For your next romantic getaway, consider one of these top island destinations for romance. The Islands editors considered recent trips over the years to rank these top 10 romantic islands.
No. 10 Romantic Island: Jamaica
Yes, Jamaica is known for its family-friendly all-inclusives, but over the years, the Islands team has found so many intimate resorts across the island, many of them ideal for that perfect romantic getaway. From the Kanopi House (pictured at left), luxury treehouses literally hidden in the jungle outside Port Antonio, to The Rockhouse, tucked along a private cove in Negril, you can find a couple’s retreat. Stay at the resort or venture into the rich culture of Jamaica — or do a little of both.
No. 9 Romantic Island: Australia
Whether or not Australia itself is an island is a subject of endless debate here at <em>Islands</em>. But the islands of Australia off the northeastern coast of Queensland have that special feel. They’re a world all to yourself, often with luxury amenities that make for the most relaxing romantic getaway you could hope for. Qualia resort on Hamilton Island in the Whitsundays is one such place where you and your significant other can lounge the day or days away. And then there are surprises like tiny Wilson Island, a speck of beach that has gourmet dining. Australia is full of romantic surprises.
No. 8 Most Romantic Island: St. Barts
When people ask us, “Where should we go on our honeymoon?” — and we do get that question a lot — we’ll often suggest St. Barts. Yes, it’s the playground of the rich and famous, which gives the island a high-end vibe, like that gourmet restaurant you only go to on your anniversary. You can find stunning villas across the island. Or stay at the Eden Rock Hotel, where you can spring for the Rockstar Ultra Luxe villa if you really are celebrating something big.
No. 7 Most Romantic Islands: Islands of Italy
Mainland Italy is one of the most popular and romantic vacation destinations in the world, but at Islands all we see are the islands. And we love those just as much: Sicily, Sardinia, Capri, Venice. Yes, Venice does count in our book. When one Islands editor was planning her honeymoon, Venice was the island she picked — and she loved it. The islands of Italy are made for romance.
No. 6 Most Romantic Islands: Hawaii
Granted, “Hawaii” covers a lot. We’re thinking of the most visited islands — Big Island, Oahu, Kauai, Maui — each of which have romantic hideaways scattered throughout some of the most beautiful island scenery anywhere. For example, Islands photo editor Lori Barbely recently stayed at Aston Waimea Plantation Cottages on Kauai, an authentic, intimate retreat on the water and close to the Napali Coast. It’s very hard not to be romantic in Hawaii.
No. 5 Most Romantic Islands: St. Lucia
Those Pitons that rise above the Caribbean in St. Lucia have been the backdrop for many a romantic getaway, ideal wedding and memorable honeymoon. This scene has become synonymous with Caribbean romance. And the resorts of St. Lucia make the most of the Pitons, like Jade Mountain, which doesn’t even put a wall between you and the view as you gaze out from your cliff-top sanctuary. It feels like the island was made just for the two of you.
No. 4 Most Romantic Islands: Seychelles
For decades, we’ve been visiting the Seychelles, raving about the natural beauty, the fascinating wildlife and the world-class resorts that seem woven into these islands. North Island is one such resort that creates an organic romantic atmosphere not just from being out on a private island in the Indian Ocean, but from exploring lush environment that the two of you have likely never seen before.
No. 3 Most Romantic Islands: Fiji
We’ve been to Fiji many times over the years, staying at private islands and other resorts that capture the romantic feeling of being in the South Pacific. Likuliku Lagoon Resort (pictured at left) captures much of what’s romantic about Fiji: quiet beauty, exotic flavors, luxury villas, and the feeling that you have all the time in the world together.
No. 2 Most Romantic Islands: Maldives
A haven out in the Indian Ocean, the Maldives aren’t just one gorgeous sandy island with a perfect lagoon. This destination consists of hundreds of such islands. And while Bora Bora gets so much attention — at least over here in the Western Hemisphere — for all of its overwater bungalows, the Maldives are dripping in such romantic getaway resorts.
See our gallery of the best overwater bungalows in the Maldives to get you in that romantic mood.
No. 1 Most Romantic Islands: Islands of Tahiti
You can never really see all of the Islands of Tahiti — though we have absolutely tried. We’ve come pretty close, from Bora Bora to Moorea to the Tuamotu Islands to the Marquesas and more. So many of them are romantic in their own way. But for that classic romantic getaway to Tahiti, you have to stay in an overwater bungalow on the lagoon overlooking Mount Otemanu. Everybody loves that. And our gallery of the best overwater bungalows in Bora Bora and Moorea is one of the most popular galleries on islands.com. Couples remember this ultimate romantic trip forever.
