Under-the-Radar Islands to Visit in 2026

Büyükada, meaning “Big Island” in Turkish, is the largest of the Princes’ Islands in the Sea of Marmara. Once a 19th-century crossroads for aristocrats, scholars and writers, the island still radiates charm with cobblestone streets and Ottoman-era mansions. Princes’ Palace Resort turns this historic haven into a modern-day escape. Just a short ferry ride from the city, the car-free island trades urban noise for sea breezes and pine-lined paths. The resort itself is a feast for the senses, where Ottoman elegance meets contemporary design across dreamy rooms and suites. Days unfold between chef Samet Guney’s Mediterranean menus, sunset cocktails at EMA’s Rooftop and wellness rituals at ANIM Wellbeing inspired by nature.

Known as the “Garden of the Mediterranean,” Isola d’Ischia is a sun-kissed mosaic of volcanic cliffs, sparkling beaches and bougainvillea spilling over cobblestone streets. Scoot along coastal roads, past olive groves and flower-filled terraces and discover mineral-rich hot springs at Maronti Beach, Roman ruins beneath Cartaromana or the medieval elegance of Aragonese Castle. Nestled in this lush paradise, Botania Relais & Spa offers a serene retreat, with rooms and suites in soothing whites and creams opening to fragrant gardens, some with private Jacuzzis. Savor farm-to-table creations at Michelin Green Star–acclaimed Il Mirto, Mediterranean classics at Il Corbezzolo or family-style plates at Nonna Mari, and let the Garden Spa melt away the world.

Formed by fire and cooled by sea breezes, Vulcano Island is a place where nature still steams, bubbles and glows. The southernmost of Italy’s Aeolian Islands, it’s a wonderland of black-sand beaches, crater hikes and mineral-rich mud baths, all set against the endless blue of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Perched on a natural terrace above it all, Therasia Resort Sea & Spa transforms this raw beauty into a refined island vacation. Rooms and suites blend volcanic stone with Mediterranean light, while Michelin-starred Il Cappero and I Tenerumi, honored with a Green Star, elevate island dining to an art form. Soak in sea-view pools, surrender to the spa or simply watch the sunset paint the archipelago gold.

Dominica is where the Caribbean still feels wild—an island of waterfalls, boiling lakes and beaches wrapped in jungle. On a clifftop above the Caribbean Sea, Secret Bay makes the most of this raw beauty, with sustainably built villas that float amid guava trees and panoramic views of the ocean and Cario River below. There’s no front desk here—just personal villa hosts, private plunge pools and a sense of utter calm. Bwa Denn, the resort’s new two-level rainforest retreat, offers a gourmet restaurant, rooftop tapas bar and a ‘no menu’ fine-dining experience highlighting local flavors. Sip craft kombucha brewed on-site, ride the rainforest funicular down to a jungle lap pool or explore sea caves and coral coves.

A tiny Australian island in the Tasman Sea, Lord Howe Island is a UNESCO World Heritage-listed paradise where only 400 visitors are allowed at a time. At its sheltered north end, Arajilla Retreat immerses you in lush palms, Banyan trees and dramatic volcanic peaks. Rooms and patios fuse indoor calm with outdoor magic, while outdoor barbecue areas set the scene for casual gatherings under the palms. Snorkel the world’s southernmost coral reef, hike iconic mountaintops, wander pristine white-sand beaches or simply soak in the serenity. Between adventure and total unwind, the days slip by, leaving you sun-soaked, spellbound and already plotting your next island vacation to this South Pacific treasure.

An exquisite slice of Indian Ocean paradise, Benguerra Island is the second-largest jewel of Mozambique’s Bazaruto Archipelago, where time slows, sand is soft and the turquoise lagoon beckons. Kisawa Sanctuary spans 300 hectares of dunes, forest and pristine beaches, with 11 private residences crafted from natural materials that blend seamlessly into the landscape. Sustainability is at its core, with each stay supporting marine conservation through the property’s sister nonprofit, The Bazaruto Center for Scientific Studies. Dine on African-inspired flavors sourced locally or grown in-house, rejuvenate with Ayurvedic rituals at the spa or paddle, snorkel and explore forest trails.

Kick back and escape to Koh Yao Noi, framed by turquoise waters and lush jungle—a perfect island vacation away from the crowded roads and party beaches of Phuket. Cape Kudu Hotel welcomes you with quiet luxury, whether arriving by speedboat or a leisurely longtail ride. Its serene rooms and villas, clad in calming whites and wooden accents, open onto tropical views, while the pool, gym and spa make indulgence effortless. Spend the day wandering through coconut farms, discovering secret beaches and diving world-class reefs before ending with a cocktail at the Long Island Bar. Dine under the trees at Hornbill Restaurant, soak in Phang Nga Bay vistas and let island time set your pace.

Set off for Jeju Island, Korea’s lush volcanic gem and the country’s largest island, where waterfalls tumble into emerald valleys, beaches stretch endlessly and the scent of tangerine groves drifts on the breeze. Some say it’s Korea’s answer to Hawaii—yet entirely its own. A favorite for island vacations, Parnas Hotel Jeju puts you right in the action, with ocean-view rooms and suites perfect for daydreaming. Lounge like royalty by Korea’s longest hotel infinity pool, sip sunset cocktails at Fondmer or melt into spa rituals that feel like tiny vacations themselves. Confetti dishes up Korean classics with an ocean backdrop and when adventure calls, Jeju’s lava tubes, Seongsan Sunrise Peak and scenic coastal trails are waiting to be explored.

Cradled between a turquoise bay and lush green hills, Grenada—the “Spice Island” of the Caribbean—wraps you in the scent of nutmeg, cocoa and sea breeze. Named one of our 10 Bucket List Destinations for 2025, it’s an island vacation where nature sets the rhythm. On its serene southern coast, Six Senses La Sagesse turns this sensory paradise into a haven of slow, soul-deep luxury. The brand’s first Caribbean escape unfolds across a headland of white sands and rugged cliffs, with pool suites and villas blending barefoot elegance and island rhythm. Days drift between yoga, swims in private plunge pools and garden-to-table feasts inspired by Caribbean and South American flavors, made from produce grown in Grenada’s fertile volcanic soil.

Just as the sea nymph Calypso once enchanted Homer, Malta’s Gozo Island—one of the Mediterranean’s most under-the-radar island vacations—will captivate you with its quiet beauty, rugged cliffs and sun-dappled countryside. At Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz Gozo, palace-like elegance meets intimate luxury, with rooms that wake you to birdsong and breakfasts served in bed. Mornings drift into afternoons spent exploring quaint villages, sailing along the coastline, or journeying through rolling hills by horse-drawn carriage. The hotel’s spa invites deep relaxation with Ayurvedic-inspired rituals and soothing treatments. Whether you’re savoring local cuisine or simply soaking in the serene surroundings (Game of Thrones fans may recognize a view or two), this is a secluded escape that feels entirely your own.