It’s easy to get swept up with visions of idyllic beaches and dreamy sunsets but one always ends up confused when it comes to choosing an ideal island getaway for oneself. So we thought we’d put together a list of 6 of our favourite island getaways, with pros and cons of each, so it is easy for you guys to zero in on your ideal island getaway, whatever your preferences might be. You’ll find something here, irrespective of whether you’re after a luxurious getaway, a wellness holiday, or a road trip. Read on 🙂
I) SEYCHELLES
“It’s as though I’d drunk a bottle of anise and fallen asleep wrapped in a quilt of roses. It pulls me along – and I know I’m drowning” Seychelles’ seductive beaches make me think of Garcia Lorca’s gorgeous poetry – it draws you in and before you know it, you’re in love! Seychelles is ideal for those who like a mix of culture, luxury, nature, and hiking on a romantic getaway.
Overview of Seychelles
PROS
Gorgeous beaches, perfect mix of culture and scenery, island hopping opportunities, amazing hotels
CONS
Hard (not impossible!) to explore on a budget, public areas and beaches can get really crowded during peak times so privacy is not guaranteed
PERFECT FOR
Romantic getaways and honeymoons
READ MORE
Bruised Passports Itinerary for Seychelles
II) MALDIVES
What’s more romantic than being marooned on a tiny private island, positioned strategically between Asia and Africa? A sun-drenched island paradise far far away from civilisation and all that comes with it – laughing and playing in the sparkling ocean, bare feet on sand, sipping on coconut water, and reading on golden beaches. That’s the MALDIVES in a nutshell. You just need to take a deep breath and unleash the skinny dips, flower-laden baths, beach-side breakfasts, and the bubbly ??
Overview of Maldives
PROS
Gorgeous beaches, private and luxurious accommodation, perfect watersports
CONS
You have to stay put in one hotel as island hopping is inconvenient and expensive, no cultural experiences perse
PERFECT FOR
Uber private romantic getaways and honeymoons
READ MORE
Bruised Passports in Maldives
III) BALI
Along comes an island where it isn’t about the beaches but lush paddy fields, secret waterfalls, and sun-hazed countryside – about appreciating the thrumming rhythm of slow life. Ubud, with its labyrinth of smoothie bars, yoga studios, tie & dye boutiques, bohemian retreats, and vegan eateries is truly our ticket to the moon. The bustling resort areas of Sanur, Nusa Dua, and Kuta are similar to other beach-side getaways in South-East Asia. Unlike Ubud, the beaches of don’t scream special to us. Just head to Thailand or Vietnam if you want to hit beaches!
Overview of Bali
PROS
Affordable, gorgeous highlands, amazing cultural experiences, vegan haven
CONS
Underwhelming beaches (in fact we don’t like most of Bali’s beaches), rowdy party goers, crowded touristy spots
PERFECT FOR
Wellness getaways, getaways with friends, long sabbaticals
READ MORE
Bruised Passports Guide to Ubud, Bali
IV) FIJI AND FRENCH POLYNESIA
It was when she smeared powder all over my face and held my hand like THAT … that I realised this dazzling paradise garlanded with frangipanis, sugarcane fields swaying in the sun, the palm-scented ocean, and golden sunsets every single day would be a favourite. ‘Bula Vinaka’ is the phrase that greets you when you first land in Fiji!! It literally translates to ‘a warm hello’ and boy do Fijians live up to that promise! Here sarongs are the national dress and everyone works on Fiji time – slow and easyyyyy
Overview of Fiji and French Polynesia
PROS
Uber-picturesque beaches, culturally immersive experiences, convenient island-hopping, incredible dives and snorkelling, incredible luxury hotels
CONS
Remote/hard to reach (unless you live in Australia or New Zealand), can get expensive
PERFECT FOR
Honeymoons and romantic getaways, luxurious family getaways, island hopping cruises
READ MORE
Bruised Passports Itinerary for Fiji
V) CANARY ISLANDS
Canary Islands, Spain : these Spanish islands, located just off the coast of Africa, are perfect because they are warm even during winter months. They are accessible, affordable, and gorgeous but can get super crowded during summer months. Ideal for beach bums ☺️?
