If you lived through a winter polar vortex, you know that one needs an arsenal of coping mechanisms. On the plus side, the freezing weather is a great excuse to binge-watch your favorite TV series, splurge on a cozy parka, and indulge in hearty meals. But when temperatures drop well below zero and snow storms are seemingly an everyday occurrence, more extreme measures are called for. It’s time to consider an island vacation, where leafy palms, crystal-clear water, and endless sunshine await. Whether you’re looking for a quiet Caribbean hideaway or an exciting set-jetting hotspot, we’ve got you covered.
Vogue’s Guide to the Best Island Vacations:
- For Wellness: Sensei Lanai, a Four Seasons Resort, Lanai
- For Fishing: Salterra, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, South Caicos
- For Privacy: Mandarin Oriental, Canouan
- For a Little Bit of Everything: Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui
- For a Private Island Feel: Soho Beach House
From snorkeling with sea turtles to day trip excursions on boats and bikes to lazy, laid-back hours spent lounging on some of the world’s most beautiful beaches, our favorite places offer a lot for every kind of traveler. Keep reading for our travel guide for the best places to visit this winter—each more bucket list-worthy than the last.
Lanai
Unlike other Hawaiian islands, Lanai’s arid climate creates a much drier landscape compared to lush Maui and verdant Kauai. That’s not to say it’s not green. While you’ll find swaying palms, there are actually more Cook pines here, which were strategically planted to capture fog drip. This is in stark contrast to Keahiakawelo’s Mars-like landscape of red dirt and towering boulders: The historic site and its nearby beaches are only accessible via a 4x4 or mountain bike, but it’s well worth braving the rugged terrain to visit and set your eyes on Molokai and Oahu on a clear day. And if you want to learn more about the island’s history and traditions, head into town to the Lanai Culture & Heritage Center for educational programs, volunteer opportunities, and the annual Kupulau Festival.
You might not have beach access, but Sensei Lanai, a Four Seasons Resort, is a magical garden paradise sprawled across 24 acres with nearly a thousand species of plants. In lieu of sun and sand, the name of the game here is wellness. Four Seasons has teamed up with wellness company Sensei that results in a beautiful marriage of the former’s aptitude for hospitality with the latter’s results-driven programming (hello, thermal body mapping). The remarkable spa suites are kitted out with their own steam shower, infrared sauna, soaking tubs with UV light, and a pair of wading pools, one of which can be used for watsu. Aside from relaxation, there are also several fitness and mindfulness classes along with a nutritionist to answer all of your burning questions. Tailor your visit to suit your needs and filter in some leisure activities, like Jeep tours and sunset cruises. (And if you want a more traditional beach resort, Four Seasons Resort Lanai is a year-round hot spot just down the road.)
Islas Secas
Just off the Pacific Coast of Panama is a chain of 14 beautiful islands called Islas Secas. Only one is inhabited, with a namesake resort, while the remaining 13 are untouched havens for wildlife. Calm waters lend themselves to stand-up paddleboarding, bird-watching is plentiful with over 100 species to keep an eye out for, and diving trips in Coiba National Park turn into full-blown marine safaris with chances to spot manta rays, whale sharks, and bottlenose dolphins. If you’re searching for untamed beauty, this is it.
The conservation-driven Islas Secas resort takes sustainability seriously by primarily operating on solar energy, recycling food waste, and working with organizations to restore mangrove forests and remove ghost nests. The thatch-roofed, casita-style accommodations are nestled within the forest with furnished terraces to soak in the wilderness. It’s also an all-inclusive property, with amenities including one dive per day, water sports equipment like kayaks and Seabobs, and guided nature hikes.
South Caicos
Providenciales may be the main island in Turks and Caicos, but the hidden gem of South Caicos has equally as pristine white sand beaches—without the crowds. It’s the kind of place where you’ll find wild donkeys roaming around the small airport and not a stop light in sight. At times it feels like you have the island to yourself, in all the best ways possible. But just because it’s sleepy doesn’t mean it’s boring: The water is teeming with marine life and offers some of the best fishing in the world.
The new Salterra, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, South Caicos, opened earlier this year with spacious rooms that look out to crystalline waters and an incredible adventure center led by a passionate and experienced team. Their own fleet of boats can be used for sunset cruises around nearby islets, whale watching during humpback migration season (January through April), and bonefishing expeditions. Guests can also take part in the property’s reef restoration efforts, sign up for kite boarding lessons, or stay on land for a biking excursion around the island and a few matches of pickleball. Paying homage to the island’s history of salt exportation, South Caicos–harvested salt is used for spa treatments and is also incorporated into every dish at its fine-dining restaurant, Brine.
Canouan
Just a quick 45-minute plane ride from Barbados, Canouan is a gem in the Grenadines. After garnering attention from A-list visitors like George Clooney, Leonardo DiCaprio, Cindy Crawford, and Meghan Markle, it’s become regarded as a small island that caters to those seeking an intimate getaway without intrusion. There’s not a lot to do on the island itself; but that’s kind of the point. This is where you come to leave your daily stressors at home and unwind on a quiet beach while admiring the natural beauty of the sea and the mountainous landscape. Though, of course, there are water-based activities should you want to spend some time away from your sun lounger, like sailing around the scattered cays, and local-run haunts serving up grilled lobster and fried plantains for a lazy lunch.
