Islands Which tropical countries are worth visiting for magnificent beaches and exciting water activities? We offer a diverse selection of destinations, including places located exclusively within the , island getaways, and locations spread across all three oceans. Let’s begin with the warmest Indian Ocean.
Mauritius
Mauritius is an island nation in the Indian Ocean. Geographically, it is often considered part of East Africa, although it is separated from the continent by roughly two thousand kilometers (1,200 mi). Mauritius consists of one large island and many smaller ones, including coral islands. These attract lovers of marine life. Visitors also come to Mauritius for whale cruises, excellent kitesurfing, and windsurfing near the coast.
As a prosperous country, Mauritius often ranks among the richest nations in Africa and confidently tops the list ofthe safest African countries. Tourism here is not mass-market but rather premium, offering a high level of service. In Mauritius, you will easily find sandy beaches and photogenic lagoons.
The best time to travel to Mauritius is from May to September, when the weather is free from oppressive humidity and tropical downpours do not disturb holidaymakers. During these months, the ocean is clear and calm.
Seychelles
The Republic of Seychelles is another tropical island nation in the Indian Ocean. Like Mauritius, it is among the wealthiest countries in Africa while also being the smallest African state. Despite its modest size, the Seychelles remains one of the world’s most popular tropical vacation destinations. People come here for a sense of seclusion – there are no large resorts or large-scale development on the islands.
The Seychelles are loved for their classic tropical scenery: snow-white beaches lined with palm trees, dramatic granite boulders, and coral reefs against the backdrop of the endless ocean. The most popular Seychelles islands include:
- the largest island, Mahé;
- Praslin, covered in ancient rainforest;
- Curieuse, famous for its giant tortoises;
- Silhouette Island, rich in endemic plants and animals;
- La Digue, where the 1970s erotic film Goodbye, Emmanuelle was filmed.
The Seychelles are worth visiting if you value privacy, enjoy snorkeling and paddleboarding, and like spending time birdwatching or observing tortoises. It is an ideal destination for a romantic getaway or honeymoon.
Best time to visit the Seychelles: from May to October.
Zanzibar, Tanzania
Zanzibar is not a separate country but a semi-autonomous region within Tanzania in Africa. It is located very close to the mainland and allows visitors to truly immerse themselves in African culture, unlike the more remote and distinctive Mauritius and Seychelles. Here, you will enjoy not only beaches, snorkeling, and diving, but also the preserved history of Stone Town, famous spice plantations, and boat trips to small islands.
The most visited island in the archipelago is called Unguja, though it is often referred to simply as Zanzibar. Most of the island’s beaches are affected by the tides. Among divers and those seeking a more secluded escape, the large island of Pemba is especially popular. Other islands for excursions include Changuu, Mnemba, and the Nakupenda sandbank, which, during low tide, allows visitors to stand on a narrow strip of sand in the middle of the ocean.
Read our guide on things to do in Zanzibar to make your holiday more exciting and memorable.
Best time to visit Zanzibar: from June to October and in January–February.
Zanzibar is also the perfect tropical island if you want to combine a beach vacation with a safari in Tanzania. This country is home to some of the best national parks in Africa.
Madagascar
Madagascar is a large island nation in the Indian Ocean that is often overlooked on lists of tropical island holiday destinations. Tourist infrastructure is still relatively underdeveloped, with comparatively few high-quality hotels, and much of the population lives in poverty. However, Madagascar’s beaches and natural landscapes are truly breathtaking. The island was isolated from the rest of the world for tens of millions of years, and as a result, its tropical forests and much of its wildlife are entirely unique.
Madagascar is well worth visiting for journeys deep into the island, where you can observe its unique wildlife and endemic species such as lemurs. It is an excellent destination for travelers with an explorer’s spirit who are prepared for hiking and off-the-beaten-path routes. Madagascar also offers beautiful sandy beaches fringed with coral reefs. The country’s most developed tourist hub is located on the small tropical island of Nosy Be. From here, excursions to other islands in the archipelago are organized, and there are also several diving centers.
