Few people vacation at sea is not to their liking. But the sea, where you can not just swim, but also enjoy its fabulous underwater beauty is possible only on the coasts of the best islands in the world.
We present you a selection of the best islands with beautiful beaches and resorts that will surely be able to satisfy any whims by the number of sensations and unforgettable impressions of the rest.
1. Maldives Islands (The Maldives)
Not surprisingly, the Maldives occupy a top place in the list of the best islands for snorkeling, diving and surfing.
This is truly a heavenly place with white sandy beaches, coconut palms and crystal clear and transparent water located in the Indian Ocean, not far from India and is a chain of 26 atolls and more than 1000 islands.
2. Bazaruto Archipelago, Mozambique (Bazaruto Archipelago, Mozambique)
One of the most beautiful places on the African continent ranks second in our list of the best islands for swimming and scuba diving. The group of six islands (Bazaruto, Santa Carolina, Magaruke, Bank and Benguer) is striking in its beauty and attracts thousands of tourists every year. Islands abound in coral reefs, thickets of tropical palms and sandy beaches. In 1971, the National Park was created on the archipelago.
In addition to swimming in the cleanest water and sunbathing, scuba diving, snorkeling, diving at coral reefs, sandboarding, windsurfing, kayaking, surfing and, of course, deep-sea and sea fishing are also popular here.
3. Palawan Island, Philippines
The main tourist property of the island is the El Nido natural reserve, consisting of 39 islands, which are almost all uninhabited and surrounded by stunning virgin nature. Rare representatives of exotic species of flora and fauna and more than 100 species of birds inhabit the forests of El Nido, and the nearby patriarchal fishing villages are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Palawan Island is an ideal place for diving and snorkeling.
4. Sipadan Island, Malaysia
Sipadan is considered one of the best diving islands in the world. Sipadan is located in the Indo-Pacific region, in one of the richest areas of marine life in the world. More than 3000 species of fish and hundreds of species of coral are classified in this rich ecosystem. Manta rays, hammerhead sharks, whale and reef sharks, barracuda shoals serve as a decoration for his underwater kingdom. Marine life here is incredibly diverse.
Divers around the world talk about Sipadan with a gasp, making it stand out among the best islands for diving. In the late 80s, the island was visited by the legendary Jacques-Yves Cousteau, who authoritatively recognized him as one of the best diving sites on earth. Here there are flocks of barracudas and tunas, patrols of hammerheads, millions of coral fish and dozens of "soaring" over all this abundance of sea turtles.
5. Boracay Island, Philippines
Boracay - a very small but beautiful island in the Philippines is among the best islands for outdoor activities. Moreover, this is the main "rave" island of the Philippines. Boracay is most famous for its 4 km long White Beach (which beaches are considered to be the best in the world, see our article “The 10 best beaches in the world”), which is literally strewn with bars, restaurants, disco clubs and souvenir shops.
Boracay itself has an area of 10 square meters. km 1 km wide, 7 km long. Also in Boracay, windsurfing, water skiing, and in the vicinity of the nearby islands - diving and snorkeling.
6. Culebra Island, Puerto Rico
Culebra Island is a place where there is no large influx of tourists, large hotels or bright attractive offers for vacationers. The beaches are amazing strip of white sand, great for sunbathing, windsurfing and scuba diving. That is why the island of Culebra is considered one of the best islands for outdoor activities. Local culture and architecture are as colorful as the waters of the bright blue sea. Stroll through the city center during the day for an unusual experience.
7. Maui Island, Hawaii
Maui is one of the most famous, popular and best tourist islands. The landscape of this volcanic island is characterized by almost unreal beauty: the red color of the soil, covered with bright green grass carpet, is set off by the deep blue of the ocean. The beauty of Maui extends from beautiful beaches, lush valleys and tropical forests to abundant waterfalls and exotic flowers.
Surfing and windsurfing are especially popular on the island. And if you wish, you can take a catamaran and move to the island Molokini to swim under water with a mask and snorkel or scuba diving.
8. Vieques Island, Puerto Rico
Vieques is the second largest island of Puerto Rico. This heavenly place is located 13 km east of the coast of Puerto Rico and slightly south of Culebra. For several years, this island was controlled by the US Navy, so today, to the eyes of tourists, virgin landscapes with long beaches and hills covered with tropical forests open up.
Vieques Island is one of the most amazing places on earth and, perhaps, one of the best islands in the world for a romantic getaway. On dark nights, when even the light of the moon does not reach the earth's surface, the waters of the Mosquito Bay on the island begin to glow with mysterious green-blue fluorescent lights.
9. Bora Bora Island, French Polynesia
Holidays in the islands of Polynesia has become a symbol of pleasure, well-being and dream come true. 118 islands and atolls scattered in the South Pacific. All the islands of French Polynesia are surrounded by lagoons - sparkling turquoise opals, and the lagoons - by small islands - motu. White sandy beaches with their softness caressing the feet, and the crowns of huge trees, giving a refreshing shade and coolness, leave no chance to the heat of the sun.
