There’s more to island life than the Caribbean. From Quebec to Queensland, try one of these great island destinations for a different type of holiday.
Rügen Island, Germany
Located just off Germany’s north-east coast is a small island gem, well known to Germans, but less so to the rest of us. With its 40 miles of sandy beaches, it is a popular destination for water sports enthusiasts and also has two of Germany’s national parks. To get there, just book one of the many flights to Europe then travel onwards by road, rail or ferry.
Isle of Wight, England
Located in the English Channel, just six miles off the southern coast of England, the Isle of Wight is an English county in itself. Easily accessible from the rest of Britain, it offers a pleasant weather and many interesting sights and sites – like Osborne House, Queen Victoria’s summer home. With many flights to London to choose from, and from there just a small hop on anything from an old ferry to a modern hovercraft, the Isle of Wight is a perfect island destination in Europe.
Isle of Arran, Scotland
Also in Britain, but up north in Scotland, there is one of the most accessible islands, with a temperate climate warmed by the Gulf Stream. Despite its size, the Isle of Arran boasts seven golf courses set in beautiful scenery – all of which are open to non-members. The island is like a microcosm of the best bits of Scotland, with castles, glens, a whisky distillery, mountains, great beaches and of course loads of outdoor activities to keep visitors busy. Be sure to compare flights to both Glasgow and Edinburgh to find the best deal.
Bermuda, British Territory
Bermuda is exactly how a Caribbean island should be – attractive pastel colored buildings, beautiful beaches and a fabulous climate. However it is not actually in the Caribbean at all – it is a British overseas territory located in the North Atlantic Ocean, about 650 miles west of North Carolina. The capital, Hamilton, is an attractive city and a tour of the bay by boat will give visitors great views of some of the island’s unbelievable sights.
Whitsunday Islands, Queensland, Australia
Airlie Beach is the hub town of the Whitsundays, and though often frequented by backpackers, it nevertheless is a convenient spot from which to explore the borders of the Great Barrier Reef. One of the best ways is to set sail on one of the many charter yachts available and head for some of the seventy four islands – the vast majority of which are deserted and whose white sands stand out against the very bluest of seas. Flights to Australia can be expensive so booking should be done in advance for maximum savings.
Bazurato Archipelago, Mozambique
Just off the coast of Mozambique is a chain of five tropical islands with exquisite beaches. The area was declared a national park in 1971, and the coral reefs remain in pristine condition, attracting scuba divers from all over the world. Exclusive accommodation is offered in a variety of island retreats, and while not exactly cheap, you will be able to feel what it is like to be on your very own desert island – albeit a five star one.
Îles de la Madeleine, Québec, Canada
Located in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, this archipelago of islands is rapidly becoming more popular as word of its charm spreads. The population of the islands quadruples in the summer attracted by great beaches, friendly atmosphere, and legendary seafood. Indeed the main industry aside from tourism is fishing and if you leave without sampling a local lobster or two, then consider it a wasted trip. With flights from New York to Québec being just an hour and a half long, and the trip onwards to the islands being a short and scenic one, this is a great destination a stone’s throw from the US.
The Cook Islands, New Zealand Territory
Not exactly a place you would accidentally stumble across, the Cook Islands are scattered over a wide area of the South Pacific. The largest island is Raratonga, where visitors fly into. With its mix of tropical jungle, mountains and picture postcard beaches, it is a fantastic destination in itself. Other atolls and islands like Aitutaki, ‘Atiu, Mau’ke and Mitiaro are also well worth exploring for a taste of more traditional Polynesian life.
Sipadan Island, Malaysia
Rising 2,300 feet from an ocean abyss above the Celebes Sea is this rainforest-covered Meccafor scuba divers. It is widely regarded as one of the top dive spots in the world, and is famous for schools of turtles, hammerhead sharks and an abundance of marine life on the stunning coral reefs. Sipadan looks like tropical reefs did fifty years ago, and hopefully this will continue for a long time.
Isla Mujeres, Mexico
This former fishing village has now very much been discovered by tourists, but it remains a much better bet than its neighbor, Cancun, for a taste of real Mexico. Just eight miles off Cancun’s coast, the island across the Bahia de Mujeres (Bay of Women) offers luxury accommodation with plenty of water sports and activities to keep the visitor busy as well as excursions to outlying remote islands for day trips or fishing expeditions. Also a prime destination for scuba divers, many of its reefs and caves were made famous by French explorer Jacques Cousteau in the 70s.