Best time to visit Madagascar: the dry and cooler months from May to October.
Maldives
The Maldives is an island nation located in the Indian Ocean, though it lies much closer to Asia than to Africa. The country consists of nearly 1,200 islands, and all of them are so small that only around 200 are inhabited. The Maldives has a distinctive resort concept – most hotels operate on a “one island – one resort” basis. This allows for the highest level of privacy and seclusion.
The Maldives is famous for its white-sand beaches and exceptionally calm ocean waters – the coral islands are protected by surrounding reefs, so there are almost no waves here. Thanks to this secluded style of tropical vacation, the islands are especially popular with honeymooners. Among the most popular activities in the Maldives are snorkeling and diving. The surrounding waters offer year-round opportunities to observe manta rays and whale sharks.
Best time to visit the Maldives: the dry season from November to April.
A vacation in the Maldives is generally considered a premium experience. If you prefer luxury travel with a wide range of entertainment and amenities, choose resorts on the Dhaalu, Raa, and Lhaviyani (also known as Faadhippolhu) atolls.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is an island nation that, like the Maldives, is considered part of South Asia. However, unlike the ultra-luxury resort style of the Maldives, Sri Lanka can be described as accessible exotic travel. The country’s resort areas are concentrated on its main island of the same name.
Tropical beaches stretch along much of the coastline of the main island. They are excellent for swimming, as well as boat trips, snorkeling, surfing, and diving. Whale-watching tours to see blue whales are organized near the resort town of Mirissa.
Here are some of Sri Lanka’s most popular resorts:
- Tangalle, known not only for its beaches but also for its bird sanctuary and turtle-watching spots
- the resort towns of Unawatuna, Passikudah, Hikkaduwa, and Bentota
- Mirissa, with its beach of the same name, and the famous Coconut Tree Hill
Beyond its beach resorts, Sri Lanka offers many other types of travel experiences: hiking to waterfalls, visits to wildlife reserves and national parks, excursions to tea plantations, as well as trips to numerous Buddhist temples and sacred sites.
The best time to visit Sri Lanka depends on the region: the southwest coast is best from December to April, while the east coast is ideal from April to September.
Thailand
Thailand is a country in Southeast Asia with numerous islands perfect for a tropical getaway. The most famous are the largest ones – Phuket and Koh Samui – both known for their well-developed infrastructure and numerous beaches. The Phi Phi Islands are equally popular. They became world-famous after the release of the film The Beach starring Leonardo DiCaprio.
Near Koh Samui are the islands of Koh Phangan and Koh Tao. The former is famous for its nighttime beach music festival at Haad Rin, while the latter is renowned for outstanding snorkeling and diving opportunities. The Similan Islands are also known for excellent dive sites and pristine nature.
Thailand’s islands are known for sandy beaches with gentle entries into the water, sheltered bays, and peaceful lagoons. This is especially true of the islands in the Gulf of Thailand. By contrast, the Andaman Sea is home to more mountainous islands with limestone cliffs, steep drop-offs, and sea caves. These are particularly well-suited for diving thanks to their more diverse coral reefs.
The best time to visit Thailand’s tropical islands is from November to April for those in the Andaman Sea, and from January to August for the islands in the Gulf of Thailand.
Vietnam
Vietnam stretches along a long coastal strip bordering the South China Sea, but the country also has tropical islands. Some of them can be considered a great find for travelers seeking tropical destinations beyond the usual mass-tourism routes.
First and foremost is Phu Quoc, Vietnam’s largest island in the Gulf of Thailand. Along with the islands of the Con Dao archipelago, it is an excellent destination for a peaceful tropical vacation: sandy beaches, well-developed tourist infrastructure, and a mild climate throughout the year. The Con Dao Islands offer many secluded bays and reefs, making them ideal for diving.
