It’s cold and the days are short. Who wouldn’t find themselves daydreaming of a tropical island getaway? Give yourself something to look forward to this winter by booking a warm-weather vacation to one of these island paradises. Some, like the Galápagos, have seas to be kayaked and incredible nature to observe. Others, like the Maldives, invite you to do absolutely nothing but swim, laze, and bask in the sun.
1. Seychelles
Best for: Striking, boulder-strewn beaches and time with the tortoises
The Seychelles rest in the middle of the Indian Ocean about 1,000 miles east of Kenya. An archipelago of 115 islands, they’re Africa’s smallest nation and home to prehistoric, granitic beachfront landscapes, the remnants of the 75-million-year-old supercontinent Gondwana. (Populations of Aldabra tortoises, which can weigh up to 550 pounds and live to 150 years old, also add to the Land Before Time setting.)
Assemblies of towering, primordial boulders mixed with lazuline waters and wide stretches of downy sands are features of this paradise. While unrestrained display of ancient splendor defines the Seychelles’ easterly, inner islands, southern and western islands boast more familiar, low-lying sandy fare, cloaked in coconut forests. A duo of resorts in separate archipelagos, Four Seasons Resort Seychelles in Mahé and Four Seasons Resorts Seychelles at Desroches Island, facilitates exploration of the country’s dichotomous world in fabulous style.
Head to the beaches of Bartolomé Island in the Galápagos to see hermit crabs, blue-footed boobies, and other creatures.
Courtesy of Collette
2. Galápagos Islands
Best for: Water- and land-based activities that immerse you in nature
The Galápagos Islands reign as a must for anyone into nature and rare species—and they make for a family-friendly getaway, too. Nearly 600 nautical miles west of mainland Ecuador in the Pacific Ocean, the highly protected islands are a living museum of natural history, where plants and animals have evolved for centuries without human interference.
The best way to experience these marvels is by a small-ish cruise on ships like Aqua Expeditions’ Aqua Mare (at the highest of high end) or Metropolitan Touring’s Yacht La Pinta (at a more midrange price point). Each island promises immersion in nature through hiking, snorkeling, and Zodiac adventures. You’re guaranteed to see incredible animals, including pink flamingos, giant tortoises, and blue-footed boobies. Tip: Invest in a great camera and solid lenses before coming because you won’t be able to stop taking photos.
The Maldives is made up of more than 1,100 coral islands, 200 of which are inhabited.
Photo by Mac Qin/Flickr
3. The Maldives
Best for: Romance, castaway vibes, and overwater excess
Dotted across an astoundingly blue Indian Ocean is Asia’s smallest country, an archipelago of 1,192 coralline islets, only 200 of which are inhabited. On many of these mid-oceanic specks, developers have capitalized on their natural beauty to create some of Earth’s most swoon-worthy private island resorts, with overwater accommodation and settings that are simply unreal.
Among the best is Kudadoo Maldives Private Island, a fully solar-powered property in the Lhaviyani Atoll with 15 ryokan-inspired floating residences and an “Anything, Anytime, Anywhere” policy in which everything is bundled into the nightly rate. Think: endless watersports, sand bar picnics, snorkeling with the mantas (alongside a marine biologist), floating breakfasts in your private pool, personal training sessions, and unlimited spa visits.
Nature excursions are aplenty within the approximately 17,000-acre Morne Trois Pitons National Park.
Photo by evenfh/Shutterstock
4. Dominica
Best for: Active pursuits, both on land and under the water
The Caribbean’s “Nature Island” brims with a rainforest, waterfalls, and emerald pools that recall Costa Rica and Hawai‘i. Hike the footpaths of UNESCO-recognized Morne Trois Pitons National Park to reach Earth’s second-largest boiling lake (a flooded crater warmed by molten magma below) and ice-cold but swimmable gorges.
If you like to hike, tackle a segment of the 112-mile-long Waitukubuli National Trail in search of Dominica’s 170 colorful bird species, including the endemic sisserou parrot. Dive to find undersea treasures like the Champagne Reef, which explodes with tiny bubbles from active fumaroles (where hot volcanic gas is released). A naturally occurring resident population of sperm whales (one of 22 species of whales and dolphins in Dominica’s waters) presents a unique opportunity to swim among these leviathans. Book one of 22 treehouse-like villas at waterfront Secret Bay, tucked away in the northeast corner of the island.
Bali’s brilliant green rice terraces are a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Photo by Aussie Assault/Flickr
5. Bali
Best for: Every type of traveler—the partier, the surfer, or the wellness-seeker
Bali’s serenity is most palpable along its eastern coast and deep within its interior, two areas steeped in culture and tradition and full of Balinese Hindu temples. The banyan-fringed forests and terraced rice fields of Ubud are sprinkled with high-design resorts like Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, focused on wellness, while easterly coastal towns of Manggis, Candidasa, and Tenganan have a lost-in-time appeal with scenes of traditional daily village life unfolding in real time. In the south, find more typical resort offerings, a surfing scene, and Bali’s party-hard tourists.
Named after Sweden’s King Gustav III, Gustavia features shops, restaurants, and plenty of cobblestone streets.
