fly to Krabi, then road + ferry Good for young kids
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Red and brown volcanic cliffs and sea stacks of the Ponta de São Lourenço peninsula on MadeiraWorth it6.3/10

Madeira

Steep green mountains, irrigation-channel walks through UNESCO laurel forest and a lively capital in Funchal. Winter is mild and rooms are cheap. Swimmers should look elsewhere: the coast is rock, pebble and sea pools.

Madeira, Portugal Summer nonstop from Newark Levada and peak hikes
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A wooden jetty crossing a turquoise lagoon to the palm-covered resort island of Thudufushi in Ari Atoll, MaldivesIt depends6.3/10

Maldives

Two ways to do the Maldives: a private resort island with seaplane transfers and resort prices, or a local island like Maafushi from $43 a night. The reef is superb either way; there is little to do beyond it.

Indian Ocean, southwest of India No US nonstop: via Doha or Dubai Passport + IMUGA form
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Aerial view of St. Barts, with green hills, turquoise bays and a rocky islet off the coastIt depends6.3/10

St. Barts

Small, French and very expensive. Good beaches in every direction and excellent food, but Kayak's cheapest qualifying room was $1,161 in January and you need a connection.

French Caribbean, near St. Martin No US nonstop: connect via SXM Cheapest January room: $1,161
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Clear turquoise water and pale pink sand in a small cove ringed by dark limestone rocks at Horseshoe Bay, BermudaIt depends6.1/10

Bermuda

Bermuda is not in the Caribbean: it sits in the Atlantic off North Carolina. Short flights from 12 US airports, a Level 1 advisory and pink-sand coves from May to October; cool and quiet in winter.

North Atlantic, not Caribbean Nonstop from 12 US airports Beach season May to October
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Aerial view of Bora Bora's turquoise lagoon, reef motu and the peak of Mount OtemanuIt depends6.1/10

Bora Bora

One of the most famous lagoons on earth, ringed by motus and overwater bungalows, with Mount Otemanu in the middle. You fly to Tahiti, then hop over. Resort nights started at $865 in January and $1,467 in July.

French Polynesia, South Pacific US nonstops to Tahiti, then a hop Passport, no visa up to 90 days
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White volcanic rock formations curving around the clear green water of Sarakiniko on MilosIt depends6.1/10

Milos

A volcanic island of colored cliffs, white rock coves and sea caves you reach by boat. Quiet villages, no big resorts, few rated hotels, and a car is close to essential.

Cyclades, Greece Kleftiko is boat-only $291 a night in July
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Panorama of the white houses of Mykonos Town spreading along the harbour and hillside, seen across deep blue waterIt depends6.0/10

Mykonos

Golden sand on a sheltered south coast, the ruins of Delos a 30-minute boat ride away, and the best nightlife in the Cyclades. July rooms start near $200, and the wind is real.

Cyclades, Greece No US nonstop: fly via Athens $198 a night in July
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A longtail boat in shallow turquoise water off Ko Phi Phi Don, with speedboats and limestone cliffs behindIt depends5.9/10

Koh Phi Phi

The limestone cliffs and Maya Bay are as dramatic as the photos, and so are the crowds. Stay a night or two to see the bays before the day boats arrive, then move on.

Krabi province, Andaman Sea Ferry from Phuket, 1-2 hours Maya Bay $12, shut Aug-Sep
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Puʻu Pehe sea stack and the cliffs near Manele seen across deep blue water from the rocky Kapihaʻā shoreline on LanaiIt depends5.9/10

Lanai

A small, quiet island that is almost entirely a luxury resort plus one plantation town. Hulopoe Bay is superb, but rooms start near $2,000. Most people should see it on a day trip by ferry from Maui.

Hawaii, USA Ferry from Maui, 3 a day No passport needed
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Blue-domed white churches of Oia above the caldera cliffs and deep blue sea of SantoriniIt depends5.9/10

Santorini

The caldera view, the Fira to Oia cliff path and a Bronze Age town buried in ash. Beaches are dark volcanic sand, July is crowded, and there is no US nonstop.

Cyclades, Greece No US nonstop: fly via Athens Passport; ETIAS not live yet
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Green-topped sea cliffs plunging into the blue Pacific along the north shore of MolokaiIt depends5.4/10

Molokai

Molokai is farm towns, sea cliffs and Kalaupapa, not beaches and resorts. It suits travelers who want quiet and history. Most visitors should not make it their first or only Hawaiian island.

Hawaii, USA Small planes via HNL or OGG One hotel, no resorts
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Sandy Atlantic beach and fenced dunes on Nantucket with grey-shingled houses on the bluffIt depends5.2/10

Nantucket

Cedar-shingle town, harbor beaches and bike paths 2 hours off Cape Cod by ferry. Superb in July, very expensive, and largely closed from November to April. Go in June or September.

Massachusetts, USA Nonstop from 14 US airports Best June to September
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