10 Best Island Escapes for Work, Vacations, and Special Events
The first step to making it through a long winter is planning a brief, but amazing escape to the best island vacation paradises under the sun. We’re here to lend a hand — on this list of island getaways, you’ll find a mixture of beach destinations, like Isla Mujeres, in Mexico (ideal for yoga, mezcal and snorkeling), or Crete (famed for its pink sand) and culture destinations, like the contemporary art hub of Naoshima, right off Japan’s coast. Other islands, like Bali, offer a little bit of both. Next time you’re itching to get out of town, peruse this list to decide which escape would be best for you. Booking a trip to any of these island puts you even closer to the vacation of your dreams, wherever that may be.
Combine a love for nature with a passion for art at Naoshima, one of many sparsely populated islands located along Japan’s Seto Inland Sea. In recent years, it’s seen a boom in arts and culture destinations, including outdoor sculpture exhibitions, hotels and contemporary art museums. Stay at the newly renovated Benesse House, part-museum, part-hotel, where guests can dwell among original artworks by Frank Stella and James Terrell, and get extended access to the on-site museum. Around the island, you can explore happening contemporary art hot spots, like Seaside Inujima Gallery and Miyanoura Gallery, the Teshima Art Museum, and installations by the famed Yayoi Kusama. For dinner, head to Ramane Tsumu, where you’ll find the best ramen on the island.
Seemingly in the middle of nowhere, this little island off Sydney’s coast is the self-proclaimed “cleanest place in the world.” Lord Howe has long been a honeymoon destination for Australians due to its picturesque white beaches, tropical forests, and exotic species of animals. Spend your days admiring the scenery from Settlement Beach, trekking to Kim’s Lookout and beyond, to Balls Pyramid and Ned’s Beach, where you can soak your senses in the wild varieties of tropical flora and unique birds. If you’re up for the challenge, you can even take a stab at hiking to the top of Mount Gower, where you’ll be rewarded with an amazing view. To learn more about the ecology of the area, visit the Lord Howe Island Museum and then indulge in a coral reef tour, where you’ll have the opportunity to learn about the seascape, which includes turtles and stingrays. A variety of accommodations await you on Lord Howe, most of them apartment-style, but quantity is always limited, so be sure to book ahead of time. Note: Be sure to book your flight and your accomodation at the same time.
Despite the fact that Croatia has swelled with tourists looking for a seaside escape, Vis has remained an idyllic hidden gem. Catch a ferry from Split, and you’ll arrive in the 2,500-year-old town in less than three hours; the warm community of locals that populate the area will eagerly welcome you. The ferry arrives in Luka, a strip of a cafes and bars along the waterfront that comes alive at night. About a 20-minute walk south, you’ll find the town of Kut, featuring old stone buildings that bespeak the island’s history, and Vis’ best seafood restaurant, Pojodo (try the skarpina, a fish cooked on the barbecue). Within walking distance from Kut, you’ll find Granvalac beach, one of the few beaches that’s sand instead of stone. Since the ferries run pretty frequently, you could arrange Vis as just a daytrip, but why not take the opportunity to stay overnight? There are only four hotels on the island, including the famed Hotel San Giorgio. Many travelers opt for a bed and breakfast like Villa Vis, however, in order to better understand the culture at local level.
The Isle of Skye is separated from the rest of Scotland by a bridge connecting the mainland to an expanse of lush greenery. A scenic marvel, the island is filled with historical artifacts and natural wonders, like the Fairy Pools, a strip of cascading waterfalls, and the Fairy Glen, a peak that’s a short hike up Trotternish Loop. Dunvegan Castle is the only castle located on the Isle of Skye and available for tours where you can learn more about its role as the oldest continuous castle in Scotland. On the southern portion of the island, you’ll find The Cuillin, a rocky mountain range that looms over The Fairy Pools, accessible by the Blaven Trail. Also, if you have time, definitely try to make it to Egol on the southwestern coast. That way you can end your day with a tour at the Talisker Distillery, and sample some whiskey afterward.
A tiny island with a lot to see, Grenada is the sunny Caribbean paradise that many dream of during a long winter. Exploring all its natural beauty calls for a good deal of your time, as Grand Etang National Park really takes a day to explore within itself, as it features dozens of waterfalls, trails, and a crystal-blue lake. In terms of beaches, don’t miss La Sagesse, lined with palm trees and clear water. And, if you book a room at the La Luna Hotel, you can also benefit from its open-air bar — one of the best spots for half-priced drinks at sunset. Those who enjoy sailing can also take a tour on the water, where you’ll get an up close look at the marine life. The rest of your time should be spent sampling some of the best food on the island, at Patrick’s Local Homestyle Restaurant (try the curried chicken or the catch of the day), the Lazy Turtle, or any of the other restaurants located along the strip of the beach — you really can’t wrong with some doubles or callaloo.
