From Antigua in the Caribbean to Zakynthos in the Mediterranean and all around the world, these are the World's Most Beautiful Islands to Visit from A to Z:
Antigua and Barbuda is an independent Commonwealth country comprising its two namesake islands and several smaller ones. Positioned where the Atlantic and Caribbean meet, it's known for reef-lined beaches, rainforests and resorts. Its English Harbour is a yachting hub and the site of historic Nelson's Dockyard. In the capital, St. John's, the national museum displays indigenous and colonial artefacts. Where to Stay: Blue Waters Resort & Spa
Bora Bora will make you feel love at first sight. With ocean views of turquoise waters resembling an artist’s palette of bright blues and greens, romantics from around the world appreciate Bora Bora’s lush, tropical vegetation circling the perimeter of the island and the valleys of Mount Otemanu blossom with hibiscus. Where to Stay: The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort
Capri, an island in Italy’s Bay of Naples, is famed for its rugged landscape, upscale hotels and shopping, from designer fashions to Limoncello and handmade leather sandals. One of its best-known natural sites is the Blue Grotto, a dark cavern where the sea glows electric blue, the result of sunlight passing through an underwater cave. In summer, Capri's dramatic, cove-studded coastline draws many yachts. Where to Stay: J.K. Place Capri
Deerfield Beach Island, also colloquially known as DBI, is an island off the eastern mainland of Boca Raton and Deerfield Beach, Florida, United States. The island is approximately 5.5 miles long, consisting of three municipalities and two counties. To experience South Florida's beaches without encountering large crowds, try Deerfield Beach. Where to Stay: Royal Blues Hotel Relais & Chateaux
Easter Island, a Chilean territory, is a remote volcanic island in Polynesia. Its native name is Rapa Nui. It’s famed for archaeological sites, including nearly 900 monumental statues called moai, created by inhabitants during the 13th–16th centuries. The moai are carved human figures with oversize heads, often resting on massive stone pedestals called ahus. Ahu Tongariki has the largest group of upright moai. Where to Stay: explora Rapa Nui
Falkland Islands - Join a panoramic Luxury Expedition Cruise and explore the colorful Falkland Islands, unspoiled South Georgia with its rookeries of king penguins, and epic Antarctica — an ideal itinerary for photographers and explorers alike. Go ashore with your Expedition Team to visit areas rich in the history of polar exploration and experience the wildlife of the Southern Ocean region in all its glory. Where to Stay: Luxury Expedition Cruise
Giudecca is an island in the Venetian Lagoon, in northern Italy. Enjoy breathtaking views of the town's historic center from the highest rooftop bar in the city at Hilton Molino Stucky, take a dip in the summer rooftop swimming pool, relax in the spa and discover local and international flavors in the hotel's restaurants. Where to Stay: Hilton Molino Stucky
Hydra is one of the Saronic Islands of Greece, located in the Aegean Sea. It is separated from the Peloponnese by a narrow strip of water. Greece has 6,000 islands and islets of which only 227 islands are inhabited. A cosmopolitan island ambience are the defining characteristics of Hydra which attracts jet-setters from Greece and abroad. The island’s great beauty has been appreciated by celebrities such as Maria Callas, Pablo Picasso, and Sophia Loren. Hydra is also very interesting from an architectural point of view, as a number of luxury residences, built by Italian craftsmen, are scattered on the island. If you are interested in religious monuments, there are some 300 churches and 6 monasteries you can visit on the island. You will enjoy strolling about the streets of the picturesque Hydra town and the harbour; take trips in the countryside, while drinking in the amazing views over the Aegean Sea, swim in deep blue waters and savor tasty dishes in the local tavernas. Walking about the island is a true pleasure as it is car-free! Where to Stay: Four Seasons Hydra Luxury Suites
