I’ve Explored 30 Tropical Islands—These 10 Are So Incredible, I’d Go Back In A Heartbeat
I’ve set foot on more tropical islands than I can count, but not all of them leave you dreaming about a return trip. Some are beautiful but forgettable, others feel a little too touristy, but then, there are the ones that pull you in so hard, you start wondering how to move there.
These 10? They’ve ruined me for all other destinations. The beaches, the culture, the sheer magic of the place—it’s all so unreal that leaving feels like heartbreak. Every sunrise feels like a dream, every sunset a personal farewell from paradise.
Just when you think you’ve seen it all, these islands find a way to surprise you again. If you’re looking for an island getaway that’s worth every single second, start with these.
1. Bora Bora, French Polynesia
I remember stepping off the plane and immediately feeling like I’d entered a postcard. The water? So blue it looked like someone turned up the saturation. The mountains? Straight out of a Jurassic Park movie (minus the dinosaurs).
Overwater bungalows here aren’t just a fancy stay—they’re an experience. Waking up, rolling out of bed, and diving straight into a crystal-clear lagoon? Yeah, that’s the kind of morning routine I could get used to.
Bora Bora is the kind of place that spoils you forever—and I’d go back in a heartbeat just to chase that feeling again.
2. Maui, Hawaii
Maui isn’t just an island—it’s like five destinations rolled into one.
One minute, you’re catching the sunrise from Haleakalā’s summit, shivering as the sky explodes into colors; the next, you’re sipping a Mai Tai on a beach that looks like something straight out of a surfer’s daydream.
And then, there’s the Road to Hana. I’ll never forget the mix of excitement and terror as I navigated hairpin turns on a cliffside road—only to end up at waterfalls so perfect they looked fake.
Maui gives you adventure, relaxation, and endless beauty—all wrapped up in aloha spirit.
3. Santorini, Greece
If romanticizing life was a place, it would be Santorini. I still remember watching the sun melt into the Aegean Sea from Oia’s blue-domed rooftops, feeling like time had slowed down.
But Santorini isn’t just pretty views and Instagram photos. It’s sipping volcanic wine in a vineyard overlooking the sea. It’s wandering through narrow, sun-bleached alleyways that suddenly open to jaw-dropping views.
The real magic? Those tiny tavernas where you drink house wine and eat the best seafood of your life—while an old Greek man plays the bouzouki in the background.
4. Bali, Indonesia
Bali changes you. You don’t just visit—you absorb it.
Whether it’s the monkey-infested temples in Ubud, the black sand beaches of Amed, or the quiet magic of a rice terrace at sunrise, every corner of this island has a way of making you feel something.
I came here thinking it was all about the beaches. I left completely in love with the culture, the kindness of the Balinese people, and the energy of a place that somehow feels alive in a way no other destination does.
5. Fiji Islands
Fiji has the kind of hospitality that makes you forget you’re a tourist. The second you arrive, someone hands you a coconut, someone else sings a welcome song, and suddenly, you’re family.
I spent my days snorkeling over coral gardens, hiking through lush rainforests, and drinking kava with locals who treated me like an old friend. The beaches are stunning, but the real magic of Fiji is the people.
6. Seychelles
I’ve never seen sand as white as I did on Anse Source d’Argent. I’ve also never had a giant tortoise casually walk up to me like I owed it money. That’s Seychelles for you.
These islands feel like Earth before humans changed it. Everything is untouched, wild, and so ridiculously beautiful it doesn’t seem real. If you want an island that makes you feel like you’ve discovered paradise before anyone else, Seychelles is it.
7. Maldives
I once heard someone say, “The Maldives looks fake.” And honestly? They weren’t wrong.
Overwater villas float over impossibly blue water, and you literally don’t need shoes the entire trip.
But beyond the honeymoon-worthy beaches, there’s an underwater world that blew my mind—diving with manta rays the size of dinner tables was something I’ll never forget.
And at night? The bioluminescent plankton made the shore glow. Pure magic.
8. Phuket, Thailand
Phuket is equal parts tropical bliss and pure chaos. One day, I was sipping fresh coconut water on a quiet beach. The next, I was at a night market eating something I still can’t identify.
There’s no wrong way to do Phuket. You can luxury resort it up, or you can island-hop, explore temples, and party until the sun comes up. Whatever mood you’re in, Phuket meets you there.
9. Mauritius
Mauritius is like someone threw a little bit of Africa, India, and France into a blender and somehow made paradise. Creole flavors, Bollywood energy, and colonial charm all in one place.
I hiked to the top of Le Morne Brabant, where history and natural beauty collide, and then spent the afternoon eating fresh seafood on a beach with sand softer than my best towel.
Mauritius is exotic, diverse, and endlessly fascinating—and I’d go back in a heartbeat.
10. Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
The Galápagos doesn’t care if you’re impressed. The animals run the show here—you’re just lucky to be in their world. I’ve never been somewhere where nature felt so untouched.
I snorkeled next to sea lions who played like puppies, walked past blue-footed birds who didn’t even flinch, and locked eyes with a giant tortoise older than my great-grandparents.
If there’s one island destination that completely changes the way you see the world, it’s this one.