The most paradisiacal vacation spots are considered to be islands - cut off from big world areas of land where peace, tranquility and harmony reign. Beautiful islands can be found in any part of the world, each of them deserves to be called the best and is not in vain popular with hundreds of thousands of tourists.
The most beautiful islands for a beach holiday: photos and descriptions
Stunning nature combined with high service on the islands is what is needed for proper rest and recuperation. If you still haven't decided where to go this season, here is a list of the 10 most attractive islands in the world. There is no point in ratings here; each of the places is unique and inimitable in its own way. It’s up to you to choose – according to your soul, heart and wallet size.
Madagascar
Located a little to the east African continent Madagascar is an island-state with an area of just under 600 thousand sq. km. It consistently ranks among the TOP largest islands in the world, and is a popular tourist destination not only because of its beaches and the warm Indian Ocean, but also because of its unique flora and fauna. The vast majority of plants and animals of Madagascar you won't find anywhere else in the world. Tourists can enjoy a coastline indented by bays, tropical forests, mountains and plains, coral reefs and the amazing culture of the local population, rich in monuments and original traditions.
Did you know: The self-proclaimed lemur king Julian and his “retinue” from the popular cartoon “Madagascar” really live only on this island and nowhere else in the world. Moreover, all the cartoonish habits and characters of these funny animals largely correspond to the truth. But the rest of the characters in the film are not found in Madagascar.
Boracay
Boracay is not the best big Island in the world, but one of the most unusual. Just 30 years ago, Boracay didn’t have not only no tourist infrastructure, but even no electricity. But this did not stop adventurers who admired the untouched wilderness of the island. Fans of extreme recreation could rent a bungalow for next to nothing and enjoy privacy. Today, Boracay is the popular “beach capital” of the Philippines with an abundance of hotels, bars, sports sections and the same unique nature. Here you can alternate sunbathing with learning to surf, tropical walks with relaxing spa treatments, night bars with diving.
Maldives
A fabulous paradise on earth, where you forget about everything bad and difficult - this is the Maldives, consisting of more than 1000 small islands. Azure lagoons and huts on the water, palm trees gracefully bending over the water and snow-white sand are what you need for a romantic getaway away from the bustle of the city. Maldives - the most beautiful islands in the world For honeymoon . The beauty here greatly enhances the whole gamut of romantic feelings, and high level The service gives a feeling of carefreeness and the opportunity to fully enjoy each other.
Note to tourists: The Maldives is a Muslim state with strict laws. In addition, its inhabitants are also very superstitious. For example, if you dare to appear on a city street with coconut at the ready, you can quite seriously be accused of black magic and witchcraft. No jokes.
Sicily
The large islands of the world have a significant advantage compared to smaller ones - a variety of leisure activities. For example, in Sicily you can not only enjoy magnificent sandy beaches, but also explore ancient sights, "have a blast" at discos. Sicily is one of the world's most popular resorts and the largest islands in Europe. It is impossible to sit still here; an unbridled thirst for adventure envelops everyone who finds themselves in Sicily - the hot territory of the Italian mafia, oranges and gentle Mediterranean waves.
The Lesser Antilles are the most beautiful holiday islands in the Caribbean. The constant warm Caribbean Sea is not the only advantage of Bonaire. Its name translates as " good air“, and indeed, one can breathe deeply here. The tropical paradise around promotes relaxation and rejuvenation. Main attractions of Bonaire are underwater, the island is surrounded by a coral reef, where at a depth of up to 60 meters you can see extraordinary underwater beauty. The water here is so clear that you can see the corals without scuba gear. And for diving enthusiasts, the amazing underwater world of Bonaire will open in all its beauty.
Useful for tourists:
Ko Lipe
The small islands of the world can give big impressions, and Koh Lipe is proof of this. The entire island can be walked around in a few hours. Along the way you will meet spreading banana palms, wide sandy beaches, tropical valleys, exotic bungalows and luxury hotels. Carefully invading the wild, the infrastructure of the island fills your holiday with comfort and serenity. Despite its small size, Koh Lipe does not feel cramped. Every vacationer can find a secluded place here where no one will disturb.