Photo by Torrey Wiley/Flickr
6. St. Bart’s
Best for: South of France in the Caribbean
Glamour and fashion converge on this 8.1-square-mile Caribbean island, channeling endless summer in St. Tropez—with a tropical, Caribbean twist. Luxury isn’t just an option here, it’s a way of life. The daily rhythm revolves around people-watching, sun-worshipping, boutique shopping, sipping pricey cocktails, savoring exquisite cuisine, sailing on (or gazing longingly at) tricked-out yachts, and mingling with other fashionistas and trendsetters.
The capital harbor city of Gustavia features shops from Europe’s most upscale brands and sensational French-tinged restaurants, including Bonito Saint Barth and Bagatelle St. Barths, along its cobblestone streets. Meanwhile, the island’s top beaches are fronted by celeb-frequented, boutique resorts that often fetch a thousand or more per night. The 66-key Rosewood Le Guanahani St. Barth is a top pick, with its sleek, beachfront infinity-edge swimming pool.
Bora Bora’s stunning far-flung location in French Polynesia make it an ultra-popular honeymoon destination.
Photo by jjjj56cp/Flickr
7. Bora Bora
Best for: Overwater romance and epic diving
The Society Islands, a French Polynesian archipelago, include postcard-perfect destinations like Tahiti and Bora Bora. This honeymoon favorite is synonymous with terms like “paradise” and “heaven on earth” and is home to some of the world’s most spectacular overwater bungalow resorts.
Here, admire the majesty of the 2,385-foot-tall Mount Otemanu in the distance and the Technicolor marine life in the ocean below (swimming among the parrotfish, butterfly fish, and puffers). Tag on extra days to visit Mooréa or Tahiti for a true taste of French Polynesian culture, or head to the Tuamotu Archipelago for some of the best diving and snorkeling on the planet. Stay in an overwater bungalow at the Four Seasons Bora Bora, where hotel programming includes workshops run by cultural ambassador Samuel Fiu to introduce guests to Polynesian traditions.
The colorful Port of Spain is located on the northwestern side of Trinidad.
Photo by Kenrick Baksh/Shutterstock
8. Trinidad
Best for: Carnival and culture
Trindad’s cultural endeavors may be the Caribbean’s most rewarding. During the region’s biggest Carnival—which happens in either February or March annually—hundreds of thousands celebrate in the dazzle of custom-made costumes, the soulful sounds of steel drums, the taste of seafood creoles and doubles (fried bread stuffed with curried chickpeas and topped with chutneys), and the dance fever that fills the streets.
The party never truly ends in Trinidad’s capital, Port of Spain, thanks to a love for “liming” (hanging out), a highly social street food culture, and a penchant for catchy calypso, soca, and steelpan music. After a night on the town, retire to The Brix, Autograph Collection for a restful night and a day spent lounging by the pool. For scenic beaches, drive north of the capital for an hour and find beautiful swathes at Maracas Bay Beach and Blanchisseuse Beach.
Don’t miss the natural landscapes of Lānaʻi, which include Polihua Beach and the Garden of the Gods.
Photo by Frederick Millett/Shutterstock
9. Lāna‘i
Best for: Astounding scenery without needing a passport
Hawai‘i is one tropical island dreamscape after another, each worthy of a “Wish You Were Here” postcard. To really feel like you’ve stumbled upon a secret hideaway, go to Lāna‘i, Hawaii’s smallest inhabited island (population under 3,500). Rest comfortably at the oceanfront Four Seasons Resort Lanai, and revel in easy access to Lāna‘i’s natural beauty, including cliff-side hiking trails and famed dive sites. Among these underwater gems is Cathedrals, a collection of lava tubes that recall the appearance of stained glass.
Feel the breeze in your hair by renting a Jeep and venturing on dirt roads across windswept rocky terrain, discovering petroglyphs and desolate beaches along the way. Consider pairing Lāna‘i with a trip to Kaua‘i, aka the “Garden Island,” famed for its ridged mountains, skyscraping waterfalls, and rugged canyons that you’ll recognize from Jurassic Park and The Hunger Games.
Yala National Park is the second-largest national park in Sri Lanka.
Photo by krivinis/Shutterstock
10. Sri Lanka
Best for: An island that’s got it all, from incredible food to stunning temples and leopards
This island nation ticks all the travel boxes: culture, wildlife, historical pursuits, delicious food, and affordable luxury. Along the southern coast alone, discover Yala National Park (home to secretive leopards and swimming elephants), quiet palm-fringed beaches with world-class resorts, and centuries-old forts.
Toward the island’s center, explore mountainous terrain cloaked in tea plantations and a surfeit of Buddhist and Hindu temples. Wherever you go, arrive hungry for local and regional cuisine that will enliven the senses. Food highlights from a recent trip to southern Sri Lanka included spicy crab curry with pulao and coconut sambal, ridge gourd curry, and watalappam, a sweet coconut custard pudding. What’s more, Sri Lanka’s top luxury properties like the Anantara Kalutara Resort, on the west coast, run a fraction of the price of other stunning island destinations.
This article was originally published in 2023 and most recently updated on December 23, 2024, with current information. Sophie Friedman contributed to the reporting of this story.
