Last Updated: 1/25/24 | January 25th, 2024 I’m a beach guy. When I think of paradise, my mind drifts to white sand beaches, azure blue water, and palm trees in tropical locales. When most people think of paradise, chances are they’re also thinking of tropical islands in far-flung corners of the world. Lounging with a […]
Search Results for: islands
Cook Islands Travel Guide
The Cook Islands consist of 15 islands scattered over an area stretching some 2 million square kilometers in the Pacific Ocean. While the islands are named after 18th-century British explorer Captain James Cook, Polynesians have actually inhabited the islands since at least 1000 CE (Cook wasn’t even the first European to arrive here; the Spanish […]
The Whitsunday Islands Travel Guide
The Whitsunday Islands are a collection of 74 islands off the central coast of Queensland, Australia. These incredibly stunning islands are one of the most popular destinations in the country. From backpackers on sailing trips to locals on their own boats to those staying at the luxury resorts that dot the islands, anyone who goes […]
The Perhentian Islands Travel Guide
The Perhentian Islands in Malaysia are hugely popular with snorkelers and divers, as the reefs and crystalline waters surrounding them are home to a wide variety of coral, sea turtles, sharks, and colorful fish. The Malay word Perhentian roughly translates to “stopping point” — an appropriate name considering most travelers who visit here end up […]
Gili Islands Travel Guide
Situated just off the coast of Lombok in Indonesia, the Gilis are a hugely popular island destination for those visiting Indonesia. While there are several Gili Islands (including Gili Asahan and Gili Gede, south of Lombok) we usually refer to three main islands when talking about the Gilis: Gili Air, Gili Meno, and Gili Trawangan, […]
Yasawa Islands Travel Guide
The Yasawa Islands is an archipelago of 20 islands in the northwest Fiji that make up one of the most popular regions in the country — especially among budget travelers. With amazing diving, incredible beaches, scenic vistas, plentiful hiking, and amazing wildlife (including manta rays!), the Yasawas are a postcard-perfect destination for budget travelers in […]
Bay of Islands Travel Guide
The Bay of Islands is one of the most popular destinations in all of New Zealand. Mile after mile of beach and rocky coastline surround the bay, which is dotted with 144 islands. It’s a hugely popular summer getaway destination for those around Auckland. The beauty of the Bay of Islands — and its countless […]
How to Backpack the Yasawa Islands
Updated: 03/14/19 | March 14th, 2019 The Yasawa Islands are a picturesque chain of islands in Fiji, full of small resorts and postcard-perfect beaches. There are 20 volcanic islands that make up the group, each one offering incredibly diving (I actually learned to dive here), snorkeling, and hiking. The Yasawa Islands were actually closed to […]
British Virgin Islands Travel Guide
The British Virgin Islands are a picture-perfect paradise. These idyllic islands are home to white-sand beaches, excellent diving and snorkeling, crystal-clear turquoise water, scenic hiking, lots of boating opportunities, and more cheap rum you can handle. However, life here is not just hammocks and piña coladas. From festivals and diving to scenic hiking trails and […]
How to Sail the British Virgin Islands for Free
Last Updated: 2/3/23 | March 2nd, 2023 The British Virgin Islands often foster images of intrepid sailors and adventurers living their own version of a Jimmy Buffett song: sailing the seas, relentlessly drinking rum, stopping at hidden beaches, and exploring deserted islands. Standing behind the wheel with the wind whipping at your hair as the […]
My 16 Favorite Things to Do in the Virgin Islands
Last Updated: 8/17/23 | August 17th, 2023 Two of the most-visited destinations in the Caribbean, the US and British Virgin Islands were what I expected them to be: white sand beaches, excellent diving and snorkeling, turquoise crystal-clear water, scenic hiking, lots of boating opportunities, and heavily poured rum drinks. I spent a month traveling the […]
How to Save (and Not Save) Money in the Virgin Islands
Last Updated: 2/1/23 | February 1st, 2023 Budget travel is like a puzzle to me. I roam the world trying to put the pieces together, trying to turn the most expensive destinations in the world into budget-friendly destinations. I’ve been able to make Iceland, Japan, Sweden, and even Norway affordable. Of course, sometimes I fail, […]