Caye Caulker
Most small island is known in the world for the largest coral reef in the Western Hemisphere. The area of Cay Caulker is only 6.5 sq. km, and the number of tourists is several times higher local population. Divers from all over the world come here to admire the incredible beautiful underwater world . The underwater journey is very exciting and can take forever. After all, the incredible pictures are breathtaking and time passes unnoticed.
Langkawi
Langkawi is an abode of stunning nature, cozy bungalows, kilometers of beaches and shopping. Even the largest islands in the world cannot always compete with Langkawi in terms of variety of leisure activities - a crocodile farm, a cable car, a buffalo farm, water activities, hiking through the jungle to waterfalls, fruit plantations and excellent shopping. Langkawi offers entertainment for rich tourists and vacationers with an average level of income.
Useful lifehack: Langkawi is a duty-free zone; many goods here can be found much cheaper than their usual cost. But some stores deliberately inflate prices, so it’s better to bypass several shopping centers, and not rush into the maelstrom of shopping at the first place you come across. Eastern Village near the cable car is one of the most affordable malls in terms of prices.
Fiji
The Fiji archipelago has the best islands for families with children - with sandy beaches, blue lagoons, calm waters with little depth. There are also plenty of things to do in Fiji besides swimming. These include playgrounds, hiking routes deep into the islands, entertaining bars, unique fauna, and coral reefs. No wonder hundreds of thousands of tourists choose this place for a real paradise holiday far from problems and worries.
Bora Bora
Don’t know which islands to choose for an eventful and day and night life? The best option- the famous Bora Bora, where life does not stop for a minute. During the day you can immerse yourself in unique world coral reefs, and at night have a blast at the disco. The rhythm of Bora Bora has a way of putting you at ease; it grabs you from the very first minute of your stay on the island and doesn’t let go until the very last moment. This is a vacation for those who take everything from life, enjoy every moment and are in harmony with the world around them.
So different and so interesting islands exist on our planet. Now you know which island is the most beautiful for lovers, and where is the best place to relax for lovers of nightlife. It is impossible to visit all the islands in the world, but the best and most popular ones are always open to tourists with different needs and tastes. Have a nice trip!
Often, during the working day, under the pressure of obligations, we dream of how, forgetting about our problems, we lie on the white sand and inhale the heady aroma of the sea to the sound of the surf. These dreams are achievable, and as soon as the vacation arrives, you can pack your bags. But what place to visit? Where to renew your strength and have a great rest? We have made a selection of many wonderful islands best islands for a holiday where you will feel like you are in a fairy tale.
10 Bali
This exotic island is located in Indonesia, with its specific culture, in Lately he attracts a large number of tourists. And for good reason, because there is truly something special in this place. It combines modern comfort and pristine culture. Locals friendly to tourists, everyone is welcomed with an open soul. During the day, this is an exotic island of relaxation with comfortable hotels. And after sunset, the tourist will be greeted night life and dancing until the morning.
9 Boracay
One of the most beautiful natural places is in the Philippines. Tourists come here to recuperate and gain new impressions. This place will appeal to adventure lovers and extreme sports. The island offers diving, windsurfing, horse riding, mountaineering and much more.
8 Bora Bora
This island is famous not only for its unsurpassed beauty and amazing sea life. This is a place with its own history, so in times Japanese War, the island was a US naval base. Now it is a calm and beautiful place where you can have a wonderful time overlooking the turquoise lagoon.
7 Maui
The majestic island is located in Hawaii. Endless ocean, favorable climate, unusual beaches of extreme beauty. Fascinating island.
6 Anguilla
A small exotic island in the Caribbean. Here all year round the sun is shining and perfect beaches captivate with their beauty. This is a place with its own special history.
5 Jamaica
This place surprisingly harmoniously combines tropical landscapes with hotel amenities, where you can relax and unwind, forgetting about civilization. Immerse yourself in a completely different life with your own culture and customs.
