Tropical islands offer the perfect setting for a relaxing getaway that will let you recharge in a beautiful setting with palm trees and colorful sunsets. Travel to Hawaii, the Caribbean, South Pacific, the Florida Keys, Bahamas and other amazing tropical destinations. As a lover of beaches, I've traveled and lived near many and here my absolute favorites.
Best Tropical Island Vacations:
Float in Luxury in the Maldives
The Maldives felt like a secret the ocean was keeping—quiet, crystalline, impossibly blue. The air was soft with salt and sun as I walked the wooden path to my overwater bungalow. Below me, the sea shimmered like glass, and I thought, “How can something this peaceful even be real?”
What I Loved Most: Floating in warm, clear water at sunrise, the reef below like a living mosaic, the sky above streaked with light and silence.
My highlights? Dinner at Ithaa Beach Grill—grilled reef tuna served with clove-scented basmati rice and a coconut-lime sauce I can still taste. It smelled like spice and sea air, and the fish flaked perfectly under my fork. I ate under palm trees strung with soft lights, toes in the sand, breeze on my face.
Plan your island stay:
- Nearest Airport: Velana International Airport (MLE), with resort access via seaplane or boat
- Vibe: Tranquil, otherworldly, luxurious
- Highlights: Overwater villas, coral reef snorkeling, bioluminescent beaches, spa pavilions
- Best Time to Visit: November to April for dry skies and calm seas
- Cost: Luxury prices typical; some guesthouses on local islands offer affordable alternatives
- Hours: Resorts operate 24/7; excursions and dives often run 8am–5pm
Island-Hop Through Paradise in the Bahamas
In the Bahamas, color and rhythm ruled the day—turquoise shallows, flamingo-pink sand, the sway of calypso drifting through open-air markets. I walked Nassau’s vibrant streets past straw vendors and sunlit porches, thinking, “This place lives with its whole chest—bold, bright, unbothered.”
What I Loved Most: Catching the ferry to Paradise Island with sea spray on my arms and the skyline fading behind me, replaced by palm fronds and that brilliant water I couldn’t stop staring at.
My highlights? A plate of conch fritters and grilled mahi at Frankie Gone Bananas, where the air smelled of citrus and spice and the food was loud in all the right ways. The fritters were golden and crisp, giving way to tender, peppery bites that lingered with just the right heat. I sat on a wooden deck overlooking the marina, breeze at my back, steel drums in the distance.
Plan your island stay:
- Nearest Airport: Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS)
- Vibe: Bold, festive, sun-soaked
- Highlights: Nassau, Paradise Island, Exuma Cays, Junkanoo Beach, island-hopping and snorkeling
- Best Time to Visit: December to April for dry skies and cultural events
- Cost: Moderate to high; day trips and food can add up, but outer islands offer quieter, affordable options
- Hours: Beaches and public areas open daily; shops and restaurants typically 10am–6pm
Indulge in Dreamlike Tranquility in Bora Bora
Bora Bora moved slowly, like it had nothing to prove—just thatched roofs, clear water so still it mirrored the sky, and mountains rising behind it all like a dream sketched in green. I rode across the lagoon in a small boat, sun on my face, and thought, “I’ve finally found the color peace would be, if it were real.”
What I Loved Most: Wading out from Matira Beach as the water turned from sapphire to pale jade around my ankles, silence broken only by the soft push of the tide and the hum of my own breath.
My highlights? Dinner at St. James Bora Bora—pan-seared parrotfish with vanilla beurre blanc and roasted breadfruit. The scent of warm butter and Tahitian vanilla rose from the plate, blending with the salty breeze coming off the lagoon. The fish was delicate and rich, tasting of sun and sea, and I lingered over every bite as the sky slipped into dusk behind Mount Otemanu.
Plan your island stay:
- Nearest Airport: Bora Bora Airport (BOB), reached via flight from Tahiti (PPT)
- Vibe: Quiet, romantic, remote-luxury
- Highlights: Matira Beach, Mount Otemanu, lagoon snorkeling, overwater bungalows
- Best Time to Visit: May to October for dry, pleasant weather
- Cost: High; accommodations and dining reflect its remote and upscale nature
- Hours: Beaches always open; tours and dining typically 8am–9pm
Find Aloha Spirit on the Big Island of Hawaii
The Big Island didn’t ease me in—it came alive under my feet. Black lava fields stretched for miles, steam rose from hidden vents, and waterfalls thundered into deep, fern-draped valleys. Driving south along the coast, I rolled down the window, let the air hit my face, and thought, “This island breathes fire and rain at the same time.”
What I Loved Most: Watching the sun rise over Mauna Kea, clouds pooling below like a second ocean, everything quiet except the crunch of volcanic rock beneath my boots.
