25 Underrated Island Escapes for 2023

Best Islands to Travel to in 2023
Is there any word in the world of travel that can banish the winter blues quicker than “island”? We’ve all daydreamed about a getaway on one of the world’s most beautiful islands, but since there are so many of them, how do you even know where to start? With so many islands in the world, some are bound to slip under the radar, so the following list is made up exclusively of underrated island destinations that are a little lesser known than some of their neighbors. On the following islands, you’ll find a blissful trip you’re probably dreaming of but with slightly fewer past appearances on your social media feed and a little more intrigue. Click on the slideshow to take a tour of some of the best-underrated island escapes for 2023.

Anguilla
Home to both soft landscapes and dramatic cliffs, Anguilla is an amazing all-around Caribbean destination. Spend your time simply lounging on the spectacular strips of sand, head out to watch a local boat race or just take in some of the island’s famous bird life: it’s up to you.

Cat Island, Bahamas
You don’t have to be a big fan of felines to fall head-over-heels for Cat Island. One of The Bahamas lesser-known gems, the isle is renowned for excellent diving, a pretty pink sand beach and for being a perfect place to leave all your worries behind.

Culebra, Puerto Rico
A small island located off the coast of Puerto Rico, Culebra is where you go to experience what traveling in the Caribbean must have been like decades ago. Home to a small group of characterful hotels, turquoise water and an unbelievably beautiful stretch of sand, a trip here will be a heavenly adventure in island-hopping.

The Gili Islands, Indonesia
With its unique culture, topography and dreamy beaches, Bali has been attracting travelers en masse for decades now. Go to Bali, and have a ball, but once you have, give the nearby Gili Islands a look-see for your next trip. Located a ferry away from Bali, these islands move to a much slower beat but feature much the same jaw-dropping sand & sea experience.

Dominica
It may not own as many miles of beaches as some of its neighbors, but what it lacks in sand it more than makes up for in lush, natural beauty. The perfect island for those looking to mix in a few active pursuits (the region’s first long-distance hiking trail is located here) in between sessions at the infinity pool, Dominica will dominate your thoughts long after you leave.

Tenerife, Canary Islands
Home to a year-round spring climate, beautiful black sand beaches and handsome high-end resorts in addition to owning a rugged interior laced with hiking paths & lunar landscapes all crowned by majestic Mount Teide, Tenerife is like nothing else. Make no mistake, Europeans have been flocking here for years, but the island is just starting to be discovered by North Americans, so get there soon to claim a spot at the pool—and a bag a few bragging rights back home.

St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
For a destination that doesn’t require you to pack your passport to visit, the U.S. Virgin Islands still remain ridiculously underrated. Sure, you probably know someone who has been on a cruise that stopped in St. Thomas, but how many folks do you know who have headed to St. Croix for a week of fun in the sun, snorkeling (Buck Island Reef National Monument is located here, one of only three such monuments in the nation) and sunset watching? Exactly.

Jost Van Dyke, British Virgin Islands
Located next door in the British Virgin Islands, diminutive Jost Van Dyke is home to sugar-white sand beaches, see-to-the–bottom water and all-around Caribbean bliss. After a day parked in the sand or at the hotel pool, make your way to either Foxy’s or the Soggy Dollar—two world-famous beach bars that call the island home—for a sunset libation or two.

Caye Caulker, Belize
This car-free island off the coast of Belize may be warm and toasty all year round, but it’s also the perfect place to just chill for a week or two. Less popular than next-door neighbor Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker is the perfect base for snorkeling or just sipping tropical cocktails as the sun sinks into the sea.

Penang, Malaysia
One of the most fascinating island escapes in Asia, Penang owns a historic Old Town full of architecturally-fascinating shophouses, temples and some of the finest street food vendors in the world. So there’s your culture box checked. Luckily, Penang also possesses several gorgeous sweeps of sand, where you will find numerous stellar beach resorts.

Kaua’i, Hawaii
Perhaps nowhere on the list hits the sweet spot of being relatively well-known (it is in Hawai’i, after all), yet still nowhere as famous as it should be. The Garden Isle remains a mystery to many travelers, but what isn’t is that a visit to the Na Pali Coast, Waimea Canyon or the countless ravishing beaches on Kauai will have you considering why it took you so long to get here in the first place.

Grenada
An isle of spices, waterfalls and stunning beaches, Grenada has a lot going for it, but still not a ton of people end up going here on a yearly basis. You’re bound to be smitten with this island after one trip as it offers a dizzying mix of experiences, especially for those that love food—Grenada is a hub of both nutmeg and chocolate production.

