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Islands are much more than beaches and palm trees. Throughout my travels, I’ve found them to be places where rare adventures thrive—their isolation lets time and tradition hew experiences you won’t find on the mainland.

While everyone’s idea of an island paradise is different (no judgment if you’re a “feet-up-by-the-pool” type), I’m drawn to islands that push me into new adventures. I love a place where I can hike down into a canyon one day and dive over coral the next, then experience a culture completely foreign to me—like riding around town on a motorbike in Vietnam, swapping sake pours in Japan, or trying (and failing) to cut swirls in a miniature pineapple in Mauritius. From one under a rainforest canopy to another deepening into a cave system, each island I’ve ever explored offers the opportunity to make memories as unique as its coastline.

Whether you’re seeking hidden hikes, rock-climbing crags, or ski slopes with ocean views, or just want to unwind on the perfect beach, this list has you covered. These wild isles are truly among the best and most beautiful in the world.

United States

1. Channel Islands, California

Five of the six Channel Islands—Anacapa, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, San Miguel, and Santa Rosa—form Channel Islands National Park, among one of the country’s least-visited (50th out of 63 total). A ferry ride, taking anywhere from one to four hours depending on your chosen isle, transports you into a landscape of sweeping Pacific views, open prairies, and sawtooth mountains.

Take the path less traveled on a 14-mile-round-trip day hike, San Miguel Island’s Point Bennett Trail, which ends in a sloping beach swamped in pinnipeds, where I arrived to the deafening roar of hundreds of seals and sea lions. (Be sure not to leave the actual hiking path on this particular island—the detritus from mid-century military exercises means unexploded ordnance still poses a risk in uncleared areas.)

If you choose to stay the night anywhere in the park, whether backcountry or at a more accessible site, the reward is the same: a California sky untouched by light pollution.

Alone outside of the national park is Catalina Island, where wild buffalo graze the hillsides, having long ago been left behind from a Golden Age film shoot. Here you can trek the stunning 38.5-mile Trans-Catalina Trail, a rugged through hike marked by desert scrub and ocean views.

Offshore, gray whales breach in winter and blue whales glide through in summer, turning the sea into a stage for nature’s greatest performances. Beneath the surface, the waters teem with life.

Each island is distinct. At Catalina’s Casino Point, step into underwater worlds from the stairs that drop straight into the sea, where kelp forests house garibaldi and (if you get a lucky day like I did) enormous sea bass.

Divers encounter a giant sea bass meandering through Casino Point’s kelp forest. Video: Alexandra Gillespie.

Or hop aboard a day dive charter to see the wonders of Anacapa, where Spanish shawl nudibranch and California sheephead move through towering kelp forests. On Santa Cruz, you can explore sea caves by kayak. Park visitors who have a California Fishing License can enjoy the spoils of the sea: No scallop has ever tasted better than the one I pried from a rock off the shore of San Miguel, carrying it several miles uphill in a drybag full of seawater to fry in ghee at sunset.

2. Kauaʻi, Hawai

In Kauaʻi, nature reigns supreme. With 90 percent of its lush rainforests, jagged cliffs, and hidden beaches inaccessible by car, this wild paradise demands to be explored by foot, in a kayak, or from the sky.

Along the Na Pali Coast, hike the legendary 11-mile Kalalau Trail, which clings to cliffs that drop into the turquoise Pacific. Then kayak the Wailua River, slipping through dense rainforest to hidden sacred falls. Maybe strap in for a zipline through jungle canopies or tube in the mountains through centuries-old tunnels carved into volcanic rock.

For surfers, Kauaʻi is a siren call. Each winter, Hanalei Bay’s legendary breaks transform into rushing walls of water, testing even the most seasoned wave riders, while summer swells mellow out and welcome beginning surfers. Rookies can also cut their teeth at the gentle rollers of Poʻipū or find their rhythm on the dependable waves of Kealia Beach. Thrill-seekers chase dangerous, heavy reef breaks far from the crowds at Shipwreck Beach and Polihale.

Dive into Poipu’s crystal waters to swim with sea turtles, or soar over the rolling peaks of Waimea Canyon in a helicopter. At night, seek the traditional experience of Kauai at a luau, where a vibrant culture comes alive through music and dance.