In northern Vietnam, the Cat Ba archipelago also lies within the tropical zone. It is known for its beaches, scenic bays, and exceptionally beautiful landscapes. Both Cat Ba and Con Dao are also home to national parks, making them perfect for combining a beach holiday with hikes in nature.
For lovers of remote islands and untouched nature, we recommend traveling to the Nam Du archipelago, known for its small yet stunning beaches near fishing villages.
Best time to visit Vietnam: from November to April for the southern islands, and from April to October for the northern regions.
Indonesia
Indonesia is the largest island country in the world. It partially includes some of the largest tropical islands on Earth: New Guinea and Kalimantan, also known as Borneo. With Indonesia, we gradually move from the Indian Ocean into the Pacific, as the waters of both wash the shores of this country, known for being among the best tropical vacation destinations in the world.
Indonesia consists of more than 17,000 islands, each with different landscapes and travel profiles. The most popular Indonesian islands include:
- Sumatra, famous for its national parks and excellent surfing and diving spots
- Kalimantan – known for dive sites and national parks with dense tropical rainforest
- Java, which offers excursions to more than a hundred volcanoes and great surfing opportunities
- Sulawesi, home to some of the most beautiful coral reefs, especially in Bunaken and Wakatobi National Parks
- Bali – known for beaches with black volcanic sand and excellent surfing conditions, though the island is crowded with tourists from around the world
- Lombok – an island with much quieter beaches, ideal surf waves, and beautiful snorkeling sites with sea turtles
Perhaps more than any other country in our selection, Indonesia offers the greatest variety of tropical travel experiences.
Best time to visit Indonesia’s islands: the dry season from April to October.
Philippines
The Philippines is an island nation in Southeast Asia, located close to Indonesia. It has more than 7,500 islands. Nearly all of them feature sandy coastlines and crystal-clear waters protected by coral reefs. The marine ecosystem here is so diverse that these islands are considered among the best diving destinations in the world.
The most interesting islands for beach holidays and diving include:
- Palawan islands, known for pristine nature and secluded beaches
- Boracay – the center of the Philippines’ beach scene, as well as kitesurfing, sailing, and diving
- Cebu, with its beaches and rich architectural heritage from the Spanish colonial era
- Bohol, famous for its Chocolate Hills, picturesque bays, and excellent dive sites, especially for freediving
- Siargao – if you are a surfer, you have almost certainly heard of the legendary Cloud 9 surf break
The Philippine islands offer a wide range of water activities, from relaxing on quiet beaches to extreme sports.
The best time to visit the Philippines is from November to April, although it is worth checking seasonal conditions for specific islands and the type of trip you are planning.
Fiji
Fiji is an island nation in Oceania, surrounded by the Pacific Ocean. A holiday here is generally quieter and more laid-back than on the heavily visited Asian islands, which are often geared toward mass tourism and nightlife. Fiji has everything we look for in the tropics: coral-fringed lagoons, calm seas, beaches with white and golden sand, palm trees leaning over the shore, and guest bungalows on stilts built directly over the water.
A vacation in Fiji falls into the mid-range and budget price categories, although luxury resorts are also available. The country’s largest islands are Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. You can stay in hotels along areas such as the Coral Coast, or head to less crowded islands. One example is the Mamanuca group, where one of the islands was used as a filming location for the famous movie Cast Away starring Tom Hanks. Another beautiful archipelago of mountainous islands with beaches is Yasawa.
Best time to visit Fiji: the dry season from May to October.
Vanuatu
Vanuatu is Fiji’s neighbor among the Melanesian islands. Unlike Fiji, the islands of this small Pacific nation are less commercialized. This means the beaches of Vanuatu are less crowded, while cultural tours to local villages remain a genuinely exotic experience.
On the largest island, Espiritu Santo, you will find the famous and exceptionally beautiful Champagne Beach, as well as caves, while its coastal waters are home to coral reefs and shipwrecks popular with divers. Malekula is ideal for immersing yourself in the traditions of indigenous communities. Tanna is known for its active volcano, caves, and excellent snorkeling spots. The smaller Banks and Torres island groups are less frequently visited by tourists and can be considered hidden gems, with pristine beaches and simple beachfront bungalows.
