The island index

Sprawling beaches, rich cultures and untouched pockets of wilderness are just a few alluring characteristics of the best islands in the world. But which islands can be crowned the best to visit in 2024? 

From Mykonos to Fiji, St Lucia to the Maldives, island getaways are a popular holiday destination for tourists worldwide. Our experts at Bounce have created an index full of the world’s best island destinations to reveal the best island vacations for 2024. 

The best island destinations

1. Phuket, Thailand - 10/10

Highest average temperature - March, 29 °C
Highest average rainfall - September, 400 mm
Warmest average sea temperature - April, 30 °C
Number of beaches - 40
Things to do - 2,873
Average hotel price - $184.58
Cost of a drink - $2.64

Phuket, Thailand, ranks as the best island destination in 2024. Being a large island, Phuket is surrounded by many magnificent beaches, such as Rawai, Kamala, and Mai Khao, all of which offer some of the most beautiful sunsets in Thailand. Complete, too, with museums, temples, and hospitality centres, Phuket is a go-to destination if you're looking for a holiday experience full of sightseeing and vibrant nightlife. 

Phuket is also reasonably priced, with the average nightly price of a 3-star hotel reaching $184.58 and the cost of a beer sitting at just $2.64.

2. Zanzibar, Tanzania - 9.66/10

Highest average temperature - February, 28 °C  
Highest average rainfall - April, 401 mm
Warmest average sea temperature - March, 30 °C
Number of beaches - 24
Things to do - 1,718
Average hotel price - $158.56
Cost of a drink - $1.93

Up next is Zanzibar, Tanzania. Often thought of as just one big tropical island, Zanzibar is a large cluster of over 40 islands. You can explore every island, many of which are virtually untouched by tourists, each full of culture, history, and shining white-sand beaches. Or, you can swim, snorkel and lounge the hours away, with the average hotel price costing $158.56 per night and a beer at just $1.93. 

3. Crete, Greece - 9.31/10

Highest average temperature - July, 26 °C
Highest average rainfall - December, 89 mm
Warmest average sea temperature - August, 25 °C
Number of beaches - 228
Things to do - 3,110
Average hotel price - $210.59
Cost of a drink - $3.44

Crete, the largest island in Greece and the fifth largest in the Mediterranean Sea is the third-best destination for an island holiday in 2024. Admire the glorious beaches, of which there are over 200, the impressive mountainscapes, fertile valleys and steep gorges. Or, explore the cultural attractions, such as the ancient monasteries, some built in the 15th century or earlier. This includes the palace of Knossos, which is over 3,500 years old. Crete is renowned for its wild natural beauty, exquisite cuisine and thousands of years of culture and history. 

4. Puerto Rico, Caribbean - 8.97/10

Highest average temperature - August, 24 °C
Highest average rainfall - February, 22 mm
Warmest average sea temperature - September, 23 °C
Number of beaches - 204
Things to do - 3,185
Average hotel price - $336.87
Cost of a drink - $2.49

Puerto Rico is the fourth best island destination for 2024, found at the edge of the Caribbean Sea. Here, you can explore the enchanting colonial streets of San Juan, the oldest continuously inhabited post-European contact city in the USA. Or, for the more adventurous, you can trek in jungles, snorkel with tropical fish, or simply relax by the pool, sipping cocktails in the sun. 

Great food, rich history and culture, and active adventures are available to all who visit Puerto Rico. There are over 3,000 things to do, and the warmest month is August when average temperatures reach 24 °C. 

5. Mallorca, Spain - 8.62/10

Highest average temperature - August, 25 °C
Highest average rainfall - October, 70 mm
Warmest average sea temperature - August, 26 °C
Number of beaches - 123
Things to do - 2,692
Average hotel price - $292.28
Cost of a drink - $3.17

Imagine an island where turquoise blue waters, soft golden sands, and rugged mountains surround a vibrant and exciting capital city, and that is Palma. Mallorca (also known as Majorca) is overflowing with character and is home to globally famous beaches. Brimming with luxury hotels and villas, Mallorca offers delicious wines and traditional cuisine. There are over 2,000 things to do here, including boat trips, strolls through the old streets of Palma, water parks and watersports.

