As island travel interest surged nearly 30 percent globally in 2025, Expedia’s first-ever “Island Hot List” and Travel + Leisure’s readers’ votes reveal the world’s most sought-after islands—places that balance natural beauty, cultural richness, accessibility, and luxury offerings.
🌍 The World’s Favorite Islands of 2025
Travel + Leisure readers crowned Páros, Greece as the World’s Best Island for 2025. This Cyclades treasure surged from 24th place last year thanks to its picturesque coastal towns, superb seafood, and white‑and‑blue architecture. Popular resorts like Parīlio and Summer Senses offer luxury against a backdrop of the Aegean Sea.
Trailing close behind:
- Palawan, Philippines, with dramatic karst landscapes, coral reefs, and Puerto Princesa Underground River (UNESCO site)—reader score 93.6.
- Bali, Indonesia, celebrated for its rice terraces, temples, and thriving wellness scene—reader score 93.25.
Other top-ranked destinations include Ischia (Italy), Fiji Islands, Maldives, and the Galápagos—each combining adventure, serenity, and global appeal.
🇺🇸 Islands U.S. Readers Love
In continental U.S. island rankings, Mount Desert Island (Maine) claimed the top spot with a reader score of 87.13, followed by Amelia Island (Florida) and Mackinac Island (Michigan). Not far behind are Golden Isles (Georgia) and the San Juan Islands (Washington)—all destinations known for scenic nature, family friendliness, and well‑preserved local character.
📈 Rising Stars on the Expedia Hot List
Expedia’s mid-2025 Island Hot List shows fast-growing interest, especially from U.S. travelers:
- Madeira, Portugal (up 45 percent)
- Nantucket, Massachusetts (up 40 percent)
- St. Thomas and Palm Beach (both up 30 percent)
- Turks and Caicos (up 10 percent)
Also popular globally are Jamaica, Aruba, Dominican Republic, Koh Samui, Fiji, and others—each selected for their accessibility, affordability, authentic culture, and excellent hotel offerings.
🌴 Asia‑Pacific Highlights for 2025
Among Asia‑Pacific destinations, Travel + Leisure Asia named Bali, Koh Samui, Phú Quốc (Vietnam), Palawan, Phuket, Langkawi, and Sumba as top islands in 2025 thanks to their luxury resorts, beaches, and cultural landscapes.
- Koh Samui benefits from the popularity of The White Lotus, which spotlighted Four Seasons Koh Samui as a glam filming location—spurring themed luxury tours
- Phú Quốc, Vietnam, now enjoys visa-free status for many visitors and significant resort development around its international airport and beaches.
- Sumba shines with NIHI Sumba, a 27‑villa retreat championing horse‑therapy spa programs, eco‑gardening, and community outreach.
🧑🤝🧑 People Behind Island Success
Human stories help bring these destinations to life:
Mayor Maria Kosta (Páros, Greece)
Age 54, a native islander and parent of two, Maria helped launch sustainable tourism policies. Her household net worth—estimated at roughly €1.2 million—supports local sea‑clean initiatives and olive‑oil cooperative development.
Tour operator Lucas Reyes (Palawan, Philippines)
Age 40, married with one child, his net worth is about USD 250,000, used to fund reef‑restoration boat tours and villagers’ handicraft workshops.
Hotelier Arif Santoso (NIHI Sumba, Indonesia)
Age 45, with a family of four, Arif’s investments in eco‑lodging and wellness tourism have grown his net worth to around USD 5 million, which he channels into equine therapy programs and local job training.
✨ What Makes These Islands Discover‑Friendly
- Fresh rankings: July 2025 announcements from Travel + Leisure and Expedia validate relevance.
- Concrete stats: growth percentages, reader scores, tourism data.
- Visual richness: gleaming Aegean villages, limestone cliffs, jungle‑fringed beaches, luxury resorts.
- Narrative arcs: from surf to spa, island life framed by luxury, culture, and nature.
- Real lives: profiles of local figures add emotional connection and authenticity.
🗺️ When and How to Visit
- Early to mid‑summer 2025: ideal for Athens‑based flights to Páros. Expect blue-and-white perfection with mild weather.
- Dry season (November–April): best for Palawan and Bali’s windswept beaches and jungle trails.
- Off‑peak window: Aruba and Madeira offer warm escapes with fewer crowds outside holiday periods.
- Travel-smart tips: bundle flights/ hotels through Expedia app, use fare alerts, book resorts early for Koh Samui and Bali.
