The Top 10 Island Destinations for 2025, From Aruba to Sardinia

Depending on your goal for a getaway, there is an island that is right for you.

Aruba can't be beat for endless beach walks, some diverse beaches with rock formations, and wind- and kite-surfing. Dreamstime/TNS

By John Metcalfe The Mercury News

The golden sand, the waving palms and hopefully a tropical drink with way too many fruits and liquors in it—it’s hard to beat an island vacation.

But with several hundred thousand islands in the world, where should you go? The travel-technology company Expedia has some suggestions in its new “Island Hot List” for 2025.

Using travelers’ criteria on affordable prices, good flight access, standout accommodations, and tourism appeal, the company chose 10 island escapes worth your time and money. It also provided the strongest argument for each destination. Aruba ranks best for unbeatable sunny weather, for instance, and the Dominican Republic ranks highly for adventure potential.

Writes Expedia: “These destinations go beyond the postcard—embracing sustainability, authenticity, and cultural richness.”

The Dominican Republic was rated high for its opportunities for adventure. Dreamstime/TNS

The Expedia Island Hot List 2025

1. Aruba: best for year-round sunshine
2. Bali, Indonesia: best for relaxation
3. Dominican Republic: best for adventure
4. Fiji: best for community
5. Jamaica: best for culture
6. Koh Samui, Thailand: best for affordable luxury
7. Maldives: best for romance
8. Oahu, Hawaii: best for surfing
9. Paros, Greece: best for nightlife
10. Sardinia, Italy: best for food lovers

Source: www.expedia.com/see/islandhotlist

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