This was published 1 year ago
Alternative island holiday destinations: The 25 incredible bucket-list islands tourists are yet to discover
Croatia's turquoise-rimmed Korcula is a worthy alternative to Hvar.
Islands are the ultimate escape for stressed-out urbanites. We dream of sun-kissed sands and sapphire seas. Of whitewashed villages beneath towering fortress ruins. Of an island dotted with pastel coloured cottages amid lush gardens.
But whether our ideal island is one of history or hedonism, culture or water sports, we go for the same reason: to get away, and find somewhere special and set apart. Islands are the ultimate distillation of the travel urge.
Why, then, do we return to the same old places?
The World Population Review estimates there are 670,000 islands, of which 11,000 are permanently inhabited. While you could spend the whole weekend arguing these numbers, the point is that we fixate on obvious islands such as Bali or Mykonos, Kangaroo or Hayman, while the rest are ignored.
Even famous holiday destinations such as Hawaii and Greece have islands that are less recognised. Alternative islands do not have to be remote, either. Shikoku has a population of four million and is right in the middle of Japan, yet attracts few Australian visitors. Here is our sand bucket list of 25 incredible, though lesser-known, islands that will help expand your horizons.
THE SCENIC ISLAND: SERIFOS, CYCLADES, GREECE
Credit: Serifos has the coastal charm of Santorini without its jet-setting crowds.
THE LOWDOWN
Serifos has classic Cycladic landscapes of weather-beaten rock, silvery olive groves, flower-filled valleys and flamboyant seas, but none of Santorini's jet-setting crowds. Chora, perched higgledy-piggledy on a precarious hillside, is striking for its dazzling cubic houses, blue church homes and 15th-century Venetian fortress.
DON'T MISS
Glorious views are everywhere, but the walls of the 16th-century Monastery of the Taxiarches, fortified against pirates, have some of the best. Like Icarus, you're suspended between sea and sky. Hike anywhere around Livadi Bay for more stunning landscapes.
MAKE IT HAPPEN
Fast boats take 2.5 hours from Athens, ferries four hours. In summer, you can connect to some other islands. Despite it being a less prominent Greek island, do avoid weekends. See visitgreece.gr
THE INDIGENOUS ISLAND: HAIDA GWAII ISLANDS, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA
THE LOWDOWN
This misty, rainy archipelago doesn't have the sunny island stereotype, but its temperate rainforest, ragged scenery and bear population give it a haunting, primeval presence. Haida totem poles, longhouses and archaeological sites dot the forests. Stay in an indigenous-operated lodge and immerse yourself in native culture and stunning wilderness.
DON'T MISS
Haida Heritage Centre (haidaheritagecentre.com) showcases carving and canoe houses, while Haida Gwaii Museum (haidagwaiimuseum.ca) delves into local culture and striking native visual arts.
MAKE IT HAPPEN
Fly to Haida-Gwaii from Vancouver. Ferries sail from Prince Rupert on the mainland. There's no public transport, so hire a car or use local taxis. gohaidagwaii.ca; indigenousbc.com
THE DO-NOTHING ISLAND: MARE, LOYALTY ISLANDS, NEW CALEDONIA
Credit: Mare is the perfect place to do nothing in stunning scenery.
THE LOWDOWN
Little developed, revolving around farming and fishing, and home to just 7000 friendly people, Mare is the place to do nothing except wade out into wonderful reefs, kayak on a lagoon with colours that defy description, admire splendid basalt cliffs, and eat fresh fish and octopus with local families as part of a table d'hote scheme.
DON'T MISS
Gorging on coconut crabs, which can weigh more than a kilo and crack open coconut shells with their claws. The meat is fresh, sweet and utterly delicious.
MAKE IT HAPPEN
Fly to Noumea from Brisbane, Melbourne or Sydney and connect onwards to Mare. High-speed catamarans and slower ferries operate from the main island. See newcaledonia.travel
THE ADVENTURE ISLAND
FLORES, LESSER SUNDAS, INDONESIA
THE LOWDOWN
Canyons, smoking volcanoes and highland rice terraces bequeath Flores with incredible scenery fit for hiking, caving, mountain climbing and kayaking. See Komodo dragons, enjoy superb diving and snorkelling, and admire the improbably coloured crater lakes of Mount Kelimutu.
