Drawing up a ranking of the most beautiful islands in the world is certainly not easy as our planet is full of wonderful atolls and archipelagos. We have tried to make a list of the 20 most fascinating islands also taking into account the number of visitors who every year from all over the world go to these enchanting places. The list of islands below is purely random, not in order of beauty.
Ambergris Caye, Belize
Ambergris Caye, or Cayo Ambergris, is an island located in the Caribbean Sea and belongs to the state of Belize, a former British colony that achieved independence in 1981. Ambergris Caye is the most popular island in Belise by tourists, as well as the largest in the country. Its only inhabited center is San Pedro (photo above).
Bali, Indonesia
Bali is an Indonesian island belonging to the Lesser Sunda Islands archipelago in the Indian Ocean. It is interesting to remember that in 2012, the subak, or the Balinese irrigation system born more than a thousand years ago for the cultivation of terraced rice fields, became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the image above, the Hindu temple complex of Pura Ulun Danu Bratan, located on the shore of Lake Bratan, in the mountains near Bedugul.
Bora Bora, French Polynesia, France
Bora Bora is a tropical Polynesian island belonging to the Leeward Islands archipelago, an overseas department of France located in the South Pacific Ocean.
Boracay, Philippines
The island of Boracay is undoubtedly one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Philippines. Unfortunately, it must be emphasized that tourism is actually also a threat to the island. If on the one hand the growing number of tourists certainly represents one of the main sources of wealth for the inhabitants of Boracay, on the other hand the ecosystem of the island begins to suffer not a little from urbanization both in the coastal and inland areas. The relentless construction of new resorts is in fact causing the deforestation of the lush tropical vegetation.
Cebu, Philippines
Cebu is a wonderful tropical island with an elongated shape (196 km) also belonging to the Philippines. It is surrounded by enchanting islets, coral atolls and rich fishing grounds.
Capri, Naples, Italy
So far we have seen exotic islands that are very difficult to reach, but, without going too far, even in Italy we have places that envy us all over the world. Among these, Capri is undoubtedly one of the most popular Italian tourist destinations. The Blue Grotto, the stacks, the Monacone rock, the funicular are just some of the attractions that characterize this splendid Mediterranean island.
Hilton Head Island, South Caroline, USA
Hilton Head Island is a popular vacation spot for tourists, with a 19km long promenade on the Atlantic Ocean.
Ischia, Naples, Italy
Ischia, Capri, Procida, Vivara, Nisida are just some of the beauties that make up the Campania archipelago. Ischia is the largest of the Flegrean Islands, north of the fascinating Gulf of Naples. The main tourist attractions of Ischia are undoubtedly the crystal clear sea and the thermal baths. In summer, then, it is easy to meet famous people struggling with shopping in Corso Vittoria Colonna at Ischia Porto or in the refined boutiques of Piazza Santa Restituta d’Africa in Lacco Ameno.
Easter Island (Rapa Nui), Chile
In its native language, Easter Island is known as Rapa Nui, meaning “big rock” or “big island”. The rocks are one of the characteristics of this almost unreachable place, located more than 3600 km west of Chile, in the middle of the South Pacific Ocean. The most famous attractions of the island are certainly the moai (see photo above), or the tall monolithic statues that most likely represent the busts of indigenous tribal chiefs. The most convenient way to reach Easter Island is on board LAN Airlines planes, from Santiago de Chile. It takes about five hours of flight. In reality there are not many other means to get to the island, especially not by sea since its port is very small.
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Waiheke Island, New Zealand
Waiheke Island is located in the Hauraki Gulf, a few kilometers from Auckland, one of the largest and most populous cities in New Zealand. The island has many beautiful beaches where, in addition to relaxing, you can also practice windsurfing and kayaking.
Kauai, Hawaii, USA
Kauai is a beautiful volcanic island in Hawaii that has a great complexity of unspoiled climates and landscapes. Here we find desolate desert areas, wild rainforest, rugged mountains, swampy lands, endless plains, and of course warm sunny beaches.
Koh Tao, Thailand
Ko Tao is one of the most visited and appreciated islands in Thailand by tourists from all over the world because of its shallow seabed, for the enchanting beaches with crystal clear waters and for the wonderful coral reefs, but also for the flourishing vegetation.
Lampedusa, Sicily, Italy
Lampedusa is one of the most beautiful Italian islands in the world, with many beaches, points, coves and bays with transparent waters. Among the most interesting places we mention the Guitgia beach, Cala Croce, Cala Madonna, Cala Greca, Cala Galera, Cala Pulcino, Cala Ruperta, Cala Francese, Baia della Tabaccara, Baia del Mare Morto, Isola dei Conigli beach (image here above), Vallone dell’Acqua, Punta Parise, Punta Cappellone, Punta Muro, Punta Taccio Vecchio, Punta Alaimo, Punta Parrino, Punta Sottile, Capo Grecale lighthouse.
Maui, Hawaii, USA
Maui is one of the largest islands in Hawaii, and one of the most popular with surfers around the world. But Maui is not just surfing and windsurfing. This volcanic island in fact has a truly unique and varied flora and fauna, and is one of the main places for whalewatching, or whale watching.
Mauritius, Africa
Mautitius, or the Republic of Mauritius, is an island state that geographically belongs to the African continent. The island is famous for the many endemic species of palm trees and other plants. Mauritius is particularly appreciated for the numerous coral atolls, a triumph of colors that dot the clear waters of this nation, also inhabited by many species of marine animals, from clownfish to cleaner fish, from sea anemone shrimp to manta rays, from sharks to moray eels. , up to the sea turtle.
Moorea, French Polynesia, France
Moorea is a Polynesian volcanic island that belongs to overseas France. It is one of the easiest Polynesian islands to reach so it is also one of the most visited by tourists from all over the world who wish to go to Polynesia to admire the unspoiled beauties of these paradisiacal places.
Palawan, Philippines
Palawan is one of the most important provinces of the Philippines. Tourism on this island grows from year to year and is mainly linked to the great natural wealth present here. Just think that on the island of Palawan there are two sites recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites: the marine park of Tubbataha Reef and its enchanting coral atolls (since 1993), and the Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park. (since 2000).
Tenerife, Canaries, Spain
The Canaries are among the most beautiful islands in the world, as well as the warmest and most exotic places in Europe. Among the seven islands that make up the Canary archipelago, Tenerife is perhaps the most popular with tourists as it receives approximately 5 million visitors a year, of which 1 million in February, or during the Santa Cruz Carnival. de Tenerife, one of the most important and grandiose events on the island, second only to the Rio Carnival. In total there are 12 million tourists who go to the Canary Islands every year. The two islands most frequented by tourists and the most economically developed are Tenerife and Gran Canaria. In the photo above, Playa de las Teresitas in Tenerife.
Santorini, Greece
Santorini is one of the most visited tourist resorts in Greece. Located in the Aegean Sea, the island is part of the Cyclades archipelago. Among the tourist attractions not to be missed, we remember the archaeological site of Akrotiri, Imerovigli, Oia, the Caldera of Santorini, and of course Thira, to be reached on the back of a donkey (or by funicular).
Zanzibar, Tanzania, Africa
The Zanzibar archipelago is part of the Republic of Tanzania, and is located in the Indian Ocean. Tourists from all over the world, especially Europeans, easily reach these islands from Kenya and Tanzania. The main attractions of Zanzibar are the immense tropical and coral beaches as well as the numerous natural parks.
20 Of The Most Beautiful Islands In The World was last modified: April 10th, 2017 by PiuVivi Viaggi
