Forget Capri, Santorini, Cuba or Fuerteventura: there are beautiful suns almost unknown to tourism. Natural paradises still lulled by peace and silence, in dreamlike landscape settings. Lonely, beautiful islands with unspoilt beaches and blue sea ... where are they? Let's find out together. You'll be looking forward to it!
1 - Porquerolles and the Îles d'Hyères (France)
Let's face it: it's not exactly an island within everyone's reach, but it is an enchantment. An exclusive refuge for the rich of the French Riviera in search of a bit of peace and solitude, Porquerolles is the largest of the three Îles d'Hyères. Ordinary mortals can visit it in a day. The islands of Hyères are perhaps most famous on the Côte d'Azur, thanks to their unspoilt nature and crystal-clear turquoise sea. Le Levant, Port-Cros and Porquerolles are so picturesque that the ancients called them the Golden Islands. This splendid name was given to them because of the golden reflections that colour the rocks at sunset. They can be reached from the Giens peninsula or from the town of Hyères in just half an hour by boat. Port-Cros can only be visited on foot. Exploring Porquerolles by bicycle while breathing in the fresh aroma of the maritime pines is a very pleasant experience. Strict rules apply on all the islands to preserve them; it is forbidden to light fires, camp, uproot plants, stray from marked paths, collect shells and fish. The three islands are a paradise for diving and sailing enthusiasts. It is possible to go on excursions in glass-bottomed boats to admire the beautiful seabed.
2 - Flores and Corvo, Azores (Portugal)
Source: wikimedia commons The remote archipelago of the Azores consists of nine inhabited and eight uninhabited islands, all of volcanic origin. They are located in the Atlantic Ocean 1403 kilometres from the coast of Portugal and 880 kilometres from the island of Madeira. The 9 main islands of the archipelago are divided into three geographical groups:
Graciosa, Terceira, São Jorge, Pico and Faial in the central part
Flores and Corvo in the west
São Miguel and Santa Maria in the east.
Mountainous and wild, the Azores are islands of unique beauty. São Miguel is the most visited of the archipelago. Daily flights connect the islands to the European mainland with stopovers at Lisbon and Porto airports. The islands of Pico, Faial and São Jorge are connected daily while São Jorge and Terceira twice a week. These beautiful emerald islands in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean are one of Europe's last nature paradises. Ancient craters, crystal-clear lakes, lush vegetation, whales and dolphins - a true spectacle! Many believe that the archipelago is what remains of the mythical continent of Atlantis. The volcanic origin of the islands makes them wild but mellowed by flowers that grow here all year round. A unique natural setting where ancient traditions still persist. Enchanting! Flores and Corvo are the islands that are least explored by tourists and this is also evident from the inconvenient connections between them and their 'big sisters'. Flores, immersed in the sea, will surprise you with a landscape of verdant mountains and valleys, dotted with bizarrely shaped rocky peaks and dotted with lakes.
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Those who enjoy trekking will find it enchanting to take one of the old paths paved in lava stone and bordered by dry stone walls that until fifty years ago were the only road network linking the island's various centres. They lead to the beautiful centre of Faja Grande, a small harbour in the middle of a small gulf: a peaceful corner surrounded by green mountain spurs, furrowed by white waterfalls that cascade into the sea. Corvo is the smallest island, buffeted by waves and wind. It has a single village of just over 350 souls and a very small airport flanked by typical mills, the island's symbol. Corvo offers bucolic scenery made up of small lakes surrounded by gentle hills full of hydrangea hedges. Two islands that will remain in your heart forever!
3 - Côn Đảo, Vietnam
The Côn Đảo constitute an archipelago of 16 islands and islets in the South China Sea. It is home to the national park of the same name, which is home to several protected marine species. It comprises some 45,000 hectares of beautiful beaches and forests. The entire marine area is rich in biodiversity, a favourable habitat for rare species such as hawksbills, green turtles and dugongs. The latter, also called sea cows by the population, are said to be the basis of local legends about mermaids because of their habit of sunbathing on the rocks. Pure white beaches, magnificent coral reefs, a pearly bay and quiet roads is what these islands offer. A paradise! Much of Côn Đảo's primary jungle is still impenetrable, but the National Park Office offers guided trekking tours. Apparently, this archipelago is the best place in Vietnam for diving and it is easy to see why. On the other hand, these islands are a kind of immaculate and peaceful refuge in the middle of the sea!
4 - Colonsay, Scotland (UK)
Photo by Hole in the wall. A remote island in the Inner Hebrides with beautiful beaches. To the north you will find Kiloran Bay, a crescent of golden sand ideal for surfers. Another pristine sandy beach is Balnahard, protected by its dunes. Walking around the island, you might spot wild goats, coral choughs and even some golden eagles. Located in the middle of nowhere in the Atlantic, Colonsay is not really a place to stress! Life here is relaxed and this is definitely one of its strengths. Beautiful beaches, a vertiginous cliff, wild nature and good beer brewed on site. What more could you ask for?