Isla Margarita, Venezuela
Sunny Isla Margarita sits smack in the southern Caribbean Sea—not too far from either Trinidad or The Netherlands Antilles islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao. This gorgeous island shares the same type of climate and much of the same topography with them, meaning one minute you can be swimming in the teal blue sea, the next kitesurfing or hiking.

Isla Espiritu Santo, Mexico
Located in the middle of the Sea of Cortez—that strip of water between the mainland of Mexico and the Baja Peninsula—this island is home to a small number of quality resorts and a laid-back atmosphere, but the main draw lies offshore. That’s because the water around Isla Espiritu Santo is renowned for its colorful sea life, once earning it the nickname “the aquarium of the world” from famed explorer Jacques Cousteau.

Saint Lucia
Sure, most people have heard of St. Lucia, but how many among us have pulled the trigger on a dream vacation there? Those who do will come home with memories of ravishing beaches, romantic resorts and the picturesque Piton mountains—a sight like nothing else in the Caribbean.

Cayman Brac, Cayman Islands
The lesser known of the Cayman Islands (Grand Cayman tends to grab the most headlines), Cayman Brac is a heavenly hidden gem. Known for world-class diving opportunities and small but handsome stretches of sand, this is the perfect place to escape from reality for a while.

Isla Holbox, Mexico
Sure, more and more people are having a great time on Holbox and the island is stacked with top-end resorts these days, but it still feels a million miles away from its nearby neighbors Cancun and Playa Del Carmen. Stroll the sand-covered and car-free streets to discover local restaurants serving up micheladas and margaritas—or just laze the day away in a hammock.

Sri Lanka
The island of Sri Lanka calls the same stretch of sea home as the Maldives, but it manages to fly much further under the radar in people’s minds when it comes to idyllic tropical islands. That’s a mistake, because and you’ll get much the same quality of beach and sea in addition to an awe-inspiring collection of ancient ruins, historical sights and other cultural attractions.

Waiheke Island, New Zealand
After you’ve explored all the urban delights of Auckland, hop on a ferry over to Waiheke Island for a slower pace of life, lazy days on the beach and lots of great local wine. Most of the time, you’ll be able to do it all in one day. Have your co-workers heard of it? No. Will they Google it the second after you show them your pics? Absolutely.

Antigua
Quite early in your trip research on Antiqua, you’ll come across the fact there are 365 beaches on the island. Is it a certified fact? Possibly. Will you have the time of your life checking their math? Absolutely. After a day spent on the splendid Antiguan sands, make the trip up to Shirley Heights to admire the spectacular sunset view surrounded by a lively crowd.

Montserrat
The perfect island for those who adore nature in all its forms, Montserrat teems with jungles, unique wildlife and a volcanic landscape shaped by past eruptions. Explore the interior of the island before taking to the water to survey the coral reefs that surround it. Oh, and if you happen to be visiting over St. Patrick’s Day, you’re in for a real treat, because due to its rich Irish heritage, the island is the only other country in the world besides Ireland to honor March 17 as a national holiday.

Saba
All you really need to know is that Saba’s nickname is “The Unspoiled Queen” and it truly sums up the fact that while located near St. Maarten and other popular islands, Saba still feels like a secret. After putting in some quality time at the resort pool, head underwater to Saba Marine Park to see the kaleidoscopic collection of sea life that calls the island home.

Trinidad, Trinidad & Tobago
Trinidad offers a unique mixture of Caribbean and South American cultures, stunning beaches and one of the world’s best Carnival celebrations. But that’s not all by a long shot. The island is also home to rainforests, and a dizzying array of wildlife while also being considered a music mecca for its role in nurturing calypso, soca and the steel pan.

Koh Lanta, Thailand
It may be located a short hop from both Koh Phi Phi and Phuket, but Koh Lanta feels much further afield. This perenially overlooked island is home to long stretches of sand and casual beach bars filled with travelers wearing smug grins because they discovered this island before the masses did. Or is that just the cocktails served in buckets kicking in?

Big Pine Key, Florida
It’s understandable that people are in a rush to get to Key West, but skipping Big Pine Key is one of the biggest mistakes you can make on a South Florida road trip. Explore the local wildlife (the Key Deer calls the isle home) before settling into the sand at the heavenly Bahia Honda State Park.