An island getaway is the epitome of a relaxing holiday. There is nothing better than spending a few days in the sun, just watching the sea, occasionally getting up to collect another cocktail or go for a refreshing dip in the azure waters. But no matter how relaxing, all that gets a bit boring after a while. That’s why the best island destinations combine amazing water-based activities, like snorkelling, scuba diving and sailing, with great inland adventures where you can discover ancient volcanoes, go hiking or mountain biking, or even enjoy quad biking, paragliding or ziplining.
Here are some of those island destinations that have it all:
Mauritius
The result of a volcanic eruption some eight million years ago, Mauritius is a tropical haven with forested mountains surrounded by white sandy beaches. The coastline is dotted with fantastic hotels, complete with top-notch spas, gourmet dining, and plenty of activities to enjoy on the water. However, venture inland and you’ll find an untouched natural paradise where you can enjoy an abundance of nature as you hike, quad bike, abseiling or even go skydiving. On these adventures you may be lucky enough to a rare bird or wild boar as you venture in search of waterfalls and eye-popping views from mountaintops.
Fuerteventura
The second largest island in the Canary Islands, Fuerteventura offers modern facilities, without being overly touristy. The island offers a range of stunning topography. The east coast offers a range of good beaches, perfect for lazy days with the family, while the west coast is a bit rockier and exposed to the Atlantic swell, perfect for surfing and windsurfing. Corralejo is the main tourist part of the island and can be found in the north of the island. The beach here is surrounded by a beautiful nature reserve where you can enjoy some easy walks and hikes. The desert like interior of the island also offers a stark natural beauty that is well worth exploring.
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic offers a good value Caribbean holiday with a great fun Latin vibe that will keep you smiling the entire time. This is a fantastic year-round destination with guaranteed sun! This all-round holiday destination offers an amazing array of water sports, clear water and long sandy beaches on the coat. However, as the most mountainous island in the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic also offers an endless array of land-based activities and beautiful excursions, including hiking and mountain biking to cascading waterfalls. The island is full of natural beauty and is very unspoilt, so it’s a great spot for those who want to enjoy the beauty of the Caribbean without the crowds.
Maui
The second-largest Hawaiian island and one of the most well-known, Maui is the ideal blend of mountains and sea. Maui is a fantastic holiday destination for the entire family due to the huge range of activities available. Here you can enjoy everything from smartphone gaming on the beach or by the pool, to windsurfing, kitesurfing, SUP, and surfing, each at world class standard. Inland, Maui is a picturesque place, featured a thousand times on magazine covers.