DON'T MISS
The hardy and supple should tackle the 670-kilometre Trans-Flores Highway that runs down the spine of the island (better maintained in its southern half) for a magnificent road trip that skirts cliffs and volcanoes and sometimes strays into the cloud.
MAKE IT HAPPEN
Flores is an hour's flight from Denpasar. You can fly from Jakarta via Kupang. Getting there by ferry from Bali requires a complicated transit through Lombok. See indonesia.travel
THE FOODIE ISLAND: KORCULA, DALMATIA, CROATIA
THE LOWDOWN
Korcula can be swamped with summer day-trippers but is otherwise a low-key, less chichi alternative to better-known neighbour Hvar. The undulating landscape is covered in fruit orchards, olives and vines that produce pungent white wine. Seafood, beef stew and other rustic dishes are lip-smacking; mainland Peljesac Peninsula nearby is famous for oysters.
DON'T MISS
The town of Cara is known for its pilgrim shrine, olive oil and full-bodied yellow Posip wine which you can quaff at cellar doors and is a great accompaniment to seafood dishes.
MAKE IT HAPPEN
Fast catamarans and ferries link Korcula with Split and Dubrovnik on the mainland, as well as to other islands. See visitkorcula.eu
THE LOVERS' ISLAND: PHU QUOC, VIETNAM
Credit: Phu Quoc offers luxury and romance for half the price of a Polynesian island.
THE LOWDOWN
Why is Polynesia so fit for romance but less so Vietnam? Phu Quoc has everything for the honeymoon mood at half the price: luxury resort hotels and spas, great seafood restaurants and chic cocktail bars, shimmering reefs and castaway islets. Among two-dozen beaches are sunset-perfect Long Beach and Khem Beach for white sand and emerald waters.
DON'T MISS
Sao Beach is another corker but head 10 kilometres north to hillside Ho Quoc Pagoda and you can prepare to pop the question at sunrise or under moonlight, when views are ethereal.
MAKE IT HAPPEN
Fly to Phu Quoc from Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur, or from several domestic destinations. Best visited in the October-March dry season. See vietnam.travel
THE NATURE ISLAND: RAKIURA (STEWART ISLAND), NEW ZEALAND
THE LOWDOWN
We often associate islands with tropical warmth, but if you'd rather get frisky then New Zealand's third island is a last stop before Antarctica. It combines rainforest with beaches, headlands and national parks. Brilliantly blustery weather makes for comfortable hiking; the Rakiura Track is a great multi-day walk. You can often see the Aurora Australis in winter.
DON'T MISS
Little Te Wharawhara or Ulva Island (ulva.co.nz) off the east coast. The pest-free sanctuary features wonderful New Zealand trees and abundant native birds, including kiwis.
MAKE IT HAPPEN
Stewart Island is a one-hour ferry ride from Bluff or 20-minute flight from Invercargill. May to October is cooler but quieter. See newzealand.com
THE ACTIVE ISLAND: RODRIGUES, MAURITIUS
THE LOWDOWN
If you love the tropical island look but aren't keen to merely flop, then this tiny autonomous outpost 560 kilometres east of Mauritius has classic beauty and abundant activities without glitz or stultifying resorts. Think eco-trails, cycling routes, zip-lining, gorgeous outlying islands for snorkelling, deep-sea fishing, and world-class kitesurfing at Mourouk.
DON'T MISS
The endangered Aldabra giant tortoises in François Leguat Reserve, and a day on the beach at Pointe Coton, where a channel to the open sea forms a natural aquarium teeming with flamboyant fish.
MAKE IT HAPPEN
Rodrigues is a 90-minute flight from Mauritius. Separate quarantine and COVID-19 regulations may apply. Avoid the December-April rainy season. See mymauritius.travel
THE SURPRISING ISLAND: VULCANO, AEOLIAN ISLANDS, ITALY
This volcanic archipelago features otherworldly landscapes.Credit: Flavio Vallenari
THE LOWDOWN
The plain name of this island is apt: its four volcanoes rise out of a gloriously mirror-smooth sea, fumaroles constantly steam, and you can wallow in radioactive mud baths. The hiking in this otherworldly landscape is terrific, and you can recover afterwards on black-sand beaches.
DON'T MISS
Cratere della Fossa, though not without a guide to steer you around burning sulphur and provide a gas mask. Few other places offer the opportunity to gaze into a crater after only an hour's walk. The views of the Aeolians are heavenly.
