I chase islands. I like quiet water, good food, and small surprises. I also like when I can walk the whole town with flip-flops and a tote bag. These are the places I’ve been and would go back to, even with the quirks. Because let’s be real—paradise still has bus schedules and bug bites. I keep a running island bucket list on AddThisMark, so I never lose the little notes that matter when I'm knee-deep in trip planning. If you want an even deeper dive into the sandy details, you can skim my full diary in this first-person island review.
Maui, Hawaii — Lava toes and shave ice smiles
I learned fast on Maui. Lava rock is sharp. I slipped once at Makena and scraped my knee. Salt fixed my mood, not my cut.
Road to Hana was long, but worth it. I kept pulling over for waterfalls, banana bread, and those one-lane bridges. Haleakalā at sunrise felt like space—cold, bright, so quiet. I did need a sunrise reservation, which felt fussy, but I was glad later. If you want an at-a-glance rundown of beaches, drives, and cultural stops, the official Maui visitor site lines everything up nicely. For deeper background and a few quirkier side quests, I cross-referenced the Lonely Planet Maui guide before locking in my route.
For anyone weighing which Hawaiian island to book next, I actually lined them all up—jet lag, malasadas, lava toes and all—in this honest head-to-head comparison.
- Loved: Reef fish at Kapalua Bay, warm malasadas, shave ice piled high.
- Watch out: Rental cars get pricey; sunscreen must be reef-safe (I used Sun Bum).
Beach obsessives, by the way, can compare Maui’s coves with the ones that fried my nose on the North Shore in this no-filter Oahu beach guide.
Tip: Pack a light jacket. The summit isn’t beach weather.
Santorini, Greece — White walls, blue roofs, strong calves
Santorini is stunning. But stairs. So many stairs. I stayed in Oia in a little cave room. The patio felt like a postcard. Sunset crowds were wild, though. I gave up on the castle view and watched from a side street with gelato instead.
The wine was crisp and salty. The tomatoes tasted like sunshine. I took the ferry from Athens. It was smooth, but late. No big deal. I ate a spinach pie and read my book.
- Loved: Boat day to the caldera, black sand at Perissa, tiny cats everywhere.
- Watch out: Prices spike in summer; sidewalks can feel like a fashion runway.
Tip: Book a place with easy stair access if your knees complain.
Bali, Indonesia — Rice fields, scooters, and slow mornings
Bali charmed me with sound. Roosters at dawn. Gamelan at dusk. I stayed near Ubud for rice terraces and yoga. Then I moved to Canggu for beach days and bowls piled with fruit. Scooters rule the road there. I rode on the back and held on like a koala.
Temples asked for respect. I wore a sarong at Tirta Empul. The water was cool and sweet. I liked the ritual more than the photo.
- Loved: Nasi goreng for breakfast, monkeys with attitude, sunsets that hush a crowd.
- Watch out: Traffic near Canggu crawls; always carry cash for small shops.
Tip: Bring a light rain jacket. Storms roll in and out like quick moods.
São Miguel, Azores — Green tea, hot springs, wow views
São Miguel felt cozy and wild. I drove narrow roads edged with hydrangeas. Tea at Gorreana tasted like rain. Furnas smelled like eggs (sulfur), but the hot springs fixed my stiff back. I ate cozido cooked in the ground. It was tender and rich.
Sete Cidades looked painted—bright blue, deep green. I hiked a ridge and stood still for a long time. Wind snapped my hat. I laughed and let it go.
- Loved: Quiet roads, cow bells, pineapple greenhouses with tiny sweet fruit.
- Watch out: Weather flips fast; bring layers and shoes that don’t slip.
Tip: Try a weekday market in Ponta Delgada for cheese and fresh bread.
Coron, Philippines — Blue lagoons and boat days that blur
Coron felt like a string of water dreams. I booked a shared banca boat and met friends by noon. Kayangan Lake was clear like glass. I watched my toes skim white sand. Lunch was grilled fish and mango that dripped down my wrist.
Town is simple—few paved sidewalks, lots of smiles. I rented a scooter. I also got lost. A kid pointed me back with a shy grin. That helped more than the map.
- Loved: Snorkeling over a wreck, Maquinit hot springs at dusk, cheap calamansi juice.
- Watch out: Cash is king; bring reef shoes for sea urchins.
Tip: Biodegradable bug spray. Trust me. The little guys are hungry.
Jeju Island, South Korea — Stone walls, tangerines, and sea women
Jeju felt calm. Black stone walls, hallabong oranges stacked in bright piles, and a soft sea haze. I walked an Olle Trail section. Easy pace. I watched haenyeo (sea women) haul nets and sing. That stayed with me.
I climbed Hallasan on a clear day. The trail had stairs, roots, and sweet pine smell. My legs shook at the top. In a good way.
- Loved: Green tea ice cream, little cafes with clean lines, waterfalls after rain.
- Watch out: Wind can slap hard; buses are fine but not fast.
Tip: Grab a T-money card if you ride buses. Simple and cheap.
Isla Holbox, Mexico — Bare feet and night sparkles
Holbox is sandy streets and no stress. No cars, just golf carts. At night, the water glows with bioluminescence. I whooped like a kid. I also got mosquito bites. Worth it? Yes. Still, I packed calamine for day two.
I walked to Punta Mosquito at low tide. Birds everywhere. The water was warm and shallow, like a big bath. I ate fish tacos with a squeeze of lime and dozed in a hammock.
- Loved: Whale shark tours in season, murals on walls, sunsets that stretch forever.
- Watch out: Rain makes streets muddy; bring simple sandals you don’t mind wrecking.
Tip: Take cash from ATMs on the mainland; machines on the island can run dry.
Quick Gear I Actually Used
- Reef-safe sunscreen that doesn’t sting my eyes (Sun Bum worked for me).
- Thin sarong that becomes a skirt, towel, or shade.
- Dry bag for boat days; I tossed in my phone and a snack.
- Simple water shoes for rocky entries and sea urchins.
The tiny truth
Islands test you a little. Ferries run late. Clouds roll in. A rooster yells at 4 a.m. And then the light shifts, a wave curls, or a local hands you fresh fruit with a shy nod. You breathe out. You feel small in a good way.
Would I go back to all of these? Yes. With better bug spray, a spare hat, and the same open heart. You know what? That’s my whole packing list right there.
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