• Koh Samui, Jamaica and Fiji named among top 10 global islands
• Island searches globally up on average 30%
• Paros and Sardinia trending up 45% year-on-year

Expedia® released the 2025 Island Hot List, the definitive guide to island travel based on verified data and traveler insights. The inaugural curated report reveals global interest for islands is up on average 30%*.

From the cultural richness of Jamaica to the sunny shores of Koh Samui, the islands on the 2025 list reflect travelers' values. Beyond the beautiful photos, they offer culture and authenticity, demonstrating how islands are adapting and redefining what it means to travel to these unique edges of the world.

Here are the destinations that made Expedia's global Island Hot List:

• Aruba
  
  • Best For: Year-Round Sunshine
  • Best time to travel: September
  • Travel Interest: Up 15% year-on-year
  • Hotel Recommendation: JOIA Aruba by Iberostar
  • Insider Tip: Desert Beauty Meets Caribbean Bliss. Aruba's arid landscapes and consistent sunshine make it a standout for 2025. With expanded biking trails and eco-friendly stays, the island blends outdoor adventure with relaxed Caribbean vibes.


• Bali, Indonesia
  
  • Best For: Relaxation
  • Best time to travel: September
  • Travel Interest: Up 15% year-on-year
  • Hotel Recommendation: Potato Head Suites & Studios
  • Insider Tip: Reimagined for the Conscious Traveler. The lush landscapes, rice terraces and spiritual atmosphere of Bali remain iconic, but the island is transforming under new creative tourism initiatives. Destinations across the island – from tranquil inland retreats to mindful beachside escapes – are embracing zero-waste hospitality, wellness, and cultural connection.


• Dominican Republic
  
  • Best For: Adventure
  • Best time to travel: April
  • Travel Interest: Up 10% year-on-year
  • Hotel Recommendation: Casa de Campo Resort and Villas
  • Insider Tip: Caribbean Cool, Redefined. Long known for all-inclusive resorts, the Dominican Republic is evolving. Cultural connections and an emphasis on adventure travel – think waterfalls and mountain biking – make it one of the most dynamic Caribbean picks for 2025.


• Fiji
  
  • Best For: Community
  • Best time to travel: September
  • Travel Interest: Up 5% year-on-year
  • Hotel Recommendation: Nanuku Resort Fiji
  • Insider Tip: Leading the Pacific in Eco-Luxury. Fiji continues to be a benchmark in regenerative tourism. With coral restoration programs, strong community-based tourism and private island retreats, Fiji blends sustainability with unforgettable luxury.


• Jamaica
  
  • Best For: Culture
  • Best time to travel: December
  • Travel Interest: Up 15% year-on-year
  • Hotel Recommendation: S Hotel Montego Bay
  • Insider Tip: Beyond the beaches. Jamaica is tapping into its roots in 2025, inviting travelers to explore a vibrant fusion of rhythm, flavor, and natural beauty. From reggae and rum to waterfalls and authentic cuisine, whether you're exploring the Blue Mountains or relaxing on Negril's Seven Mile Beach, Jamaica offers a soulful escape worth plenty of local charm.


• Koh Samui, Thailand
  
  • Best For: Affordable Luxury
  • Best time to travel: March
  • Travel Interest: Up 55% year-on-year
  • Hotel Recommendation: Anantara Lawana Koh Samui Resort
  • Insider Tip: Wellness Island of the East. Koh Samui is Thailand's rising wellness capital. In 2025, the island is attracting travelers for yoga retreats, detox programs, and beachside spirituality – all while maintaining its reputation for nightlife and natural beauty.


• Maldives
  
  • Best For: Romance
  • Best time to travel: May
  • Travel Interest: Up 15% year-on-year
  • Hotel Recommendation: Jumeirah Olhahali Island Maldives
  • Insider Tip: Remote. Relaxed. Refined. The Maldives remains the ultimate romantic, luxury escape, but 2025 marks a shift: floating villas powered by solar, coral farming initiatives, and a growing push for carbon-neutral tourism. It's paradise with a purpose.


• Oahu, Hawaii
  
  • Best For: Surfing
  • Best time to travel: September
  • Travel Interest: Up 10% year-on-year
  • Hotel Recommendation: Halepuna Waikiki by Halekulani
  • Insider Tip: A Cultural Comeback. In 2025, Oahu is redefining itself beyond Waikiki. With renewed focus on Native Hawaiian culture, eco-tourism, and off-the-beaten-path adventures – from North Shore surf villages to sacred heiau trails – Oahu offers a deeper, more responsible way to experience Hawaii.


• Paros, Greece
  
  • Best For: Nightlife
  • Best time to travel: September
  • Hotel Recommendation: Andronis Minois
  • Travel Interest: Up 45% year-on-year
  • Insider Tip: The New Greek Darling. While Santorini and Mykonos remain popular, Paros is emerging as the Cycladic gem to watch. A rising design scene, low-key luxury stays, and its charming port towns make it ideal for travelers looking for serenity with soul.


• Sardinia, Italy
  
  • Best time to travel: September
  • Hotel Recommendation: Aethos Sardinia
  • Travel Interest: Up 45% year-on-year
  • Insider Tip: Longevity Meets Luxury. Sardinia's Blue Zone status draws wellness seekers, while its rugged coastline and hilltop villages continue to attract travelers from far and wide. 2025 sees a boom in agritourism and immersive experiences where you can eat, hike, and live like a local.)

Top Islands for US Travelers

Beyond these global hotspots, Expedia data also shows a rising wave of interest in islands that hold unique appeal for US travelers. Top of the list is Madeira (+ 45%), Nantucket (+ 40%), St. Thomas (+ 30%), Palm Beach (+ 30%) and Turks and Caicos (+ 10%). Whether driven by affordability, easy access or seasonal appeal, these locally relevant escapes are climbing the charts, offering travelers familiar flavors with a fresh twist.

The Expedia Island Hot List is based on a comprehensive analysis of factors including Expedia travel data, accommodation rates and quality (based on real traveler reviews), accessibility, air connectivity, weather and seasonality, tourism appeal, and traveler safety and inclusivity – as informed by travel advisories and traveler sentiment.

"Powered by real traveler data, the Expedia Island Hot List gives travelers the inspiration they need to plan a smarter island escape," said Melanie Fish, head of Expedia Group brands public relations. "Island adventurers want standout stays, affordable prices and seamless flight access. To get that, our top tips are to travel out of season when average stay prices can fluctuate by as much as 50% and bundle flights and hotels together, to knock nearly $338 on average off your trip."

While the optimum time to visit varies by destination, the global report pinpoints September (outside of the Caribbean where it's peak hurricane season) is typically the best time for an island getaway, when affordability and weather conditions align to offer the best overall experience.