Whether you want to live the island life with a coconut in hand or head inland in a jeep for some amazing adventures, there are countless Natural Landscapes dotted across our oceans that will oblige you. Here I’ve rounded up some of the best Paradise Island vacations you can enjoy, and many of them don’t cost much, unlike most luxury Islands.
I’m not ashamed to admit that I’m an island life junkie, but as someone who tires quickly from lazy days on the sand, I’m often looking for something a little different. These Paradise Islands each offer something special. Whether it’s a wildlife-based exploration, a fascinating geographic feature, or a slice of culture you won’t find elsewhere, here are some inspirations from my last few years of travel.
1. Dominica, Caribbean
First of all, this is not the Dominican Republic. This is the Dominica community, and it’s a beauty! The best way to appreciate this incredible island of rugged landscapes, epic waterfalls, parrot-enchanted rainforests and black sand beaches is to book a flight and go!
Go to the Caribbean, I thought. Relax on the beaches, I thought. Have a rum punch, I thought. But no, Dominica had other plans for me; the first being tossing myself off the edge of the canyon into the crystal clear sunlit waters, and, it was epic!
This gem of a country has a tiny airport, so it’s impossible to fly here with international flights. First, you need to land on a neighboring island like Antigua.
But that just makes it look even more pristine as only a few small planes make it here. I visited during the off season (June), which also meant there were no cruises in the harbor, and most places I visited there were only a few tourists. I have heard and can imagine that due to the mountains when cruises arrive, the main tourist spots are uncomfortably crowded. So I suggest avoiding cruise season if you can.
Honestly, it was such an amazing island and therefore it tops this list. There is fresh fruit everywhere, amazing diving, a resident population of whales that I saw alongside dolphins, super friendly guides, rare birds, endless forests…you get the idea, this is a natural paradise island and the locals are proud to call it that.
Also, there is a distinct lack of resorts on the island like much of the Caribbean, and one of the highlights for me was the beachfront bungalows, stepping out onto the black sand in the morning to sip my coffee usually under a rainbow. Words cannot do this place justice, so you’ll have to see it for yourself!
2. Raja Ampat, Indonesia
In the far east of Indonesia, off the west coast of Papua, a fascinating mix of microclimates, rich reefs, stunning sunsets and local traditions await your visit.
Raja Ampat, translated as the four kings, is an accumulation of islands that make up this archipelago. A remote adventure, during my time on this island we were limited to a few hours of electricity a day from an old generator, but the sunset and the coral sharks swimming under our feet more than made up for the lukewarm beers we had. brought from the main port.
Getting to Raja Ampat is quite a journey, after taking a flight or two to Sorong, West Papua, a three-hour ferry connects you to Wasier Island before smaller boats take you to remote homestays. With some of the most diverse underwater conditions you’ll find, it’s truly a scuba diver’s paradise. So say goodbye to the phone signal, grab your mask and head to one of the most unspoilt beauties in the world.
3. the Falkland Islands
If you’re looking for a remote place to get away, look no further. The Falkland Islands are hauntingly beautiful and full of penguins – my last trip involving islands and it feels like a dream so far.
Located in the lower part of South America, a regular stop on the route to nearby Antarctica for exploration ships, the Falkland Islands are home to around 500,000 breeding penguin pairs, spanning five breeds. But that’s not the only wildlife, with countless birds, dolphins, seals, sea lions, whales and more, completing the mix and making it an ideal spot for photography.
From the end of 2019, LATAM launched a new weekly flight from São Paulo, making this destination, previously considered difficult and expensive, a little more accessible and cheaper.
For those who decide to go, you are promised a windswept landscape, beaches without footprints in the sand and an almost untouched lifestyle dotted with penguins. Bring a friend, given the remote nature of the islands it would not be my first choice for solo travelers.
4. Rottnest Island, Australia
Off the coast of Perth, on Australia’s seemingly endless stretches of coastline and uninterrupted nature, Rottnest Island is slowly becoming famous across the world.
This could be due to their car-free way of life, with bikes being the starting point, or perhaps the crystal clear waters and tropical vibes. But actually, I think the main reasons are the adorable Quokkas who call Rottnest Island home.
Often referred to as the happiest animals in the world, thanks to their tendency to have a beaming smile and willingness to take a selfie. Cycle around the island, meet these cute creatures and enjoy some of the freshest seafood in the Pacific. Join a visit to Perth, one of the most remote cities in the world.
5. Isle of Skye, Scotland
Although Scotland is home to numerous islands, there is more than one reason why the small but stunning Isle of Skye has become so popular.
In fact, it has become so popular that tourism has started to become an issue, so plan your visit to this Scottish island during low season.
The island is linked by ferry or bridge to the mainland and you’ll find a variety of attractions to suit everyone. From the incredible views of a walk around Quaraing, a set of towering rocks, to the magical and mystical fairy pools and fairy valley, the island offers ample opportunities to enjoy Scotland’s famous nature and landscapes.
6. Komodo National Park, Indonesia
There are countless reasons why Indonesia is my favorite country, and Komodo National Park is one of them. A testament to the wide variety of wildlife and adventures that span Indonesia’s 17,000 islands, here you can come across dragons.
Komodo dragons, a giant lizard that can reach 2.6 meters in length, may appear docile while resting, but when they pick up the pace, a single bite can kill. Dragons are resident on some of the islands and should always be visited with a local guide. Other islands in the park, such as Padar, are free from the large “beasts”, and offer incredible panoramic views from their highest points.
Rent a private boat or join a tour to see some of the islands in one day, or take a liveaboard for a longer adventure. Most boat trips start in Labuan Bajo, Flores, accessible by air from several Indonesian airports.
7. Nisyros Island, Greece
One little gem I had no idea I would discover in 2018 was Nisyros Island.
While the island of Kos is a haven of relaxing resorts, the small town of Karamedema, where I stayed, is the starting point for Nisyros. Unlike most islands, this tiny spot in the Aegean Sea is actually an active volcano and how often can you say you slept on one?!
Nisyros Island is quite small, which makes the whitewashed villages that surround the volcano’s crater the ideal place to switch off and escape reality. Complete with those white streets, blue paint and hanging flower pots, you get all those Greek vibes, while feeling like you’ve stepped back in time by at least 30 years. Crater excursions allow you to walk through it and admire the sulfur vapors rising from nearby crevasses.
8. Sado Island, Japan
If you’re in Tokyo and looking for the opposite side of Japan, it’s Sado Island.
A Shinkansen train will take you to the port in just over two hours, and from here an airboat will take you to the coastal island in less than an hour. With an impressive gold mining history, this is where much of Japan’s wealth originates.
Today, the island with its lush green forests, rugged rock formations, and crashing waves, carved over thousands of years, is sometimes compared to a Japanese Hawaii – and while not volcanic, evidence of sea lava from thousands of years ago can be seen.
From exploring abandoned temples remotely reclaimed by nature to entering long-closed gold mining trenches, this is an island far removed from modern images of Japanese megolyses. Visit historic wooden villages, take a ride on a traditional bathtub boat and be sure to visit the Taiko Center, a beloved historic drumming practice that is acclaimed worldwide, you can even take a lesson from a master.
Whether relaxing in an onsen, visiting a temple dominated by rabbits, or enjoying a pristine sunset from a bridge that hangs over the coastline, Sado Island is a lesser-explored gem to escape the crowds of Japan’s most populous cities.
