1. Marco Island, Florida 

With its groomed beaches and great golfing scene, Marco Island is a go-to getaway for Floridian beach lovers. It’s also just 20 miles from Naples, a short and scenic drive along Collier Boulevard. As well as pristine sandy stretches, turquoise waters and watersports galore, there are alligator and croc-filled mangrove swamps to explore too. No need to worry about accommodation either; all the biggest names are here, from Marriott to Hilton.

 

2. Fraser Island, Australia

This is a large island that is one of many similar stunning spots on Australia’s East Coast. Fraser Island stretches over 123 kilometres in length and 22 kilometres at its widest point. Fun fact: it’s actually the largest sand island in the world. It is a must-visit for anybody backpacking around this part of the world, with endless activities, wildlife and stunning natural scenery to see.

 

3. Barbados

Barbados is one of those magical holiday destinations that everybody dreams about visiting; it instantly ticks so many boxes when you arrive. Nestled in the south of the Caribbean, it offers stunning beauty, a vibrant cultural scene and some of the best beaches and surfing in the Caribbean. Mainly though, it is the people that make Barbados what it is. Magical.

 

4. Isla Holbox, Mexico 

Touted as the new Tulum, Isla Holbox has only just appeared on most people’s travel radar. It’s home to crystalline lagoons, lush mangroves and reams of powder white sand, one of which ranks as one of the best beaches in the world. Despite its flourishing reputation, it’s managed to stay refreshingly low-key; local authorities banned cars, there aren’t any banks, high-rise buildings or postal services, and electricity only reached the island in 1987.

 

5. The Aran Islands, Ireland

These three remote islands off Ireland’s west coast are packed with rural charm and scenery that really will take your breath away. Visitors can stroll around them or cycle the brick-lined paths that criss-cross them. An authentic escape from the whirlwind of modern life, its dramatic scenery and famous local hospitality make these a must-visit for anybody who loves Ireland

 

6. Fogo, Cabo Verde 

Cabo Verde is technically ten islands, each packed with personality. While Boa Vista is famed for its funky music and Sal for its fly-and-flop package holiday offerings, Fogo is probably its most fearsome and fascinating. Named after its still active volcano (Fogo means fire), the island is all towering peaks, otherworldly volcanic landscapes and sparkling bays and beaches.

 

7. Santorini, Greece

A trip to Greece isn’t complete without Santorini — the most well-known and oft-talked about island (for good reason) of them all. A volcanic explosion created the stunning cliffs of Santorini, which now feature two gorgeous cobblestoned towns — Oia and Fira. Tourists love to take donkeys up and down the steep staircases, edging along the cliffs and snaking through the villages.

 

8. Isla Perro, San Blas, Panama

With more than 1,000 islands floating off its mainland, Panama isn’t short on islands but the San Blas Islands are probably the best looking. Isla Perro, or Dog Island, is one of the collection’s most famous islands, thanks to its crystal clear waters, epic shipwrecks and talc-soft white sands. It’s the stuff of all your castaway fantasies.

 

9. Rawa Island, Malaysia

Few places are quite as beautiful as Rawa Island in Malaysia. Take a dip in the warm waters of the South China Sea. Enjoy the green scenery. Snorkel along the natural coral reef just metres from the shore. It’s an easy drive and boat trip from Kuala Lumpur or Singapore, with a stay at the private island resort on the island essential for visiting.

 

10. Bozcaada, Turkey 

This secret Aegean paradise is beloved for its traditional tavernas, brilliant beaches and sprawling vineyards. Few international visitors get as far as this idyllic island, which means it’s blissfully quiet in the summertime too. You’d never guess that it was from its beaches that the Achaeans launched the Trojan horse. There are dozens of charming pansiyons to check into too.

 

11.  Isle of Eigg, Scotland 

The Isle of Eigg isn’t just good-looking, it gets top billing for sustainability too. The tiny island – which is actually the second largest island of the Small Isles – was the first island in the UK to become totally self-sufficient in renewable energy. The community-owned Eigg Electric powers the entire island, supplying both its residents and visitors during the summer months.

 

12. Cebu, Philippines

Cebu Island is a tropical paradise in The Philippines; made up of Cebu Island and 167 other islands in the Visayas. There are sugar-white beaches, clear emerald waters, hot springs and several jungle waterfalls. For an unforgettable experience, you’ll want to head to Oslob on the southern tip of Cebu.

 

13. Bora Bora, French Polynesia

When you think of bucket list destinations, the most ridiculously stunning Instagram travel snaps, or even desktop pictures, many of them come from Bora Bora. It’s home to some of the clearest water in the world thanks to its shallow reefs, which are ideal for snorkelling and other water sports. It also happens to be home to some of the prettiest and most luxurious hotels and private villas in the world.

 

14. Sardinia, Italy 

The second-largest island in the Meditteranean, Sardinia boasts blockbuster beaches, epic hiking terrain, rich history, eccentric festivals and some of the ritziest resorts in the region. For years, few international travellers bothered to venture beyond its most famous cities and resorts, but these days its quieter, wilder patches are getting all the attention.

