If you don’t want to join a tour group to explore cultural sights, nor do you want to deal with the effort and unpredictability of independent travel, then head to an island for your vacation instead. Island scenery always makes people itch to go, dreaming of flying there immediately to enjoy the beach, sunshine, and bikinis. Islands that are great for travel all year round also offer a wide variety of water activities, such as diving, whale shark watching, sailing, and coral viewing. So, where are these stunning islands around the world that you can visit? Let’s take a look with the travel experts (sun protection tips included at the end)!
| Islands | Best Travel Seasons |
| Guam | March to June |
| Palau | March to June |
| Boracay | December, January to May for the western part
June to November for the eastern part |
| Cebu | December to May of the following year |
| Sabah | Suitable all year round |
| Bali | April to October |
| Okinawa (Ryukyu) and Ishigaki Island | July to September |
| Koh Samui | February to August |
| Phuket | November to April of the following year |
| Palawan | December to February of the following year |
Guam
Guam, which belongs to the United States, is a tropical island located in the Pacific Ocean. Its climate is quite hot all year round with abundant sunshine, making it perfect for vacationing. In Guam, you’ll find coconut trees everywhere, feel the gentle sea breeze, touch the fine sandy beaches, and see a rich variety of marine life. The island’s enchanting scenery not only attracts tourists from around the globe for vacations but also draws many couples who choose to hold romantic weddings here. It’s truly a place that makes you naturally slow down your pace.
Travel Season
As mentioned earlier, Guam has a hot climate year-round and is also known as the Island of Eternal Spring. It is mainly divided into a dry season and a rainy season: the dry season runs from November to May, and the rainy season from June to October. Therefore, if you're planning to visit Guam, the best time to go is between March and June—when the climate is cool, there are no typhoons, and it's an absolutely fantastic time to visit!
Palau
Palau is a truly beautiful place. It’s no exaggeration—no matter where you point your camera, you’ll capture stunning scenes. The air here is clean, the water crystal clear, and even the locals are very friendly. There’s little need to worry about safety, making it a blissful paradise with a high happiness index—basically heaven on Earth. Palau’s Rock Islands were selected as a UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage site in 2012, drawing attention for both their natural ecology and historical culture. Palau has a tropical maritime climate with intense sunshine, so bring plenty of sunscreen and sun-protective clothing. Showers can occur suddenly, so make sure to pack an umbrella or a light raincoat. If you’re prone to seasickness, don’t forget seasickness medication too.
Travel Season
Day and night temperatures in Palau can differ by nearly 10 degrees, so it’s recommended to wear short sleeves with a light jacket. From November to March, the dry season is influenced by the northeast monsoon, while the rainy season from June to October is affected by the southwest monsoon. Finally, the period from March to June is less impacted by extreme weather and falls within Palau’s dry season. If you want to visit Palau, this time is highly recommended—it’s also the off-peak season with more affordable prices!
Boracay
When it comes to island getaways, many people’s minds immediately jump to Boracay. Located in the northwestern sea of Panay, the sixth-largest island in the Philippines, Boracay is long and narrow, resembling a bone, stretching only about 7 kilometers in length and just around 1 kilometer at its narrowest central point. However, what makes Boracay a popular resort destination is its long, fine white sandy beach formed from crushed coral reefs, stretching from south to north. The powdery soft and dazzling white sand of Boracay has earned it a spot on multiple magazine lists as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.
Travel Season
Water activities can be enjoyed year-round in Boracay, though adjustments may be needed depending on wind direction. From December to May (the dry season), the easterly winds blow, leaving the western white-sand beaches sheltered, calm, and wave-free. From June to November (the rainy season), the southwest monsoon brings more wind and waves, making the eastern beaches a better choice.
Emergency Environmental Issues
Boracay has long been a renowned holiday destination, but in recent years, excessive development has led to numerous environmental problems, such as the discharge of untreated wastewater into the sea. The Philippine government has considered closing Boracay for up to a year to improve the environment. This would involve cutting off the island’s water supply and halting tourism activities to carry out drainage improvements and clean-up projects. This not only caused distress among businesses but also made many tourists quite nervous. However, after discussions, the Philippine government recently shortened the closure period to six months (from April 26, 2018, to October 26, 2018).
Although it has now reopened, visitor numbers are limited to a maximum of 19,000 per day. To support sustainable tourism, tourists are also prohibited from smoking or drinking alcohol on the beaches. When you visit Boracay, be sure to be the best kind of traveler, helping to preserve these beautiful landscapes for generations to come!