10. Phi Phi Islands, Thailand
Phi Phi Islands - a resort with white beaches and quiet, secluded nature of the rest, also included in the list of the best islands. Most of the local tourists are divers and newlyweds. The archipelago consists of six islands, the largest are the northern island, Phi Phi Don, which is inhabited, and the southern uninhabited Phi Phi Ley.
The main activities on Phi Phi are deep sea fishing for mackerel and barracudas, as well as day trips, including kayaking, to other islands and, of course, diving.
Lovers of diving here can be offered a whole range of interesting places to explore, including the sunken ferry King Cruiser, the islands of Hin Bidah Nok and Hin Bidah Nai Islands (there you can dive along the wall with tunnels, and the water is very clear - visibility is 30 meters). In addition to barracudas, tuna, moray eels, stingrays, mackerel, and sea turtles, off the coast of Phi Phi you can meet tiger, black fin and even whale sharks.
11. Seychelles
Seychelles is an archipelago of 115 amazing best islands in the Indian Ocean. The island of La Digue is especially picturesque with the best beach in Source Seychelles, Source d’Arzhan. Photographers from all over the world flock there to capture the pristine beauty.
The coast of the beach, filled with the finest coral sand, consists of small lagoons with huge granite boulders, which time and wind have created strange shapes. Comfortable place to stay with children. Luxury conditions for lovers of diving, surfing. Ukromnost attracts newlyweds here in the honeymoon. For these reasons, the Seychelles is considered one of the best islands for honeymoon!
It is important to note that all the beaches here are municipal. Umbrellas and sun beds are free. Those who are accustomed to traveling to rent a car, you need to take into account the fact that the movement on the islands is left-sided.
12. Oahu, Hawaii
The most populated of the Hawaiian Islands, which is the capital of the state of Honolulu, and the most popular tourist destination in the archipelago. No wonder the Americans gave Oahu the nickname “The Gathering Place”.
Among the local resorts, the most famous is Waikiki Beach (Waikiki) with a bunch of restaurants, high-level hotels, shops and all kinds of entertainment facilities. There are more than 50 beaches on the island, many of which have suitable conditions for practicing water sports, especially surfing. So, the beaches of the Windward Coast will delight lovers of scuba diving, and the beaches of the North Coast (Sunset Beach and Banzai Pipeline) - followers of windsurfing.
The island offers a new, but already very popular form of entertainment, a trip on a submarine at a depth of 30 m. During the excursion, thanks to panoramic windows, travelers can explore about 10 hectares of coral reefs.
13. Isle of Moorea, French Polynesia
Made by nature in the shape of a heart, the island of Moorea has become a popular venue for weddings and honeymoons, as well as one of the best islands for diving. In addition, tourists are attracted by the tropical nature, clean beautiful beaches, excellent conditions for diving and windsurfing, sea fishing and the Dolphin Show, where you can even swim with these marine mammals.
14. The Whitsunday Islands, Australia
The Whitsunday Islands is a small and very beautiful archipelago. It is one of the most beautiful and exotic places in Australia, as well as one of the best islands for diving.
Australia is recognized as one of the best diving sites in the world, so the “diving industry” is here on a grand scale. Divers can go on a day cruise with a dive, or in a multi-day "dive safari" with accommodation and meals on a ship and a huge selection of day and night dives. Another option: vacation with diving on the coral islands of the Great Barrier Reef, which include the Whitsunday Islands.
15. Kauai Island, Hawaii
Kauai (Kauai) - an island of golf and eco-tourism, which is also called the "island of gardens". Entirely covered with greenery (particularly tropical forests), prone to erosion, this island is famous for such natural wonders as the Waimea Canyon and the Na Pali Coast.
On the island of Kauai, vacationers enjoy deep-sea fishing, horseback riding, surfing and helicopter flying over tropical forests.
In addition to being one of the best holiday islands, Kauai is a great place to watch whales (and in the winter you can even see rare humpback whales) and dolphins. Tours depart from the Poipu beach and the Nawiliwili docks in Kalapaki Bay.
16. Turks and Caicos Islands
The Turks and Caicos Islands are located in the Atlantic Ocean and are a continuation of the chain of the Bahamas. This is a suitable holiday destination for fans of water sports, diving and snorkeling - in the coastal waters of the archipelago is the largest coral reef in the Caribbean. In addition, there are excellent sandy beaches, which are among the best beaches in the world.
The center of tourism and resort life is Providenciales Island, where all conditions for comfortable rest are created. Lovers of peace, quiet and secluded relaxation can visit the neighboring islands.
17. Anguilla Island
Sandy beaches, bright sun and warm waters of the Caribbean attract thousands of tourists from all over the world. The friendliness of the locals, diverse cuisine, great opportunities for diving and other water sports, mysterious caves, picturesque corals and a wide choice of first-class hotels, all this makes Anguilla Island one of the best islands for an active beach holiday.
