The Happiness Function

The perfect beach getaway is more than a pretty beach on a secluded island.

The best beach destinations should offer the whole package―outdoor adventures, all-inclusive tours, top-tiered resort amenities, local cuisine, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences you can’t find anywhere else. 

Whether you’re a seasoned outdoor explorer, need to plan a romantic getaway with your significant other, or simply want a relaxing vacation away from daily life, these tropical island destinations are worth the trip. 

1. Hawai`i

The Aloha State consists of eight major islands, located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Hawai`i is one of the most diverse places in the country, with around 130 languages spoken throughout the islands. Hawai`i is rich in culture, and community, and its people honor the natural wonders of the islands. It’s a place I call home.

Visitors love Hawai`i for numerous outdoor activities, like ziplining, hiking, snorkeling, and scuba diving. There is no shortage of pristine beaches to enjoy here either like world-famous surfing spots along O`ahu’s North Shore to Punalu`u Black Sand Beach on the Big Island. 

Hawai`i is also home to several national parks, sites, and memorials, including Haleakalā National Park on Maui, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island, and the Pearl Harbor National Memorial. 

2. Cayman Islands

Located in the Caribbean Sea, the Cayman Islands is a territory of the United Kingdom, comprising of three islands―Grand Cayman, Little Cayman, and Cayman Brac. The beautiful turquoise waters are reason enough to make the trip. Here, visitors will enjoy snorkeling and scuba diving in the warm, crystal-clear ocean. 

Stingray City attracts thousands of visitors to the area. It gets its name from the residents of this natural sandbar, right off the shore of Grand Cayman―southern Atlantic stingrays. You can wade in the water (about 3 to 5 feet) and feed the stingrays for the ultimate Stingray City experience. Trust us, it is fun.

If you have never seen starfish, charter a boat to Starfish Point, also located on Grand Cayman. This small beach is free to visit and within the vicinity of nearby Rum Point. As its name implies, Rum Point is known for its rum-infused drinks. There is no better way to end a day exploring the area and enjoying the beach than sipping on drinks and watching the sunset. 

3. Fiji

Made up of over 300 islands in the South Pacific, Fiji is one of the most popular destinations in the region for families, couples, and solo travelers. It is known for its volcanic landscapes, lush rainforests, and stunning sandy beaches. You can’t forget the stunning, turquoise and deep-blue waters surrounding the archipelago. 

To experience Fiji the Fijian way, visitors can step away from the resorts and stay in villages to live as locals do. Prepare traditional food, watch meke―storytelling through dance and song―and drink kava, a traditional drink thought to relieve stress, headaches, and insomnia. 

Did you know that bats are the only native mammal in Fiji? You can spot them flying out of caves around sunset. There are more than 100 species of birds to see throughout Fiji, especially along the Lavena coast and on the Vidawa Rainforest Trail on the island of Taveuni.

4. San Blas Islands

The San Blas Islands are located off the northeastern coast of Panama in the Caribbean. These islands, also known as the Guna Yala Islands, are made of over 350 islands throughout the archipelago. 

Most visitors drive from Panama City to Puerto de Carti, where they board a small boat and travel to the islands or they simply take a plane. For adventure-seekers or couples who want a little more one-on-one time, you can book a private sailboat or catamaran trip and explore the small islands along the way to the San Blas Islands. 

Once there, enjoy snorkeling in the clear blue waters and feasting on fresh fish and lobsters. Don’t forget to snap some photos of the many starfish you’ll see along the beaches. The San Blas Islands is the perfect getaway destination to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of daily life. 

5. Bora Bora 

Bora Bora, in French Polynesia, spans six miles long and about two miles wide. A dormant volcano, Mount Otemanu, sits in the middle of the island and has grown into a rich, lush jungle that flows into the blue-green ocean. Hikers and trailblazers can traverse various hiking trails deep within the jungle with an experienced guide to help navigate the trails. 

Blacktip reef sharks, stingrays, and other marine life inhabit the waters off the coast. Tourists can book snorkeling tours to explore the calm sandbar and catch a glimpse of the unique marine life of the area. If you want to explore the island, travel by bike. This is a great way to see the sites and enjoy the natural beauty of Bora Bora. 