Overview of Canary Islands
PROS
Proximity to Europe, picturesque beaches, Spanish villages and tapas bars, warm weather almost all year round
CONS
Rowdy tourist and crowded beaches during peak times
PERFECT FOR
Family holidays, mini roadtrips, partying
READ MORE
Bruised Passports Itinerary for Lanzarote
VI) GALAPAGOS ISLANDS
Don’t go here for the beaches but the rare wildlife, birds, flora, and fauna. Expect playful sea lions, lackadaisical iguanas, rare birds and blue-footed boobies diving into ocean in front of your eyes. The Galápagos Islands are heavily protected and expensive, but they’re amazing for nature enthusiasts! Swim with turtles and cherish this rare holiday in some of the most remote islands in the world.
Overview of Galapagos Islands
PROS
Extremely rare birds and wildlife, one of the most unique places on the planet
CONS
Extremely expensive as they are heavily protected
PERFECT FOR
Bird-watchers, wildlife enthusiasts
READ MORE
Bruised Passports Itinerary for Galapagos
VII) MAURITIUS
Mauritius is known for its ethereal beaches with powdery white sands and warm azure waters. While it does have some of the most gorgeous beaches in the world, there is no dearth of things to do in Mauritius – it isn’t called Paradise Island for nothing! Even though we had to tear ourselves away from our lovely hotel, we are glad we did. Mauritius is perfect if you like your holidays jam-packed with activities and beaches.
Overview of Mauritius
PROS
Gorgeous beaches, perfect mix of history, culture and scenery, suits both luxury and budget travellers
CONS
Hard to find complete privacy if that is what you are after, beaches and markets can get really crowded during peak times
PERFECT FOR
Family holidays and couple getaways
READ MORE
Bruised Passports Things To Do In Mauritius
Read about our Top 10 honeymoon and romantic getaways for more ideas
What about phuket koh samui krabi
Hey Ankita – wanted to write about our favourites in this article – while Phuket and Krabi are nice, we feel they can get quite touristy and packed!
Hi, we plan to visit the beaches of Thailand soon. But there is nothing on your website for the same. I’ve done all my trips on my own till I stumbled upon bruisedpassports, and I thought I would plan my next trip with your help, but to my disappointment there is nothing. Please can you give some inputs. Looking to visit southern Thailand
Hey Bhavy – unfortunately we haven’t been to Southern Thailand in a very long time and it has changed a lot since then, so we will write about it when we visit next 🙂
Really feels good to hear about the Bali and other islands. These pictures are incredible. Looks like the ultimate travel dream. Thank you so much for sharing it.
Glad you enjoyed reading this 🙂
I am planning to go on the Alaskan cruise in July with my wife. I also want to go to the Canadian Rockies and Turks and Caicos along with it. Are Canadian Rockies and Turks and Caicos worth visiting?. Is there any other place you would suggest we can go along with the Alaskan cruise
Hey
Canadian Rockies are definitely worth the trip 🙂 No idea about Turks and Caicos as we haven’t been there yet 🙂
Hi ,I have experienced island hopping in Thailand with my friends last year..this year was planning on a vacay to Bali with my family..however I’m confused whether would it be on the same lines as Thailand and also whether going in may would be the right thing to do as its kinda the honeymoon period in Bali !! Any other destinations for family visits?
Hey Priyal,
For the past couple of years, every month is honeymoon month in Bali 😉 No it will be not like island hopping in Thailand. Also depends on which part of the island you stay on – the beaches or the highlands?
Hey have you guys been to gili islands? If yes can you outline the pros and cons and if it is worth the visit
Hey no we haven’t but we have heard great things about Gili – you should visit if you get the chance 🙂
Heya! This post is apt for me. I love the island life – beaches and quaint little towns. Have already been to Bali and Seychelles of the above mentioned places – and i totally agree with you – the beaches of Bali did nothing for me – in fact i felt that our very own Goan beaches are way better. Come to think of it, our South Goa has the potential to be the next Bali closer to home – though it has no rice fields but it does have a lush green country side feel to it – n maybe sometime in the future it could be a vegan heaven n filled with yoga retreats too … Of all the places u have been to – which one has the best beaches? People say Maldives n Seychelles are similar yet they have their own fav of the two- Having been to Seychelles should we skip Maldives or is one better than the other?
Hey Anuja
Maldives and Seychelles have a completely different feel – Maldives is all about decadent luxury and relaxation, with not much to do. You should definitely visit Maldives once (whenever that is), even if you have been to Seychelles.
