Most Underrated Island Destinations, According to Travelers

In case you haven’t noticed, the internet has a lot of opinions. Any time you send out a tweet, post on Instagram, or finally share that TikTok video, odds are there is someone waiting to comment. However, on rare occasions, crowdsourcing internet comments can be a good thing. Just look to the Geography subreddit for proof. 

In late January, Reddit user Fun_Ad_8277 posed the question, “What is the most underrated island travel destination?” The user added, “For me, it’s Puerto Rico or possibly the Azores. But I’m looking for our next island adventure.” 

It was a certified hot topic and one of the top trending threads on the platform for the day it was posted. And other Redditors came through with lots and lots of advice. And the No. 1 comment is surely not the place you’d expect.

“Socotra Island, in Yemen. Out-of-this-world plants and wildlife that you can only find on the island, and stunning white sand beaches with turquoise waters, and it only gets about 2,500 visitors per year,” the comment, which gained 65 upvotes, read. 

The island in the Indian Ocean is indeed an isolated paradise filled with Dracaena cinnabari, also known as “the Socotra dragon tree,” which Tour Socotra explained comes with a fantastic origin story: “According to legend, the tree was created when a dragon was killed on the island, and its blood spilled onto the ground, creating the iconic red resin that the tree is famous for. The dragon’s blood tree is now a symbol of the island and its unique flora.”

It noted that another popular legend is that the Queen of Sheba visited Socotra on her journey to meet King Solomon. However, she became “so enchanted by the island’s beauty and bounty that she left behind her treasures and jewels, which are said to be hidden somewhere on the island.” 

And if that’s not reason enough to visit, we’re not sure what is. But if you need more options, Reddit came through. The next most upvoted island was a Travel + Leisure favorite: Naxos, Greece. 

“Naxos, Greece. Low key and absolutely gorgeous,” the commenter wrote. “Climbing Mt Zas through olive groves and goat pasture was like time travel.” On the island, you can also explore the Temple of Apollo, relax on Plaka Beach, or hang out in Old Town. 

Other top spots included St. John, Lefkada, Greece, Vancouver Island, and Saaremaa in Estonia. Though that’s not all. See every island Redditors recommend—and add your own suggestions—here.