MAKE IT HAPPEN
Hydrofoils and ferries connect Lipari to Sicily, mainland Italy and other Aeolian islands. Autumn visits avoid the heat and high season. visitsicily.info
THE CULTURAL ISLAND: SHIKOKU, JAPAN
Credit: Visitors to Shikoko will find feudal castles, festivals and hot springs.
THE LOWDOWN
The smallest of Japan's four main islands has few overseas visitors despite its crumpled landscapes, frequent festivals and hospitable rural communities. Top sights include feudal castles, venerable Dogo Onsen (a hot-springs resort) and classic garden Ritsurin-en. A pilgrim route famous since feudal times links 88 Buddhist temples.
DON'T MISS
Sprawling Matsuyama Castle (matsuyamajo.jp), one of the nation's best castles, which occupies an entire hillside and has great views. Among interior displays are samurai swords and armour. Unlike in many places in Japan, the English-language signage is excellent.
MAKE IT HAPPEN
Shikoku is connected to main island Honshu by road and rail and has four domestic airports. September and October are great times for hiking. See shikoku-tourism.com
THE SUSTAINABLE ISLAND: MOLOKAI, HAWAII, US
THE LOWDOWN
Just a few small towns, an aversion to tourism development and a reputation mostly among surfers make Molokai the tranquil, chilled-out alternative of the Hawaiian islands. The scenery is sumptuous, with towering sea cliffs, verdant valleys draped in waterfalls and rugged peaks. Locals are big on non-profit projects, voluntourism and immersive local experiences. Cycling is a great way to get around.
DON'T MISS
A visit to Molokai Flowers (molokaiflowers.com) which farms tropical blooms such as gingers and heliconias in the gorgeous Halawa Valley. Elsewhere you can visit macadamia and coffee plantations.
MAKE IT HAPPEN
Local airlines fly to Molokai from Honolulu's international airport. There is no public transport, so rent a car. See gohawaii.com
THE HISTORY ISLAND: GUERNSEY, CHANNEL ISLANDS
Credit: States of Guernsey
THE LOWDOWN
One of several Crown dependencies lying between England and Normandy, Guernsey is a trip back in time thanks to its megalithic burial chambers, medieval castle, Regency-era old town (St Peter Port), mansions and nautically named pubs. Brooding former Nazi bunkers and a fascinating German Occupation Museum tell a less romantic story. Guernsey also has good dining thanks to well-heeled offshore bankers.
DON'T MISS
Hauteville House (museums.gov.gg), where Victor Hugo polished off Les Miserables and designed much of his own whacky furniture. The colourfully ornate interior is wonderfully eccentric, and the small garden is lovely.
MAKE IT HAPPEN
Ferries connect Guernsey to French and English ports and other Channel Islands. Airlines operate from several English cities. See visitguernsey.com
THE OBSCURE ISLAND: DIU, DAMAN & DIU, INDIA
THE LOWDOWN
This former Portuguese territory in India's northwest is tiny but touted as the new Goa. Development is under way but, for the moment, you can hardly get more off the regular tourist trail. Diu is attached to the mainland by a bridge and still relies on fishing and salt production.
DON'T MISS
The beaches won't wow Australians but Diu offers a dense cultural heritage. Diu Fort is a well-preserved, 16th-century hulk with rows of cannon that overlook the harbour. Its walls encircle three Catholic churches and a Hindu temple.
MAKE IT HAPPEN
You can fly from Mumbai. Diu otherwise has good road connections to Gujarati cities. Best visit in October and November. See incredibleindia.org
THE GREEN ISLAND: PRINCIPE, SAO TOME AND PRINCIPE
THE LOWDOWN
One of two islands that make up a tiny West African nation, eco-friendly PrÃncipe features rainforest, dramatic rock pinnacles and rich reefs, all of which provide a wonderful wildlife experience for hikers and divers in what's sometimes dubbed the African Galapagos.
DON'T MISS
Baia das Agulhas (Bay of Spires) has a skyline of table mountains and rock outcrops best viewed from the water. Eroded volcanoes are covered in lush bird-filled jungle, and isolated beaches are a Robinson Crusoe delight.
