This is one of the most popular beaches in Greece, reasonably so. The stunning views, beaches, ancient and volcanic landscapes and delicious food make the island deserving of its popularity. The island is located in the southern Aegean Sea roughly 200 kilometers off the southeast of Greece’s mainland.
Santorini has been ranked as the world’s top island by many magazine and travel sites, including Travel + Leisure, the BBC and US News. Around 2 million tourists visit annually to experience the best sunset in the world, delicious wine, beautiful buildings and unbelievable landscapes built on an old extinct volcano.
French Polynesia
Located in the South Pacific and definitely one of the most beautiful islands in the world, the French Polynesia is a group of 118 islands and atolls stretching over an area of more than 2,000 kilometers.
Tahiti is its most populous island and one which attracts tourists from around the world. Surfers flock here for its reef break waves, which are consistently ranked as one of the best in the world. Divers flock to the archipelago for its diverse marine life. And everyone in between, for paradise.
Seychelles
On the coast of East Africa in the Indian Ocean you will find this archipelago which consists of 115 islands of crystal blue water and dreamlike beaches. Tourism became a significant industry for the island’s economy with the opening of Seychelles International Airport in 1971.
If you are wondering just how calm it is, here’s a food for thought- hawksbill turtles come ashore to lay their eggs in broad daylight, as there is virtually no threat from tourism and development.
Cook Islands
Perfect weather, white sandy beaches and crystal blue waters is what makes these islands the perfect getaway in the South Pacific Ocean. The islands are comprised of 15 small islands whose land area in total is 240 square kilometers.
What makes the islands so majestic is that they remain largely undiscovered by North Americans and many other people. So shhh... don’t tell anybody that these islands are completely and utterly magical.
Hawaii, US
It’s obvious why Hawaii has always been a top travel destination. This archipelago is absolutely stunning. The 50th and most recent state to join the United States includes almost the entire volcanic Hawaiian archipelago, which includes hundreds of islands spread over 1,500 miles.
It is a popular tourist destination due to its diverse nature, tropical year round climate, numerous beaches and active volcanoes. Tourists, surfers, biologists and volcanologists alike congregate here, totalling millions of visitors annually.