4 Seychelles
The Seychelles seems like an untouched place. These are islands in the Indian Ocean where civilization has not yet reached. People come here for privacy and luxurious white beaches.
3 Hvar
This is a place in the Adriatic Sea with its own history and exceptional atmosphere. It will appeal to those who are hungry for new knowledge and also love to eat delicious food.
2 Galapagos Islands
An unusual place, home to many unique animals. The islands are covered with lush vegetation. Territory world heritage UNESCO.
1 Aruba
In the southern Caribbean, off the coast of Venezuela, lies the island of Aruba. People come here to put their thoughts in order, to feel the beauty and tranquility of this place, and to enjoy the extraordinary landscapes of the azure shores.
For the beginning of the holiday season, the most popular travel portal TripAdvisor has published lists best places for relaxation, according to its users. We decided to turn our attention, and at the same time yours, to the choice of travelers regarding the 10 best islands in the world.
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1. Ambergris Caye, Belize. Ambergris Caye is a great holiday destination. There are enough amenities, but at the same time, the island is not so developed that you have to wade through crowds of tourists. This island, with white beaches like snow, is the largest in Belize. Golf carts are commonly used to navigate sandy roads. Diving enthusiasts will love it Barrier Reef Belize and Greater Blue Hole– a depression 122 meters deep, formed by calcareous rocks. There is also a mangrove swamp in the center of the island.
2. Saint John, US Virgin Islands. Ecotourism is thriving on the island of St. John. On land, you can observe the life of wildlife here, wandering along many kilometers of hiking trails or along sandy white beaches. And in the water you can do scuba diving and even underwater photography. Of course, this is the Caribbean after all!
3. Bora Bora, French Polynesia. Turquoise lagoons, soft white sand and wonderful tangerine sunsets in Bora Bora set the atmosphere of romance on this beautiful island. Swim with tropical fish at the Coral Gardens or Tupitipiti Point; or go to an extinct volcano Otemanu to admire the beautiful scenery. At the Lagunarium you can watch sharks being fed and swim with turtles. To finish, you can taste juicy meat dishes in one of the island's French restaurants and drink a tropical cocktail under the starry sky.
4. San Juan, Washington, USA. Washington State is certainly not the most obvious choice for an island vacation. However, the San Juan Archipelago is an area with picturesque landscape, which boasts beaches, pods of killer whales and one of the largest lavender plantations in the country. Lyme KilnPoint State Park is the perfect spot for whale watching, and Pelindaba Lavender Farm will provide you with fragrant purple flowers for life. Busy Friday Harbor offers an abundance of restaurants and shops, plus unique attractions like the 19-acre sculpture garden at Westcott Cove Preserve.
5. Santorini, Greece. Even if you have never been to this, perhaps the most famous of the Cyclades islands, you will nevertheless easily recognize it by its snow-white houses with blue roofs, and windmills crashing into a cliff. Here you can also enjoy black sand beaches or the streets of the provincial village of Imerovigli. The island is also famous throughout the world for its sunsets, painted in all the colors of the rainbow.
6. Isla Mujeres, Mexico. Isla Mujeres is famous for its colorful beaches. Snorkel with tropical fish among the coral reefs, kayak or windsurf in the blue tropical sea. On land, you can sunbathe, taste local seafood, dance to Latin rhythms, ride a moped, or go straight to the bar for delicious refreshing drinks.
7. Moorea, French Polynesia. The world's largest coral reef ecosystem is actually made up of 3,000 individual reefs. The island of Moorea is an excellent destination for divers who want to come face-to-face with a variety of fauna as they swiftly glide through the coral. Those who can't or don't like to swim can enjoy the same parade of amazing creatures while sitting in a glass-bottomed boat. Formed when half of a monolithic volcano collapsed into the green-blue sea, Moorea is an incredibly pretty heart-shaped island - a true paradise on Earth.
