Find your dream destination based on your travel style.
Regarding travel in 2025, island vacations are taking center stage. With travelers seeking natural beauty, wellness, digital detox, and unique cultures, island getaways offer the perfect escape. From famous paradises like Bali and Santorini to rising stars like São Tomé and Madeira, here’s your ultimate guide to the world’s best islands to visit in 2025.
Not all island getaways are created equal—some are made for luxury like Santorini tours, others for thrill-seekers, and many for cultural exploration. Here’s your updated list of islands to visit in 2025, organized by traveler type to match your vacation style.
1. Seychelles 🇸🇨
Why go: Secluded beaches, eco-luxury resorts, marine parks
With 115 islands floating in the Indian Ocean, Seychelles is a paradise of untouched beauty. In the list of islands to visit in 2025, it remains a top pick for honeymooners and luxury seekers looking for total seclusion and turquoise waters. Private-island resorts like North Island and Fregate Island offer barefoot luxury, while Mahé and Praslin balance indulgence with local flair.
Top Experiences:
- Private catamaran sunset cruises
- Spa treatments with sea views
- Diving in Sainte Anne Marine Park
- Visit Anse Lazio—often ranked among the world’s most beautiful beaches
2. Santorini, Greece 🇬🇷
Why go: Iconic sunsets, caldera views, luxury stays, private Santorini tours
No island screams romance like Santorini. Perched dramatically above the Aegean Sea, its whitewashed villages, volcanic beaches, and luxury cave hotels make it a dream destination for couples. In the list of islands to visit in 2025, there’s a rise in curated experiences like private chef dinners and caldera yoga sessions.
Top Experiences:
- Sunset tours around the caldera with volcanic hot spring swimming
- Wine-tasting tours at Santo Wines and Venetsanos Winery
- Explore Akrotiri, the ancient Minoan city
- Instagramable tours in Oia and Imerovigli
- Romantic dinner tour in a cliffside restaurant in Fira
3. Fiji 🇫🇯
Why go: Remote beauty, luxury overwater bungalows, coral reefs
Fiji’s 300+ islands offer the kind of remoteness that modern travelers crave. Known for its warm hospitality (“Bula Spirit“), Fiji is perfect for those who want barefoot luxury and cultural depth. In the list of islands to visit in 2025, expect expanded eco-luxury resorts and wellness-focused experiences.
Top Experiences:
- Stay in an overwater bungalow in the Yasawa Islands
- Dive with reef sharks or snorkel the Great Astrolabe Reef
- Visit a local village and attend a traditional kava ceremony
4. Corfu, Greece 🇬🇷
Why go: Mediterranean elegance, history, family-friendly luxury
Corfu blends Ionian beauty with Venetian charm. Its old town, a maze of cobbled alleys, fortresses, and pastel mansions, reflects centuries of occupation by the Venetians, French, and British. In the list of islands to visit in 2025, Corfu balances sustainable tourism with high-end hospitality, offering boutique hotels and heritage-rich experiences.
Top Experiences:
- Explore UNESCO-listed Corfu Town
- Visit the Achilleion Palace
- Relax in Paleokastritsa and Canal d’Amour
- Wine tasting at island vineyards in Livadi and Lefkimmi
Best Islands for Adventure and Nature
5. Madeira, Portugal 🇵🇹
Why go: Cliffside trails, volcanic terrain, Atlantic views
Madeira has become Europe’s go-to island for active travelers. Known as the “Hawaii of the Atlantic,” it’s a hiker’s dream, with trails like the Levada Walks and Pico do Arieiro. In the list of islands to visit in 2025, Madeira is also embracing digital nomads, offering “workation” hubs and outdoor co-working retreats.
Top Experiences:
- Hike the Pico do Arieiro – Pico Ruivo trail
- Drive the wild Estrada Regional 101 coastal route
- Taste poncha in local tavernas after a canyoning session
6. Vancouver Island, Canada 🇨🇦
Why go: Forests, marine life, dramatic coastlines
Wild, rugged, and wildly underrated, Vancouver Island is one of North America’s top nature retreats. From orca sightings and ancient rainforests to surfing and off-grid cabins, it offers an earthy alternative to tropical escapes.
Top Experiences:
- Watch orcas and humpbacks from Tofino or Telegraph Cove
- Surf at Chesterman Beach
- Hike the Juan de Fuca or West Coast Trail
- Stay in a forest dome or floating eco-cabin
7. Palawan, Philippines 🇵🇭
Why go: Island-hopping, marine biodiversity, limestone cliffs
Palawan is often crowned the “last frontier” of the Philippines, and for good reason. Its aquamarine lagoons, karst cliffs, and remote coves are a magnet for divers and backpackers. In the list of islands to visit in 2025, travelers are venturing beyond El Nido to quieter spots like San Vicente and Balabac.
