If you're creating a travel bucket list for 2022 and beyond, you might be looking for islands that are a bit outside the box. Maybe you want to satisfy your sense of adventure and wanderlust, and with that in mind, the following are some unique islands you could consider.
Guam
Guam is a beautiful, hospitable, and inviting island. Despite being a U.S. territory, Guam feels very remote and far-flung.
There are great restaurants on Guam with traditional cuisine the island is known for, and there are beautiful sunsets, fantastic diving with thriving reefs and shipwrecks, and relaxing beaches.
There's almost always an excuse for the people of Guam to get together and celebrate, with numerous festivals happening throughout the year.
There's also fascinating history that makes Guam a worthwhile place to visit, going back 4000 years.
Palawan
Palawan is a stunning Philippines island. While you're there, you can visit one of the indigenous people whose settlements are on what's known as Cleopatra's Needle.
Palawan has lighthouses and architecture, and there are festivals throughout the year.
The dive sites surrounding Palawan are world-famous, and you can also raft and kayak. One of the features that makes Palawan so uniquely beautiful is the limestone cliffs, but the coral reefs are also up there with more awe-inspiring natural features.
There are coastal areas, including Honda Bay and Starfish Island.
Palawan comprises more than 1,780 islands with white beaches and rock formations, and it's very much an adventurer's paradise.
Seychelles
Seychelles is an archipelago around 1,500 miles east of the African coast. The main island is Mahe, which has the capital of Victoria. There are also two smaller islands—La Digue and Praslin. Then, there are more than 100 smaller islands, many of which are private resorts.
The water is shallow from many beaches because a coral reef protects it, so it's great for snorkeling.
Many of the islands are formed from granite, so there are sandy beaches and nice waves.
There's a lot of wildlife in Seychelles, including ancient tortoises, geckos, lizards, and nearly 200 species of birds.
There aren't direct flights from the U.S., but you can connect through London or some more prominent Middle Eastern hubs.
The islands are green and lush, with incredibly clear water.
The temperature doesn't vary much throughout the year, and it's usually above 80 degrees no matter what time you visit.
Santorini
While many of the islands on this list are tropical and feel very remote and nearly uninhabited, Santorini is something different altogether.
Santorini is perhaps the most famous of the Greek islands.
There is no way to compare the views of Santorini to anything else. Staying on the caldera edge offers you the ability to enjoy these views fully. Oia, Fira, Imerovigli, and Firostefani are the towns where you get all of the views you probably associate with Santorini.
The sunsets are one of the big draws of Santorini, and overall it's one of the most visited destinations in the entire world.
St. Lucia
St. Lucia is a Caribbean island that's not like any other. One of the most compelling things about St. Lucia is how the green mountains rise from what seems like the ocean. That juxtaposition of lush peaks and ocean is distinctive to St. Lucia.
It's a big island, with a lot to do.
For example, you can visit Castries Market for all the delicious treats the West Indies has to offer.
There's Pigeon Island National Park, where you can hike and get some of the island’s best views.
Take a mineral bath in Sulfur Springs or consider taking a catamaran snorkeling tour.
You can climb the Pitons or zip-line through the rainforest if you're adventurous, or you can simply relax on the beach at one of the five-star resorts calling St. Lucia home.
If you love music, think about visiting St. Lucia in early May. You can attend the St. Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival held at Pigeon Island National Landmark.
Malta
Malta is a country made up of multiple islands, and the archipelago has three main islands: Malta, Gozo, and Comino. Malta is rich in history, with temples that are 5000 years old. Some of the structures on Malta are the oldest remaining on earth.
Nearly everyone in the area has ruled Malta at one point, and the country is tiny. You can drive from end to end on the main island in around an hour.
Valletta is the capital city, and it's the smallest capital in Europe based on land area.
There are more than 300 sunny days a year in Malta on average, but the best time to visit is in the summer, although this is also the busiest season.
Malta is in the middle of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, and north of Africa.
Cyprus
Cyprus is close to Turkey, Syria, and Lebanon, but it's part of the European Union. The country is divided into two parts. The Turkish Cypriot Government operates the northern third. The Greek Cypriots run the two-third in the south. The capital Nicosia is the last divided city in the world.
According to Greek mythology, Cyprus is home to Aphrodite, the goddess of beauty and love.
Cyprus has been home to many civilizations, including the Ancient Greeks and Romans, and it was once the crossroads of the world.
Capri
Finally, Capri is an Italian island known for luxury and so much more.
Capri has wonderful food and shopping, and also natural beauty. Plus, you'll see the yachts of the rich and famous parked here in the summer season.
The beaches get crowded in the summer, so one of the best ways to see Capri is by boat. Some coves and grottos are famous the world over.
Many visitors only go to Capri Town, but there's another town called Anacapri. It's more residential, and you can go on a chair lift to the top of Monte Solaro.
