Why this guide: about 5,400 people a month search Google for “best islands to visit” (US, DataForSEO Labs, September 2026). This is the answer we would give a client, written to be booked from.
The short answer
- Beach and lagoonBora Bora, the Maldives, Turks and Caicos, Aruba, Taveuni (Fiji), Palawan
- Culture and foodSicily, Crete, Sardinia, Bali, Zanzibar, Mallorca, Corsica
- AdventureIceland, Tasmania, Vancouver Island, Maui, Koh Lanta, St Lucia
The lagoons
Bora Bora's lagoon is the colour the postcards promise, with Matira Beach and the over-water bungalows; May–October. The Maldives for the single-island resort experience and the house reef; November–April. Turks and Caicos' Grace Bay and the reef; December–April. Aruba for the year-round reliability, Eagle Beach and the Dutch-Caribbean ease. Taveuni in Fiji for the Rainbow Reef's soft coral and the Bouma waterfalls; May–October. Palawan's El Nido and Coron for the limestone lagoons; December–May.
The Mediterranean
Sicily for the temples, Etna, Palermo's markets and the best food in Italy; Sardinia for the Costa Smeralda's beaches and the interior's nuraghi; Corsica for the GR20 and the calanques; Crete for Knossos, the Samaria Gorge and Balos; Mallorca for the Tramuntana mountains and Palma's old town; Santorini for the caldera (see our guide); Mykonos and Paros for the Cyclades' whitewash; Malta for the fortified cities. May–June and September–October for all.
Asia and Africa
Bali for the rice terraces, the temples and Ubud's culture, with the Bukit's surf and Uluwatu; April–October. Koh Lanta for Thailand's laid-back Andaman island with no party; November–April. Zanzibar for Stone Town's Swahili heritage and the north's beaches; June–October and January–February. Sri Lanka is an island — the whole of it, for the temples, the tea and the beaches on whichever coast is dry. Langkawi and the Perhentians for Malaysia; Boracay for the Philippines' beach-party version.
The big and the cold
Iceland is an island, and the Ring Road is the world's best road trip; June–August for access, September–March for the lights. Tasmania for Cradle Mountain, the Freycinet's Wineglass Bay and MONA; December–March. Vancouver Island for Tofino's surf and storms, Victoria and the Pacific Rim; June–September. Maui for the Road to Hana, Haleakalā's sunrise and the whales; December–April. St Lucia for the Pitons and the rainforest between the beaches; December–April. Newfoundland for icebergs and whales; June–July.
Booking it
The engine has destination pages for Bora Bora, the Maldives, Turks and Caicos, Aruba, Taveuni, Palawan, Sicily, Sardinia, Crete, Mallorca, Santorini, Mykonos, Bali, Koh Lanta, Zanzibar, Sri Lanka, Reykjavik, Tasmania, Vancouver Island, Maui and Saint Lucia; the Resort Collection carries the island resorts and Vacation Packages bundle the flight. See our best time to visit Bali, Maldives, Greece and Hawaii guides.
Three things to get right
- Lagoon islands in their dry season only — the wet months are grey.
- The Mediterranean's islands in May–June or September–October, never August.
- Iceland is the best island road trip; Sicily the best island food.
Book it
Featured destination: Taveuni, Fiji — hotels, airport and activities on one engine page.
