Top 10 Island Escapes

TripAdvisor has announced their top ten island escapes for November, 2008.

1)Maui, Hawaii, United States

Have you ever imagined watching the sunrise from on top of a 10,000 foot volcano, or swimming under waterfalls, or hiking through craters and relaxing on white, red, or even black sand? If any of these things are what you are looking for then you need to visit Maui. You can hop on a catamaran, which is , to go snorkeling or scuba diving. Or you can go golfing, dining, visit the winerys, museums or just sit on the beach and enjoy your favorite drink. Though, the most popular thing to do on this island are the Safari Boat Excursions, which I would suggest looking into before you visit.

2)St. Lucia, Carribean, North America

This is a small carribean island that is fun for families and honemooners. Activities range from relaxing things, such as sunbathing on golden-sand beaches, visiting colonial villages, or soaking in thermal baths, to more active things such as, ziplining through the rainforest canopy, windsurfing in the clear blue water, or climbing a dormant volcano. You can also experience the unique activity of walking between the steaming sulfur springs of volcanic Mt. Soufrière. Also, every Friday night you can join the locals for outdoor dancing and seafood dinners.

3)Santorini, Cyclades, Greece

Santorini is located in the southern Aegean's Cyclades islands. It curves around a giant lagoon and a caldera left by a volcano eruption. Hydrofoils, ferries, and catamarans connect the island to other islands in the Cyclades and to the main land. They also have an amazing night life around the island with fun filled night clubs and even disco clubs.

4)Puerto Rico, Carribean, North America

People interested in cultural areas will love visiting La Isla's heritage and history, from Old San Juans charms to folk art and festivals in the outlying towns. Coffee plantations, colonial towns, beaches, bars, and restaurants are waiting to be explored by all visitors. Old San Juan is a very atmospheric place to wander. Or you can experience life at a different pace with rainforest hiking, scuba diving, or swimming.

5)Jamaica, Carribean, North America

Jamaica is home to a melting pot of African, Asian, European, and Middle Eastern cultures. You will see this in their strong crafts and traditions, performing arts and distinctive dining options. You can go to the famous cliff jumping spot at Negril Cliffs or take it a little easier on the long beaches, protected coves, rugged mountains, waterfalls, caves, with chances to play in the surf, ride horses or even swim with dolphins.

6)Bora Bora, Society Islands, French Polynesia

Bora Bora makes quite the first impression when you look out at the beach and see turquoise lagoons from all around the island roads which traces its 19-mile circumference. This place may be small but there is a lot of things to do. You can dip your feet into the water at the Lagoonarium, the diving center, the coral gardens, or the leopard rays trench. At the end of the day, you can sit on top of the 2300 foot Mount Otemanu and look around at all of these watery wonders, or view them while taking a walk through the palm-studded Matria Point.

7)Bahamas, Carribean, North America

The Bahamian Archipelago containing over 700 islands and cays includes the popular cities of Freeport and Nassau. Freeport offers great shopping experiences and many casinos. Nassau also offers great gambling activities and the Ardastra Gardens Zoo. In the Bahamas, you can experience swimming with dolphins and sharks, or snorkeling in the pristine reefs are just some of the fun things you can experience while in the Bahamas.

8)Phuket, Thailand, Asia

There is a rainbow array of colors to view while your vacationing at Phuket. You can see anything from blue lagoons to pink sunsets to orange-robed monks. Transportation includes three-wheeled Tuk Tuks, taxis, buses and long-tailed boats. The south coast contains the most popular beaches here while the north coast is more tranquil. Diving, snorkeling, surfing, and sailing are just a few of the active sports that people can engage in while visiting Phuket. If you want to stay on the land, forested hills, mountains, and cliffs wait to be explored.

9)Turks and Caicos, Carribean, North America

When you visit Turks and Caicos, you can island hop by ferry or you can stay on one island and ride around on a rented bike or scooter. This island lures people in when they see that Turks and Caicos' eight major islands contain the longest coral reefs, 230 miles of snady beaches, crystal clear waters, and a bounty of dive spots. This is all located just east of the Bahamas. The bird sanctuary French Cay, underwater Columbus Landfall National Park or the Caicos Conch Farm are among some of the major attractions of these islands.

10)St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands, Carribean

St. John had many things to do, just like most islands. You can do all sorts of things from visiting specialty shops to National Parks to gorgeous beaches. I would love to go to this island because there are many shops to stop at along the way, and that is one of my favorite things to do.

When I think of a island, the only things I can think of are beaches and oceans. But, after doing a little bit of research on these top ten islands, I realized there is a lot of other things to do, as well as beaches and oceans. I would have never guessed how many things you can do on these small little islands. So when your thinking of your next vacation, check out some of these places and all of the things you can do while your here!

P.S. Make sure you check out the "Before you go" section at each of the sites so you know what to expect when you get there!