If you love traveling, you’d understand that constant feeling of escaping to paradise. But the thing is, not everyone is keen on crowded spots. Imagine basking on beaches that whisper tales of seclusion, wandering through lush trails barely touched by footsteps, or maybe diving into waters that sparkle undiscovered by the masses.
Our collection of 10 hidden gem islands promises to reveal top spots so serene that they’ve even eluded the travel influencers’ radar. What are you waiting for? Pack your bags and let’s get going!
Flores Island, Azores, Portugal
Tucked away in the Atlantic, Flores Island of the Azores is a picturesque landscape seemingly conjured from a fairy tale, where Mother Nature has been exceedingly generous. With its UNESCO Biosphere Reserve status, every inch of this lush enclave, from the thundering waterfalls and mirror-clear lakes to the maze of streams weaving through the terrain, encapsulates the raw beauty awaiting adventurers.
Wander through Santa Cruz and Lajes, where the welcoming locals add warmth to the island’s cool, misty air, and set sail on the cerulean waters to marvel at the monumental sea arches and secretive caverns that are tales of the ocean’s artistry. Still whispering the echoes of its 15th-century discovery, Flores blooms not only with the goldenrod that inspired its name but with the promise of timeless memories in the Azores’ untouched jewel.
Saba, Caribbean
Saba, a speck of majesty in the Caribbean Sea, offers a tranquil alternative to its bustling neighbors with an old-world charm that remains untarnished by mass tourism. Imagine a place where gingerbread houses ensconced in lush gardens dot the landscape of four idyllic villages, including The Bottom, the island’s quaint capital.
Each step on Saba’s immaculate streets is a step back in time, amidst scenery so captivating it seems a world away from St. Maarten’s vibrant atmosphere. Whether arriving by a swift 12-minute flight or a leisurely ferry ride, you’ll find a haven of peace, perfect for those who yearn to uncover the Caribbean’s best-kept secret.
Mergui Archipelago, Myanmar
Venture to the Mergui Archipelago of Myanmar, where over 800 islands float in the Andaman Sea, treasures of biodiversity and cultural heritage awaiting the rare traveler. Here, amidst lush rainforests, pristine beaches, and vibrant coral reefs, the Moken people, also known as Sea Gypsies, continue their ancient seafaring traditions largely untouched by the modern world.
Each island tells a tale of survival and mystery, with a mythology as captivating as the landscape—one that speaks of epic floods and lands lost to the sea. The Mergui is not just a destination, it’s a poignant journey back in time through Indochina’s natural splendor and enduring legacies.
Con Dao Islands, Vietnam
The Con Dao Islands, a serene archipelago off Vietnam’s southern coast, remain one of the most untouched sanctuaries in the country. Only a handful of travelers manage to reach this remote paradise, but those who do find themselves on the sun-kissed shores of Côn Sơn, the largest and most inhabited island, are greeted with unparalleled snorkeling and secluded beaches framed by the dense jungle of Con Dao National Park.
With a population of just 5,000, Côn Sơn’s unhurried lifestyle is a testament to the timeless rhythm of the sea. Exploring this protected haven is an invitation to discover a private slice of paradise, well worth the extra mile it takes to get there.
Koh Tonsay, Cambodia
Koh Tonsay, better known as Rabbit Island, lies off the south coast of Cambodia, a hidden gem in the laid-back province of Kep. A world away from the dazzle of tourist hotspots, this tranquil island invites you to bask on its white sandy beaches beneath the cool shade of coconut palms, as gentle sea breezes temper the tropical sun.
With no wifi to tether you to the digital world, and electricity a fleeting luxury, Rabbit Island is the perfect retreat for the soul-seeker looking to disconnect and recharge. As the sun dips, painting the sky with hues of orange, you’ll find the true essence of serenity on this unspoiled Cambodian retreat, where every sunset is a private show.
Ulva Island, New Zealand
New Zealand’s Ulva Island/Te Wharawhara stands as an ecological treasure, a pest-free sanctuary where rare birds and undisturbed native flora thrive as they once did across the country. Here in this primeval rainforest, just a 10-minute boat ride from Golden Bay, visitors can walk well-maintained trails to the soundtrack of birdsong from species rarely seen on the mainland like the South Island Saddleback and the Stewart Island Brown Kiwi.
Managed with care by the Department of Conservation and the Ulva Island Charitable Trust, Ulva Island’s 269 hectares offer a glimpse into a world unchanged by time, where the privacy of wildlife is as respected as the land itself. As you explore this ‘Jewel in the Crown’ of New Zealand’s natural heritage, your footsteps carry the responsibility to keep this haven safe for generations to follow.
Fernando de Noronha, Brazil
Brazil’s Fernando de Noronha is a true spectacle of ecological preservation, a volcanic archipelago where every one of its 21 islands tells a story of coexistence between humans and nature. Travelers to this Pernambuco paradise can expect to be awed by sublime landscapes like the iconic Dois Irmãos and Pico hills, and swept away by the warm embrace of crystal-clear waters.
Here, the spirit of adventure thrives through world-class hiking and diving, set against a year-round climate that welcomes eco-tourists with open arms. Fernando de Noronha sets the gold standard in environmental stewardship, showcasing successful conservation efforts such as the Tamar Project, ensuring that every footprint left on its shores is a step toward sustainability.
Pantelleria, Italy
Pantelleria, Sicily’s volcanic jewel, stands alone in the Mediterranean, its rugged terrain much closer to Africa than to Italy, and yet it embodies a unique Sicilian allure. Enigmatic and wild, this “black pearl” of the sea captivates with its hidden coves, thermal springs, and the majestic ‘Elephant’ sea stack.
Steeped in history with a storied Arab legacy, the island’s iconic ‘dammusi’ homes—built for respite from the Daughter of the Wind, as Pantelleria was known to the Arabs—dot the landscape. This untamed paradise invites the intrepid explorer to dive into its cerulean waters, trek through the alluring La Montagna Grande National Park, and savor the aromatic Moscato, a toast to the island’s rich cultural tapestry.
Similan Islands, Thailand
Thailand’s Similan Islands, ensconced in the azure embrace of the Andaman Sea, are an archipelago where nature’s artistry is on full display. Each island, from the boulder-strewn beaches of Koh Similan to the thriving coral reefs of Koh Tachai, forms part of the Mu Koh Similan National Park’s expanded sanctuary, offering a refuge for an incredible array of marine life.
Renowned among divers for their underwater splendors and amongst connoisseurs of seclusion for their remote beauty, these islands provide an unparalleled canvas for both adventure and tranquility. With their name meaning ‘Nine Islands’ in the native Yawi language, the Similan Islands invite you to explore their undisturbed wildlife and revel in vistas that remain vividly etched away from the tourist trail.
Aitutake, Cook Islands
Aitutaki of the Cook Islands is where dreams of an idyllic island sanctuary come to life, wrapped in the embrace of a lagoon so stunning it’s often hailed as the world’s most beautiful. A quick 50-minute flight from Rarotonga transports you to a world of seclusion, where 15 motus lay scattered like jewels across a luminous turquoise sea, awaiting your footprints on their untouched sands.
Rich in history but now a haven for romance and tranquility, Aitutaki whispers tales of explorers and buccaneers, yet today, it beckons lovers and dreamers, promising the marriage of sunsets and solitude. Here on this “Honeymoon Island,” far from the bustle of touristic trails, each moment is a step through paradise, a private sojourn in a corner of Eden reserved for the few.
