Top 15 Islands To Travel To In August
Islands hold a special place in the hearts of travelers as destinations that represent an escape due to their physical separation from other land masses. August is a great month to make a trip to an island. It's a time when many kids in the U.S. are out of school, and families often plan vacations during that break. Some islands supply fabulous weather or have special events going on during this period, whether a culinary celebration or music festival.
August is a popular month to travel in general. According to data from the U.S. National Travel and Tourism Office, nearly 6 million international visitors came to the United States in August 2022, and more than 7.5 million American tourists left the country in the same month. For those eager to get in on the action, we've used a variety of sources, including our personal travels, to put together a range of experiences to discover across islands in August.
Barbados
The easternmost island in the Caribbean, Barbados, is a place of coral with great diving, snorkeling, music, and nightlife. It's also where rum was invented. Since it's a Caribbean island safe from hurricanes, Barbados makes for a viable destination year-round. But August stands out because Crop Over ramps up then, an annual event that marks the end of the sugar cane season and dates back to the 1600s. The celebration lasts about a month and has become what some consider the Bajan equivalent of carnival. It features parties, performances, music, and a final week of revelry, usually in early August, playfully known as the Last Lap.
All the energy culminates in the final event, Grand Kadooment Day, held on the first Monday of August. The capital of Barbados, Bridgetown, explodes with color as masquerade bands wind through the city's streets, and the infectious, unflagging vigor of participants dressed in sequined, feathered outfits spreads in all directions. The island has a wide range of accommodations to use as a base for enjoying the festivities, and beach lovers should lodge near Bridgetown. The well-reviewed Radisson Aquatica Resort Barbados is close to the action. For a local culinary fave, head about 30 minutes down the road to the village of Oistins for the Friday night fish fry.
Curaçao
The Dutch Caribbean island of Curaçao has earned a reputation for its stunning beaches. It sits outside the hurricane zone, closer to South America than any other major landmass, with direct flights from a few U.S. cities to the island. It also hosts a huge music festival with many global names appearing on stage. Known as the Curaçao North Sea Jazz Festival, the production occurs over the last three days of August. Past performers have included John Legend and George Benson.
The shows take place across three stages at the World Trade Center Curaçao, at the edge of the capital Willemstad. Outside the festival, there is much to keep visitors excited, from restaurants that every foodie will want to try to pink flamingos and a broad selection of sandy retreats. For a luxe stay at a romantic resort with a private plunge pool, check in to Baoase Luxury Resort.
Honshu
While fireworks are undeniably bad for the environment, they have a hypnotic hold on people. Whether it's their sudden blasts of sound, loud enough to make observers jump, or the bright plumes of color against the night sky that appear like jewels on an inky sea, they somehow put even adults in a child-like trance. But if you think you've seen a fireworks display, like those on July 4, that can't be bested, think again. On Honshu, Japan's main island, the Nagaoka Fireworks Festival Show puts other fireworks extravaganzas to shame. The reviews on Tripadvisor are glowing; excuse the pun. Held over a couple of days at the beginning of August, the show features 20,000 fireworks blasted into the ether.
The event can be traced back to post-World War II when the Japanese sought to heal from the ravages of the past and look forward. These days, vast bursts of light flash above the city, which sits a few hours northwest of Tokyo by road. One set is playfully named Niagara Falls for its curtain of explosions that seem to flow down like a cascade. The Hotel New Otani Nagaoka is part of a well-established Japanese hotel chain with clean, comfortable rooms and is a dependable choice for your stay during the festival.
Iceland
Summer in Iceland means long days and pleasant weather. Visitors can enjoy more than 17 hours of sunlight in August, which allows for plenty of time outdoors. That's good for fans of berries since August typically marks the beginning of the berry-picking season. Spending hours outside at this time of year to pluck berries, or "berjamór" in Icelandic, is a beloved experience for many locals, with varieties like blueberry, bog bilberry, and stone bramble sought out.
Perhaps the most special day of the month falls in late August when the capital, Reykjavik, comes alive with celebrations. Known as Culture Night, it's a day-and-night event running from early afternoon through evening. The city springs to life during those hours, with museums, theaters, and performance spaces staging special events. One commentator on Tripadvisor called it a fun and festive time.
People even open their homes to serve coffee and waffles to the public during Culture Night. There is a sense of community and a shared bond between locals and tourists. Would you like a chic hotel with striking artwork and sleek rooms with heated oak floors to act as your home base during the festivities? Check out 101 Hotel Reykjavik.
Key West
Key West, a Florida island that has long attracted dreamers, revelers, families, and the inquisitive, is the southernmost point on the United States mainland. The island attracts visitors year-round, but in August, it holds a particular appeal to rum lovers. Rum Fest Key West celebrates this strong spirit through a variety of events spread over five days in the middle of the month. The celebration kicks off with a sunset sail on a catamaran, followed by a poolside party at a hotel.