18. St. John, Virgin Islands
One of the US Virgin Islands, St. John is a small island that can only be reached by sea from the shores of its neighbors St. Thomas and the British Virgin Islands. St. John is a wild place with rich nature: Mount Kemelberg is the summit of an underwater volcano, surrounded by thick subtropical forests and mangrove swamps.
There are several beautiful beaches with surprisingly soft sand and clear water. But this island is not only a beach holiday, there are many places to see. For example, you can visit the Verginsky National Park, see the ruins of the old Sugar Mill, Trunk Bay, Reef Bay and Salt Pond Bay, which are great for scuba diving. And, of course, you must try the local Caribbean rum.
19. Cayman Islands
Cayman Islands are popular with tourists from all over the world and are included in the list of the best islands due to the mild climate, beautiful tropical nature, and chic underwater world. People come here for diving, yachting and surfing.
Cayman Islands occupy a leading position in the list of the best islands for a relaxing beach holiday: the infrastructure is well developed in all resorts, and many kilometers of white beaches, combined with excellent service, give unforgettable impressions of the rest.
For people who prefer a secluded beach holiday - Little Cayman Island is the best place, offering a quiet relaxing atmosphere alone with beautiful beaches, clear water and coral reefs.
20. Bermuda
Holidays in Bermuda (Bermuda) offers an attractive variety of services, local exoticism and the opportunity to visit the mysterious place of the planet - the Bermuda Triangle. The natural beauty of the coast, the climate, the pink sand and the crystal clear waters of the Atlantic Ocean contribute to enjoying the atmosphere of bliss. Here you can afford a serene and relaxing holiday in the hammocks, as well as a very active, fun with horse riding, diving and tennis. Especially divers will be amazed by the rich underwater kingdom, the best for exploring.
21. Palau Islands
Palau consists of the elevated islands of Babelthuan, Koror, Peleliu and Angaur, the low coral atolls of Kayangel, Ngueranghel and the limestone islands of the Rock, which total more than two hundred. Almost all the islands in the group are located in a ring of individual barrier coral reefs.
The Palau Islands have the richest flora and fauna in Micronesia, both on land and under water. Here is the meeting place of the three main ocean currents, which bring excess reserves of nutrients and a huge variety of marine life to the shores of the archipelago. Thanks to this, the waters surrounding the islands literally abound in more than 1,500 species of marine fish, more than 700 species of coral and anemones live here (even more than in the Caribbean), and there are many beautiful coral reefs surrounding the archipelago. Palau are the first on the list of Earth's Submarine Wonders, which is compiled by experts from CEDAM.
22. Virgin Gorda Island, British Virgin Islands
Tourists from around the world love to relax on the Virgin Islands. The resorts of the Virgin Islands are the most visited in this part of the world and therefore they are also included in our list of the best islands. Almost every island has a developed tourist infrastructure. Tourist bases, comfortable hotels, active rest, beautiful landscapes around will turn your vacation into an unforgettable journey. Here you can enjoy everything: the delightful landscapes, and the sun, and outdoor activities, and the hospitable owners of the islands.
23. Ilha Grande Island, Brazil
The island of Ilha Grande has a huge number of beaches where you can practice any kind of water sports. This windsurfing and kitesurfing, diving, water skiing and "banana", boat trips. During sea walks, you can overlook the many green islands. Usually boats swim in the bay with such amazingly clear water that you can see the bottom for 5-7 meters, you can dive from the boat and watch the underwater realm of exotic fish.
The town of Abraao is the main settlement of the island with more than 70 houses, restaurants and other attractions. There are often open-air music festivals with the participation of local folk artists. Nightlife lovers will also not be disappointed.
24. Island of Hawaii, Hawaiian Islands
Hawaii, not to be confused with the Hawaiian Islands in general, is called the Big Island. It is called as you might guess, because it is the largest in the whole archipelago.
Hawaii is not recommended to go solely for a beach holiday, there are other Hawaiian islands that are more suited to a quiet pastime. Tourists come here to feel the real Hawaiian spirit! What is it, you understand only when you find yourself on the Big Island.
In addition to various tourist attractions, you can go snorkeling, the best beaches to explore the underwater world of Kahaluu and the Bay of Kealakekua. Another popular underwater entertainment is night swimming with giant manta ray ramps.
25. Mauritius
The northern area of the island is the most tourist - a number of luxury hotels are located on beautiful beaches with fine sand on the shores of a warm transparent lagoon. A full range of entertainment and water sports is offered: scuba diving, water skiing, swimming, fishing for large fish.
The south of Mauritius is less visited by tourists than the northern part of the island, but this particular area is the most picturesque, green and most interesting. On the coast stretched magnificent beaches of Blue Bay, covered with fine sand, the beach of Morne - the best beach in all of Mauritius.
Mauritius Island closes our list of the best islands for beach holidays and diving.
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