15 Exotic Islands You Won’t Believe Exist
Holidaying on a secluded island far from the noise and towering nightscape of urban cities could have been a thought locked in your nighttime reverie until you learn of these tropical getaways hidden off most adventure maps.
These little-known, taintless grounds are preserved relics of heaven on earth, but you’ll only find them if you know where to look. We know where to look and have taken the time to uncover these destinations so you can make the best of your next island escape.
1. Palawan, Philippines
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Not in the news like the Bali or Santorini of this world, but of equal picturesque value, and with the promise of serenity alien to those famous destinations. Palawan is home to the clearest of waters, the brightest of orange sunsets, and the tallest of limestone cliffs.
The island’s white dune beaches, like El Nido and Coron, open you to an experience of a lifetime where you can snorkel and dive like you were on private waters beaming with marine life. You also get to enjoy delectable local foods and the camaraderie of Palawan’s small community.
2. Saba Caribbean, Netherlands
Often overlooked, Saba, a 5-mile small, lush island in the Caribbean, offers you the contrast of a tourist hotspot but with the lush attraction characteristics of prime tourist destinations. You get to swim, dive and snorkel with sea turtles while hiking it’s scintillating trails.
In awe of Saba’s seclusion and beauty, locals nicknamed it the “unspoiled queen of the Caribbean.” The island is home to colorful coral reefs and a lush estate of green in the similitude of biblical Eden. Saba has a population of under 2000 locals– a pointer to its enduring status as an off-grid hidden gem preserved for your exclusive delight.
3. Aitutaki, Cook Islands
Surrounded by fifteen small islets (locals call Motus), Aitutaki prides itself as one of earth’s most secluded island port-of-call. The calm waters of this isolated estate are punctuated by warm sunlight, offering an intimate experience with colorful marine life.
Flung 220 kilometers off the more popular island of Rarotonga, Aitutaki is notable for its romantic settings and discreet ambiance that make it a perfect holiday destination for couples on honeymoon. You can go snorkeling, paddleboarding, or kayaking in its turquoise ocean, soak in the tanning sun by the mouth of its outstretched beach, or settle for a relaxing massage before a teeming line up of gently swaying coconut trees that make for a paradisiac backdrop of the Aitutaki island.
4. Flatey, Iceland
If you’re a lover of water, sunshine, and clean air seeking solitude away from the pollutions of civilization, Flatey should sit at the top of your bucket list. The island is the abode of various species of birds, which makes it even better if you’re a birdwatcher.
Flatey is not all pristine beaches and colorful birds. You can enjoy predawn, and twilight strolls through the isolated street of Flatey, dotted by old churches and quaint houses under a canopy of aurora sky if you are visiting between September and April. There are no cars in Flatey, Iceland, making it the fitting destination to connect with nature like you were its first creation.
5. Lord Howe Island, Australia
A UNESCO World Heritage site, Lord Howe, is worthy of the preservation it currently enjoys. Unlike in Aitutaki, where you’re set before a background of towering trees, Lord Howe is edged on the sides by the Alps, offering you a panoramic view of the island.
That’s not to say Lord Howe is lacking in lush forests and unique wildlife characteristic of secluded wonderlands. You’ll find a biodiversity of coral reefs and colorful algae contesting ocean space with Balls Pyramid springing abruptly out of the water. Lord Howe has only 300 residents, despite being only 90 minutes by air from Sydney, Australia.
6. Cies Islands, Spain
Opened all year-round, Cies Islands seats off the coast of Galicia, boasting some of the world’s most beautiful beaches. Unlike in most other islands, you can only spend nights in Cies a week before the weekend or between mid-May and mid-September, but you’ve got enough time to immerse your senses in its paradisaic acres of crystal clear waters and unstained beach sands.
Cities present unique hiking trails from which you can view its old and rugged coastlines, and its teeming population of birds like the terns, gulls, gannets, and shearwaters makes for a unique find if you are a bird lover. Cies main accommodation is camping, which makes it an ideal spot if you’re an outdoor adventurer seeking a good time in the sun.
7. Iriomote Island, Japan
Okinawa’s second largest island, Iriomote is virgin to sight and largely untouched (about 90% of it is uninhabited), making it one of the earth’s hidden gems to explore. Despite its seclusion, Iriomote is not so challenging to visit. From Ishigaki, you can board a ferry to one of the two ports of Iriomote.
Iriomote is revered for its super-clear ocean, mangrove forests, and ravishing waterfalls. You can take a kayak and trek tour on this Japanese island with some of the most relaxed locals you’ll find anywhere on the planet.