Other highlights of Rum Fest include a cocktail party at a sandbar, a dinner with rum pairings, live music, and seminars covering the drink's finer points. Tasting sessions will sate participants eager to tickle their palates with various rums. The Perry Hotel & Marina sits at the heart of the festival — it's where the pool party takes place — and has polished rooms and a great island feel, with views over packs of boats.
Lewis and Harris
A nation not known for its sultry climates, Scotland does have hundreds of islands, many with gorgeous, clear blue seas ringing them. Among them is the island of Lewis and Harris, part of the Outer Hebrides chain. August promises excellent weather, and while it will never feel tropical (on a map, Lewis and Harris sits at about the same latitude as central Canada), it will undoubtedly be pleasant. In August, the wildlife viewing reaches its zenith, with seals and sea birds visible in large numbers. Visitors who take a boat ride around the island might even see dolphins and whales at this time of year.
While the weather can be unpredictable, with buffeting winds possible, the general conditions and sight of wildflowers make it the best month to visit. There's lots to explore, from seaside cliffs and incredible sea stacks to ancient castles and stone circles. Locally made toiletries, Scottish food, and cozy rooms at Hotel Hebrides will round out your stay.
New Guinea
This island at the eastern end of Indonesia is home to the country of Papua New Guinea and the Indonesian provinces of Papua and West Papua. In rugged, mountainous West Papua, which sits due north of the Australian city of Darwin, the eye-opening Baliem Valley Festival takes place each August, and it is a truly incredible spectacle.
During the event, locals stage mock wars while wearing full tribal regalia, with body and face paint, ornate headdresses, and rudimentary bows and arrows, all part of the experience. Many different tribes take part, like the Yali, Dani, and Lani, each with its own beliefs and customs, some of which have little connection to the modern world. More than 1,000 tribe members amass each year, firing spears and arrows at one another in the same manner as might have happened centuries ago.
Alongside the otherworldly action, expect to hear the calming music of the Pikon, an instrument constructed of bark, dances, and pig races. In the region, Baliem Valley Resort has spacious bungalows and a chic rustic dining space, and you can arrange trips to see all the action.
Penang
The Southeast Asian nation of Malaysia encompasses hundreds of islands, including Sipadan, which boasts one of the best island reefs in the world. The island of Penang might not be a big snorkeling or diving destination, but it does have a buzzing street food scene, praised by celebrity chef Martin Yan, and a sizable Chinese population. That's why, generally, in August (the lunar calendar governs the exact dates), visitors will witness the Chinese event of Phor Thor, or the Hungry Ghost Festival, around the island of Penang.
Also known as Yu Lan, this annual homage to the dead marks the time when spirits are allowed back on Earth for a month, and living descendants will offer food, prayers, and burn ceremonial papers for the souls of their ancestors. There are performances around Penang, like opera or dance, where rows of seats are left empty so the spirits have a place to enjoy the entertainment. The island is hot and sticky this month, and rain is frequent. A cool property with a storied past to stay at during your visit is the Eastern & Oriental Hotel.
Rarotonga
The Cook Islands are sprinkled across the South Pacific and embody what a tropical paradise should look like. You'll find striking beaches with sand as soft as confectioner's sugar, skinny palm trees along the shore whose leaves crackle together in the gentle breeze, and verdant interiors that contrast beautifully with the clear turquoise seas. August is the month that sits slap bang in the middle of the dry season, and with sunny days touching the high 70s and minimal rain, visitors can expect to enjoy the outdoors without fear of uncooperative skies.
This month is also when cultural events unfold to mark the independence of the nation, which happened on August 4, 1965. Known collectively as Te Maeva Nui, the week of celebrations includes dance performances, craft shows, musical get-togethers, and lots of opportunities to sample local food. The action takes place in Rarotonga, the main island in the archipelago and home to the capital, Avarua. It's a small isle that you could drive around in less than an hour, with buildings lower than a palm tree and a laid-back rhythm of life. Rarotonga has plenty of places to stay, and among the top-rated ones is Ikurangi Eco Resort, where glamping brings the outdoors in.
Saint Lucia
The Caribbean island of Saint Lucia has many things to do, and it is perhaps most famous for its two towering peaks, the Pitons. It also has a deep connection to chocolate. Cocoa has been grown on the island for centuries, and today, it has embedded itself into many facets of the hospitality industry. It's celebrated during the annual Chocolate Heritage Month, which runs in August, during which farms, restaurants, resorts, and purveyors hold special events, packages, promotions, and tours.
Visitors can sign up for a plantation tour at spots like Morne Coubaril Estate to get a sense of the industry in Saint Lucia, which began exporting cocoa beans to Europe as far back as the 1700s. Resorts also offer chocolate treatments, from scrubs to facials, that are great for the skin and smell good enough to eat. To get into the spirit of proceedings, book a room at Jade Mountain, which has accommodations with private plunge pools that look onto the Pitons and its own chocolate farm and laboratory.