Canouan Estate is comprised of three lodging options, including a Soho Beach House and Mandarin Oriental, as well as an 18-hole golf course. The former is the brand’s first in the Caribbean and is one of few that doesn’t require a membership to visit. Its 40 sea-facing rooms are outfitted with furnished balconies or patios and the property has its own jetty that makes boat excursions effortless. At the latter, you’ll find incredibly spacious ocean-view suites, standalone villas with private pools, hillside spa palapas, and a large kid’s club that caters to all ages. The resort has also made impactful sustainability efforts, including its own water plant that’s not only used for guests, but also benefits employees and their families; upcycling glass bottles into sand; and a sanctuary garden for the conservation of red-footed tortoises.
Koh Samui
Riding on the coattails of The White Lotus fame, Koh Samui is having a moment. Thailand’s second-largest island is no stranger to tourism, so you’ll find plenty to do. Vibrant Chaweng is teeming with nightlife and has one of the best beaches. Over in Fisherman’s Village, you’ll find an evening market and a bevy of beachfront bars. For a dose of culture, visit one of the many ornate temples, with Wat Phra Yai and Wat Plai Laem being the most popular. And, divers: You’ll want to take a boat out to Ang Thong National Marine Park or nearby Koh Tao.
Whether or not you’re a White Lotus fan, Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui is the pinnacle of luxury on the island. The property has its own stretch of beach, a daily schedule of complimentary activities that range from fitness classes to crafts workshops, a fantastic spa built into the hillside, and all of its spacious villas have a private pool. For a Thai-owned brand, Cape Fahn Hotel is set on its own islet and also boasts pool villas. The property delivers some of the best food on the island at both its all-day Hue restaurant and its celebrated, dinner-only Long Dtai, with a menu courtesy of chef David Thompson.
Galápagos Islands
Sprawled along the equator some 600 miles off west of Ecuador, the Galápagos seems like one of those out-of-reach, bucket-list destinations you learn about in your early years thanks to Darwin’s studies on evolution. But this biodiversity hotspot is worth every effort to explore for those interested in biology and wildlife. Quirky blue-footed boobies, playful sea lions, and prehistoric-looking marine iguanas run everywhere. But it’s only once you set your eyes on endangered and vulnerable endemic species like giant tortoises, flightless cormorants, and the only penguins in the Northern Hemisphere, that you’ll begin to realize just how special this cluster of islands is.
Lars-Eric Lindblad pioneered Galápagos tourism nearly 60 years ago, so it’s only fitting to sail with his son Sven’s company, National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions. They have four vessels that sail in the Galapagos (all under 100 guests) with the newest and smallest being the eight-cabin National Geographic Delfina. But what really sets the company apart from others is not just its commitment to responsible travel and sustainability—which include carbon neutrality, planet-conscious amenities like reef-safe sunscreen, and serving invasive fish species onboard—but also its team of knowledgeable guides who are some of the most experienced in the industry.
Lanzarote
Looking for a European getaway far away from the typical Mediterranean haunts? On Spain’s Lanzarote, turquoise waters clash against black volcanic sand, and desert-like landscapes meet leafy vineyards. The easternmost Canary Island delivers striking beaches, natural pools, numerous hiking trails within Timanfaya National Park, and wineries aplenty despite its dry climate. Design enthusiasts will also appreciate the work of late artist and architect César Manrique splashed across the isle, including the preservation of his Haría home and studio that has since been transformed into a museum.
Once the home of César Manrique’s father, Hotel César Lanzarote is now a 20-key boutique property with a Manrique-style pool, a restored vineyard, and a restaurant that honors local ingredients. For an intimate retreat near the coast, rent one of the villas at Casa Sua and hit the waves at Famara Beach.
Okinawa
A favored holiday spot amongst the Japanese, Okinawa is often dubbed the “Hawaii of Japan.” The isle earned the moniker thanks to its striking blue water, white sand beaches, and culinary influence from the U.S. archipelago. Explore castle ruins from the Ryukyu Kingdom, visit the scenic capes and watch as fisherman cast from the rocky cliffs, and visit the local fish markets for a look into daily life. The island is also one of five original Blue Zones, places with a high population of centenarians. Traveling here doesn’t have to be just for relaxation; you can also use this as an opportunity to gain insight into longevity practices.
At Hoshinoya Okinawa local architecture meets modern comforts with ocean-view accommodations and villas with their own private pool. For a taste of Hawaii, Halekulani Okinawa—by the same Halekulani in Waikiki—is a family-friendly beach resort with four pools and a myriad of restaurants that serve everything from garlic shrimp to sushi.
St. John
Following the severe damage inflicted by hurricanes Irma and Maria, picture-perfect St. John has rebounded. The smallest of the three key U.S. Virgin Islands, about two-thirds of it is national park land and much of the coastline is lined with stunning beaches. Sun and sand aside, St. John is also having a cultural movement, thanks to efforts by St. John Heritage Collective’s aim to preserve the island’s identity prior to the USVI’s 1971 American purchase and St. John Land Conservancy’s goal of protecting natural resources and reclaiming private land for community use. There’s also the annual arts festival that celebrates local creatives, and the Taste of Lovango food festival that brings Caribbean flavors to the front.
Set on a cay just north of Cruz Bay, the stylish Lovango Resort & Beach Club offers glamping tents, treehouse-style accommodations, and spacious villas that are great for both couples and families alike. The property’s owners are also involved in the island’s conservation efforts and founded the aforementioned Taste of Lovango—which is held at the resort, if the foodie event is a draw for your visit.
