For many the appeal of tropical islands is their extreme proximity to their personal version of paradise.
Tropical islands are arguably home to the most beautiful beaches on earth and thanks to their popularity with young backpackers, the nightlife is generally not to be missed either. Throw in some pretty spectacular diving spots and the fabulous weather that tropical islands are famous for and you have the perfect places to really unwind.
There are thousands of these islands throughout the world ranging from those with every type of amenity that you can imagine to those that are completely uninhabited allowing you to feel like a castaway. While any list of this type is always going to be very much open to debate, here are what I consider to be the top ten tropical island destinations on the planet.
Best Tropical Island Destinations
Bali
Bali
Source – bramvera
While Bali is certainly not the island to visit if you are after empty and undeveloped beaches, it is the perfect island for those that crave excitement. Many consider the nightlife options to be unparalleled and there are enough adventure activities available to satisfy just about any adrenalin junkie. There are endless temples, a few active volcanoes and regardless of what time of year that you visit, you are guaranteed blue skies and endless sunshine.
Fiji
Source – stormin
The islands of Fiji are synonymous worldwide with escapism and considering that the country includes no less than 322 islands, you are certain to find your own version of tropical island paradise. And while the Western islands have been heavily developed in favor of nightlife and tourism over natural scenery, the eastern side of the country is about as natural as it gets. In fact only about a third of Fijis islands are actually permanently inhabited.
Tahiti
Tahiti
Source – tiarescott
If your idea of a tropical paradise does not include rowdy Australian backpackers, a more upmarket destination may be the best option for you. One of the most expensive tropical islands on the planet is Tahiti and almost everyone that visits the island agrees that you certainly do get what you pay for. You can stay in bungalows that are literally surrounded by water and in between scuba diving and sunbathing you can enjoy award winning sea food in any one the islands spectacular restaurants.
Perhentian Islands
Perhentian Islands
Source – jeffmcneill
The two land masses that form the Perhentian Islands are one of the most popular destinations in Malaysia. Many believe that the primary reason for this is that unlike the rest of Malaysia where many items are heavily taxed, the Perhentian Islands are completely tax free. Add beautiful beaches, a ridiculous amount of palm trees and traditional Malaysian hospitality and you have many reasons for visiting these beautiful islands.
Curacao
Curacao
Source – neilsingapore
Should you be lucky enough to find yourself in the Caribbean, you could do a lot worse than this small Dutch owned Island. One of the most interesting aspects of the small island is that while the beaches are very much tropical, the architecture is typically Dutch. Said architecture together with a quintessential Dutchness makes the island stand out from the rest of the Caribbean. And did I mention that it is safely below the dreaded Caribbean hurricane belt?
Cook Islands
Cook Islands
Source – jamesmcashan
For many the appeal of tropical islands is the idea of being completely alone and perhaps even at one with nature. Should this be your goal the islands named after the famous explorer James Cook could be exactly what you are looking for. Located within the South Pacific, idyllic weather can of course be expected regardless of the time of year that you visit. Nightlife is certainly lacking but many people would argue that is precisely why these islands are worth visiting.
Koh Lipe
Koh Lipe
Source – flydime
It would be impossible to write a list about the worlds best tropical islands without at least mentioning Thailand. Anyone who has visited the country will undoubtedly have their own favorite island but I personally think that Koh Lipe is the best that the country has to offer. The island is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, being labelled by many as the “Maldives of Thailand”. And despite the fact that the island has been heavily developed in recent years, it’s beauty still remains intact.
Mnemba Island
Mnemba Island
Source – 94446676@N00
Located off the coast of Tanzania, Mnemba Island is the perfect choice for those looking for some exotic wildlife to go with their idyllic beach vistas. Mnemba Island is home to the famous Zanibar suni antelope and packed full of a ridiculous number of species of butterflies. It is also one of the best places in the world to see both whales and dolphins in their natural habitat as opposed to the many man made artificial alternatives. The island is also the home of the famous green turtles that are now an endangered species.
Cebu Island
Cebu Island
Source – thelightningman
Located within the beautiful Philippines, Cebu Island is home to an array of narrow coastlines and some of the best diving spots in the world. Due to the popularity of tourism within the Philippines, the island has been heavily developed which means that having the place to yourself is rather unlikely. The upside of this however is that five star hotels and fabulous dining opportunities can be found throughout the island. And should you find yourself in the mood for more natural surroundings, Cebu Island happens to be surrounded by another 167 smaller islands, many of which are completely uninhabited.
Turk and Caicos Islands
Turk and Caicos Islands
Source – 18186551@N02
Another Caribbean destination that has to make the list is the magnificent Turk and Caicos Islands. They consist of over 40 islands and coral reefs, the coral reefs themselves being some of the best in the world for diving. And should you grow tired of diving, there are literally thousands of miles of perfect white sandy beaches for you to explore. If you prefer your beaches empty, it is also worth noting that as many as 8 of the islands are completely uninhabited.
Tags: island, Island Vacation, tropical island, tropical vacation
