Imagine a world where time stands still, and worries disappear on the horizon. Welcome to the idyllic islands of our dreams, where diverse scenery spans temperate beaches, tucked-away turquoise coves, lush rainforests, and scenic mountaintops. With an estimated 11,000 inhabited islands dotting the world’s oceans, lakes, and seas, there’s an island for every type of traveler, every month of the year.
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Crete, Greece
Crete, Greece, was voted the best island in Europe by our readers, and it’s easy to see why. With stretches of olive groves and rolling countryside overlooking the vast Aegean Sea, this island is a haven for those seeking a laid-back lifestyle. Free dive off the shore, traverse coastal walkways, and sample the famous Med diet by way of mezedes and fresh seafood. Take a ferry to Balos Lagoon and wade in its shallow waters, or explore Falassarna’s pink-flecked sands.
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Where to stay in Crete:
Source: media.cntraveler.com
- For a homey, hillside suite: Tella Thera
- For an artsy bungalow off the beaten path: Minos Beach Art Hotel
- For an inland stay: Kapsaliana Village
Cape Breton, Canada
Cape Breton, located at the northeastern tip of Nova Scotia, was voted the best Canadian island by CNT readers. Its winding coastal roads make for a bucket-list roadtrip: Go for the ever-scenic Cabot Trail, a 185-mile loop coursing through Cape Breton Highlands National Park with plenty of detours and hikes along the way.
Where to stay in Cape Breton:
- For golfing with ocean views: Cabot Cape Breton
Galapágos Islands, Ecuador
The Galapágos Islands, voted the best island in Central and South America by CNT readers, is on nearly every traveler’s bucket list. This incredibly biodiverse archipelago—which consists of 13 major islands located 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador—is one of the world’s original UNESCO World Heritage sites, with 97% of the archipelago protected as a national park.
Where to stay in Galapágos Islands:
- For a breezy eco-lodge: Finch Bay Galapagos Hotel
- For a tucked-away jungle retreat: Royal Palm Galapagos, Curio Collection Hotel by Hilton
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Voted time and time again by CNT readers as the No. 1 island in the United States, there’s far more to this low-country destination than its famous golf course. Mosey along the wetland boardwalks and walkways of 600-acre Sea Pines Nature Preserve, or go biking and bird-watching for egrets and herons at Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge.
Where to stay in Hilton Head Island:
- For a country club classic with golfing: The Inn & Club at Harbour Town
- For an amusement park without the crowds: Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort
- For a sweeping beachside resort: Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort
Bermuda
CNT readers voted this tiny but mighty North Atlantic island the best in the Caribbean and Atlantic. Bermuda is one of the most easily accessible islands from the East Coast of the US, best known for its limestone caves, pink-sand beaches such as Horseshoe Bay, and a bevy of reefs and shipwrecks that double as dive sites.
Where to stay in Bermuda:
- For classic chic appeal: The Loren at Pink Beach
- For a convenient location and old-school charm: Rosedon Hotel
- For unparalleled beach access: Pompano Beach Club
Fiji
Fiji, a country in the South Pacific, consists of more than 300 islands boasting clear waters and white-sand beaches. With 300-plus islands, Fiji is ideal for isle hopping (and is our readers’ top island of choice in Australia and the South Pacific). Fiji Airways offers direct flights from Dallas and Los Angeles to main island Viti Levu’s Nadi International Airport.
Where to stay in Fiji:
- For an all-inclusive on Viti Levu: InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa
- For solar-powered respite on Malolo Island: Six Senses Fiji
Phú Quốc, Vietnam
Off the coast of Cambodia, Vietnam’s largest island Phú Quốc was voted the best island in Asia by CNT readers—who are clearly fans of its off-the-radar white beaches such as Bai Sao and Long Beach and world-class coral snorkeling spots.
Where to stay in Phú Quốc:
- For a resort with fantastical design: JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa
- For a villa at a reborn staple: Regent Phu Quoc
Santa Catalina Island, California
You’d be forgiven if you mistook Santa Catalina’s sailboat-dotted coves for the Mediterranean coast—but this hidden gem is a quick boat ride from Los Angeles. With its picturesque beaches, charming town, and plenty of outdoor activities, Santa Catalina Island is the perfect destination for those seeking a relaxing getaway.