8 Koh Tao, Thailand. The palm-fringed island of Koh Tao, which gets its name from the abundance of sea turtles, is located in the Gulf of Thailand. The white sand beaches are framed by steep hills, some of which can only be climbed by off-road vehicle. 300 sunny days throughout the year, they allow you to lounge on a sun lounger all day long.
9. Easter Island, Chile. Located in the South Pacific region more than 3,218 km off the coast of Chile, Easter Island is a very inaccessible place. But such isolation helped him preserve his main attraction and pride - the mysterious Maoi sculptures made of volcanic stone, which are about 1,500 years old. After admiring the unique landscape, you can relax on a deserted beach and think a lot about one of the most mysterious places Earth.
10. Nosy Be, Madagascar. Nosy Be means "big island", and that's exactly what it is. It is a large island off the northwestern coast of Madagascar. There are volcanic lakes, lazy lemurs, rum distilleries, ylang-ylang plantations and bizarre coral reefs that are literally begging to be explored. Flora and fauna lovers will be in seventh heaven after visiting nature reserve Lokobe. And music lovers should come here in May to attend the four-day music Festival Donia.
Summer is approaching at an alarming rate, which means it's time to plan your vacation.
Tripadvisor has released its list of 2016 Traveler Awards winners, titled "Top 10 Must-See Islands in the World." They were chosen based on reviews from service users about the entertainment, restaurants and hotels that the islands can offer to tourists.
The rating also includes the average daily cost of accommodation in all hotels available for booking in each destination, to give you an idea of what it costs in different times of the year.
So, below you can find the top 10 best islands in the world, chosen by travelers, from Jamaica to Santorini.
No. 10. Fernando de Noronha, Brazil
Average cost of daily hotel stay: $394.
The average seasonal cost of daily hotel accommodation: spring - $375, summer - $401, autumn - $423, winter - $450.
The average savings in the off-season (spring) is 17%.
No. 9. Bora Bora, French Polynesia
Average cost of daily hotel stay: $635.
The average seasonal cost of daily hotel accommodation: spring - $593, summer - $649, autumn - $642, winter - $558.
The average savings in the off-season (spring) is 9%.
No. 8. Phuket, Thailand
Average cost of daily hotel stay: $67.
The average seasonal cost of daily hotel accommodation: spring - $77, summer - $65, autumn - $84, winter - $126.
The average savings in the off-season (spring) is 39%.
Car and motorbike rental: https://phuketcars.ru.
No. 7. Mauritius, Africa
Average cost of daily hotel stay: $193.
The average seasonal cost of daily hotel accommodation: spring - $216, summer - $185, autumn - $236, winter - $286.
Average savings in the off-season (spring) are 24%.
No. 6. Mallorca, Balearic Islands
Average cost of daily hotel stay: $163.
The average seasonal cost of daily hotel accommodation: spring - $145, summer - $173, autumn - $162, winter - $200.
The average savings in the off-season (spring) is 28%.
No. 5. Bali, Indonesia
Average cost of daily hotel stay: $102.
The average seasonal cost of daily hotel accommodation: spring - $92, summer - $106, autumn - $99, winter - $99.
The average savings in the off-season (spring) is 13%.
No. 4. Providenciales, Turks and Caicos
Average cost of daily hotel stay: $463.
The average seasonal cost of daily hotel accommodation: spring - $604, summer - $424, autumn - $451, winter - $697.
Average cost of daily hotel stay: $235.
The average seasonal cost of daily hotel accommodation: spring - $262, summer - $234, autumn - $227, winter - $304.
The average savings in the off-season (autumn) is 25%.
No. 2. Santorini, Greece
Average cost of daily hotel stay: $224.
The average seasonal cost of daily hotel accommodation: spring - $166, summer - $256, autumn - $195, winter - $186.
The average savings in the off-season (spring) is 35%.
No. 1. Maui, Hawaii
Average cost of daily hotel stay: $330.
The average seasonal cost of daily hotel accommodation: spring - $346, summer - $339, autumn - $315, winter - $412.
Average savings in the off-season (autumn) - 24%.