3. Isle Royale, Michigan

Isle Royale strips nature down to its raw essentials on hiking trails through lofty forests and endless vistas of water. Situated in the cold, clear clutches of Lake Superior, this 98-percent untamed Isle Royale National Park in my home state is a haven for adventurers from spring through fall. Hike the 40-mile Greenstone Ridge Trail for sweeping views that make you feel like you’ve reached the edge of the world. Or dive deep beneath the surface of the lake, exploring the eerie wrecks of the 525-foot steel freighter the Emperor or the 328-foot Glenlyon—haunting reminders of Lake Superior’s power.

Gray wolves and moose roam freely, a restless dance of predator and prey subject to an iconic, decades-long study of the volatile population dynamics.

The night sky is a celestial masterpiece unmarred by city lights. Stargazing at Scoville Point might even reward you with the sight of the elusive Northern Lights.

Whether you’re fishing for trout, paddling serene waters, or standing in quiet awe, Isle Royale demands that you lose yourself in its wild interior.

South America

4. Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego, Chilean and Argentine Patagonia

Tierra del Fuego, a land of jagged peaks, windswept coasts, and staggering beauty, is the last whisper of the world before Antarctica. Hike along the Beagle Channel on the Senda Costera, or push yourself on the steep Cerro Guanaco Trail for awe-inspiring views of mountains plunging into icy waters. The bold can tackle the Dientes de Navarino Trail—one of the most southerly trekking routes in the world.

In Tierra del Fuego National Park, guanacos graze, condors soar, and dolphins cut through glassy bays. Take a ride on the Train at the End of the World, along a picturesque four-mile stretch of the world’s southernmost railroad, which was initially built for prisoner transport.

Guanacos in Chilean Patagonia, north of Tierra del Fuego in Valle Chacabuco, Parque Nacional Patagonia. (Video: Alison Osius)

Stir history into your trip at Estancia Harberton, a rural ranch run by the fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-generation members of the first permanent European missionaries to arrive here, an experience that offers a window into early Yámana-settler relationships.

During winter (June through October), carve fresh powder at Cerro Castor, Argentina’s southernmost ski resort, or strap in to go snowshoeing and dog sledding.

Caribbean Sea

5. Dominica

Dominica is unspoiled and unforgettable. Lace up your boots for the 115-mile Waitukubuli National Trail, the longest hiking trail in the Caribbean, through thriving rainforests, soaring waterfalls, and misty peaks. Then trek to Boiling Lake, a cauldron of steaming water in the jungle, where you can soak in natural volcanic hot springs and mud baths.

For water enthusiasts, Dominica recently unveiled a groundbreaking 32-nautical-mile kayak trail encircling the island—a six-day journey through pristine waters. You can snorkel or dive at Champagne Reef, where volcanic springs bubble up through the ocean floor, creating an underwater celebration.

Whale watching here is more than a distant boat sighting. It’s an in-water encounter, as Dominica is home to a resident population of sperm whales. The experience of snorkeling alongside these gentle behemoths is said to be nothing short of transformative.

6. Bay Islands, Honduras

The Bay Islands are three gems of organic beauty and underwater wonders: Roatán, Utila, and Guanaja. Hike through the Carambola Botanical Gardens and Nature Trails on Roatán, over 40 acres of tropical forests to sweeping views of the sea, or summit Pumpkin Hill on Utila for a quick, rewarding climb with vistas clear to the horizon. The islands’ rich biodiversity, from tropical birds to marine life, embraces you.

These islands are a diver’s paradise. Whale sharks—gentle giants bigger than school buses—glide through the depths from March and April and October to December, while the Halliburton wreck sits ever-waiting, and another site offers radiant coral reef. Kayakers can lose themselves in the mangroves of Utila or paddle through the peaceful waters of Roatán’s West End, where the only company is the song of birds and the soft splash of paddles.

Asia

7. Cát Bà Island, Vietnam

My memories of Cát Bà Island are faded Polaroids, worn and softened at the edges. Even after half a dozen years, I still revisit my physical and mental snapshots from my time on that rugged, beautiful island in one of my favorite countries.

