Owning an island is the pipe dream of billionaires. Once you’ve bought all the conventional things that money can buy, owning a remote island hideaway is the last ‘power purchase’ somebody can make. Anyone who owns an island of their own has the unequivocal right to be able to point at themselves and say, “I’m a big deal.” If you ever wanted to get a sense of how the rich and powerful really live, just check out their little slices of paradise.
Sadly, for the overwhelming majority of us, taking ownership of an island is something that will never happen. The closest we’ll ever get to having enough cash to buy an island is winning the jackpot on the ‘Lost Island’ mobile slots game. Even if we could hit the jackpot a hundred times in a row on that UK mobile slots, we’d still be well short of the money required to make such a purchase. That is unless you’re the sort of mobile slots player who bets thousands of dollars on every spin – but such people are few and far between!
Even though we may never be able to make an island home for ourselves, we can still visit them on vacation and spend at least a few days basking in a luxury lifestyle, far removed from the concerns of everyday life. If that sounds like a great idea to you, here are some paradise islands you might want to consider visiting.
Bora Bora
Trip Advisor reviews aren’t always accurate, but they can usually give you a broad idea of how great (or not-so-great) a destination is to visit. Bora Bora’s Trip Advisor page is packed full of reviews which call it the most beautiful place on earth. The people who’ve showered it with such praise might have a point. With its distinctive sombrero shape, Bora Bora is a volcanic island that has been used multiple times in movies when an idyllic location is required. Here, you get a perfect combination of French cuisine and unbeatable scenery, which blend together to create an atmosphere unlike anything else on the planet. Many visitors say the greatest feature it possesses is its lagoon, where rays and brightly-colored turtles swim in perfectly blue water. Just keep an eye out for shark, and you’ll be fine.
Palawan
Looking at pictures of Palawan, it’s almost hard to accept that the island is real. It seems like something from a fairy tale or a fictional location created by cutting-edge special effects. Palawan is a sparkling gem in the Philippines, with waters so clear that you can almost see all the way to the bottom. It’s remained almost completely unspoiled by human hands. The cave system on the island is especially popular with tourists, featuring an underground river that stretches on for miles, surrounded on all sides by limestone. This is one of the most popular and diving and snorkeling destinations on the planet; so much so that the fish are accustomed to human visitors, and will quite happily go about their business close to the coral reefs while you watch.
The Cook Islands
Situated in the South Pacific, the Cook Islands so closely resemble the desert island that Robinson Crusoe found himself washed up on that people suspect they may have been the inspiration for the tale. You’ll feel a little like a castaway on some of the beaches here, but they’re so flawless that you won’t care. This is a place where you feel you could happily spend a lifetime walking in the sand and fishing in the sea. You’d never have to worry about another email or business conference for the rest of your days. The volcanic peaks of the Cook Islands make for dramatic scenery, and the friendly locals can’t do enough to make your visit as wonderful as possible. There are many small tourist resorts dotted around the islands, and you can take a kayak between them to get the full islander experience. You could even live out your castaway fantasy in an authentic style by hiring yourself a ramshackle shack on the beach for the duration of your stay.
The Dalmatian Islands
We don’t often think of Europe as the place to go for incredible islands, but that’s only because very few people know about the Dalmatian Islands off Croatia’s coast. That’s a good thing though – if they were better known, they’d be more crowded, and that would spoil some of the fun! Each of this network of islands has its own character and charm, from Zlatni Rat’s incredible beach to the coves of the Pakleni Islands. There’s also a great deal of history here; almost as if time hasn’t passed on some of the islands since the dawn of the 20th century. Hvar, in particular, feels like a portal into the past; stunning Gothic churches are everywhere, and cars are banned in the old town. If modern life is becoming too noisy and hectic for, you the Dalmation Islands are somewhere you can go and disconnect from it for a while.
Saona Island
Saona Island stands as one of the world’s greatest paradise islands, renowned for its pristine beaches and stunning natural beauty. This tropical gem, nestled off the southeastern coast of the Dominican Republic, captivates visitors with its crystal-clear turquoise waters and powdery white sand. Excursion Isla Saona always offers the chance to explore this idyllic oasis, where palm-fringed shores and lush tropical forests create a picture-perfect backdrop. Snorkeling amidst vibrant coral reefs, sunbathing on secluded beaches, and indulging in freshly caught seafood are just a few highlights of these unforgettable adventures. With its unparalleled charm and allure, Saona Island truly exemplifies paradise on Earth, drawing travelers from around the globe to experience its enchanting beauty firsthand.
St Barts
We’ve already said that spending time on a paradise island can make you feel like you’re part of the celebrity crowd, but if you actually want to rub shoulders with the rich and famous, you’ll find them in St. Barts. This is a French overseas territory in the Caribbean, and it’s been extremely popular with the jet-set class in recent years. You might need to save up for a little longer if you want to come here, though. Partially because of all those celebrity visitors, this is a place that prides itself on seclusion ad exclusivity. If you turn up with a camera and start snapping candid pictures of everybody you see, you’ll soon find yourself meeting with disapproval. Keep a low profile, and just sit and admire the way the rolling green hills and the perfect yellow sands don’t seem to belong together, and yet they’re here in perfect harmony. To do St. Bart’s property, you’ll want to book yourself into one of the boutique hotels and make sure you include the price of the fine French dining in your reservation.