Sure, there are a lot of Greek islands that, as saying goes, start to look the same after a few visits. But Crete retains a culture all its own, blending influences from past Turkish, Roman and Venetian occupations. See all of this history reveal itself in the diverse, layered locations throughout the city, like the Lasithi Plateau, a cluster of traditional Greek homes and picturesque white-sailed windmills. Balos Beach is the most popular on the island and, by association, the most touristy, but it’s still worth a visit because of its natural beauty (you can even ride a donkey along the path from the car park to the beach, if you’d like). Elafonisi is another beach that’s less crowded, though still alluring to many visitors due to its glimmering pink sand. For an alternative side to the island, walk to Loutro, a town that’s sparsely populated and only accessible by foot. There, you’ll find whitewashed houses that are recognizably “Greek,” along with a Venetian Castle, and ancient baths that gave the town its name.
When you take a trip to Bali, one of Indonesia’s most popular islands, you’ll instantly understand why many visitors refer to it as “heaven on earth.” The Tegalalang Rice Terraces, a valley of rice paddies just north of Ubud, are one of the singular, must-see natural wonders there. Also in Ubud, you’ll find the Monkey Forest, an ungated, but surveillanced, area where cute monkeys run wild and entertain guests with their antics. Book a room at the Alam Indah, one of the island’s cheapest hotels, or the Alaya Resort, a trendy boutique place to stay. Kuta Beach is another tourist destination that provides a good home base, especially if you like surfing. The Alam Kulkul Boutique Resort is also one of the best luxury hotels in the area. Be sure to combine relaxation with culture, however, by taking some time to explore the many temples on the island, such as Tanah Lot, Uluwatu, and Besakih. Foodies will particularly enjoy Canggu, a resort village on the south coast with several trendy restaurants. Visit The Avocado Factory for one of the healthiest burgers you’ll ever eat, or Monsieur Spoon for some fresh pastries.
Discover a dynamic Maori culture on North Island, home to two New Zealand’s largest cities: Auckland and Wellington. Wellington is the capital, but is less crowded than Auckland — it’s also home to some of the best craft beer distilleries in New Zealand, like Little Beer Quarter or Fork and Brewer. Wellington also features more traditionally accessible culture (along the lines of theater or musical performances), which you can catch at venues like San Fran, The Rogue & Vagabond, and Meow. The Wellington Museum is also worth visiting if you’re interested in Kiwi culture. Auckland, on the other hand, is on the complete opposite coast, and features a more tropical climate. Many visitors choose to hike at Rangitoto Island, Cornwall Park, or the famed Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Auckland is also much-visited for its Hobbiton Movie Set, one of the only sets left from The Lord of The Rings trilogy.
The vast majority of travelers picture Hong Kong as a concrete jungle — densely populated with locals, tourists and skyscrapers. Unbeknownst to many, however, a selection of barrier islands comprising wetlands, woodlands, and protected state parks are there as well. Bluff Island is one of these places, seemingly straight out of a movie, with its white-sand beaches and trees growing surreal red pineapples. Grab a boat from Hong Kong’s Sai Kung Pier, and you’ll arrive within an hour, greeted by towering mountain formations. On the island, you can explore the Sha Tong Hau Cave, one of the biggest in the East, by kayak or scuba gear (you can also swim it). Book a geotour to learn more about the island and Hong Kong’s move to have it declared a UNESCO site.
Isla Mujeres is a tiny strip of island right off Cancun. Spend your days soaking up the sun or sipping cocktails under the shade of a palm tree at Playa Norte, the main beach on the island, and your sunsets unwinding at Treehouse Yoga, a studio with an ocean view. Downtown, you can stroll the Avenida Miguel Hidalgo, a pedestrian-only street lined with souvenir shops, restaurants and cafes. When you actually get hungry, though, you’d be better off searching elsewhere, as many of the restaurants along the avenue are tourist traps. Cafe Mogagua makes great chilaquiles for breakfast and the poc chuc, panuchos, and tortas at Poc Chuc can’t be missed. At Parque de los Sueños, you can pay a small fee to get unlimited access to waterslides, kayaking, snorkeling gear, paddle boards, and outdoor pools. At Tortugranja, a government-owned turtle sanctuary, your entrance fee will go toward rehabilitating turtles in their natural habitat.