6 island archipelagos to go to for a winter getaway, from Antigua to Fiji

When the chilly months start to take a toll, a change of surroundings is perhaps the right antidote, particularly if it entails clear blue waters and heat commerce winds. Studies present that spending time close to the coast can enhance our total well-being, and the calming impact usually feels even stronger on islands. Life strikes just a little slower there, making it simpler to calm down, reconnect with nature, and actually unwind.

Trading gray-sky mornings for palm-lined seashores provides an immediate increase, whether or not you’re snorkeling colourful reefs, mountain climbing rainforest trails, or settling in an infinity pool or at a seashore. If you’re prepared to flee winter’s chill, these six island archipelagos are value including to your listing this yr.

1. Fiji

Recognized by National Geographic as a high 25 vacation spot to go to in 2026, Fiji skilled a report variety of guests in 2025. With direct flights to Fiji from main hubs resembling Dallas and Los Angeles, extra vacationers can entry beautiful islands, together with Savusavu, the Yasawa Islands, and Taveuni, generally known as the “Garden Island” of Fiji.  

Paresh Pant, CEO of Tourism Fiji, says, “One of the biggest reasons travelers should choose Fiji is our ‘Bula spirit,’ the warm, generous hospitality of Fijians that makes visitors feel like family the moment they arrive.” He provides that Fiji’s summer season season (which aligns with the Northern Hemisphere’s winter) brings lighter crowds, higher costs, and among the clearest ocean circumstances within the Pacific. “It’s an ideal time for sailing, kayaking, and venturing out to Fiji’s more remote islands,” Pant says.  

On land, guests can hike to waterfalls just like the simply accessible triple cascades of Tavoro Waterfalls within the Bouma National Heritage Park, browse the recent produce and handicrafts at Namaka Market, or participate in cultural traditions resembling a kava ceremony. Pant additionally highlights Loloma Hour, a country-wide sustainability initiative that invitations visitors to spend an hour giving again by way of actions resembling planting coastal bushes, becoming a member of marine conservation efforts, or supporting community-led tasks. 

Where to remain 
The island nation is house to a number of luxurious resorts, together with Likuliku Lagoon Resort and Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay, which characteristic overwater villas. New developments resembling One&Only Fiji and Ritz-Carlton Fiji, Namuka Bay, are on the horizon. Turtle Island is among the nation’s well-renowned resorts and the longest-running eco-resort within the South Pacific. Hosting solely 14 {couples} at a time, the resort takes care of every visitor with a devoted “bure mama,” who can help with actions like clam digging, coastal cave excursions, and a non-public floating pontoon dinner. 

Owner Richard Evanson, Jr., says, “Turtle Island is more than just a beautiful destination. It fosters genuine connections over kava, communal dinners, and other activities with the island’s Fijian staff, fondly called family.” He notes that the property’s heat local weather and group have pushed a 55 % visitor return price.

(How Fiji has grow to be a sustainable island paradise within the South Pacific.)

2. Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

The Galápagos Islands are a wonderful winter vacation spot, particularly for wildlife lovers. Rasa Dawson, vice chairman of Advancement on the Galápagos Conservancy, shares, “Part of the magic of Galápagos is that wildlife isn’t tucked away here. It lives alongside daily life in ways that feel almost surreal.” 

Travelers can dive or snorkel with sea lions and turtles in one of many world’s greatest marine settings, hike volcanic landscapes and mangrove lagoons, and uncover the distinctive habitats of Santa Cruz, Isabela, and Española, that are house to essential breeding websites and uncommon species, such because the waved albatross. One lesser-known spotlight is the Galápagos Conservation Center, which focuses on large tortoise restoration and different conservation efforts throughout the islands.  

From December to May, the climate is heat and tropical, with largely sunny days and occasional temporary showers. Dawson says, “Because the archipelago sits right on the Equator, there’s truly no wrong time to visit. But in the heart of winter, it’s hard to beat the sunshine, beauty, and abundance of life on land and underwater.” 

Where to remain
While vacationers can guide impartial journeys and keep in guesthouses and boutique resorts, such because the 14-room Pikaia Lodge, most select an expedition cruise. Several corporations function cruises within the area, together with National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions, which provides seven- to 10-day cruises of the archipelago. Natalya Leahy, CEO of Lindblad Expeditions, says, “Our itineraries leave room for the unexpected, allowing wildlife, weather, and wonder to shape the journey.” That philosophy dates again to 1967, when Lars-Eric Lindblad led the primary non-scientific expedition to the islands. 

(Here are a couple of ideas for accountable wildlife tourism)

3. Antigua and Barbuda

With greater than 365 pristine seashores, vacationers to Antigua and Barbuda can get pleasure from a distinct stretch of sand on daily basis of the yr. Visitors can snorkel the colourful corals at Cades Reef or unwind on the shores of Ffryes Beach and Darkwood Beach. Many individuals additionally discover the historic Nelson’s Dockyard or hike as much as Shirley Heights Lookout for the sundown metal drum performances and panoramic views. 

Where to remain
Michelin-Key properties, Curtain Bluff and Hermitage Bay, are situated close to calm bays and supply high-end eating and wellness-focused actions. Antigua additionally options the area’s solely all-inclusive overwater bungalows at Royalton CHIC Antigua and Royalton Antigua. Each overwater villa comes with a non-public infinity plunge pool, devoted butler service, and panoramic water views.

In 2024, Antigua and Barbuda noticed a record-breaking surge in guests, and curiosity in Antigua’s sister island can be rising. Barbuda is making ready for the extremely anticipated opening of Nobu Beach Inn, backed by actor Robert De Niro. The new resort shall be situated inside The Beach Club, Barbuda, a 400-acre resort and residential group. 

