11 Gorgeous Islands for an Unforgettable Off-the-Grid Getaway

Many travelers turn to islands to escape the hustle, relax with their feet in the sand, and reconnect with nature and local cultures. Featuring new accommodations, immersive cultural activities, and strong sustainability initiatives, these are the must-visit islands for 2023.

Dominica

Dominica’s true luxury lies in its stunning natural beauty, with lush mountains, active volcanoes, black-sand beaches, waterfalls, and hot springs. The remote 293-square-mile island, where both English and Dominican Creole are spoken, remains largely untouched by tourism. It’s a haven for hikers, with over 300 miles of trails in the UNESCO-listed Morne Trois Pitons National Park. Dominica’s calm, warm waters are perfect for sea kayaking and paddleboarding for all skill levels.

Where to stay

In October 2022, Coulibri Ridge opened as a fully sustainable, off-grid eco-resort on 285 acres near Soufrière. Featuring 14 suites made from recyclable aluminum ceilings, reclaimed teak wood, and local stone, the resort operates on solar, wind, and rain power. Its on-site gardens provide much of the restaurant’s produce, and soon, the resort will have its own farm. Coulibri Ridge is the first Caribbean hotel to join Beyond Green, a collection of eco-conscious retreats from Preferred Travel Group.

Benguerra Island, Mozambique

Located within Mozambique’s Bazaruto Archipelago, Benguerra Island sits in a national marine reserve in the crystal-clear waters of the Indian Ocean. Just a short flight from Maputo or Johannesburg, it’s an ideal destination for ocean lovers seeking to spot flamingos, dugongs, manta rays, dolphins, and humpback whales passing through from July to October. Visitors can explore the nonprofit Bazaruto Center for Scientific Studies (BCSS), a solar-powered ocean research facility located on the island’s northern tip, run by a team primarily from Benguerra.

Where to stay

Nestled on Mozambique’s southernmost beach, Kisawa Sanctuary is a collection of 17 eco-friendly thatched-roof bungalows, constructed using sustainable 3-D printing technology. The walls are made from sand mixed with seawater to create an environmentally conscious mortar. Guests can enjoy snorkeling with sharks, watching sea turtles nesting on the white sands, or participating in scientific studies at the sister BCSS center, where activities include tracking humpback whales, diving to monitor water acidification, or tagging pelagic fish.

Sardinia, Italy

This sun-drenched Mediterranean island, second in size only to Sicily, appeals to both beach lovers and hikers, thanks to its rugged mountain terrain. History enthusiasts will be fascinated by the numerous nuraghi—bee-hive shaped Bronze Age structures left by the Nuragic civilization between 1900 and 730 B.C.E., scattered across the island’s rolling hills.

Where to stay

Although only a 10-minute drive from the busy Costa Smeralda, the 7Pines Resort Sardinia feels like an escape into tranquility. This 2022 retreat, featuring 76 suites and rooms, is nestled within 37 acres of secluded gardens, walking trails, and beaches, overlooking the marine protected area of the Maddalena islands. The resort is included in the new low-impact, culture-focused Sardinia itineraries by the women-led Dolomite Mountains company, offering guests tours of ancient ruins and mountain treks with breaks at shepherds' huts for a traditional lunch.

Sumba, Indonesia

While Bali steals the spotlight as Indonesia’s top tourist destination, Sumba, located just to the east, is twice the size and just as captivating—yet far less crowded. Horses roam freely across the savannas, rainforests, and waterfalls, while the towering thatched roofs of traditional villages reach for the sky. More and more eco-conscious, culturally aware hotels are offering travelers the chance to explore this wild paradise, providing opportunities for both solitude and adventure with a minimal environmental impact.

Where to stay

On the southwestern coast of Sumba, the Sanubari recently opened on a 247-acre reserve, offering over a mile of pristine white sand beaches. The resort, composed of six villas made from locally sourced teak wood and stone, collaborates with nearby kampungs (villages), having built a school and multiple water stations for the local community. Guests can visit these villages to experience the traditional way of life, or take part in activities such as surfing, fishing, mountain biking, and river SUP. The resort’s kitchen is stocked with produce from its own permaculture farm, which includes approximately 2,500 coconut trees.

