Escape the rainy weather and election debates, and picture yourself on a desert island with endless turquoise waters before your eyes and cocktail in hand: it's our top five island getaways.
Rangiroa, French Polynesia
Rangiroa is the world’s second largest coral atoll and is the perfect island retreat for diving or simply lazing around on the beach with cocktail in hand. A huge lagoon resembles a massive inland sea it’s so big, so there is plenty of marine life to explore in the calm waters. Rangiroa actually means ‘vast sky’, and with so much brilliant blue expanse in sight it’s easy to see where it got its name.
Maui, Hawaii
Maui is a stunning combination of soaring volcanoes, dramatic cliffs, steep mountains clothed in lush rainforests and slashed with deep ravines and valleys. White-sand beaches lace the western shoreline, and the winding Hana Highway snakes past waterfalls and precipitous cliffs overlooking the blue Pacific Ocean. Get active with surfing, windsurfing, diving and golf, or just sip a Mai Tai on the beach.
Atiu, Cook Islands
Atiu in the Cook Islands boasts deserted beaches, clear-blue waters and whiter-than-white sands. Head here if you want a unique twist on desert island life, as Atiu has a clutch of multi-chambered limestone caves tucked away in the jungle that make for fascinating exploration. Some of the caves were previously used for burials but Atiu’s warrior history is long gone and the area is now a mecca for ecotourists
Perhentian Islands, Malaysia
Located on the eastern coast of Malaysia, the Perhentians are two islands. Both are stunning palm-fringed oasis with wide beaches, and crystal-blue waters. Considered to be some of the most beautiful islands in the world, the Perhentians are the perfect place for lazing in a hammock and are paradise for snorkelling and diving.
Gili Islands, Indonesia
The little known Gili Islands are a collection of three unspoilt havens, sitting off the northwest coast of Lombok. Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air are all strikingly beautiful with vast swathes of pure white sand and evian-clear waters that boast stunning coral reefs. One main draw is the fabulous snorkelling and diving opportunities. As well as snorkelling equipment for hire, there are a number of Padi certified dive centres on Gili Trawangan, which offer courses for beginners and more experienced divers.
