What do you picture when you imagine a tropical island? Swaying palm trees, warm sand between your toes, a cold coconut in your hand, and all your worries melting away. A tropical island holiday is often just what the doctor ordered, whether it’s some well-deserved relaxation or some exciting exploration of an island paradise.
I’ve been lucky enough to explore some of the most beautiful islands in the world, from French Polynesia to Thailand. If you’re looking for a tropical island holiday, here are some of my favourite ideas.
Relax on perfect beaches on this Seychelles trip. Start on the paradise island of Praslin, where sugary beaches and pristine waters await. Snorkel with colourful fishes under the crystal-clear waters before taking the catamaran ferry to Mahe, the main island. Explore the capital of Victoria and hike through the lush forests of Morne National Park. Finish your Seychelles trip with dinner on the beach, watching the sunset and toast these beautiful islands.
Climb aboard this Thailand island hopping holiday through paradise. Start with a couple of days in Bangkok, admiring the golden temples and mouth-watering street markets of the capital before flying south. Relax on the endless sands of Koh Yao Yai, cruise past James bond Island in Phang Nha Bay and watch fire shows on the beach in Koh Lanta.
After these well-known islands, head a little off the beaten track in the quiet serenity of Koh Mook and Koh Ngai. Snorkel in turquoise waters, indulge in fresh seafood and stroll along peaceful beaches. This Thailand island hopping holiday will give you a glimpse into the varied island culture and pristine beaches of southern Thailand.
Visit Huahine and the Society Islands on this two-week holiday. Visit Tahiti, Moorea, Huahine, Raiatea and - the most famous of them all - Bora Bora over a fortnight, experiencing what makes each of these islands unique.
Dive into turquoise lagoons, paddleboard along the Faaroa River in Raiatea and explore by glass-bottomed kayak, staying in Tahitian guesthouses and small hotels along the way. If you’re looking for a beach holiday that combines lush mountains, colourful coral and fascinating Polynesian culture, then this is the trip for you!
Read about my trip to French Polynesia in my blog, 'Paradise found: my Tahiti island hopping trip'
Visit Barbados, an island full of pristine beaches, fascinating history, friendly locals, and delicious rum. Start with five nights on the east coast, where the vast Atlantic carves out wild coves, rugged beaches, and huge swells for various water sports. After a jeep tour of the north-east corner, you’ll head west, where soft sands and luxury hotels await. Swim with turtles in Carlisle Bay, watch hummingbirds’ flit through the air and toast your Barbados holiday with a Mount Gay rum cocktail.
On this Dubai and Maldives holiday, you’ll indulge in luxury whilst relaxing on white-sand beaches. Start in Dubai, where you can head to the top of the Burj Khalifa, shop in the Dubai Mall and head into the desert for a dune-side barbecue. Then fly to the Maldives, where a week of peaceful relaxation awaits. Snorkel in crystal clear waters, eat delicious food with the sand between your toes, and wander hand in hand along the beaches. If you’re looking for blissful serenity – you’ve found it.
Combine bustling cities with relaxing beaches on this South Pacific Islands holiday to the Cook Islands and French Polynesia with US stopovers. Starting in Los Angeles, you’ll explore the glitz and glamour of this sun-soaked city before jetting off to the Cook Islands, where the swaying palm trees of Rarotonga and the blue lagoon in Aitutaki beckon.
Head over to French Polynesia to dive for black pearls in Tahiti and snorkel amongst clouds of colourful fish in Moorea, before finishing in the exciting city of San Francisco where you can feast on noodles in Chinatown. This holiday ticks off pristine beaches, sunny climes and delicious food – what more could you want!
Discover the romantic islands of Indonesia with our boutique Bali and Lombok honeymoon package with Gili Meno. Begin with a stay on the Balinese beaches of Seminyak where you can unwind, enjoy some delicious Balinese food and visit the boutique shops before heading to Ubud, Bali’s cultural heart. Wander through the markets or cycle through the lush rice paddies and see traditional Balinese life.
Visit the village of Sidemen, set high in the hills and with spectacular views over the majestic Mount Agung. Returning to the beach for a week, your first visit is to the pristine island of Gili Meno where you can snorkel with turtles and clouds of fish. Next, head over to Lombok to relax in luxury and toast a fantastic trip with a cocktail!
Go Caribbean island hopping between the paradise islands of Barbados, Antigua, and Saint Lucia, enjoying dramatic beaches, lush rainforest and towering peaks. Start in Antigua, where you’ll learn about the island’s history at Betty’s Hope plantation and soak up the views of English Harbour from Shirley Heights.
Head to Barbados, where you can snorkel with turtles, relax on peaceful beaches, and explore the majestic Harrison’s Cave. Finish your holiday in Saint Lucia, with walks along the golden sand, tasting local chocolate and hiking to the top of Gros Piton for panoramic views over the ocean.
Visit Hawaii on this two-week island-hopping holiday. Drive or hike through lush valleys, volcanic landscapes and relax on beautiful beaches as you visit the four main islands. From the historic memorial at Pearl Harbour to the fish-filled bays of south Oahu, you’ll enjoy exploring Hawaii’s main island for a couple of days before flying to the Big Island, where bubbling lava and starry skies will fill your days and nights.
Next, you’ll fly to Kauai, where the natural splendours of Waimea Canyon await before ending your trip on the white beaches of Maui. Watch whales leap from the waters, visit the Mars-like landscape of Haleakala National Park and eat fresh pork at an oceanside luau.
I hope this blog has given you some ideas for your next beach holiday. Whether you want to go snorkeling with turtles in the Maldives, dine under the stars in French Polynesia or stroll along the golden sands of Hawaii, we can plan a brilliant beach holiday that's just right for you.
If you want to start to plan, give us a call on +44 1273320580 or request a quote. We are experts in planning tailor-made holidays, as well as round the world flights, so we can work together with you until we’ve created your perfect trip.
Fresh out of high school, Milly left her home comforts behind and set off to work in a school in Thailand for a year. Whilst working in Thailand she managed to explore Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia and China before uni. In the breaks from her English & American Literature degree she interned for Travel Nation, eventually joining our team in 2014. Milly is fascinated by wildlife and food and weaves these elements into both her own trips and those she plans for others. Her natural instinct for building fascinating trips that take you off the beaten track inform the trips she plans and she currently works in our Product Team sourcing great hotels and tours for our customers.