The island destination with the highest average temperature

Grand Cayman, Caribbean - August, 30 °C

Grand Cayman in the Caribbean has the hottest average temperature of all islands we looked at 30 °C, recorded in August. If you’re looking for an island escape with the warmest weather, then Grand Caymen should be near the top of your list. 

The island destination with the lowest average rainfall

Cook Islands, South Pacific Ocean - February, 20 mm

Cook Islands in the South Pacific Ocean record the lowest average rainfall. In February, Cook Island records just 20 mm of rainfall, so, if you are desperate to escape the rain, Cook Islands is a great opportunity to help guarantee nice weather during your visit. 

The island destinations with the highest average sea temperature

Aruba, South America
Grand Cayman, Caribbean
Maldives, Indian Ocean
Bora Bora, French Polynesia
Langkawi, Malaysia
Ko Phi Phi, Thailand
Phuket, Thailand
Zanzibar, Tanzania

30 °C
Fortunately, there are eight island destinations to choose from if you’re looking for warm sea temperatures to relax in. Aruba, Grand Cayman, Maldives, Bora Bora, Langkawi, Ko Phi Phi, Phuket, and Zanzibar all offer maximum sea temperatures of 30 °C throughout the year. 

Remember, swimming in these temperatures can be dangerous, so take care to stay hydrated and don’t swim for too long!

The island destination with the most beaches

Sardinia, Italy - 490

Sardinia, Italy, has the highest number of beaches to choose from on our list at a whopping 490. With this amount of beaches, it’s safe to assume your next trip to Sardinia will be punctuated by idyllic trips to the seaside. The island is well known for its stunning beaches of soft, white sand and crystal-clear waters. 

The island destination with the most things to do

Bali, Indonesia - 10,585

If adventure is your priority, then consider Bali, Indonesia, for your next island vacation. Bali has over 10,000 things to do, from day trips, extreme sports, snorkelling, tours of sacred and religious sites, and an abundance of shopping malls to visit. There is something for everyone in Bali, and it ranks among the top 10 best island destinations on our list. 

The island destination with the cheapest hotels

Ko Phi Phi, Thailand - $97.84

Ko Phi Phi, Thailand, has the cheapest average price of hotels, coming in at just $97.84 per night on weekends. To make this destination even more attractive for budget holidaymakers, it ranks among the top five best island destinations on our list and one everyone should consider for their next holiday. 

The island destination with the cheapest drinks

Bazaruto Archipelago, Mozambique - $0.97

If you’re not an extreme sport, cultural sightseeing, or relaxing-by-the-pool sort of holidaymaker, then you’ll probably be keen to know where the cheapest beer is on our list of island destinations. Look no further than Bazaruto Archipelago, Mozambique, where beers come in as cheap at 79p for a domestic beer.  

Cody Candee, CEO and Founder of Bounce, comments:

“Often surrounded by crystal-clear blue waters, sandy white beaches, and lush green forests, islands make ideal vacation destinations. Islands worldwide are renowned for their stunning natural beauty, which helps you relax and reconnect with nature. Some of the best island destinations to visit in 2024 include Phuket, Thailand, Zanzibar, Tanzania, and Crete, Greece. 

“Many islands also offer exciting adventures, from snorkelling, surfing, hiking, and exploring the islands' natural beauty and cultural heritage. The people, food, and cultures of island destinations can be very different from what you are used to. Often, there are either laid-back paradises or colourful and exciting festival islands. 

“Island vacations are all about slowing down and relaxing, which is often a welcome change for many in their fast-paced modern lives. So, next time you're planning a holiday or escape, consider an Island destination from this list.”

Methodology

Island destinations were ranked on each of the following factors:

• Average temperature, average sea temperature, and average rainfall sourced from Holiday-Weather.com
• Number of beaches sourced from Tripadvisor
• Things to do sourced from Tripadvisor
• Cost of hotels sourced from Kayak.co.uk
• Cost of a drink from Numbeo

Each destination was given a rank based on these factors. The rank was also normalised.