Sicily
August in Sicily can be sweltering, with hot, tight days, though nights can feel cool and crisp. It's a great time to visit the island, see the ancient buildings, or head to one of the many beaches. This month is also a savvy time to head to the city of Cefalù on the north coast. During August, the Festival of San Salvatore is a smorgasbord of events, processions, and feasts. The festival aims to honor the town's patron saint, San Salvatore, which some believe also refers to Jesus Christ. The heart of proceedings is the cathedral, or "Duomo," part of a Unesco World Heritage site.
What to expect here? Crowds, of course, are a given, but they come for specific events. The huge procession is the crowning glory, but travelers can also enjoy live music, lots of food served at street stalls, fireworks displays, and a unique event called "ntinna a mari," which means sea antenna. Adventurers must walk along a pole over the water to pluck a flag fluttering on its end; many entrants end up in the water below. The Ossuna Bay Hotel Boutique has fine views of the Mediterranean Sea and is within walking distance from the Duomo.
Singapore
A small city-nation just above the Equator, Singapore is a place of blinding efficiency and home to an airport with few rivals, repeatedly winning awards as the best airport in the world from Skytrax. August is a special month for Singaporeans, when the island marks its independence on August 9. It's a day of parades, aeronautic flyovers, and a huge fireworks display that lights up the night sky. But there is another special event this month when the city is set ablaze in color: the Singapore Night Festival.
Running for two weeks, usually toward the end of the month and sometimes spilling over into September, the festival sees buildings mostly around the arts district of Bras Basah Bugis illuminated each evening. Sometimes, they are bathed in bands of light, but they can also feature moving images projected onto facades or streetscapes that become kinetic installations. Musical performances and great food round out the festival. Raffles Singapore, one of the most famous hotels in the world, sits within walking distance of it all.
South Island
The islands of New Zealand are frequently lauded for their majestic scenery, from jagged mountains with snowy peaks to long stretches of beach with clear blue seas. And yet, in August, the middle of winter in New Zealand, the star attraction is what's going on indoors. Visitors can get a handle on the local and international film scene at the annual New Zealand International Film Festival.
Held in four cities across New Zealand's two main islands — the North Island and the South Island — and running throughout the entire month, the festival screens international content, but the focus is firmly on local talent. There are two competitions for short films, one for New Zealand's best short and the other for shorts concerning Maori culture. Base yourself in the largest city in South Island, Christchurch, which is also one of the destinations for the event. It's a charming spot with architecture that recalls buildings from the United Kingdom, and it is where you can find the dramatic Observatory Hotel.
Sri Lanka
The teardrop-shaped island at the bottom of India, Sri Lanka, has much to offer travelers. Enjoy everything from religious sites to colonial buildings, adventure tourism to trips around tea plantations, and even a gorgeous tented lodge worth booking a stay at. During August, which sits in the monsoon season, tourists can expect hot, humid days and some periods of relentless rain. They can also look forward to Kandy Esala Perahera, which takes place in the central city of Kandy. A commenter from the city shared on Reddit that it offers the chance to see the whole country's cultural events in one place.
A 10-day bonanza of Buddhist celebrations and grand processions, Kandy Esala Peraher is a riot of color and sound. The event dates back centuries and involves the ritual of cleaning the room where the sacred tooth of Buddha is displayed. The tooth is a main attraction for processions in the streets for five days, seen as a way to banish evil. Devotees dressed in religious garb, fire dancers, and elephants draped in red coverings also wind their way down the streets. A few miles from the city's heart, Kandy House is a beautiful country refuge to use as a home base for your visit.
Vancouver Island
A long, broad island across from the Canadian city of Vancouver, Vancouver Island is a realm of fabulous nature. It's worth visiting any time of year, but it shines in the summer. August, in particular, is a month of warm days, cool nights, and orca whales in the waters offshore. The island also has something special for blues music lovers this month: the Nanaimo Blues Festival.
Held in the city that gives the event its name, the festival brings together performers from around the world for four days of moving, soul-filled music. The event occurs at Maffeo Sutton Park, right by the water, where the audience can enjoy wistful tunes and views of the sea and harbor. Prior lineups have included greats such as Thornetta Davis and Anthony Geraci. If you favor convenience for your accommodation, travelers can walk to the shows from the Best Western Dorchester Hotel.
Methodology
We scoured official tourism and trade travel sites, reviewed behemoths like Tripadvisor, and used firsthand knowledge to bring you a range of island experiences to try out in August. For some locations, this time of year represents winter, while for others, it's one of the hottest months in the calendar. Either way, there is plenty to keep visitors happy and entertained. We also ensured a good geographical spread, listing islands all over the planet for travelers to choose from.