Dreaming of getting away from it all?
There’s nowhere quite like an island.
But which of the world’s islands are particularly special?
Pay heed to these remarks, from tourists who took to Reddit to share the islands that left them wanting more.
‘Laschon’ kicked off the discussion when they asked: ‘What island left you absolutely speechless?’ Scroll down to see images of the most eye-catching islands from those that were recommended…
Isle of Skye, Scotland
A Reddit user says: ‘[Skye’s] landscapes are so unusual and so beautiful, you feel like you are on a different planet’
Scotland’s Isle of Skye gets full marks from ‘WorldlyPlace4781’, who says there’s ‘nowhere like it’.
Another user agrees, saying: ‘I sometimes still dream of Skye and I was there only for a week, 30 years ago.’
‘Catdoctor’ adds: ‘The landscapes are so unusual and so beautiful, you feel like you are on a different planet.
‘I’ve been three times, always in September. Sunset takes several hours, so you get “golden hour” light for a long time.’
Although Skye’s weather isn’t always sunny, one user said the island’s misty days add a ‘magical, mystical quality to the scenery’.
Miyajima island, Japan
One tourist describes Miyajima island as ‘one of the most magical places I’ve ever been’
Japan’s Miyajima island, an hour outside Hiroshima, is a popular choice for travellers. Miyajima translates as ‘shrine island’ and is home to wild deer.
Reddit user ‘Donotdisturb95’ says it has ‘absolutely serene nature with some of the best ryokans in the country.’
One tourist describes the Japanese island as ‘one of the most magical places I’ve ever been’ while another traveller says it’s ‘absolutely beautiful’ and ‘easy to get to by ferry’. But watch out for overly-friendly residents – one tourist remarks that ‘a deer ate my map’.
Big Island, Hawaii
‘Bostonbluestocking’ says Hawaii’s Big Island has ‘so much beauty and variety of terrain and climate’
The Hawaiian archipelago is made up of more than 130 islands, but it’s the biggest, ‘Big Island’, that tops the list in the USA in this discussion.
‘Bostonbluestocking’ says it has ‘so much beauty and variety of terrain and climate’. They love the island’s ‘green mountains, waterfalls, rainforests, steam vents, black-sand beaches and lava tubes’, describing them as ‘an embarrassment of riches’.
Lofoten Islands, Norway
The Lofoten archipelago is a ‘wild’ spot that holds a ‘special place’ in the heart of one traveller
It might not be sunny, but the Lofoten archipelago in northern Norway is a top choice for travellers. ‘Excellent-repair-234’ says the spot is ‘wild’, adding that they ‘loved the light’.
Another tourist said the islands have a ‘special place in my heart’ after they saw the Northern Lights on ‘four consecutive nights’.
Bora Bora, French Polynesia
One visitor to Bora Bora declared it to be ‘more unbelievably gorgeous than all the photos’
One commenter describes Bora Bora in French Polynesia as ‘spectacular’, with another saying it ‘feels like you’re in a dream’.
Another traveller adds: ‘It was at the top of my bucket list to go there. I prepared myself to be disappointed and that all those aerial photos were photoshopped. I expected it to be like a slightly nicer Caribbean island. I was dead wrong. It is even more unbelievably gorgeous than all the photos.’
Korcula, Croatia
‘Korcula was one of those “I can’t believe this is actually my life places” – simply unforgettable,’ says one Reddit user. Pictured above is the island’s old town, which is also named Korcula
Korcula, a Croatian island in the Adriatic Sea, is ‘something else’, according to Reddit user ‘Pinkalicious100’, who says: ‘It felt like a fairytale. I also liked that there weren’t many people when I was there, which is a miracle when it comes to holidays lately.’
Another user adds: ‘The old town was absolutely enchanting and my Airbnb was 50 euros a night. Korcula was one of those “I can’t believe this is actually my life” places – simply unforgettable.’
Madeira, Portugal
Madeira is described as ‘beautiful’ with ‘fascinating geography’ for island fans
Madeira, an island off the Portuguese mainland, is ‘a level above everything else’, according to one commenter, while another says ‘it’s absolutely mind-blowing’.
Another tourist adds: ‘Madeira is beautiful and the geography is fascinating if you’re an island fan.’
It could be the perfect spot for a walking holiday, with one visitor describing it as a ‘hiker’s paradise’.