For travel in Vanuatu, the best time to go is the dry season, from May to October.
French Polynesia
French Polynesia is a group of archipelagos located between Australia and South America, several thousand kilometers from both. It has the status of an overseas collectivity of France and is formally administered by the European country. In terms of landscapes, these islands are incredibly diverse, ranging from volcanic and forested islands to low coral atolls.
A holiday in French Polynesia is considered premium, partly because even getting there is expensive. These tropical islands are among the most beautiful places on the planet. Some of the most visited islands include:
- Tahiti – the largest island, ideal for snorkeling, surfing, and diving, with the added option of visiting the museum dedicated to Paul Gauguin
- Bora Bora, often regarded as one of the most beautiful islands in the world – and one of the most expensive
- Moorea, perfect for hiking, horseback riding, snorkeling, and scuba diving
- Raiatea – less crowded than the previous islands, yet excellent for snorkeling, diving, and cultural excursions to traditional sacred sites
By the way, it is widely believed that the migration of the indigenous people to the Hawaiian Islands most likely began from Raiatea.
The best time to visit these tropical islands is from May to October.
Hawaii
The Hawaiian Islands form an archipelago in the northern Pacific Ocean and are the 50th state of the United States. Their landscape includes not only volcanoes, dense tropical forests, and waterfalls, but also magnificent beaches and open bays with energetic ocean surf. Thanks to its waves, Hawaii has become one of the world’s surfing capitals. During the winter whale migration, whale-watching tours are especially popular. Diving and other water activities are also well developed. It’s hard to find a ranking of the best tropical vacations that doesn’t include Hawaii.
The most famous Hawaiian beach, Waikiki, is located on the lively island of Oahu. On Maui, one of the most scenic roads in the world winds along the coast – the section of the Hana Highway leading from Kahului to the town of Hana. Kauai is known as the Garden Isle for its lush greenery, and it also offers a huge variety of beaches for every activity: swimming, kayaking, snorkeling, and surfing. The Big Island is famous for its black volcanic sand beaches and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
Hawaii is great year-round, though the most balanced weather conditions are typically found in April–May and September–October.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a small Central American country located on the narrow isthmus between North and South America. On one side it is washed by the Pacific Ocean, and on the other by the Caribbean Sea. With this country, we move into the Atlantic region. Costa Rica can boast not only mainland beaches but also several remote islands that make for especially interesting destinations.
Costa Rica’s most famous island is Cocos Island. It is uninhabited and covered in a truly unique tropical forest. It lies around 500 kilometers (300 mi) off the coast of Costa Rica and can only be reached by sea. Divers come here for encounters with hammerhead sharks, while treasure hunters are drawn by legends that some of the world’s greatest buried treasures may be hidden here.
The much closer Caño Island is visited for whale watching and other marine wildlife encounters. Here, you can swim alongside reefs and relax on the local beaches.
Best time to visit Costa Rica: from December to April.
Nicaragua
Nicaragua is another country in Central America. It is often referred to as the land of volcanoes and lakes. This is best illustrated by the unusual tropical island of Ometepe, which is formed by two volcanoes rising from the middle of a large freshwater lake. Visitors come here to relax on black volcanic-sand beaches and hike along the slopes of the volcanoes. Also notable is the Solentiname Archipelago on Lake Nicaragua, known for its rich wildlife.
Another unusual destination in Nicaragua is Laguna de Apoyo. This is a warm lake formed inside the crater of an extinct volcano. Here, you can swim, kayak, or go scuba diving in exceptionally clear water to observe the local endemic cichlid fish.
In the Caribbean Sea, the Corn Islands are especially popular with travelers. They offer wonderful snorkeling and diving spots. These two islands have limited tourist infrastructure, but their beaches and forest-covered hills are incredibly scenic.
Nicaragua is most often visited from November to April, during the dry season.
