Best Vacation Island Destinations

When most people think of island, thoughts of a paradise getaway, an escape from the rat race, often come to mind. However, not all islands are created equal, meaning there are islands for every interest and taste. Here are some of the best vacation island destinations.

Bali

Bali is a province in Indonesia, on the western fringes of the Lesser Sunda Islands. Often referred to as the “Island of the Gods,” Bali is most known for its exotic temples, pristine jungles and towering volcanoes. The Tanah Lot Temple sits atop a huge jagged rock in the ocean.

The Ubud Monkey Forest, also known as the Sacred Monkey Forest, is a natural forest sanctuary that is home to approximately 750 Balinese long-tailed monkeys, or long-tailed macaques. Mount Batur is an active volcano that surrounds Lake Batur, a crater lake.

Capri

Capri is a 4.0-square mile island, located in the Bay of Naples, in Italy’s Campania region. The Grotta Azzurra, or Blue Grotto, is Capri’s most popular attraction. Blue Grotto is a sea cave, measuring 197 feet long and 83 feet wide. When the sunlight bounces off the walls of the cave, it makes the water appear a glowing, bright blue color.

The Punta Carena Lighthouse has been an active lighthouse since 1867. The 92-foot octagonal masonry tower, which serves as the landfall light for the Bay of Naples, overlooks the Tyrrhenian Sea.

Kauai

Kauai is the 4th largest island in Hawaii, with an area of 562.3 square miles. It is nicknamed “The Garden Isle” due to its vast tropical rain forests, emerald-colored valleys, dramatic coastline, jagged cliffs and jaw-dropping mountains. The Waimea Canyon State Park is known as the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific.”

The canyon, which stretches about 14 miles long and 3,600 feet deep, provides panoramic, scenic views of the colorful canyon and breathtaking waterfalls. In the Hawaiian language, Waimea means “reddish water,” which describes the canyon’s red-colored soil that has been eroded from rainwater.

Santorini

Santorini is a group of volcanic islands located in the southern part of the Aegean Sea in Greece. It consists of two inhabited islands- Santorini, known as Thira in the Greek language, and Therasia, as well as four uninhabited islands- Aspronisi, Christiana, Nea Kameni and Palaia Kameni.

Santorini is the result of a series of volcanic eruptions, with the last major eruption occurring approximately 3,600 years ago. Santorini is best known for its ancient cities, beautiful beaches, dramatic views, multi-colored cliffs, picture-perfect sunsets and volcanic landscapes.

Fira, the beautiful capital that features stunning white-washed houses, sits high atop the edge of the 1,312-foot high volcanic caldera.

St. Lucia

St. Lucia is an island in the eastern Caribbean Sea, off the coast of Central America. The 27-mile long island is well known for its beaches, forests, historic sites, jungles, as well as mountains and waterfalls. The Pitons are the most famous landmarks on the island.

The twin volcanic peaks, located on the southwestern coast of St. Lucia, are beautifully donned in emerald-colored vegetation. Gros Piton stands 2,530 feet high, while Petit Piton stands 2,438 feet high. The Pitons, which cover an area of 7,190 acres, are a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Site.

What’s Your Favorite Island Destination?