Iceland, a Nordic island nation, is defined by its dramatic landscape with volcanoes, geysers, hot springs and lava fields. Massive glaciers are protected in Vatnajökull and Snæfellsjökull national parks. Most of the population lives in the capital, Reykjavik, which runs on geothermal power and is home to the National and Saga museums, tracing Iceland’s Viking history. Where to Stay: The Retreat at Blue Lagoon - Iceland
Jost Van Dyke is one of the main islands in the British Virgin Islands, which are part of a volcanic archipelago in the Caribbean Sea. The island is known for its yacht anchorages, like the sheltered bay at Great Harbour. Casual bars and restaurants dot the sandy beaches here and at nearby White Bay. Bubbly Pool, a naturally foaming sea pool, is in the island’s northeast. Where to Stay: The Hideout White Bay Jost Van Dyke
Komodo island, part of the Lesser Sunda chain of Indonesian islands, is the rugged habitat of the 3m-long Komodo dragon monitor lizard. Komodo National Park covers the entire region and is home to more than 4,000 dragons, and is made up of rusty-red volcanic hills, savannah and forests. Its surrounding waters of seagrass beds, mangrove shrublands and coral reefs are famous for diving. Where to Stay: Plataran Komodo Resort & Spa
La Digue is an island in the Seychelles, in the Indian Ocean off East Africa. It’s known for its beaches, like Anse Source d’Argent, dotted with granite boulders, on the west coast. To the south, isolated Anse Bonnet Carré Beach, with calm, shallow water, is accessible only on foot, as is Anse Cocos Beach, in a protected bay on the east coast. La Digue’s diverse wildlife can be seen in the Veuve Nature Reserve. Where to Stay: Six Senses Zil Pasyon
Mallorca (Majorca) is one of Spain's Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean. It's known for beach resorts, sheltered coves, limestone mountains and Roman and Moorish remains. Capital Palma has nightlife, the Moorish Almudaina royal palace and 13th-century Santa María Cathedral (pictured). Stone-built villages include Pollença, with its art galleries and music festival, and hillside Fornalutx, surrounded by citrus plantations. Where to Stay: La Residencia, A Belmond Hotel, Mallorca
Nevis is the smaller of the two islands comprising the nation of Saint Kitts and Nevis in the Caribbean. It's known for sandy beaches, including palm-fringed Pinney's Beach and sheltered Oualie Beach. Booby High Shoals is a popular offshore dive site sheltering sea turtles and stingrays. The island's capital, Charlestown, is filled with Georgian-style buildings and other British colonial relics. Where to Stay: Four Seasons Resort Nevis
Oahu is a U.S. island in the Central Pacific, part of the Hawaiian island chain and home to the state capital, Honolulu. Highlights of the city include historic Chinatown and the Punchbowl, a crater-turned-cemetery. Waikiki is an iconic beach, dining and nightlife area. West of Honolulu is Pearl Harbor, site of the WWII's 1941 bombing attack and home to the USS Arizona Memorial. Where to Stay: Halekulani Azura Quilalea Private Island
Quirimbas Islands - The Quirimbas Archipelago is in the Indian Ocean, just off the northern coast of Mozambique. Many of its islands are part of Quirimbas National Park, which is known for coral reefs and waters inhabited by dolphins, whales and endangered dugongs (sea cows). Secluded Matemo, Medjumbe and Vamizi islands have long beaches and dive sites. Mangrove-covered Ibo Island features colonial-era ruins, including forts. Where to Stay: Azura Quilalea Private Island
Palawan, officially the Province of Palawan, is an archipelagic province of the Philippines that is located in the region of Mimaropa. It is the largest province in the country in terms of total area of 14,649.73 km². The capital city is Puerto Princesa. Palawan is one of the top tourist destinations in the tropical paradise of the Philippines. Discover the stunning sights that are responsible for making this island-province so breathtakingly irresistible to globetrotters. Where to Stay: Amanpulo