Top Experiences:
- Snorkel in Twin Lagoon and Secret Beach
- Take a boat tour through Bacuit Bay
- Visit the Puerto Princesa Underground River, a UNESCO wonder
- Stay in eco-lodges built by local communities
Best Islands for Culture and History
8. Zanzibar, Tanzania 🇹🇿
Why go: Swahili-Arab heritage, spice tours, beaches
Zanzibar is a sensory-rich island where centuries of African, Arab, and Indian influences blend. In the list of islands to visit in 2025, it’s increasingly popular with travelers looking to combine beach time with cultural depth.
Top Experiences:
- Explore Stone Town’s historical labyrinths
- Tour the spice plantations that gave the island its nickname
- Snorkel off Mnemba Atoll
- Visit the ruins of the Persian Baths and Maruhubi Palace
9. Bali, Indonesia 🇮🇩
Why go: Balinese Hindu culture, temples, food, yoga
Bali isn’t just for beach lovers—it’s a spiritual and cultural hub. From temple ceremonies to healing retreats and craft villages, Bali continues to evolve beyond its party image. In the list of islands to visit in 2025, Ubud, Sidemen, and the island’s north coast are drawing conscious travelers.
Top Experiences:
- Visit the sacred Tirta Empul and Besakih temples
- Watch a Kecak fire dance at Uluwatu Temple
- Shop handcrafted batik and silver jewelry in Ubud
- Stay in a jungle retreat and practice sunrise yoga
10. Ischia, Italy 🇮🇹
Why go: Thermal spas, authentic Italian culture, volcanic beaches
Often overshadowed by Capri, Ischia is beloved by Italians for its rustic charm, therapeutic waters, and volcano-fed beaches. In 2025, it’s gaining global recognition for wellness tourism and culinary escapes.
Top Experiences:
- Soak in the Poseidon Thermal Gardens
- Visit the Aragonese Castle by boat
- Hike Mount Epomeo for sunrise views
- Dine in local trattorias serving rabbit alla Ischitana
- Best Off-the-Beaten-Path Islands
11. São Tomé and Príncipe 🇸🇹
Why go: Raw nature, chocolate plantations, volcanic peaks
One of the least visited countries in the world, São Tomé and Príncipe is ideal for those craving off-the-radar experiences. In the list of islands to visit in 2025, it’s gaining traction among eco-travelers and photographers drawn to its Jurassic landscapes, cocoa farms, and wild coastlines.
Top Experiences:
- Tour a 19th-century cacao plantation
- Hike up Pico Cão Grande, a volcanic spire rising 370m
- Discover Obô Natural Park’s rare wildlife
- Snorkel with untouched coral reefs on Ilhéu das Rolas
Travel Planning Tips for islands to visit in 2025
To make the most of your islands to visit in 2025 vacation:
- Book flights early – especially for remote or seasonal destinations
- Book Tours in advance – Also consider choosing private transfers instead of local transportation
- Travel smart – many islands now offer work-friendly options for digital nomads
- Consider shoulder seasons – May, June, and October combine great weather and lower prices
- Be sustainable – Choose eco-lodges, pack reef-safe sunscreen, and respect local cultures
Santorini and the Art of the Island Escape
From tropical rainforests to volcanic coasts, the world’s best islands in 2025 offer something for every kind of traveler. But if there’s one island that consistently captures the imagination of globetrotters, it’s Santorini.
Santorini is more than just a travel cliché. In 2025, it will evolve into a complete sensory experience:
- Luxury with its iconic caldera-view suites
- Culture through ancient Minoan ruins and Cycladic heritage
- Romance in every sunset that paints the Aegean gold
- Gastronomy rooted in volcanic soil and timeless tradition
Whether you’re sipping Assyrtiko wine at a cliffside vineyard, sailing past the volcano on a catamaran, or exploring the quiet charm of Pyrgos village by booking a tour, Santorini delivers a timeless escape wrapped in elegance.
Yet, Santorini is just one star in a sky full of dazzling destinations. From the emerald cliffs of Madeira to the coral reefs of Palawan and the cultural treasures of Zanzibar, your perfect island getaway in 2025 is out there, waiting to match your travel style and spirit.
Ready to choose your islands to visit in 2025?
Explore our in-depth guide for each destination. Whether you’re drawn to the volcanic cliffs of Santorini, the jungle retreats of Bali, or the wild coasts of Vancouver Island, there are islands to visit in 2025 that match your travel mood.