5 - Lavezzi Islands, Corsica (France)
Photo by Telperion. A group of rocks in the Mediterranean, between Corsica and Sardinia: this is Lavezzi. It is exactly the kind of place where you can let yourself go. All you have to do is drop anchor in the crystal-clear blue waters, pop open some champagne and admire the view while calmly sipping it... Yes, unfortunately not everyone can afford it, but these French islands really make you dream! More than islands, they are a group of rocks and emerged lots that create a sort of land in the middle of the sea. Splendid!
6 - Mykines, Faroe Islands
Photo by Arne List. We only remember the Faroe Islands when they have to do with football stuff, then they fall into the oblivion of our minds. A pity because these islands are absolutely spectacular! Let's focus on Mykines. First of all,landing at its airport, amidst the sheer cliffs of the sea, is one of the most spectacular and frightening aerial experiences in the world. Mykines is the westernmost of the 18 major islands that make up the archipelago. There is only one village of the same name and only a dozen or so people live there permanently. The perfect place for those who do not like sweating in the heat of the tropics and want peace and quiet.
7 - Gili Meno, Indonesia
The Gili Islands consist of Gili Air, Gili Meno and Gili Trawangan. They are one almost attached to the other. Gili Trawangan is the island with the most amenities, the other two are quieter and more isolated. Beautiful beaches and wonderful sea beds: it is not difficult here to come across some sea turtles in the crystal-clear waters. These islands are the perfect place to relax, read, snorkel, sunbathe and enjoy a cool drink. Moreover, the sea water is particularly warm, the scenery incredible, no cars or scooters. A true paradise! Gili Air is the closest to Lombok, less than half an hour by sea, and is definitely the quietest. Because of its splendid seabed, it is recommended for diving enthusiasts and all those looking for a bit of relaxation, but without trespassing on Robinson Crusoe-style wild life. Gili Meno is undoubtedly the most solitary and wildest. If your intention is to emulate Defoe's hero, then you have found the island for you! Gili Meno with its deserted, white beaches can be discovered in total peace in almost two hours on foot. In absolute peace, you will really feel at times as if you are alone on a deserted island. The other Gili Islands are also enchanting, but Meno really has something special!
8 - Neil Island, Andaman and Nicobar Islands (India)
Photo by Harvinder Chandigarh. Floating blissfully in splendid isolation in the east of the Indian subcontinent are the 572 islands that make up the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago. Only 36 islands are inhabited in this densely forested paradise where endless varieties of flowers and birds live. Beautiful beaches fringed by coconut palms swaying sinuously to the rhythm of the sea breeze. And then beautiful seabeds, crystal-clear streams, mangroves, and many endemic animals. Visiting these places is a magnificent experience that will fill your heart with incredible memories. Neil Island is a true gem encompassing all this splendour: coral reefs, biodiversity, beautiful beaches and lush forests await you. In about two hours on foot, you will walk all around it and it is by no means certain that you will meet anyone along the way. The island was uninhabited until the late 1960s. Truly the perfect place to unplug!
9 - Great Barrier Island, New Zealand
For an escape from busy life, Great Barrier Island is ideal. It's just under a hundred kilometres from Auckland, but as if by magic you'll find yourself in another world, all to be discovered on foot, trekking along paths and tracks scattered through the bush. The island, called Aotea (cloud) by the Maori, has a varied landscape made up of beautiful beaches on the east coast and large inlets in the west. Inland, there is a forest reserve consisting of valleys, hills and beautiful streams with thermal pools. The largest settlement is Tryphena: a handful of houses and a few shops scattered for a few kilometres along the coast. In Claris is theArt Gallery, the only showcase for the island's craftsmen and artists, where you can find unique and original pieces ranging from knitting to paintings and sculptures. Electricity exists but is generated by solar and wind power and there are no supermarkets. If you love trekking and backpacking, but also sunbathing and surfing, and find it incredibly beautiful to immerse yourself in unspoilt nature, this island is just right for you!
10 - Sark, English Channel
Photo by Oudeís. An island without lights or cars. That's right: Sark is a small island in the English Channel with just over 600 inhabitants, where cars do not exist as well as street lights. In 2011 it was even awarded by the International Dark-Sky Association, which encourages global efforts to combat light pollution, for the island community's efforts to preserve 'the dark'. In order to respect the environment, cars are not allowed on the island, so the inhabitants move around on foot, by bicycle or in horse-drawn carriages. There are no artificial lights, torches are used to move around the streets. All this 'darkness' makes Sark the ideal place to admire the stars. It is no coincidence that the first observatory, built thanks to a collection of the inhabitants, was inaugurated here. It is a simple telescope installed inside a small wooden building in a field. What can we say? A community truly united for the well-being of the planet!