Aruba
Aruba is a relatively small tropical island in the Caribbean Sea. In fact, the Caribbean is home to several thousand islands, many of which form independent nations. So if you are planning a tropical Caribbean holiday, your choices are enormous. Aruba is a self-governing country, although its head of state is the King of the Netherlands. The island is dry and sunny almost year-round, which is exactly what draws travelers here.
Aruba has several dozen sandy beaches. The most popular include Druif, Arashi, Surfside, Palm Beach, and Eagle Beach for swimming; Hadicurari and Bachelor’s Beach for windsurfing; and Baby Beach for snorkeling and family vacations, as its depth does not exceed one and a half meters (5 ft). Other beaches have stronger currents and larger waves, making them more popular with surfers.
A beach holiday in Aruba can easily be combined with visits to bird sanctuaries and butterfly farms, excursions to cactus plantations, cave exploration, and hikes up the island’s low rock formations.
Thanks to its predictable weather, Aruba can be visited at any time of year, especially the western side of the island.
Saint Lucia
Saint Lucia is an island nation in the Caribbean Sea and part of the Commonwealth of Nations. The eastern shores of the island are washed by the open Atlantic Ocean. If you are planning a peaceful beach holiday, the calmer waters of the western coast are the better choice.
Saint Lucia has many beaches, all excellent for swimming and snorkeling. The best dive site is located near Pigeon Island. The island also has several nature reserves and national parks known for orchids, giant ferns, and tropical birdlife. Saint Lucia’s visual signature is the pair of green volcanic peaks rising above the sea – Petit Piton and Gros Piton. The latter can be climbed.
Saint Lucia is extremely popular among couples who want to hold their wedding ceremony on the island. In terms of honeymoon tourism, this Caribbean nation rivals the Maldives.
The high season in Saint Lucia runs from December to April. Another excellent period with less rain is May–June, when the island is also less crowded.
Antigua and Barbuda
Antigua and Barbuda is a Caribbean nation named after its two main islands. Antigua is larger and more developed. It has countless bays with beaches and high-end resorts. People often say that Antigua has 365 beaches – one for every day of the year. Barbuda is less developed and can be considered more wild and untouched, although it also offers beautiful beaches.
In addition to the two main islands, the country includes several smaller uninhabited islands. Boat excursions take visitors to anchor in one of the secluded bays. By the way, Antigua and Barbuda is popular not only with beach lovers but also with yachting enthusiasts. Antigua hosts an annual sailing regatta every April, widely considered one of the best in the world.
The most favorable weather conditions in Antigua and Barbuda are from December to April.
Turks and Caicos
Turks and Caicos is a group of islands and reefs with an unusual geographical location and a complex political status. It is a territory dependent on the United Kingdom, with a degree of autonomy. Geographically, these islands are part of the Bahamian chain and belong to the Caribbean region, although in practice, they are located in the Atlantic Ocean.
Turks and Caicos is a highly popular tropical resort destination, best known for its stunning beaches, crystal-clear waters, and vibrant coral gardens rather than mountains, volcanoes, or jungles. The islands enjoy sunshine on nearly every day of the year.
The territory includes eight main islands and around two dozen smaller ones. There are countless beaches with fine soft sand and turquoise water. The best beaches are located on Providenciales. For diving, Grand Turk is an excellent choice, with shipwrecks resting nearby and an underwater wall dropping to 2,000 meters (6,562 ft). Less crowded beaches can be found on North Caicos and Middle Caicos.
Swimming in the islands of Turks and Caicos is possible almost year-round. The best months are from December to June.
The tropics are far more than a postcard image of palm trees and white sand. From volcanic islands and coral archipelagos to wildlife-rich coastlines and remote ocean escapes, they encompass an extraordinary range of landscapes and experiences. The destinations in this guide are just a selection from a much wider world of tropical travel – one defined as much by nature and culture as by the sea itself.
All content on Altezza Travel is created with expert insights and thorough research, in line with our Editorial Policy.
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