Cebu
Cebu in the Philippines is an island that served as a trading hub for Asian merchants long before it became the gateway from the West to the East. With its unique geography of sea, valleys, and mountains, Cebu is surrounded by 166 nearby islands, all embraced by crystal-clear waters and blessed with soft, comfortable sandy beaches. The marine life here is incredibly rich, making it a great spot for diving. As the second-largest city in the Philippines, Cebu is the political, economic, educational, and cultural center of the Visayas region. It offers a wide range of accommodation—from the most luxurious resorts to budget-friendly inns. Shopping malls, entertainment centers, casinos, and golf courses provide diverse experiences to meet the needs of various travelers.
NearbyBohol Island and Caohagan Island are also highly recommended. You can plan an island-hopping trip around Cebu.
Travel Season
Cebu has a tropical maritime climate, staying summer-like all year round with only a dry season and a rainy season. The dry season, from December to May, features relatively dry weather and temperatures as high as 37°C. The rainy season, from June to November, brings typhoons and frequent afternoon thunderstorms, with slightly cooler temperatures ranging from 24°C to 30°C.
Sabah
The next island we’ll introduce is Sabah in Malaysia. Known as the “Land Below the Wind,” Sabah retains much of its pristine rainforest beyond its capital, Kota Kinabalu. Sabah boasts a rich diversity of ethnic cultures, and its most grand celebration—the Ka’amatan Harvest Festival—is held by the largest indigenous group, the Kadazan-Dusun, to give thanks for the harvest and offer prayers to the rice spirit. Sabah is listed as a global wildlife sanctuary, and Kinabalu National Park is Malaysia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, home to a variety of rare plants and flowers—highly recommended for adventurous hikers. In addition, you can visit Turtle Islands Park and the Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre to get up close with wildlife. Lastly, a must-see is the sunset at Tanjung Aru Beach, ranked among the top three most beautiful sunsets in the world. You simply must witness this breathtaking sight in your lifetime!
Travel Season
Sabah is quite unique. Being near the equator, it has a tropical rainforest maritime climate with little seasonal variation and small temperature differences. The average temperature is around 20°C, making it a great destination to visit any time of the year.
Bali
Bali, an Indonesian island, is the most radiant among Indonesia’s 17,654 islands. A volcanic mountain range stretches from east to west across the northern part of the island, with Mount Agung being the highest and renowned as the most majestic peak. Other volcanoes, such as Mount Batur and Mount Batukau, are currently dormant but occasionally rumble and emit plumes of white smoke from their summits—an extraordinary natural spectacle. The locals hold Mount Agung in high reverence, considering it the closest place to heaven.
Bali is a vacation paradise that combines sunshine, beaches, cultural traditions, natural scenery, nightlife, and spa treatments. Friends who love sunny beaches can take a boat out to the island—diving and snorkeling are highly recommended, or you can go surfing and enjoy sunbathing at sea. At other times, it’s also suggested to visit local temples and museums to learn about how religion influences the residents, or explore the active volcanoes. When night falls, stay in the Kuta area for some wild fun—there are plenty of nightclubs and bars that will definitely keep you entertained to your heart's content~
Travel Seasons
Bali enjoys summer year-round with a tropical island climate, so the weather is divided into only two seasons: dry season (from April to October each year) and rainy season (from November to March of the following year).
Okinawa and Ishigaki Islands
Okinawa refers to a group of 151 islands centered around the Okinawa Archipelago, about 40 of which are inhabited. It boasts beautiful islands, coral reefs, and beaches, and is hailed as a mecca for vacations and diving. Okinawa is divided into the northern, central, and southern parts of the main island, plus the outlying islands—with each area offering unique scenery and culture. The best part of visiting Okinawa is exploring its many islands—you can easily drive or bike around them. Popular choices include Miyako Island and Ishigaki Island. On Miyako Island, be sure to see the arch-shaped rocks on Sunayama Beach, while on Ishigaki Island, don’t miss the Ishigaki Public Market and a variety of local dishes.
Travel Seasons
The average annual temperature is around 23°C, even reaching about 20°C in winter. The rainy season falls between April and June, while July to September is usually sunny and hot due to the influence of the subtropical high-pressure ridge in the western Pacific. August to October are the months with more typhoons.
Koh Samui
Thailand’s Koh Samui is the country’s third-largest island, belonging to Surat Thani Province, and is roughly the same size as Penang in Malaysia. Koh Samui is a laid-back holiday destination where you’ll find gleaming white beaches, clear and warm seas, and plenty of opportunities to soak up the sun, sand, and blue skies—it truly lives up to the description of a paradise.
