Exotic Vacations

27 Island Photos That Will Make You Want to Travel

By Cami Miller

Updated: September 9, 2014

Even if you’ve been everywhere on the continent, these dreamy locales (aka your new bucket list) will inspire serious wanderlust.

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Dominican Republic

Every week, about 50,000 people visit Punta Cana, the DR’s all-inclusive hub. Sanctuary Cap Cana stands out because it’s removed from the others. Zach Stovall

Motu Teta, Tahiti

If this doesn’t make you want to pack your bags, we don’t know what will. Jon Whittle

Grenadines

By boat is the only way to reach Chatham Bay, an epic snorkeling spot that stretches along the west coast of Union Island. Jon Whittle

Seychelles

On Mahe Island (the largest among the Seychelles), views like this one at the Constance Ephelia Resort are among the best in the Indian Ocean. Jon Whittle

Kauai

The Na Pali flyover never gets old, even for locals who say views of the 17-mile-long coast and 3,000-foot cliffs still bring them to tears. Jon Whittle

Zanzibar

The hotel is the Blue Oyster in Jambiani, but what stands out here is the octopus curry… and yeah, that view. Zach Stovall

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Check out the space at this private island resort: six beaches, 1,800 acres and just 52 rooms. Jon Whittle

New Zealand

Behind those rocks is an actual working farm called Mount Nicholas Station. Stay overnight, then take the sheep-shearing class in the morning. Zach Stovall

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The rice terraces around Sidemen Valley are dug by hand. Each small rice stalk is parted the same way — by hand. Zach Stovall

Greece

Aboard [Southern Cross Timer](http://www.southerncrossbluecruising.com/) is the idle way to see the Greek Isles. Here in Kalymnos, spotting a sponge diver is likely. Jon Whittle

Oahu

The Byodo-In Temple, featured as a stand-in for Korea in the TV series Lost, was buil to honor the 100-year anniversary of the Japanese immigrants to Hawaii. Lori Barbely

Tasmania

Claiming to have the world’s freshest air, this island off Southern Australia has a rugged coast that’s a magnet for whales from October to December. Jon Whittle

Panama

On the mainland and on its islands, Panama is thought to have more bird species than the U.S. and Canada combined. Jon Whittle

Tahiti

Bora Bora’s first overwater bungalows were built in the early 1970s. Overwater bungalows are still the no. 1 reason people travel to Tahiti. Jon Whittle

Fiji

Is it any wonder that Fijians are considered the most contented people in the world? Jon Whittle

St. Lucia

The towering Pitons flank the private hillside villas at Sugar Beach. Zach Stovall

Langford Island, Australia

The sands of the Whitsunday Islands are often hailed as the cleanest and squeakiest on the planet. Jon Whittle

Tahiti

Tahiti’s first overwater bungalows were built in 1968. They are now the ultimate South Pacific escape. Jon Whittle

New Caledonia

Of the 100,000 annual visitors to New Caledonia, only 12,000 make it out to the archipelago’s Loyalty Islands. Jon Whittle

Maine

The Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse on Mount Desert Island is a photographer’s dream. It’s also home to a family. Jon Whittle

Panama

The 16 islands in the Islas Secas archipelago remain as pure as the snorkleing haven around them. Jon Whittle

Hawaii

Mist emerges from lava rock at Pu’uhonua o Honaunau National Park on the always active Big Island. Jon Whittle

Sicily

Castello di Venere takes in the last glimpse of daylight high above the Province of Trapani. Jon Whittle

Seychelles

The island of La Digue is best known for gigantic boulders on the beach and enormous tortoises in the bush. Jon Whittle

Jamaica

A daybed at the Geejam Hotel straddles the foothills of the Blue Mountains and the Caribbean Sea. Zach Stovall

Kauai, Hawaii

The Na Pali coast is named for the “high cliffs” that keep the beach almost inaccessible. Jon Whittle

Belize

This hut serves as a real-estate office in the only Central American country where English is the official language. Jon Whittle

More: Africa, Australia, Bali, Belize, British Virgin Islands, Dominican Republic, Exotic Vacations, Fiji, Greece, Italy, Jamaica, Kauai, New Zealand, Oahu, Panama, Seychelles, St. Lucia, St. Vincent And The Grenadines, Tahiti, Tasmania, United States, Zanzibar

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27 Island Photos That Will Make You Want to Travel

Dominican Republic

Motu Teta, Tahiti

Grenadines

Seychelles

Kauai

Zanzibar

New Zealand

Greece

Oahu

Tasmania

Panama

Tahiti

Fiji

St. Lucia

Langford Island, Australia

Tahiti

New Caledonia

Maine

Panama

Hawaii

Sicily

Seychelles

Jamaica

Kauai, Hawaii

Belize

Email Newsletters and Special Offers

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