In the summer of 2023, Cap Karoso will open on the island’s western coast, featuring 47 studios and 20 villas, each adorned with hand-carved wooden panels inspired by Sumba’s colorful ikat patterns. The resort will embrace the Marapu culture, offering artist residencies, shaman-inspired wellness treatments at the spa, and e-bike tours to a nearby village.

Menorca, Spain

Unlike the more famous Balearic Islands of Ibiza and Mallorca, this quiet island, home to fewer than 100,000 residents, entices travelers with its charming villages like Fornells and Binibeca Vell, its rich history marked by centuries-old lighthouses and archaeological treasures, and its local wines. Off the island’s northeastern coast lies the historic Illa del Rei, which houses a sculpture garden curated by Hauser & Wirth, where new works like Martin Creed’s join art from icons such as Joan Miró and Louise Bourgeois.

Where to stay

In July, Meliá Hotels International unveiled the eco-friendly, net-zero five-star Villa Le Blanc, located near Santo Tomás Beach. With its whitewashed exterior, traditional terra-cotta tiles, and arches inspired by Menorcan architecture, the resort is a blend of luxury and sustainability. The hotel has reduced its CO2 emissions by 87% through bioclimatic design, solar panels, and heat recovery, while offsetting the remaining 13% through environmental projects. Each of the 159 rooms and suites comes with a balcony, and some offer private pools or rooftop terraces. Three Mediterranean restaurants serve fresh island produce and local seafood, such as the red lobster from the Balearic Sea.

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos

Known as Provo, Turks and Caicos's third-largest island is a favorite among travelers. This stunning destination boasts the world’s third-largest barrier reef, along with 35 national parks, reserves, and sanctuaries, plus 12 miles of pristine white beaches. Adventure seekers are drawn to its water sports, from kiteboarding to diving. A growing number of eco-conscious local companies, like Big Blue Collective, now offer sustainable tours, including excursions with quieter, more eco-friendly four-stroke boat engines.

Where to stay

In May 2022, Rock House debuted on the island’s rugged northern shore, featuring 46 villas built with recycled limestone. A part of the well-regarded Grace Bay Resorts, it has teamed up with the Turks and Caicos Reef Fund to offer guests the chance to help restore coral reefs through hands-on expeditions, including coral planting and feeding in a new oceanfront lab. In early 2024, Grace Bay Resorts will unveil South Bank, a stylish marina with modern waterfront residences, some housed in a Piero Lissoni–designed building.

Hvar, Croatia

Hvar is far from peaceful, especially its bustling Adriatic harbor filled with yachts during the summer. However, it’s simple to escape the crowds and explore the island’s tranquil spots, like hidden beaches, secluded coves, and a larger number of UNESCO World Heritage sites than any other island. You can also experience wine tasting in a private seaside limestone cave, all of which can be discovered via more than 100 bike trails across the island.

Where to stay

In July 2022, Beach Bay Hvar Hotel opened in the heart of the city with 33 minimalist rooms that overlook the sea, featuring a calming sand-colored interior. The hotel is the first in Croatia to sign UNESCO’s Sustainable Travel Pledge, committing to renewable energy use, reducing plastic waste, and supporting local suppliers. Its on-site solar power plant, tapping into Hvar’s abundant 2,800 hours of sunshine annually, is a first for the island.

Raa Atoll, Maldives

Located 45 minutes by seaplane from Malé, the Maldives’ Raa Atoll is a paradise for marine enthusiasts. It is home to the glowing bioluminescent waters of Vaadhoo Island, large manta rays with wingspans of 10 to 12 feet that gather at Hanifaru Bay, and vibrant reefs that are gradually recovering after a major coral bleaching event in 2016.