4. Turks and Caicos

If sinking your toes into the gentle sand of one of many world’s greatest seashores sounds interesting, the Turks and Caicos Islands are a simple alternative. Most guests—no matter their itinerary—spend time on Grace Bay Beach, a panoramic three-mile stretch of powdery white sand. Travelers can snorkel or dive round spots like Smith’s Reef, house to sea turtles, rays, and reef sharks. For whale-watching excursions, individuals ought to plan a visit right here between January and April to see humpback whales migrating by way of the channel between Grand Turk and Salt Cay 

Where to remain
The island has welcomed a wave of recent luxurious resorts in 2025, together with The Strand and South Bank, and the Palms Turks and Caicos, which not too long ago reopened after an $18 million renovation that added a glossy oceanfront infinity pool deck and swim-up bar, the Mexican-inspired restaurant Sí Sí, and upgraded visitor suites. Families ought to take into account staying on the all-inclusive Beaches Turks and Caicos, which is able to debut its new Treasure Beach Village in March 2026. This $150 million challenge will add 101 multi-bedroom suites designed with households in thoughts, six new meals and beverage ideas, and a 15,000-square-foot pool.

Getting to the islands has grow to be simpler, too. Delta and Frontier have launched winter nonstop routes from Detroit and Atlanta, and American Airlines now provides a direct, twice-a-week flight from Miami to South Caicos, offering vacationers entry to a once-remote space that options the brand new Salterra Resort and Sailrock Resort. 

5. Seychelles

With a lot of its territory surrounded by the Indian Ocean, Seychelles provides a dream-like setting. Spanning practically 550,000 sq. miles with greater than 300 miles of jaw-dropping shoreline, the nation attracts guests wanting to snorkel or dive amongst vivid coral reefs present in spots like Saint-Anne Marine National Park.

But guests have a lot to discover on land as they do at sea. “We have eight protected national parks and nature reserves, many with incredible biodiversity and unique flora and fauna found only in Seychelles,” says Karen Confait, advertising and marketing supervisor for Tourism Seychelles. The parks and reserves embrace endemic species just like the Seychelles black parrot, magpie-robin, and sheath-tailed bat.  

The nation has two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Aldabra Atoll, which has greater than 150,000 large tortoises, the most important inhabitants anyplace on this planet, and Vallee de Mai National Park on Praslin Island, house to Coco de Mer palms, a extremely protected native species solely discovered right here, and the island of Curieuse.

Travelers in search of journey can discover the rainforest trails of Morne Seychellois National Park or the cross-island Mare aux Cochons Trail. Travelers also can get pleasure from a rum tasting on the Takamaka Rum Distillery, go island hopping between the nation’s 115 islands, or go to the National Botanical Garden to see the well-known Coco de Mer palm. 

One of the preferred excursions is a day journey to the car-free island of La Digue. Confait says, “You can marvel at giant granite formations at Anse Source d’Argent and bike around the island in less than an hour.” Winter brings a barely wetter season with temporary tropical showers, but the rain normally clears shortly, leaving loads of sunshine for exploring and enjoyable. 

Where to remain
Although the archipelago provides ultra-luxury properties resembling Four Seasons Desroches Island, Six Senses Zil Pasyon, and North Island, some vacationers go for a small-ship luxurious cruise to discover the nation simply.Ponant Cruises and Variety Cruises supply itineraries starting from three to seven nights.

6. Whitsunday Islands, Australia

Australia’s Whitsunday Islands, a cluster of 74 idyllic isles, boast pristine waters, considerable marine life, and colourful coral reefs. Hamilton Island serves because the central gateway to the Whitsundays. It’s the one island within the area with a industrial airport, providing direct flights from Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, and Cairns.

“The icons of Whitehaven Beach and the Great Barrier Reef are right at our doorstep, which means travelers can easily access the powdery sands of Whitehaven Beach, dive or snorkel in the reef’s lagoon, or take in the marine life from a glass-bottom boat that sails from Hamilton Island Air’s private pontoon,” says Nick Dowling, CEO of Hamilton Island. Hamilton Island Golf Club encompasses a course created by the design agency of legendary Australian golfer Peter Thomas. On Hook Island, guests eager about First Nations tradition can be part of Ngaro information Robbie Congoo to see historic rock artwork.

Dowling provides, “Beyond the iconic sights, the Whitsundays offer quieter treasures such as nature trails, hidden coves, and scenic lookouts.” Travelers can discover greater than 15 miles (25 kilometers) of trails appropriate for strolling or e-mountain biking. “A sunrise walk to Passage Peak on Hamilton Island is unforgettable,” Dowling says. “And few moments compare to watching the sunset over the Whitsundays from One Tree Hill.”

Where to remain
When it involves lodging, Qualia is the benchmark for personal luxurious, based on Dowling. Located on the secluded northern tip of Hamilton Island, it consists of two upscale eating places, Spa qualia, 60 one-bedroom pavilions, and the unique Beach House, The Residence, and Sunset Pavilion. 

Nearby, vacationers may also discover five-star stays on the Beach Club, the InterContinental Hayman Great Barrier Reef, and Elysian Retreat. At The Sundays, the island’s latest boutique resort, visitors can get pleasure from 59 up to date visitor rooms with choices for connecting rooms, a children’ membership and playground, and family-friendly leisure and eating, together with the Catseye Pool Club, overseen by “World’s 50 Best Chef” honoree Josh Niland and his spouse Julie.