Alternatively, book a helicopter tour to take in the island by air. From this point of view, visitors can observe the details of the island, from the dormant Mount Otemanu to the coral reefs surrounding the island. 

6. Cook Islands

Thanks to its secluded location in the South Pacific, the Cook Islands are a popular destination for couples and travelers who want a getaway escape. Without the crowds, overpopulated resorts, and overdeveloped land, the Cook Islands truly are an island paradise. 

The Cook Islands consists of 15 islands with white sandy beaches, blue-green lagoons, and lush palm trees dotting the shore. Visitors can swim with sea turtles and explore the coral reefs along Rarotonga. Atiu, a nearby island (45 by plane), is home to Anatakitaki Caves, full of limestone stalactites and the kopeka bird―a rare bird that navigates the dark with echolocating. 

The Cook Islands offer numerous hiking trails and tours. The longest hiking trail on Rarotonga isn’t for the faint of heart. Just under four miles long, it passes through the thick jungle and over mountain tops. But many travelers say the view from the top is worth it. 

7. St. Lucia

St. Lucia is a small island in the West Indies, 90 minutes (by ferry) south of Martinique. Locals of the island are considered some of the friendliest and most peaceful people visitors have encountered on their travels. Their history and culture are showcased through local cuisine, historic landmarks, and the St. Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival. 

The twin volcanic cones of the Pitons can be seen from the Tet Paul Nature Trail, a half-mile loop that offers stunning views of the island and the Caribbean Sea. The Pistons are also recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, covered in rare plant species and untouched natural forests. 

If you want a unique way to explore St. Lucia, take an aerial tram that gives you an up-close-and-personal view of the island’s natural forest. Each open-air gondola sails through the tree canopy about 2,000 feet above sea level. 

8. The Maldives

Located in the south Indian Ocean, the Maldives is a chain of 1,200 coral islands and sandbanks off the southern tip of India. The Maldives offers luxury resorts for tourists who want high-level rest and relaxation, and more affordable accommodations for travelers looking for outdoor adventures and exploration. 

Scuba diving and snorkeling in the coral reefs are one of the many reasons visitors come to the Maldives. You can swim alongside whale sharks in surrounding lagoons, especially during feeding times near some coastal resorts. 

The Maldives is also rich in culture, with many festivals and events during different seasons throughout the year. Maldivian cuisine, like tuna curry and breadfruit curry, are popular dishes and must-try staples of the Maldives. 

9. Seychelles

The Republic of Seychelles, commonly called Seychelles, consists of 115 islands 1,000 miles off the coast of Kenya. This island archipelago in the Indian Ocean attracts tourists to bask in its year-round warm climate, explore its tropical vegetation, and relax on its secluded, sandy beaches. 

Vallee de Mai, a forest of over 4,000 coco-de-mer trees and other endemic palm trees is one of two UNESCO World Heritage sites in Seychelles. The other World Heritage Site is the Aldabra Atoll, four coral islands home to the largest population of giant tortoises in the world. 

Visitors can hike the Copolia Trail on Mahé, the largest island in Seychelles. This area is also home to Mission Lodge, a former school visited by the late Queen Elizabeth II and the late Prince Philip in 1972. 

10. Antigua and Barbuda

Antigua and Barbuda are two small islands in the Caribbean Sea, nicknamed the “Land of 365 beaches.” With so many beaches, visitors are sure to find a spot to enjoy the calm and clear waters of the West Indies. 

Bird watchers and wildlife enthusiasts can explore the Frigate Bird Sanctuary on Barbuda, with over 5,000 frigate birds and more than 170 bird species in the sanctuary. The best time to witness these birds is October through December when the males return to the island. 

Both islands host vibrant street markets where locals showcase their cuisine and artisan crafts. Calypso music is often heard and the distinct sound of brass and steel drums has become the sound of the islands.

No matter where you go, the rich history and culture of Antigua and Barbuda add to the thriving community of the islands.