Kiwi Curated
All the Best Islands to Put On Your Bucket List
by Joy PecknoldThere’s something about islands. Away from the mainland and encircled by water, they set their very own vibe and pace—no wonder there’s roughly a million songs written about them. Big or small, sandy smooth or ruggedly rocky, we appreciate every form they take, but these are the ones that rise to the top of our bucket list.
All the Best Islands to Put On Your Bucket List
Altering the Chinese proverb to apply to the Maldives: the journey of a thousand islands begins with a single stay. Starting on the small, utterly private Milaidhoo Island is a sure bet. Here, one can have overwater everything—with villas, the spa and a restaurant all hovering above the aquamarine waters. A picnic for two on a secluded sandbank will draw you back to dry land.
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A private island among the more than 40 that make up Turks and Caicos, COMO Parrot Cay occupies 1,000 idyllic acres with a mile-long beach. To feel like you own the place, opt for a villa or beach house, which come with private pools and extra space. Adventure seekers have all sorts of options, from kayak safaris to scuba diving.
VIEW HOTELAll the Best Islands to Put On Your Bucket List
Who wouldn’t want to run away to an isle named Félicité? A private one at that, one of 115 islands within the Seychelles. Tucked amongst otherworldly rock formations and plenty of palms, Six Senses Zil Pasyon offers 30 pool villas and three extra-large residences. Experiences here include visiting Vallée de Mai to glimpse rare birds and learning Creole.
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An archipelago of 74 islands buffered by the Great Barrier Reef, Australia’s Whitsundays are home to calm tropical waters teeming with life. Here, InterContinental Hayman Island Resort occupies its very own idyllic isle and sets guests up for incredible snorkeling and diving adventures. Just sitting by the pool is cool too.
VIEW HOTELAll the Best Islands to Put On Your Bucket List
After visiting, Mark Twain quoted an islander saying “Mauritius was made first, and then heaven; and that heaven was copied after Mauritius.” Can’t argue with that. This oasis in the Indian Ocean is home to towering waterfalls, emerald peaks and white sandy beaches. Showcasing a swath of that abundant beauty is Constance Prince Maurice. The stilted suites overlooking a languid lagoon are especially dreamy.
VIEW HOTELAll the Best Islands to Put On Your Bucket List
Off the coast of India, Sri Lanka is an island nation rich in culture and natural splendor—it’s home to eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Amanwella, on the southern tip, provides an idyllic introduction, with a wellness menu of Buddhist monk-led meditation and Ayurvedic treatments alongside pulse-raising adventures such as wildlife safaris and surfing lessons.
VIEW HOTELAll the Best Islands to Put On Your Bucket List
Fiji is an archipelago of 333 islands, and of them, Turtle Island takes the cake when it comes to romance. Forever known as the filming location for 1980’s The Blue Lagoon, the island resort has just 14 villas. Although privacy isn’t a problem with such a small guest list, there’s also 12 private beaches to claim for a day. You can even ride off into the sunset, at least along the water’s edge, on one of their horses.
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One of the biggest islands in the world, Madagascar is also one of the most biodiverse—of its 200,000 known species, approximately 90 percent are only found here. Anjajavy le Lodge helps travelers connect to this incomparable place. Its 24 oceanfront villas are set within a 960-hectare private nature reserve, with a conservation center onsite and all kinds of activities to sensitively explore the area.
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The largest of Spain’s Balearic Islands, Mallorca doesn’t make you choose between mornings in the mountains and days at the beach. In the artists’ village of Deià, framed by the Tramuntana Mountains, the twin manor homes known as Belmond La Residencia are just a 10-minute drive from Cala Deià, a crystal-clear cove beach. But there’s also a palm-fringed pool for those who rather not leave the gardened grounds.
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Some 3,700 kilometers from mainland Chile, Easter Island, or Rapa Nui, is one of the remotest islands one can visit. Along with the mystifying Moai stone statues, the island is home to explora Rapa Nui, a rare retreat of 30 TV-free suites with picture-windows framing the vast blue and green expanse beyond. Days are spent exploring, with more than 30 adventures by foot, bike or boat.
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Of French Polynesia’s 118 islands, Bora Bora is the most famous, and most frequented by famous people—Nicole Kidman, Justin Bieber and others have escaped here. Boasting the largest overwater villas in the South Pacific, The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort gives guests a front row seat to the magnificent Mount Otemanu, plus, if you wish, a private pool from which to enjoy the view.
VIEW HOTELAll the Best Islands to Put On Your Bucket List
Five weeks in the Galápagos inspired Charles Darwin’s Theory of Evolution, and ever since these 19 islands and surrounding marine reserve have attracted naturalists and nature lovers alike. Prince Charles and Camilla stayed at the Royal Palm Hotel in their largest suite, and so now it is called the Prince of Wales Villa. You’ll want five weeks here to take in all the experiences, from ascending Cerro Mesa to snorkeling Las Grietas.
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