MAKE IT HAPPEN
You can fly to Sao Tome from Lisbon or various West African cities and connect to Principe. Renting a car is the only viable way to get around. See turismo.gov.st
THE LOW-KEY ISLAND: ANGUILLA, LESSER ANTILLES
Credit: Anguilla's beaches are dazzling.
THE LOWDOWN
This British territory is the alternative Caribbean, with no high-rises, casinos or cruise mega-ships. It has no great scenery either, though its beaches are dazzling. But it wins for its authentic, laid-back vibe, outstanding live-music scene and friendly, old-fashioned people. Great food and festivals, too.
DON'T MISS
A boat trip to Sandy Island (mysandyisland.com), a sand spit afloat in aquamarine sea where you can swim with turtles and enjoy barbecued lobster and a rum punch or two at the restaurant shack.
MAKE IT HAPPEN
The easiest way to get to Anguilla is through nearby St Maartin, which is well-connected to American and European cities. Short air charters or ferry rides take you onwards. See ivisitanguilla.com
TEN MORE SURPRISING ISLANDS TO VISIT
FORMENTERA, SPAIN
The least known but prettiest Balearic Islands (think Mallorca and Ibiza) have sensational beaches lapped by vodka-clear, sapphire-coloured sea. Tourist development is restricted and the vibe super-relaxed, especially after Ibizan day-trippers depart. Nothing to do but eat seafood, drink cocktails and float in beautiful bays. See formentera.es
GOTLAND, SWEDEN
Visby is this Baltic island's top attraction. The former Hanseatic trading port is calendar perfect, crammed with significant medieval buildings, wrapped in fortifications and presided over by 44 towers. The remainder of the island reveals Viking history, pretty churches and villages, and surprisingly wild landscapes. See gotland.com
AMELIA ISLAND, US
Australians aren't much conversant with US islands beyond Manhattan. Americans reckon this Florida getaway is among their best. It combines extravagant beaches with golf courses and bird-filled natural habitat, but also has excellent restaurants and an impressive historic district preserving some of Florida's oldest buildings. See ameliaisland.com
ANDAMAN ISLANDS, INDIA
This remote, rainforest-clad archipelago of white-sand beaches is outstanding for diving and snorkelling, yet until recently was barely on the tourist circuit. Only a handful of its islands receive visitors; the adjacent Nicobars remain off limits. A five-star resort recently opened on Havelock Island. See andamantourism.gov.in
MARTINIQUE, FRENCH ANTILLES
Although far down the list of most-visited Caribbean islands, Martinique is one of the most scenic, packing in glorious bays and wildlife-filled interiors topped by Mont Pelee volcano. Two-thirds of the island is protected, so get out and enjoy hiking, cycling, horse riding and kayaking amid sumptuous landscapes. See martinique.org
CORON ISLAND, PHILIPPINES
Considering the Philippines' proximity, it's a wonder more Australians don't visit. Coron is the jewel of the Palawan archipelago, where limestone cliffs rise from peacock-hued seas and coral reefs are a kaleidoscope of fish and coral. World War II shipwrecks are another dive attraction. See philippines.travel
KERKENNAH ISLANDS, TUNISIA
Lying 20 kilometres off Sfax, this almost flat archipelago doesn't wow with scenery, but ruins dating back to the Roman Empire include millenium-old Borj el Hissar fortress, which blends Spanish, Venetian and Turkish influences. A Heritage Museum charts the fought-over islands' dense history. See discovertunisia.com
BERMUDA
This Atlantic island, surprisingly Britain's oldest overseas territory, is a top dive destination and visited for beach resorts, but faded British charms and American, Portuguese, African and West Indian influences create a wonderful cultural blend showcased in good museums, art galleries, architecture, cultural life and food. See gotobermuda.com
PAQUETA, BRAZIL
Laidback Paqueta, an hour by ferry from Rio de Janeiro, is a compact, car-free island of faded Portuguese-era buildings shaded by mango trees. Clip-clop around by horse-drawn carriage or rent a bike. Regular food and cultural events and lively Sunday afternoon samba sessions create a great vibe. See visitbrazil.com
GULANGYU, CHINA
A short ferry ride from Xiamen, this former international settlement is a car-free escape though, as one of China's top tourist sites, not crowd-free. It has pretty scenery, World Heritage colonial-era architecture and interesting museums, and is renowned for its connections to classical (especially piano) music. cnto.org.au
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