Best places for island hopping

Want to make the most of your time away? Why stick to one place when you can tick off several in one holiday? We’ve picked out the perfect destinations for a see-it-all island–hopping holiday… 

Island hopping in Greece

As their name suggests, the Greek Islands are prime for a spot of island hopping. You’ll have seen them all over social media – there’s Instagram-favourite Santorini, the party vibes of Mykonos or the historic spot of Rhodes, to name just three of the 200-plus inhabited spots. The islands in Greece are grouped into the Cyclades, Dodecanese and Ionian, making it easy to focus your excursions by location. Opt for an organised tour itinerary that leads you from one to the other or set up camp and go explore with a number of daytrips by ferry.   

Island hopping in Thailand

Thailand is full of postcard-perfect islands, with over 300 for you to choose from. You probably won’t see them all in one holiday, but it’s easy to ferry–hop between the big hitters. If you’re staying on the west coast, you can see Phuket, Koh Phi Phi and Koh Lanta. Or, if you’re based on mainland Krabi, you can book an experience around the Similan Islands for a chance to explore one of the 11 atolls in this protected area. On these tours, you’ll usually tick off Donald Duck Bay – a cluster of rocks that look like the Disney character – and have the chance to climb to the top for a panoramic view. Then, you’ll likely get the chance to snap on your snorkel and spot barracudas, trigger fish and turtles in the turquoise waters. 

Island hopping in Italy

Yep, Italy is an island-hopper‘s paradise, too, whether you’re staying on the mainland, Sicily or Sardinia. From Sorrento, you’re just a half-hour boat ride away from influencer-favourite Capri, known as the Pearl of the Mediterranean. This place lines up glitzy harbours, designer shops and the famous Blue Grotto caves. Or, if you’re staying in Sicily, you can’t miss the Aeolian Islands – a cluster of volcanic islets just off the coast where you can enjoy mineral-rich mud baths and soft black–sand beaches. 

Island hopping in Ibiza

You won’t get bored of Ibiza easily, thanks to its world-class sunsets, perfect white sand beaches and, of course, some of the biggest and best clubs in the world. If you do fancy taking a daytrip, pick the island of Formentera, which you can get to easily from Ibiza Town. The ferry takes just 35 minutes from shore to shore and runs almost every half an hour. Formentera is only accessible by boat from Ibiza, so unsurprisingly, the vibe here is pretty chilled and there are tonnes of unspoilt beaches to explore. 

Island hopping in Mexico

Head to Mexico’s Caribbean Coast for your next holiday and combine Cancun’s historic sites with a gorgeous island getaway. There are plenty of beautiful islands just off the coast to choose from, including the popular Isla Mujeres just 30 minutes from the Hotel Zone in Cancun. It offers a pretty eco-park, plenty of Mayan ruins and some great snorkelling spots. For something a little different, head north of Cancun to Isla Holbox where you can swim with whale sharks. The elusive giants arrive in May and stick around ‘til September, so you’ve got the whole summer to go for a dip with them if you dare. The shallow lagoons here are also packed full of flamingos, pelicans and exotic birds. 

Island hopping in Croatia

Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast is full of historic harbourside towns, glitzy yacht-surrounded islets and sand-and-shingle beaches. It’s easy to switch between them all – pick a base like Brac island and you can enjoy sleepy, secluded beaches and quaint villages backed by mountains. When you fancy a daytrip or two, it’s easy to hop on a ferry and make tracks for glam Hvar, or culture-packed Split. You can’t miss a visit to the UNESCO-listed Roman city of Split on your trip. This iconic spot lines up 13th-century cathedrals, pretty curbside cafes which are perfect for people watching, and the impressive Diocletian’s Palace. 

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Authors: Selina Akhtar and Becky Wells

Last updated: 05.07.2023