My highlights? A poke bowl from Da Poke Shack in Kailua-Kona—cubes of ahi tuna marinated in sesame and shoyu, served over warm rice with seaweed salad and a dash of wasabi aioli. The smell was pure umami: soy, sesame, sea. The first bite was cool, silky, and sharp, and I sat on a shaded bench just steps from the ocean, chopsticks in hand, waves breaking nearby.
Plan your island stay:
- Nearest Airports: Kona International Airport (KOA) or Hilo International Airport (ITO)
- Vibe: Wild, elemental, expansive
- Highlights: Volcanoes National Park, Mauna Kea summit, black sand beaches, waterfalls, coffee farms
- Best Time to Visit: March to June or September to November for fewer crowds and pleasant weather
- Cost: Moderate to high, depending on activities and lodging
- Hours: Parks and beaches open daily; most attractions 9am–5pm
Unwind in Chic Seclusion in Turks and Caicos
Turks and Caicos greeted me with stillness—the kind that makes you exhale before you even realize you were holding your breath. Grace Bay stretched out in shades of pale blue and white, impossibly clear, like the sea had been freshly poured just for me. I kicked off my sandals, stepped into the warm sand, and thought, “If calm had a color, it would look exactly like this.”
What I Loved Most: Snorkeling just off the shore, where the water was calm as a bathtub and every stroke brought me eye to eye with darting parrotfish and delicate sea fans swaying on the reef.
My highlights? A late lunch at Da Conch Shack in Providenciales—cracked conch with peas and rice, and grilled plantains caramelized at the edges. The air was thick with the scent of lime, pepper, and salt, and the conch was tender, just crisped from the fryer. I ate at a picnic table in the sand, music low, waves curling in just a few feet away.
Plan your island stay:
- Nearest Airport: Providenciales International Airport (PLS)
- Vibe: Laid-back, sunlit, luxurious without trying too hard
- Highlights: Grace Bay Beach, snorkeling at Bight Reef, Conch Bar Caves, paddleboarding in Chalk Sound
- Best Time to Visit: December to April for dry weather and calm seas
- Cost: Moderate to high; meals and lodging can be upscale, though the beach is always free
- Hours: Beaches open daily; restaurants typically 11am–9pm
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Punta Cana moved to its own rhythm—palm trees swaying like they knew the beat, the warm breeze carrying bits of music and laughter across the sand. The resort pathways curved between hibiscus and coconut palms, and I thought, “This isn’t just a place—it’s a mood with a soundtrack.”
What I Loved Most: Floating in the shallows of Bavaro Beach with the sun warming my shoulders and the distant thump of merengue playing from a beach bar down the shore.
My highlights? Dinner at La Yola, a seaside restaurant built like a fishing boat. I ordered mofongo stuffed with garlicky shrimp, served with a side of tostones and a citrusy avocado salad. The aroma was a mix of fried garlic, lime, and sea air, and the mofongo was rich and savory, each bite grounding me in the island’s warmth. The setting sun cast a golden haze over the harbor, and I lingered with no place to be.
Plan your island stay:
- Nearest Airport: Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ)
- Vibe: Energetic, tropical, all-inclusive ease
- Highlights: Bavaro Beach, Scape Park, Saona Island excursions, live music, water sports
- Best Time to Visit: December to April for dry, warm weather
- Cost: Affordable to upscale; many resorts offer all-inclusive packages
- Hours: Resorts operate 24/7; tours typically 8am–5pm
Conclusion
Each island had its own way of holding me. In the Maldives, I found quiet in the cradle of the sea. The Bahamas handed me rhythm and color like a gift. Bora Bora whispered in blues and soft breezes. Hawaii pulled me close with lava and rain, its wild heart impossible to ignore. Turks and Caicos gave me stillness, and Punta Cana gave me a beat to move with. And somewhere between them all, I stopped checking clocks, lost the urge to scroll, and remembered how it feels to simply be where you are.
“Maybe paradise isn’t a place,” I thought. “Maybe it’s a pace.”
Whether you're chasing coral reefs or beachside meals that linger on your tongue, there’s an island out there that will meet you exactly where you need to be. All you have to do is go—and let the tide do the rest.
Ready to plan your tropical escape?
- Choose Your Mood:
- For serenity: Maldives, Bora Bora, Turks and Caicos
- For culture and rhythm: Bahamas, Punta Cana
- For wild beauty and variety: Big Island of Hawaii
- Best Travel Window: December–April for most destinations
- What to Pack: Reef-safe sunscreen, breathable layers, a waterproof bag, and something that makes you feel sun-drenched just putting it on
- Pro Tip: Give yourself at least one day with no agenda—just the beach, your senses, and the slow rhythm of island time
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