8. Gili, Trawangan, Indonesia
When you think of vacationing in Indonesia, Bali comes to mind. But not with the serenity that characterizes Gili, a far smaller, lesser-known island beaming in the retro ambiance of thatch-roofed bungalows, laidback eateries, and surf schools like you’re back in the 1900s.
When in Gili, you can go cycling on its flat trail, fish and snorkel in its ocean, or practice meditation predawn before its vast turquoise ocean and floating audience of orange-feathered seagulls. Motorized vehicles are prohibited on Gili Island, but its horse-drawn carriage service does the job of carting you around equally well.
9. La Digue, Seychelles
Covering approximately four square miles, La Digwe is one of the smallest islands on the list, but its concentration of nature, remoteness, and astonishing beauty make it a perfect pick. Reputable for its iconic boulders and white powdery beach sand, La Dique makes for a unique relaxation destination if you’d be hopping on a weekend vacation very soon.
The island draws you to itself, soaking your senses in its unrivaled abundance of colors. From the turquoise beach to its green palms and hanging rain clouds, everything in La Digue is preserved in an ultra-radiant tone. The hidden coves and lush jungles share in the color party of La Digue, adding to its mystic feel and otherworldly ambiance.
10. Lombok, Indonesia
For some adventure, Lombok is a point of natural touch unmatched by more popular islands like Bali. Less crowded and lesser-known, Lombrok’s secluded coves, unspoiled beaches, and lush foilage are home to wildlife, including the rare hawksbill turtles and wild macaques.
The island also houses Mount Rinjani, an active volcano oozing hot springs, adding to the beauty of Lombok. You can hike on this island or go mountain climbing on Rinjani (which could take about three days to reach its summit). The cultural heritage of the Sasak villages of Lombrok offers you the promise of authentic cuisine, friendly locals, and a time under a tranquil sky canopying over one of the world’s unsullied landscapes.
11. Pulau Mabul, Malaysia
Located in Sabah, Malaysia, Pulau is reputable for its clean waters and stunning coral reefs. Dubbed a paradise for underwater enthusiasts, Palau is an exotic island great for diving, snorkeling, and enjoyable boat outings.
Tourists often fawn at the friendliness of the locals, the lovingness of rooms facing the borderless ocean, and bud-tantalizing meals, all at very little cost. The pollution-free skies of Paula Nabul’s also mean you get to see clear nights serving as background for millions of sequined stars floating mystically over the ocean.
12. Sandon, Sweden
Cased deep within the Baltics, Sandon is home to rare plants and birds alien to most other island ports. The entire island is swallowed in forage of moss and pine trees, under a sky untainted by the exhaust smoke of automobiles.
Sandon is stained by a little chapel and lighthouse, both dotting a wide expanse of isolated beaches, often with no person in sight. Sandon is perfect if you yearn for a solo retreat along stilly trails that unfold the wonders of the Swedish countryside everywhere you turn.
13. Skopelos Island, Greece
A perfect combo of natural beauty, heritage, and history, Skopelos is one of Greece’s little-known gems waiting to hold you in its arms. Its claim of seclusion dawns from its far-flung location from Skiathos– a more touristy island compared to the Skopelos. It takes about 25 minutes to get to Skopelos from Skiathos if you’re ferrying through a high-speed boat.
Skopelos is everything that defines a hidden gem. Lined on the edges by beach-hugging hotels and spas, the delicious taverns characterizing the dining experience of Skopelos have been dubbed unforgettable by many adventurers. Hoping for a solo visit to unwind? Skopelos promises a rare earthy ambiance where you can unwind from the clutters of modern life while you enjoy a restful retreat even as you look out into the Aegeans.
14. Gozo, Malta
A quiet holiday doesn’t get better than in Gozo. Malta’s second largest island after the Island of Malta, the quaint nature of Gozo does not take a slice off its teeming list of attractions, including snorkeling in its turquoise water spread beyond foreseeable land under the bluest of skies.
One of the most appealing sights is the Dwejra Bay comes poignant at sunset as the last light of the sun cuts through the ancient, bronze-age fortress in pure poetry. The 16-meter Blue Hole of Gozo, woven over time by wind and waves, also makes for an astonishing divers playground.
15. Rodrigues, Mauritius
Rodrigues is tipped as a place to discover, highlighting its status as a hidden gem of the Indian Ocean and as a prime hotspot for seekers of peace and quietude laced with untouched beauty that promises to mesmerize even the most experienced of adventurers.
The hike trails fencing Rodrigues’ secluded beaches are home to some of the planet’s clearest waters, allowing you to fish, swim, and snorkel to your delight. You also get to explore ancient caves and nature reserves, added to the island’s warm hospitality and laid-back vibe of its locals. If you seek a nature’s haven with a slower pace of life, the island of Rodrigues should be your next port of call.