Lan Ha Bay is Cát Bà Island’s crown jewel, where imposing limestone karsts bursting out of jade-green water craft an otherworldly landscape. Think Ha Long Bay, but without the crowds. You can kayak through hidden lagoons and drift past the region’s floating fishing villages. When I visited in 2018, it cost a grand total of $80 to charter a private boat tour for two, and the price included a kayak excursion. Rock climbers can choose from among nearly 200 sport (roped) routes or go rogue with deep-water soloing, dropping into the sea if they fall or choosing whether to jump from the top.

Inland, beneath the island’s surface, labyrinthine caves whisper haunting stories of war, and a bombproof hospital used during the American War (or, as we call it stateside, the Vietnam War) still stands as a museum.

Topside, the 102-square mile Cát Bà National Park covers a third of the island, with trails that snake through jungles, up mist-shrouded peaks, and across wildlife-rich terrain. Hike 1.5 near-vertical, damp miles to the top of Ngu Lam Peak for sweeping views (I found the slippery rocks worth the risk of a tweaked ankle), or take on the challenging Ao Ech route through the rainforest to the remote Viet Hai Village.

When it’s time to unwind, grab a ferry to nearby Monkey Island, where aggressive monkeys provide a good laugh on the beach—or hike there from the other side of the island after a night at Monkey Island Resort, which served a fresh seafood barbecue I still dream of.

8. Taiwan

In Taiwan, adventure collides with jaw-dropping landscapes and a lively culture. Start with its hikes: explore the marble cliffs of Taroko Gorge, or take in the sunrise over ancient forests in Alishan. For a city-side thrill, climb Elephant Mountain and view Taipei’s skyline with the famed skyscraper Taipei 101 piercing the clouds.

Taiwan’s untamed mountains, like Jade Mountain—at nearly 13,000 feet the region’s highest peak, located in Yushan National Park—invite trekkers to rise above the clouds, where Formosan black bears roar and rare birds like the endemic mikado pheasant pass by.

If the sea is calling your name, head south to Kenting National Park, where coral reefs hum with life beneath the waves, or catch the surf at Jialeshui Beach. Cyclists can carve through the countryside on routes that loop around famed Sun Moon Lake, or push through the rolling hills of the Nantou Route. For climbing, the sandstone cliffs at Long Dong soar above crashing waves.

Europe

9. Lofoten Islands, Norway

Sculpted by glaciers and smoothed by icy waters, Lofoten is an ideal Nordic isle for adventurers. In summer, hike the spine of the island chain on the 99-mile Long Crossing, climb Reinebringen for panoramic views of a lifetime, or bike rocky mountain trails like the four-mile Justadtinden. For a real challenge, tackle the highest peaks like Hermannsdalstinden, or keep it mellow with shorter routes like Festvågtind, where every view is postcard worthy.

Lofoten mountain biking trails

Though known for unpredictable weather year-round, the islands are driest May through August and get drenched in October. This dry season also has the longest daylight hours, averaging seven to eight a day. You’ll experience the Midnight Sun from May to mid-July. In contrast, Polar Night—when the sun does not crest the horizon for more than 24 hours—extends from early December to early January, and coincides with high precipitation levels.

From mid-January through March, trade hiking boots for skis and carve down slopes that plunge toward shimmering fjords. Ski resorts like Lofoten Ski Lodge offer powder runs with ocean views that no other ski destination can match. If you’d rather be on the water, paddle through majestic fjords framed by snow-capped mountains, or go deeper and cast a line for cod in the icy seas Vikings once fished.

And if you’re here from October to January, shimmy into a dry suit and swim alongside orcas as they hunt herring in the cold, clear fjords—for a raw, heart-pounding encounter with the ocean’s top predator. As night falls, look up: the Northern Lights often set the sky ablaze in a kaleidoscope of green and purple (especially in October or January to mid March).

10. São Miguel, Azores, Portugal

São Miguel is a volcanic playground set adrift in the Atlantic. Adventure pulses through its hidden trails, arching waves, and steaming hot springs.

Hike the craggy ridges of Sete Cidades, where twin sapphire lakes glisten below kayakers, or meander on the winding paths to the crater lake of Lagoa do Fogo. Brave the canyon walls of Ribeira dos Caldeirões, rappelling through waterfalls into hidden pools, or skip through into the clear waters off Vila Franca do Campo, where whales and dolphins skim beside your boat. The surfing in Portugal is more than the 100-foot waves at Nazaré: Experienced surfers can tackle the powerful swells at Praia de Ribeira Grande on São Miguel.

