If your dream vacation involves turquoise water, dramatic coastlines or escaping the crowds, Expedia has a few suggestions.
The travel platform’s 2026 Island Hot List highlights 10 destinations seeing a surge in interest, with searches rising an average of 55 per cent year over year as travellers look beyond the world’s busiest beach hotspots.
According to Expedia’s 2026 Island Hot List, global flight searches for 10 emerging island destinations increased by an average of 55 per cent compared with the previous year. Social-media mentions related to island travel also climbed 20 per cent.
The list is based on global Expedia flight searches conducted between Sept. 22, 2025, and March 22, 2026, for travel during 2026, compared with the same search period one year earlier.
That means the ranking measures growth in interest, rather than the overall number of visitors each destination receives.
From secluded Caribbean resorts to rugged Arctic landscapes, here are the islands Expedia says are gaining momentum in 2026.
St. Lucia: Best for romantic escapes
Increase in travel interest: 125 per cent
St. Lucia recorded the largest increase among the destinations on Expedia’s main list, with searches more than doubling year-over-year.
The Caribbean island is known for the towering Pitons, lush rainforests, waterfalls, volcanic landscapes and resorts tucked between the mountains and the sea. Couples can spend their vacation snorkelling along coral reefs, hiking through the rainforest or relaxing on a quiet beach.
Porto Santo, Portugal: Best for wellness and relaxation
Increase in travel interest: 85 per cent
Porto Santo offers a slower and quieter alternative to some of Europe’s more crowded coastal destinations.
Its biggest draw is its long stretch of golden sand, surrounded by clear water and a dry, rugged landscape. Travellers can spend their days swimming, snorkelling, walking along the beach or exploring the island’s viewpoints and volcanic formations.
Praslin, Seychelles: Best for nature lovers
Increase in travel interest: 80 per cent
Praslin combines the turquoise water and white-sand beaches associated with the Seychelles with some of the archipelago’s most distinctive wildlife.
The island is home to the Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site containing the largest intact forest of the endemic coco de mer palm. Its isolated ecosystem also supports species found nowhere else in the world, according to the Seychelles Islands Foundation.
Syros, Greece: Best for cuisine and charm
Increase in travel interest: 60 per cent
Travellers hoping to experience the Greek islands without the crowds associated with Mykonos and Santorini may want to consider Syros.
Located in the Cyclades, the island is centred around Ermoupoli, a colourful port city known for its buildings, waterfront restaurants and winding streets. Visitors can also explore the historic hillside neighbourhood of Ano Syros before heading to one of the island’s beaches or coastal villages.
Lofoten Islands, Norway: Best for Arctic adventures
Increase in travel interest: 50 per cent
Not every island vacation has to involve palm trees and tropical temperatures.
Located above the Arctic Circle in northern Norway, the Lofoten Islands are an archipelago of steep mountains, clear fjords, fishing villages and dramatic coastlines. Hiking, kayaking, fishing and scenic road trips are among the area’s biggest draws.
Summer visitors can experience the Midnight Sun, when daylight stretches through the night. Travellers hoping to see the Northern Lights will need to visit during the darker months, as the aurora is not visible beneath Lofoten’s bright summer sky.
Palawan, Philippines: Best for natural wonders
Increase in travel interest: 40 per cent
Palawan offers some of the Philippines’ most recognizable natural scenery, including towering limestone cliffs, turquoise lagoons and secluded beaches.
The province includes several popular island areas, with El Nido known for boat tours through lagoons and hidden beaches, while Coron attracts visitors with its lakes, diving sites and distinctive limestone landscapes.
Beyond spending time on the beach, travellers can kayak, snorkel, dive or explore the area’s marine ecosystems. Palawan’s geography also makes it a destination that generally requires more planning than a single-resort island vacation.
Culebra, Puerto Rico: Best for water adventures
Increase in travel interest: 35 per cent
Culebra is a small Puerto Rican island offering a quieter alternative to the larger cities and resorts on the main island.
Its best-known attraction is Flamenco Beach, a wide stretch of white sand and calm turquoise water. Travellers can also visit coral reefs, smaller beaches and natural areas around the island. Culebra is accessible from mainland Puerto Rico by ferry or a short flight.
Sanibel Island, Florida: Best for family escapes
Increase in travel interest: 25 per cent
Located off Florida’s Gulf Coast, Sanibel Island is known for its laid-back beaches, cycling paths, wildlife and unusually large selection of seashells.
Its curved position along the coast helps carry shells onto its beaches, making early-morning walks and shell collecting some of the island’s most popular activities. Families can also visit the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum and explore the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge.
Phu Quoc, Vietnam: Best for affordable luxury
Increase in travel interest: 25 per cent
Phu Quoc is emerging as a luxury island destination for travellers looking to stretch their vacation budget.
Located in southern Vietnam, the island offers white-sand beaches, warm water, resorts and access to coral reefs around the nearby An Thoi archipelago. However, there is more to Phu Quoc than its growing resort scene.
The island is also known for fresh seafood, traditional fishing communities, fish sauce and aromatic black pepper.
Fiji: Best for multigenerational value
Increase in travel interest: 15 per cent
Fiji is not a single island but a cluster of more than 300 islands in the South Pacific, allowing families to choose an experience suited to different budgets, ages and interests.
Viti Levu, the largest island, offers the widest range of accommodations and activities. Travellers looking for smaller islands, beaches and snorkelling can venture into the Mamanuca or Yasawa island groups.
Expedia highlighted Fiji’s family-friendly resorts, cultural experiences and overall value as reasons it works for multigenerational vacations.