Every year, TripAdvisor ranks the best islands in the world. This year was no exception. Moreover, it is worth noting that this rating is not based on the traditional “expert” assessments of the editorial staff, but on the recommendations and reviews of visitors to this interesting portal.
This year, the ranking was topped by the island of Providenciales in the Caribbean, and only two representatives of past laureates remained in the top ten - the Thai Tau and the famous Bora Bora. And this fact should not surprise anyone, since the tourism market is difficult to predict and it is simply impossible to predict which destination will become popular this year.
Coral Paradise - Providenciales Island
This largest island of the Caribbean archipelago is part of such a little-known state as Turks and Caicos. The state is an extension of the Bahamas, so it is not surprising that its islands are characterized by the same features for a luxury holiday - white sandy beaches, a mild climate that allows you to relax all year round, turquoise waters and magnificent nature that create beautiful scenery for walks.
However, the main reason for the island’s frequent inclusion in various ratings is not the usual snow-white beaches familiar to everyone, but the variety of recreation. Vacationers will have great fun with yachting, windsurfing and snorkeling. And the main and most popular entertainment here is diving. This is facilitated by both warm sea waters and picturesque coral reefs, which can be easily reached from the shore. 
Maui Island in Hawaii
The Hawaiian Islands are already for a long time are the canons of a good holiday. And if previously the most popular among the islands were Hawaii and Oahu, now the island of Maui, which is more accessible to tourists, is taking the leading position.
First of all, when people talk about holidays in Hawaii, they immediately think of surfing and windsurfing. After all, the Hawaiian Islands are a mecca for those who like to swim on a board. In addition, Maui, with its sparse population, is where you can fully enjoy nature. Raging waterfalls National Park Haleakao and its stunning bamboo forest, not to mention its traditional warm sandy beaches, attract many tourists. Therefore, the island rightfully occupies second place in the ranking.
Roatan - Paradise in the Caribbean
How often do we hear the words “The wrong country was called Honduras” in a negative sense, expressed in relation to one’s own country. However, if you look closely at the latter, Honduras is a good comparison. Especially if you look at holidays on the island of Roatan, which belongs to Honduras.
The island is surrounded by coral reefs and covered in stunning beaches, making it an easy ideal place relaxation, both for regular beach activities and for all lovers of scuba diving. An ideal place has been created here for lovers of ecotourism (the Carambola botanical garden is famous for its tropical park of exotic birds) and for various kinds entertainment - from sea fishing to all aquatic species sports.
Calm and romance in Santorini
The Cyclades Islands amaze everyone with their amazing natural beauty. The most mysterious and beautiful in this Archipelago is Santorini, which owes its birth to volcanic lava.
This island is often called romantic, but unlike most “paradise” ocean islands, which received their title thanks to wildlife and snow-white beaches, Santorini received this title thanks to the houses carved into the rocks, which with their snow-white facades and bright blue roofs attract tourists from all over the world.
Unlike most of the islands on the list, people come to Santorini not for diving or extreme entertainment, but to start a real fire in loving hearts. AND most of tourists are newlyweds, whom the island pleases with its unforgettable romance and positivity.
Vibrant diving on Koh Tao Island in Thailand
The waters of the Gulf of Thailand shelter the cozy island of Tao or “Turtle Island” shaded by palm trees. The island got its name thanks to the numerous colonies of sea turtles that have chosen its snow-white sandy beaches. Once upon a time the island was uninhabited and only turtles were its only inhabitants. White sand and azure clear water around the island cannot but delight tourists, who, just like the majestic reptiles many centuries ago, have now chosen these beaches.
However, this resort island is famous not only for its snow-white sandy hills and 300 sunny days a year, allowing you to lazily sunbathe on the beach. However, the island attracts most tourists with its underwater beauty.
Diving on Koh Tao is the most popular view active rest. Coral reefs rich in marine life, more than 30 dive sites of varying difficulty levels, including shipwrecks and short distance to dive sites - all this makes the island of Koh Tao the “Diving Mecca” of Southeast Asia.