São Miguel is also a place to savor. When you’re ready to slow down, sip your way through Gorreana, Europe’s only tea plantation, where the salty ocean air infuses every leaf. Then sink into the mineral-rich hot springs at Furnas, where the earth itself simmers beneath your feet, or wander through the botanical paradise of Terra Nostra Park, home to over 600 different types of camellias, one of the largest collections in the world. End the day with Cozido das Furnas—a local stew cooked underground by geothermal heat, a culinary experience as raw and earthy as the island itself.

11. Corsica, France

Corsica is an adventure where mountains, sea, and sky meet.

For the hardcore hiker, the GR20 is a 112-mile epic trek through Corsica’s craggy ridges, where granite peaks and expansive vistas remind you of just how small you are. But there’s something for everyone—take the family on a coastal stroll at Cap Corse or stand in awe at the serrated spires of Aiguilles de Bavella. Climbers on the red cliffs of Calanques de Piana will revel in Mediterranean views.

Corsica’s waters are as clear as glass. Dive into the Scandola Nature Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage site, where cliffs plunge into an underwater world brimming with life such as crabs, bottlenose dolphins, and over 450 different seaweeds. Paddle along the Gulf of Porto and uncover hidden coves or snorkel over vibrant reefs at Palombaggia Beach.

Even in winter, Corsica keeps calling. Ski Val d’Ese for views that stretch to the sea, or hit the runs at Ghisoni where seven slopes stretch before you.

Oceana

12. Moorea, French Polynesia

Moorea is a paradise that stitches the seam between lush peaks and crystalline seas. Hike through changing canvases, from the steep, thrilling climbs of Mount Rotui—offering dual bay views—to the rainforest-draped paths of the Three Coconuts Trail. For those seeking a quick yet rewarding trek, the two-mile Magic Mountain trail rises more than 1,300 feet to unveil a panorama in turquoise waters. Zip line adventures at Tiki Parc offer another bird’s-eye view of the verdant landscape.

But the true wonders of Moorea are beneath its waves. The island’s clear lagoons are snorkeling sanctuaries where colorful reefs flourish. Kayak in waters so pure you can see the ocean floor through the bottom of your transparent vessel, or get up close and personal with reefs diving Temae Beach. Moorea brings you face-to-face with the ocean’s gentle giants, whether it’s watching resident dolphins play in the wake of a boat or witnessing the majestic humpback whales.

Africa

13. Zanzibar, Tanzania

Zanzibar is a crossroads of the senses. Beneath its turquoise waters, the reefs come alive—dive Mnemba Atoll, where the marine biodiversity rivals that of any aquarium, or explore Nungwi’s sprawling coral gardens. For the more adventurous, Kizimkazi Reef offers out-of-the-way dives where dolphins twirl through the currents and reef sharks glide by in silent elegance.

Above the waves, the consistent winds and shallow waters at Paje Beach make for a kitesurfing mecca, drawing aficionados from around the world. And far, far above the waves, skydivers soar over lush terrain as the Indian Ocean glimmers ahead, offering rare shoreline landings on white sands.

Prefer something more tranquil? Kayak along Zanzibar’s serene coastlines through mangroves and lagoons that feel untouched by time.

But Zanzibar is more than its beaches—it’s alive with history. In Stone Town, a Swahili coastal trading town with UNESCO status, every corner is a story. Stop at the Old Fort, get lost in the buzz of Darajani Market, or taste the island’s blend of Swahili, Arab, and Indian flavors on a food tour.

Alexandra Gillespie is a freelance writer covering water and outdoor travel. From Mauritius to Mackinac, islands hold a special place in her heart—if you need a boat to get there, she’s game. She was previously the digital editor of Scuba Diving magazine. Her most recent stories for Outside include “The 12 Most Beautiful Scuba Diving Destinations in the World,” “Gear-Testing Trips That Let You Try Before You Buy,” and “Stockton Rush, the Pilot of Missing Titanic Sub, Told Outside Why He Kept Going Back.”