When you think about retirement or where you would like to live the rest of your life, chances are some kind of tropical island comes to mind. But most likely it is nothing specific, something you can only dream of. Instead of leaving it to your imagination, why not take a look at some of these spectacular lands so you can have a tangible goal for yourself? Taking you around the world, you will be able to see these incredible places for yourself. That said, make yourself comfortable and prepare to see what the future holds (assuming you can get out of lockdown!)
10. Seychelles
Leaving, the island of Seychelles is our first destination. It is located in the Indian Ocean near Kenya / Madagascar and is home to some of the most beautiful parkland in the world. It is blatantly the definition of a tropical island, with bright sunshine in crystal clear waters and plenty of palm trees for everyone. Luckily for you though, there is already a bit of a human footprint here, which means that you can fly and stay in a beautiful hostel, instead of having to fend for yourself and forage for food. You can enjoy all the perks that the island has to offer with minimal inconvenience. Seychelles International Airport also opened quite recently in 1971, which means that it is still a fairly new land and there is a lot to explore, and it still feels special. Overall, Seychelles is a beautiful place and hopefully makes your shortlist.
9. Palawan
The following are the Palawan Islands, and in fact, they are located within the Philippines, a place is known for its natural beauty. Palawans in particular has a lot of variety, which makes them a great activity called island hopping. From lush mountain ranges to enclosed water holes to rich beaches, there is always more to see on the next island. The Palaujano is made up of around 110 islands, which makes the islands a true tourist activity.
There is so much to explore and experience here, all within the comfort of some of the most beautiful scenery. In addition to island hopping, there are also many cities and cultures within each to experience. There are also many tours you can take, including boating and kayaking through the crystal blue waters. You can really immerse yourself in anything that might interest you in the Palawan Islands.
8. Corfu
The island of Corfu is next and has more of a resort feel. It is located in Greece and it actually has an immense amount of history around it. Corfu has had human contact since 1300 BC. C., that’s right, a. C., not a. This means that it has been known for over 3000 years, with many battles taking place on this very land. It even has its roots in Greek mythology, which described it as a kind of paradise. Today it is one of the most urbanized islands and has a multitude of towns and roads that cross it.
Despite this, there is still a lot of beauty in its nature and also in its ancient human architecture. In addition to the lush wildlife and beautiful waters, it is also home to a host of ancient buildings, ruins, forts, and even castles. If you are looking for a bit of natural and artificial beauty, Corfu is definitely the destination. There is much to do and see here and despite its popularity in Europe, it is still relatively unknown in the West.
7. Anguilla
Next is the island of Anguilla. This island is in fact part of the Caribbean islands, but unlike the overwhelming popularity of the Caribbean in years past, Anguilla is a bit more unknown and still offers a new Caribbean experience. Anguilla maintains its low-profile presence due to the current embargo imposed on the island. Cruise ships, casinos, and high-rise hotels are banned here, making it less attractive to the average tourist. Replacing these fancy things is the beautiful nature found here. Crystal clear waters and virgin land are just some of the wonderful attributes that Anguilla possesses. Even though the island is not very developed, there are still some nice resorts that will make sure you have the time of your life. There is also a great community here, one that is always ready to have parties and music festivals once the sun goes down.
6. Boracay
Now it’s hard to find tropical islands without mentioning the Philippines at least a couple of times, featuring Boracay, one of the top-rated islands in the Philippines. There’s a reason this is such an amazing island too, as it ticks all the boxes you imagine having a tropical vacation. It has pristine beaches filled with exotic white sand that stretch for miles. Sailing, snorkeling, island hopping, and hiking are just to name a few of the activities found here, but it has just about everything you can imagine. Since traveling here is quite popular, they make travel easy, with packages that include travel, hotel, and transportation, making your vacation that much easier. If you are looking for an ideal vacation, it is very hard to go wrong with Boracay.
5. Ko Lipe
If you ever want an amazing vacation, Ko Lipe is the way to go. This island seems to be the definition of paradise. Only the most wonderful waters are here, accompanied by the richest vegetation imaginable. Instead of enjoying this wonderful landscape on the 12th floor of a hotel like other islands, in Ko Lipe, you can live inside it, in one of its many beach bungalows. Depending on which side of the beach you decide to stay on, you will also have the opportunity to watch the sunrise or sunset every day, making for a truly exceptional morning and afternoon. In addition to the wonderful bungalow life you would have, there is also a nearby town with plenty of bars and music to enjoy at night. While Ko Lipe sounds pretty amazing, there are plenty of other islands around it too, meaning there are plenty of tours to take so you never get bored of the same beautiful sights.
4. St. Barts
Breaking the trend to go back to nature, we have St. Barts. This is the destination to go if you have a couple hundred thousand pokings a hole in your pocket. What sets St. Bart apart from the rest is primarily its accommodation and overall feel. Everything is luxurious here, you can rent super modern houses by the week and even a superyacht if your midlife crisis really wants it. Regardless of the price, it is definitely a sublime place to go if you want to fully relax but also see some amazing views.
St. Barts spares no expense, so much so that one of its standout activities is pure luxury shopping, without even experiencing the island itself. However, there is still a lot to do here, as it is home to many wonderful beaches, great restaurants, and overall amazing homes. St. Barts is the best retreat if you have the money to do it and you won’t be disappointed.
3. Kauai
Although you have probably heard of Hawaii, you most likely do not know many of the islands that compose them. Introducing Kauai, one of Hawaii’s natural wonders. Kauai, unlike many other islands, has a wonderful mountainous region that has unlimited potential for amazing views. There’s plenty to do here too, from guided ATV, boat, and zipline tours to golf and horseback riding.
This island truly is an expert in all trades and is sure to satisfy any of your vacation needs. There are also several cities with resorts here, so you can expect the best deal after your long days of adventures. The island of Kauai skillfully balances the wonders of natural beauty, as well as the luxuries that come from modern society, making it a great vacation or even retirement destination!
2. Ambergris Caye
Ambergris Caye also hits gold, striking a great balance between keeping you comfortable and allowing you to experience all the rich nature the island has to offer. It is located in the Caribbean and is actually part of Belize. There is an almost unlimited amount of things to do here, as its sheer size allows almost anything to come true. There are many water activities, from diving, sailing, fishing, and you can even visit “The Great Blue Hole” which is a huge sinkhole that is over 300 feet deep.
There are many protected species on this island, which means that you have probably never seen these animals with your own eyes before, much less in real life. The variety is huge, from fish to birds to monkeys. There are also quite a few historical sites that may catch your interest, such as the ancient Mayan ruins and the architecture of the city. Ambergris Caye is a must-see if you really want to immerse yourself in the wonders of a modern tropical island.
1. Santorini
Finally, we return to Greece, taking a look at its most famous island, the island of Santorini. It gets this title for a reason too, it has pretty much everything you could want on a tropical island. The island of Santorini has wonderful beaches and nature that you would go to an island for and it has many more. It has beautiful old cities, lots of mountains and wildlife, and even an active volcano! That’s right, you can go jet skiing to the volcano, hang out on the lava sand beach, get back on a jet ski, and walk to one of the ancient cities for a meal on the water, all in one night. With that said, Santorini takes the cake as it has just about everything you can imagine, being the ultimate destination!