A safe haven for travelers – Madeira Island
For many centuries, the Portuguese island of Madeira has served as a haven for all travelers who rushed to conquer the Atlantic. This paradise in the middle Atlantic Ocean For six centuries now, thanks to its mild and temperate climate, it has served as a vacation spot not only for sailors, but also for the wealthy European elite.
At the same time, most tourists come here not to bask on the beaches, since there are simply none here, but for an active pastime. The island is a real haven for lovers of hunting and fishing, diving and windsurfing, and green tourism. The main attractions of the island are national reserve Madeira and his Botanical gardens. It is here that you can see all the worldwide diversity of flora that the Portuguese collected during the three centuries of their rule at sea.
“Island of the Gods” – Bali
In Indonesia, between the two largest islands of Lombok and Java, there is a cozy picturesque corner that attracts tourists with its majestic volcanoes Gunung Angung and Kintamini, the pristine tropical forests and blue lagoons.
The shores of the island hide delightful temple complexes and a sacred monkey forest, where mischievous primates will give tourists a little boost of energy in exchange for small sweets for them. In addition, Bali is a kind of Indian enclave in the middle of Muslim Indonesia, and this is where you can calmly relax on the coast, strengthening your spirit with yoga classes.
Although the main attraction of the island is its white sandy beaches along with the surrounding coral landscapes that attract divers from all over the world, there are several other must-see spots on the island of Bali. One of them is spread over 20,000 hectares National Park Barat. It is there that you can see, without bars or enclosures, all sorts of combinations of flora and fauna in the pristine wild world.
The sandy paradise of mesmerizing Mauritius
Mauritius has long been among the most beautiful places for relax. This tropical paradise, which is sometimes also called “the key to Indian Ocean", despite its modest size, has more than a hundred kilometers of snow-white beaches.
It was the bright combination of the turquoise waters of the lagoon, coral reefs and bizarre mountains that became the reason that holidays on the island were ranked as top-notch. Moreover, on local beaches you can often see famous artists and billionaires, who are attracted here by the high level of comfort and individual recreation of the highest level. Local authorities They are trying to make the resort not just an ordinary place of mass pilgrimage. Therefore, you will not often meet an ordinary budget tourist on the island, and once you get here you will be completely confident that you will have a top-class luxury vacation.
Mauritius is almost completely surrounded by reefs, making it an ideal place for diving and fishing. It is here that you can see and catch the very fish that every fisherman dreams of getting in his trophies - different kinds marlin, sailfish and bright representatives shark family.
Bora Bora - the island of romantic lovers
Bora Bora is largest island among 118 islands French Polynesia. It has the status of the unofficial capital of romantics and newlyweds and is considered a romantic and exotic place on the planet. The island, like most of its neighbors, was formed after a chain of volcanic eruptions and now represents mountain range with three peaks piercing the sky above a dazzling blue lagoon. 
Despite its miniature size (you can get around it in an hour by car), nature has so generously endowed the island with its beauty that it rightfully proudly bears the title of “an emerald in a turquoise frame with a necklace of pearls - that’s how you can describe it by looking at it above.
Bora Bora offers a variety of activities, from coral garden expeditions and majestic mountain visits to extreme snorkeling and diving. And one of the most interesting entertainment is hand-feeding local stingrays and sharks.
Paradise holiday on the beaches of Fernando de Noronha
Fernando de Noronha is the name of an archipelago located near Brazil, consisting of more than twenty islands. However, the largest island is inhabited and, accordingly, the most popular of this cohort, which attracts all beach lovers. In addition, this archipelago has been on the list for fifteen years now Cultural heritage UNESCO because it is in its waters that large populations of dolphins, sea turtles and cetaceans live.
This is where the Baia do Sancho beach is located, which has become a real mecca for all lovers sea holiday and firmly entered the list best beaches peace. This famous crescent-shaped beach is surrounded on all sides by cliffs and in order to get to it you need to go down seventy-meter stairs. However, it's worth it - the cove around the beach is a real natural treasure. The bay is a natural pool surrounded by hardened lava, in which the water is always crystal clear.
