Bora Bora
#7 in Best Island Vacations
A quintessential Bora Bora vacation includes days spent lounging on Matira Beach, boat trips through clear aquamarine waters and four-wheel-drive tours through the French Polynesian island’s lush forests. Gazing at extinct Mount Otemanu from above during a helicopter tour or from below in the lagoon is a must. Adventurous travelers should also save time for feeding sharks and stingrays. Although this destination is already pricey, vacationers should save up to splurge on an overwater bungalow for the full Bora Bora experience.
Fiji
#8 in Best Island Vacations
This South Pacific archipelago’s white sand shores offer fantastic scenery, but there’s more to Fiji than what you’ll see from your beach towel. You can hike the volcanic mountains on the Mamanuca Islands, peruse the boutiques of Suva or venture beneath the surface and snorkel with the islands’ colorful fish. Plus, Fiji offers unique cultural experiences like firewalking ceremonies and tastings of a traditional plant-based beverage called kava. When you want to learn more about the area’s history, head to the Fiji Museum in Suva.
