Nothing compares to the feeling of discovering an untouched piece of nature. With natural beaches, lush greenery, and amazing wildlife, an island getaway is the ideal holiday spot for those wanting to escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Here are 7 magical secret islands to visit and enjoy:
#1 Bozcaada Island, Turkey
Bozcaada Island is an idyllic small island with various historical locations, quaint beaches, and famous wine vineyards.
Bozcaada takes its place in the viniculture literature with the grapes such as Karakýz (Kuntra), Karalahana and Vasilaki grown for wine. It is also known for the famous Cavusuzumu, which is quoted by some as the most tasteful grape anywhere.
Grape and wine culture are at the heart of life on the island. Every year in July the Vintage Festival is held in Bozcaada (Tenedos). Bozcaada has crystal clear waters and lovely beaches – including some of the best-known beaches such as Ayazma cove, Sulubahce cove, and Habbeli cove.
#2 Lakshadweep Islands, India
Lakshadweep is an archipelago made up of 12 atolls, three reefs and five submerged banks off the coast of India. The islands are just 32 sq kilometres and consist of 10 inhabited islands. There are also 17 uninhabited islands with four newly formed islets and five submerged reefs.
Kavaratti, Agatti, Amini, Kadmat, Kiltan, Chetlat, Bitra, Andrott, Kalpeni, and Minicoy are the islands with residents and the locations you may want to explore.
Bitra is the smallest island with a population of 225 people. Whereas, the uninhabited island Bangaram only has a population of 61 people (according to sources).
Suheli Cheriyakara, Cheriyam, and Tinnakara are open to visits from foreign tourists. All three islands are uninhabited. Watersports are a major attraction on the islands, allowing you to snorkel, kayak, water ski and dive in the incredible waters around the archipelago.
#3 South Water Caye
South Water Caye is situated on the Belize barrier reef. The tropical destination is a private 12-acre paradise in the Caribbean Sea, and it is surrounded by mangrove islands, coral reefs, and tidal seagrass flats. The diverse marine ecosystem is thriving around South Water Caye.
Since 1996, South Water Caye has been a World Heritage-protected site thanks to its “universal value to humanity”. The area has great scientific value thanks to the ecosystem, making South Water Caye a brilliant destination for a tropical adventure.
#4 Siargao Island, Philippine Sea
Siargao Island is situated in the Philippine Sea and is a gorgeous teardrop shape. It is as if Mother Nature’s perfect tears rained down from the heavens to create the awe-inspiring tropical island.
You will find one of the most beautiful beaches in the World on Siargao Island. You can navigate the waves around the coast on a wave surfboard there.
Wave surfing has become a popular pastime on Siargao, and adventurers from around the globe now visit the island to hang 10. The most popular surfing break is known as Cloud Nine. Its popularity in the wave surfing community is high, but surfers can find other world-class breaks around the island.
#5 Langara Island, British Columbia
Langara Island is part of the Queen Charlotte Islands chain. It is an archipelago off the western coast of British Columbia, Canada. Langara Island is north near the Alaska-Canada border. The island is remote with numerous geographic features and ocean conditions, when combined, create a region that is uniquely abundant in natural resources.
One of the key aspects of Langara Island is that it is situated on the edge of the continental shelf. Just a few miles away from the island, the ocean floor drops to more than 1,200 feet. Due to the climate and location of the island, the wildlife and sea life around it thrives.
Topographic features of the continental shelf help to funnel both the cold waters of the North Pacific and warm offshore currents directly towards the Island.
The expansive kelp beds have vast quantities of phytoplankton, this attracts shoals of shrimp, krill, needlefish and herring. In turn, this provides sources of food for species of fish, birds, and marine mammals.
#6 Favignana, Sicily
Favignana is a southern Italian island in the Sicily region. It is a beach paradise for travellers looking for some sun and fun away from the hustle and bustle of your typical Italian vacation site. It is referred to as La Farfalla due to its shape which has been likened to a butterfly a-flutter over the blue sea.
In more recent times, the fortunes of the island have been linked with the Florio family. In past times tuna fishing, and the mattanza (the traditional ritual of killing tuna trapped in the nets known as the “camera della morte”) were the normal means of earning a livelihood.
The island’s main beaches are Cala Azzurra and Lido Burrone, which provide visitors with an incredible day out in the sun. There is an hourly bus service to take tourists and beach lovers back and forth.
There are rocky bays nearby, notably Cala Rossa and Cala del Bue Marino. These spots are unusual as they were once tufa quarries: deep in the grottoes where the roof has not caved in. These are ideal for travellers looking for adventure. There is a network of tunnels around the bays, giving you a chance to explore them.
Cala Rotonda, Cala Grande, and Punta Ferro are ideal diving spots, but if you prefer to stay on land, consider exploring the mountains and caves on the west side of Favignana.
#7 Rottnest Island, Australia
You will find Rottnest Island near Perth and can reach it thanks to a short ferry ride. Called Rotto by locals, the island has some incredible beaches and bays and rivals anything on the eastern side of Australia. A unique aspect of Rottnest is the quokka, a small marsupial that resembles a kangaroo.
The island is car-free, so prepare to walk around. You can rent a bicycle to pedal around the island and see it in full. The absence of cars makes the island relaxing and serene.
There are 63 sheltered beaches on Rottnest, giving you plenty of choices and a chance to get away from other day trippers.