A 3 to 4-day trip is ideal for Koh Samui. In addition to enjoying water activities on the beautiful beaches, you can also take boats to nearby islands such as Koh Tao, Koh Phangan, or Ang Thong Marine National Park. Heading inland, you can ride elephants, watch monkey shows, and more. The most popular diving spot is Koh Tao, which boasts rich marine life including barracudas, groupers, hawksbill turtles, and occasionally gentle whale sharks, along with stunning soft corals. The island has affordable prices and fresh seafood and fruits, making it no wonder it’s a top choice for island holidays among netizens.
Travel Seasons
The summer season on Koh Samui runs from February to August and is also the best time to visit, while the rainy season is concentrated from September to January.
Phuket
In addition to Koh Samui, Thailand’s southern region is home to Phuket, the country’s largest island, surrounded by the warm waters of the Andaman Sea. It features beautiful beaches, oddly shaped islets, limestone caves, and other natural landscapes. With crystal-clear waters and rich marine ecosystems, it’s also known as a tropical paradise. Many also call Phuket the “Pearl of Thailand” due to its long history of tin mining over 500 years, which brought considerable wealth. Aside from tin mining, the island’s residents mostly grow rubber, coconuts, rice, and fruits, and also rely on fishing for their livelihood.
Travel Seasons
The peak tourist season in Phuket is from November to April of the following year, when the weather is good, the sea is calm, and rainfall is less frequent. May to October is the low season, with more typhoons and rain—especially May, which is highly not recommended. Although there are fewer tourists, the sea is dirty, and speedboats aren’t available, making for an unpleasant experience.
Palawan
The Palawan Archipelago in the Philippines is known as the last virgin paradise on Earth. With a low population density, the natural environment remains exceptionally pristine. Its breathtaking scenery resembles a fairyland. Over 56% of Palawan is covered by primary forests and 3.35% by mangroves. It was designated as a fish and wildlife sanctuary in 1967. In Palawan, you can discover one-of-a-kind species and explore the famous underground caves and rivers. Take a boat deep into the 8-kilometer Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, where the spectacular stalactites on both sides are truly awe-inspiring. In 2007, it was voted Asia’s most beautiful beach by Condé Nast Traveler magazine, and in 2011, National Geographic listed it as one of the ‘20 Best Travel Destinations in the World.’
Travel Seasons
The rainy season is from June to September, and the best time to visit is from December to January or February of the following year.
Say goodbye to sunburns with this travel sunscreen guide
Mind your seafood intake!
Although seafood is a delicacy~(we get it, seriously!)—in island regions with high temperatures and strong sunlight, seafood is relatively prone to spoilage and being less fresh. So, when eating seafood, be extra careful. Cleanliness, freshness, and whether it’s properly cooked are all very important. It’s also recommended to pair your seafood with vinegar, ginger, garlic, or other ingredients that have antibacterial effects to avoid getting sick and ruining your wonderful trip.
Stay hydrated
On the islands, besides prolonged sun exposure, your daily activity level is also quite high. If you don’t drink enough water diligently, you could easily suffer from heatstroke. If you do get heatstroke, remember to rest in the shade and rehydrate—don’t rush into an air-conditioned room right away.
Pack appropriate clothing and footwear
Although lightweight and breathable clothing is essential for island getaways, don’t forget to pack a thin long-sleeve shirt. Airports and hotels often have very strong air conditioning, and coastal weather can be unpredictable—having an extra layer on hand will help you avoid catching a chill. Since you’ll be walking around a lot, it’s recommended to bring a pair of water-resistant, comfortable flat shoes, plus a pair of cozy sandals for water activities. If you plan to go snorkeling, bring your own snorkeling mask (local ones may vary in quality). But all of the above are just suggestions—please assess based on your own luggage space and weight limits!
A small waterproof pouch
When traveling to an island, always be ready to head to the beach. For safety, it’s advisable to carry a small waterproof pouch to store towels, spare clothes, motion sickness medication, your phone, wallet, and other valuables. Also, remember to stay hydrated—drinking water regularly under the strong sun is better for your health!
Swim at the right time and place
When playing in the water, please avoid swimming in non-designated areas, as these zones may have hidden reefs, whirlpools, seaweed, or unstable water conditions. Never enter the water carelessly to avoid accidents. Additionally, avoid swimming right before or after meals—low blood sugar from an empty stomach can cause discomfort or indigestion. It’s best to wait about an hour after eating or before swimming!
Apply sunscreen properly ~ protect your skin
Anyone who’s had a sunburn knows it’s pure agony (!seriously!). With direct sunlight and the reflection off the water, it’s easy to get burned and tanned if you’re not careful—so sunscreen is absolutely crucial. The SPF on sunscreen protects against sunburn, while PA protects against tanning and skin aging. Reapplying sunscreen at regular intervals helps prevent burns. Also, try to choose ocean-friendly sunscreen to avoid harming marine ecosystems.