Where to stay

Opened in 2022, Alila Kothaifaru Maldives features 80 pool villas located on the western edge of the atoll. Guests can immerse themselves in the local culture and nature through activities such as cooking classes focused on traditional fish curry recipes and ocean excursions to spot dolphins and sea turtles. The resort is committed to sustainability by converting paper waste and vegetable scraps into fertilizer, and it also relies on solar power to minimize energy consumption. A short distance northeast, on Muravandhoo island, Joali offers 73 villas with soaring ceilings, private outdoor terraces, and pools. The atoll’s coral restoration project, led by a Maldivian marine biologist, is thriving, with around 5,000 new corals planted annually.

K’gari, Australia

For those seeking an off-the-grid adventure, Queensland’s K’gari (pronounced gar-ree) is the perfect destination. Formerly known as Fraser Island, K’gari was returned to the Butchulla Indigenous community in 2022, and its traditional name was restored. As the world’s largest sand island, K’gari boasts a rich rain forest, 500 Indigenous archaeological sites, freshwater lakes, and a stunning 75-mile beach. From July to November, humpback whales can be seen nursing their calves along the coast, making it a prime wildlife experience.

Where to stay

At the newly updated Kingfisher Bay Resort, guests can enjoy 152 rooms, each featuring a private deck with views of the lakes, bush, or sea. The resort offers immersive experiences that highlight the island’s rich culture and diverse ecosystems, including guided bush walks and canoe paddling tours. For a more adventurous option, book a three-night guided trek with Fraser Island Hiking to explore natural landmarks like the Valley of the Giants, home to an ancient tallowwood tree. Visitors can also enjoy sailing, diving, or swimming with whales, with activities available through operators such as Hervey Bay Dive Centre.

O‘ahu, Hawai‘i

For decades, O‘ahu’s stunning beaches and lush landscapes have suffered from the impacts of overtourism—particularly in the bustling Waikiki area. However, change is on the horizon: In 2021, Hawai‘i introduced a statewide ban on chemical sunscreens and launched its malama voluntourism initiative. This program partners nonprofit organizations with top hotels to encourage guests to participate in environmental efforts, such as cleaning up Waikiki Beach with a DIY kit from the local nonprofit Sustainable Coastlines of Hawai‘i.

Where to Stay

The Twin Fin embraces its surf culture so deeply that it features video walls streaming live Hawaiian waves all day long (and waves from around the globe at night). The hotel’s 645 vibrant rooms come with surf ponchos for guests to wear between swims and refillable water bottles available at on-site stations. The resort also collaborates with Parley for Oceans on beach cleanups, where collected ocean plastics are transformed into a striking 16-foot wave-inspired art sculpture created by local artist Dane Nishikawa. For a more laid-back stay, the 228-room Wayfinder Waikiki embraces tropical brutalism with a dollar per night donated to the Bishop Museum, which offers unique cultural activities like floral arranging, stargazing, and lauhala weaving. On O’ahu’s North Shore, the newly renovated Turtle Bay Resort, with its 450 sunlit rooms nestled in earth-toned decor on nearly 1,300 oceanfront acres, is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts seeking everything from surfing to hiking and horseback riding.

Cayos Cochinos, Honduras

Located 20 miles off Honduras' northern coast, the Cayos Cochinos archipelago stretches across 300,000 acres and is home to fewer than 200 Indigenous Garifuna people. This largely undiscovered haven is free from commercial fishing, vehicles, and bicycles, preserving its fragile ecosystems, which include two lush forested islands, 12 sandy cays, and expansive seagrass meadows. Notably, it's the only place on Earth where tree-dwelling pink boa constrictors can be found. The area draws fewer than 30,000 visitors a year, with eco-conscious tourism initiatives centered on reef restoration and sea turtle conservation, many of which are run in collaboration with the Cayos Cochinos Foundation.

Where to Stay

Managed by the Cayos Cochinos Foundation, the islands of Cayo Mayor and Cayo Menor sit along the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, with every booking contributing to local conservation efforts. The foundation offers an exclusive, $3,000-per-night six-bedroom private island retreat on Round Cay through Airbnb. Alternatively, simpler cabins on Cayo Menor come with expansive decks, hammocks, and a food hall serving traditional Honduran dishes. Guests can enjoy lunches in nearby Garífuna fishing villages, sample the local root-based spirit guifiti, and experience vibrant Garífuna dance and drumming performances.