 

15. Manitoulin Island, Canada 

The world’s largest freshwater island, Manitoulin Island floats off the northern edge of Lake Huron in northeastern Ontario. What’s more, it encompasses more than 100 inland lakes, many of them featuring their own islands. It’s also known as “Spirit Island” in Algonquian – and anyone who visits will agree that it has its own magic. It also boasts epic hiking and biking terrain, as well as diverse flora, fauna and wildlife.

 

16. Kauai, Hawaii

Kauai is sometimes called the “Garden Island,” which is an entirely accurate description. As the oldest island in Hawaii, it’s covered in lush greenery, with tropical rainforests, forking rivers and cascading waterfalls! Some parts of Kauai are only accessible by sea or air, giving you incredible views.

 

17. Aitutaki, The Cook Islands

The Cook Islands are a little South Pacific Paradise only six hours from Sydney. There are 15 islands to explore, but a must-see is Aitutaki. It’s spectacularly beautiful, with a triangular-shaped reef surrounding a bright turquoise lagoon containing 15 small Motus (islets).

 

18. Galápagos Islands, Ecuador

The wonderful country of Ecuador is famous for being home to the Amazon jungle, Andean highlands and the wildlife-rich Galápagos Islands. These biodiverse islands are home to unusual animal life – such as the land iguana, the giant tortoise and the many types of finch – that inspired Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection following his visit in 1835.

 

19. Curaçao

Curaçao combines urban and outdoor life like no other island. There are over 35 spectacular beaches that are never too crowded. Time it right and you might just have a sandy stretch all to yourself. The island of Curacao is also one of the most colourful islands in the Caribbean. The Shcarloo neighbourhood and the street art you’ll find there, though, take this to a whole new level.

 

20. Korcula, Croatia

Korcula is one of the must-visit destinations on Croatia’s South Dalmatian coast. It’s a little further out to get to than most of the other islands, so you can enjoy fewer crowds and a more laid-back atmosphere. Locals have nicknamed Korcula Town “Little Dubrovnik” because of its medieval squares, churches, palaces and houses, while the beaches and dense forest offer incredible scenery.

 

21. Koh Tao, Thailand

This peaceful island in the Gulf of Thailand has plenty of sheltered bays, but Tanot is the most beautiful. It’s uncrowded with warm, blue water and soft sand. Snorkelling is excellent here, with a great variety of coral and some fairly large fish that you’ll see as soon as you dip your toes into the water.

 

22. Koh Rong Samloem, Cambodia

Koh Rong Samloem is a small tropical island in the Gulf of Siam, with picture-perfect white sand beaches fringed by palm and casuarina trees. It’s still a peaceful destination that has a laidback vibe and is relatively untouched. The real highlight here is the bio-luminescent plankton that makes the warm waters glow and sparkle at night.

 

23. Laucala Island, Fiji

This jaw-dropping luxury private resort island in Fiji is on a tropical jungle section of land, with lush vegetation and wild-growing coconuts as a natural backdrop to the white sandy coastline. Now, Laucala is a hot spot for celebrities such as Oprah and George Clooney. The resort has coral reefs, postcard-perfect beaches and dense rainforest.

 

24. Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands

Just a tiny speck in the middle of the Caribbean sea, the Cayman Islands are known all over the world. Seven Mile Beach is among the many reasons why Grand Cayman is considered an ideal tropical destination. With sparkling waters and coral sands it’s so perfect it almost doesn’t look real.

 

25. Ibiza, Spain

While you’ll have your fair share of techno club photo ops, Ibiza is also one of the most beautiful Spanish islands, with a pretty Old Town and scenic beaches. Ibiza isn’t all party, party, party – the Old Town is actually a UNESCO Heritage Site. It’s full of narrow streets and monuments and is classically charming.

 

26. Pulau Tengah, Malaysia

Tengah Island is a privately owned island that’s a slice of paradise that has to be seen to be believed. Stay at Batu Batu, a rustic island retreat set amongst coconut groves, rocky outcrops and fine sand beaches on the uninhabited island of Pulau Tengah.

 

27. Nosy Be, Madagascar 

One of Madagascar’s most famous destinations, Nosy Be is a tiny island in the Indian Ocean. Home to a whole host of weird and wacky animals (including the world’s smallest frog), it’s particularly popular with wildlife enthusiasts. Hell-Ville is its busy, bustling town, where you’ll find a wide range of brilliant bars, music and restaurants too.

 

28. Côn So’n, Vietnam

Côn SÆ¡n, also known as Côn Lôn, is the largest island on a 16-island archipelago. Visitors can stay at the luxurious Six Senses Resort: it’s just a 45-minute flight from Ho Chi Minh City but a world away from the everyday. The golden sand and blue sapphire sea make it one of the best islands in the world.

 

29. Fogo Island, New Foundland 

This teeny-tiny island on the northeast coast of Newfoundland is located in the iconic Iceberg Valley. It’s teeming with wildlife and was one of Canada’s oldest settlements, but when the cod industry dried up in the 1990s it was practically abandoned. Thanks to the efforts of The Fogo Island Inn, the island is now thriving. It’s truly one of a kind.

 

30. Togean Island, Indonesia 

It’s not easy to reach the Togean Islands in the Gulf of Tomini, but it’s worth the extra effort. Combining kaleidoscopic coral reefs, undisturbed turquoise waters and rainforest-covered habitats, it’s a real slice of paradise.