11 Islands That Deliver Turquoise Waters, Cliffside Charm, and Top-Tier Snorkeling
With roughly 11,000 inhabited islands scattered across the globe, picking where to go can feel overwhelming. From the rugged, glacier-sculpted shores of Scandinavia to the volcanic peaks of Hawaii and the western Pacific, the options are vast. But if you're after that perfect blend of calm coves, dramatic cliffside villages, and snorkeling that rivals any aquarium, these reader-approved destinations deliver. Condé Nast Traveler's annual Readers' Choice Awards have spoken, and whether you're in the mood to lounge, hike, whale-watch, or free-dive, these 11 spots promise a genuine escape.
Crete, Greece, takes the crown for Europe, with olive groves rolling down to the Aegean and villages like Kissamos offering a laid-back slice of island life. Free-dive off the shore, walk the coastal paths, and feast on mezedes and fresh seafood. Ferries run to Balos Lagoon for shallow wading and Falassarna's pink-tinged sand. Over in Canada, Cape Breton wows with the Cabot Trail—a 185-mile loop through Cape Breton Highlands National Park. Hike the Skyline Trail for cliffside views, and time a visit for October's fall colors or early summer whale-watching. The Galápagos Islands, a UNESCO gem off Ecuador, remain a bucket-list staple for eco-travelers. Scuba with giant tortoises, snorkel with sea lions, and watch blue-footed boobies perform their courtship dance. December through May brings wetter weather; June through November is windier but draws more birds and fish.
Closer to home, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, tops the U.S. list for more than just golf. Explore the Sea Pines Nature Preserve's wetland boardwalks, bike through Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge, or settle in at quieter Alder Lane Beach, where waters hit 80 degrees from late May through October. Bermuda, voted best in the Caribbean and Atlantic, is a quick 90-minute flight from New York. Its pink-sand beaches, limestone caves, and shipwreck dive sites are best enjoyed March through April for whale migration or May through September for warm swimming. Fiji, with over 300 islands, is ideal for island-hopping. Fly into Nadi on Viti Levu, then head to the Mamanucas for surf breaks, the Yasawas for grassy hillsides, or Malolo for luxury resorts. Visit May through September to dodge cyclone season. Phú Quốc, Vietnam's largest island, offers off-the-radar white beaches like Bai Sao and world-class coral snorkeling. Ride the Sun World Hon Thom cable car over the sea, or tour the black pepper plantations at Duc Ninh Pepper Farm.
Santa Catalina Island, just a ferry ride from Los Angeles, feels like a Mediterranean escape with year-round 50- to 70-degree weather. Explore crescent-shaped Avalon Bay or hike Mount Orizaba for sweeping views. The Andaman Islands in India start with Havelock Island, where Radhanagar Beach and Elephant Beach invite lounging, and nighttime kayaking reveals bioluminescent waters. The Maldives, with over 1,000 islands, is best experienced at Baa Atoll, a UNESCO biosphere with the Indian Ocean's seventh-largest coral reef system. Swim with manta rays from July to October, or visit November through April for sunshine and clear visibility. Finally, Isla Mujeres, Mexico, offers the world's highest concentration of whale sharks and the underwater museum MUSA, with 500 reef sculptures. Snorkel at Garrafon Natural Reef Park or lounge on Playa Norte's crushed coral sands, just a 20-minute ferry from Cancún.