Wherever you live, when there’s a chill in the air and you’re sick of early sunsets, remember: The best tropical vacations and island destinations to visit can help. After all, a long vacation in the sun and sand is often just what it takes to quickly make you forget about sleet and snow. Looking for the best tropical vacations and island destinations to visit the next time you’re planning to travel? Here are 10 fabulous tropical escapes that feature breathtaking views of the water, spectacular sands, and adventurous activities that you can’t help but enjoy.
| Name | Location | Description |
| The Seychelles | East Coast of Africa | This group of 115 islands is considered by many to be paradise, courtesy of its gorgeous beaches. Nature preserves, black pearls and plenty of resorts with beach huts (or villas) and spas dot this island chain, which also features plenty of diving and fishing. |
| Bonaire | Caribbean (Part of the Netherlands) | This Caribbean island aims to be carbon-neutral within the next two years, so you’ll know that your visit is to a sustainable island preserving its ecological balance — and one that just happens to boast a bevy of beautiful beaches, resorts and plenty of water-related activities, from kite-surfing to snorkeling. If you fall in love with the snorkeling, you’ll be happy to know that they’re working on preserving the coral reefs, too. |
| The Maldives | Indian Ocean | Of the 2,000 islands that make up The Maldives, only 200 are inhabited. That means you’ll have privacy and room to relax on your trip. Along with white sands, there are spectacular places to dive and snorkel in this paradise in the Indian Ocean. |
| Arunachal Pradesh | India | If you’re looking to see leopards, snow leopards, cloud leopards and tigers, then head to India’s last rainforest in the area of Arunachal Pradesh. This beautiful jungle escape also boasts mountain trekking, rafting, and fishing — and there are vineyards, too. You can also get in touch with your spiritual side and visit places like Tawang Monastery. |
| Singapore | Southeast Asia | Okay, so you’re probably more familiar with the cosmopolitan, urban delights of this Asian country than its bucolic side. But you should know that it’s also home to spectacular gardens, a string of southern islands with friendly cats (yes, that’s right — cats), and some tropical forest trekking, too. |
| Queensland | Australia | Queensland, particularly the Wet Tropics of Queensland, is a boon for adventurous travelers. With 41 national parks, including rainforests filled with exotic animals exclusive to the locale, it would be enough reason to visit. But we hear there’s also that Great Barrier Reef place off the coast, too. |
| Vanuatu Islands | South Pacific | Located two hours from Auckland, and three hours from Sydney, these 83 islands have been named the happiest place on earth. Once you sit on their beaches, it’s easy to understand why: It’s drop-dead gorgeous here. If you’re feeling adventurous, try your hand (er, foot) at sandboarding down a volcano; you can do that, too. |
| St. John | U.S. Virgin Islands | No, you don’t need a passport to get to this tropical escape. And while any of the U.S. Virgin Islands makes for a great, tropical getaway, St. John is home to the Virgin Islands National Park, which marks out over two-thirds of the entire island as designated parkland. |
| Bali | Indonesia | This island consistently makes it into many top must-visit island lists, and no wonder. Great food, fantastic beaches and friendly folks add to its allure. Not to mention there are plenty of beach activities, culture, and even a volcano to explore. |
| Big Island | Hawaii | It’s the biggest island — hence the Big Island moniker — but what makes it so special isn’t just its size. It’s the Volcanoes National Park, where you can see lava flowing red-hot into the ocean. It’s the jet-black sandy beaches, and it’s the gorgeous, breathtaking waterfalls. Oh, and there’s always the Kona coffee, too. |
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For more on the best tropical vacations and island destinations to visit while traveling, also see:
Jeanette Hurt is the award-winning writer and author of eight culinary and drink books, including The Cheeses of California: A Culinary Travel Guide, which received the 2010 Mark Twain Award for Best Travel Book, and The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Wine and Food Pairing. She's written for TheKitchn.com, Four Seasons Magazine, Wine Enthusiast, Entrepreneur.com, and dozens more publications.
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