Roatán is an island in the Caribbean, about 65 kilometers off the northern coast of Honduras. It is located between the islands of Utila and Guanaja, and is the largest of the Bay Islands of Honduras. The western Caribbean island of Roatan is a magnet for cruise passengers looking for adventure in paradise. Arguably the most diverse port of call, travelers will find a variety of things to do in Roatan, Honduras. From postcard perfect beaches to secluded mangrove tunnels, there is something for all island guests to enjoy. Where to Stay: Ibagari Boutique Hotel
Santorini has been named the most beautiful island in the world. It is one of the Cyclades islands in the Aegean Sea. It was devastated by a volcanic eruption in the 16th century BC, forever shaping its rugged landscape. The whitewashed, cubiform houses of its 2 principal towns, Fira and Oia, cling to cliffs above an underwater caldera (crater). They overlook the sea, small islands to the west and beaches made up of black, red and white lava pebbles. Where to Stay: Katikies Santorini
Tasmania is an island state of Australia. It is located 240 kilometers to the south of the Australian mainland, separated from it by the Bass Strait, with the archipelago containing the southernmost point of the country. Where to Stay: MONA The Pavilions Ustica, Image credit: visititaly.eu
Ustica is a small Italian island in the Tyrrhenian Sea. It is about 5 kilometers across and is situated 52 kilometers north of Capo Gallo, Sicily. Roughly 1,300 people live in the commune of the same name. There is a regular ferry service from the island to Palermo in Sicily. Where to Stay: La Prua D'Amare
Virgin Gorda is a Caribbean island in the British Virgin Islands. It’s known for the Baths, a labyrinth of beachside boulders forming a series of pools and seawater-flooded grottoes. White-sand beaches nearby include Spring Bay and Devil’s Bay, plus Savannah Bay farther north. In the island’s mountainous north, trails lead up Gorda Peak to a lookout tower with views of the scattered surrounding islets. Where to Stay: Rosewood Little Dix Bay
Windward Islands - The Windward Islands are the southern, generally larger islands of the Lesser Antilles in the Caribbean and include the beautiful islands of Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, among some other smaller islands. Where to Stay: Jade Mountain, St. Lucia, Canouan Estate Resort & Villas, Secret Bay, Dominica, Spice Island Beach Resort, Grenada Image credit: Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou
Xiushan Island - Located in Daishan County, China, off the coast of Ningbo and 3 hours' drive from Hangzhou which is a "must-visit" destination. Legend has it that Xiushan Island is one of the Three Immortal Mountains at sea, and is known as "Shangri-La on the Sea". The main attractions are Huani Theme Park, Lanxiu Culture Museum, Xiushan Beach Group, Jiuzi Buddha Island, Beach Bathing Beach, Changshou Temple, Li Clan Ancestral Hall, Li Family Five Houses, Lion Rock, and more. Xiushan Island Slippery Mud Theme Park is located at the northwest end of Xiushan Island. It faces thousands of acres of flat tidal flats and is backed by a provincial wetland nature reserve. Airport: Zhoushan Putuoshan Airport (HSN) Where to stay in Hangzhou (3 hours from Xiushan Island): Amanfayun, or Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at West Lake Yasawa Island Resort
Yasawa Islands - Blessed with dramatic peaks and sun-drenched white sand beaches, the Yasawa Islands is the quintessential paradise that lies Northwest of the main island Viti Levu. The region is a haven for nature lovers and is definitely a mariner’s dream for an adventurous ocean escapade. The natural exotic beauty of the Islands has earned them spots on Hollywood movie sets and is a popular choice for reality shows. Reserve your patch of paradise on a single island or hop your way through the archipelago to standout spots like the awe-inspiring Sawa-i-Lau caves, swim with mesmerizing mantas or discover delightful underwater coral gardens. Where to Stay: Yasawa Island Resort
Zakynthos is a Greek island in the Ionian Sea and a well-known summer resort. The harbor city of Zakynthos is the capital and major hub, centered around waterfront Solomos Square. Popular beaches like Agios Nikolaos, Alykanas and Tsilivi offer swimming and water sports. Accessed by boat, Navagio beach is the site of a famed 1980 shipwreck resting in a sandy cove framed by cliffs. Where to Stay: Porto Zante Villas & Spa