Hi savi vid,
Being an independent packpacker, i would like to suggest some islands which are as beautiful as you mentioned here..El Nido archipalego/coron in Philippines, Togean, wakatobi in sulawesi, raja ampat in west papua. i have been to few of these and they are simply awesome..just want to share with you guys..
Hey thank you so much 🙂 All these sound amazing 🙂
Hey Savi/Vid?
Have you guys been to Langkawi? we are planning a trip there soon. Also, just curious about who takes such amazing couple pics of the both of you?? We find it really hard to get those perfect pictures when we travel, unless someone is patient enough to click them for us( a few times atleast, as im never convinced till i get the perfect pic :P)
Hey Niv,
Yes we have been to Langkawi (if you search “Langkawi” in the search box on the site you will see the article). We try to take our photos ourselves using a tripod as I don’t really trust many others 😉
Hi Savi & Vid,
The blog revamp is looking amazing.
Am planning a mini vacation to a reasonably priced destination with a Visa on arrival from Bangalore (lazy me :))
Was considering Mauritius or Maldives. Which one is better between the two?
Any other countries if you could suggest please?
Hey Mauritius is great if you’re on a bit of a budget or want some cultural excursions alongside beach bumming. Maldives is great if you want an unadulterated beach holiday 🙂
Hi Savi & Vid- Hope you guys keep on travelling till eternity…. It must be so amazing to travel to such beautiful places and exploring paradise on earth with the person you are gonna spend the rest of your life.
Your Maldives Vlog is awesome and the resort you stayed in looks marvelous but is really expensive. So are there any budget resorts in Maldives, I was browsing the resorts in the website and I could not find anything reasonable. The only reasonable accommodation I could found was the guest house which doesn’t look appealing.
And is it true that the only restaurant and bar that one can find in the island is the one in resort. You mentioned in the blog that you guys explored the entire island in 15 mins, so what else can one do in the island apart from water sport.
Hey it is very hard to travel on a budget in Maldives. Yes the only restaurants are the ones in the resort if you’re on a smaller island. Would suggest Mauritius or even Seychelles if you want a choice of restaurants and affordable accommodation 🙂
Hey, Savi Vid 🙂
I have read almost all of your blogs and absolute FAN of your’s! Needed your suggestion for honeymoon destination in December. I love Seychelles scenic beauty but i also love the properties available in Bali. What would you suggest to go for?
Hey there – would suggest choosing Seychelles if you want really amazing views, incredible beaches, and luxury and Bali if you want luxury on a budget and/or wellness retreats 🙂
Hii Savi and Vid,
Since its my first time writing to a high rated blogger.
I loved your photography and your fashion sence. I was looking for some tips for “Thai Trip”. Since its not in your list i will try my best to go like you’ll do always.
Any tips from your end???? Should i go for Tours and Traveler or explore my self??? as its my first international tour with my husband.
Your comment will be most important thing.
Keep exploring your Tips. It helps me alot.
Hey book flights and a nice hotel independently. And once you’re there, just rent a scooter or take cabs and explore 🙂
Hi, can u’ll suggest a nice beach destination during February? Done thailand a few times so thats out.. plus will be traveling with a 1.5 yr old 🙂
This article has so many suggestions for nice beach destinations 🙂 You could also look at Zanzibar!
Hi,, when are you guys planning to visit greece santorini,,, i really wanna visit santorini n would love to have ur recommendations if you are planning to visit any time soon.
Lots of love
Hey unfortunately not anytime soon 🙂
Hey Savi,
Loved your pics..
Have you guys been to philippines.. It’s on my list for this december. But I couldn’t find anything here.
Are you guys planning anytime soon?
Hey no we haven’t made our way to Philippines yet 🙂
Superb Blog!
Really Amazing Post!
Thanks for the amazing post….keep sharing.
Hi,
Can you please suggest for Andaman & Nicobar Islands? Ideal length of stay and any other tips?
I have been to Seychelles and Bali. And, I agree with what you have to say about those two places. Mauritius is on my list now.
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Hey we are planning our honeymoon to Thailand on our own . Can u give us suggestion where to go and explore more? We have iur travel agent who suggested us phi phi island tour by cruise which includes all other island too . Krabi island tour by boat . So according to you what should we explore that is worth our time and money.
Hi Urvi – it’s very easy to explore Thailand independently. You can base yourself in Krabi and rent a boat to travel to a diff island each day
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