Skip the Crowds: 10 Under-the-Radar Holiday Islands

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Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Kos have long worn their crowns as island icons — they are reliable holiday choices — but why not seek quieter shores, where uncrowded beaches and wild tropical forests await your discovery? There is something soul-stirring about sinking your toes into silky smooth sand while only hearing the chirping of birds and the hypnotic sound of waves. Just you, the sea, and a moment of undisturbed peace. We’ve gathered the top ten best alternative island getaways, where you can experience island life without the buzz from crowds of tourists. 

1. Lombok, Indonesia

Are you dreaming of that barefoot island feeling — tropical, tranquil, and blissfully free of crowds and curated chaos? Just 90 minutes away from Bali lies Lombok, its quieter and more introspective sister. Its laidback rhythm and stunning nature lets you truly unwind. The island is home to Indonesia’s second-highest volcano, Rinjani. It is a sacred volcanic mountain, where the indigenous Sasak people live, who use hot springs and caves for meditation and healing rituals. The mountain’s presence is both majestic and spiritual. 

If you are more of the beachy type and love to explore unique beach spots, check out Tangsi Beach, which is usually referred to as the ‘Pink Beach’. 

There are only ten pink beaches in the world, and the phenomenon comes from microscopic marine organisms. When they die, their reddish-pink shells break down and mix with the surrounding white sand, and this blend creates the stunning soft pink colour that graces specific coastlines. Don’t leave without seeing this!

2. Isle of Rum, Scotland

 

Just south of the Isle of  Skye’s brooding peaks lies the Isle of Rum — and no, it’s not named after the spirit, although it wouldn’t feel totally out of place in a Pirates of the Caribbean sequel… 

Wild, remote and wonderfully untamed, Rum offers a rawer experience than its famous neighbour. Wander through the echoing halls of Kinloch Castle, pitch your tent beneath a starlit sky, and keep an eye out for the island’s iconic deer, frequently spotted along the rocky slopes. 

With 97 per cent of the island draped in untouched nature, it’s a true sanctuary — home to a variety of birdlife and marine creatures. Why not also take a trip to the south shore of Kinchloch Bay, also known as ‘The Otter Side’? This quiet stretch is the best place on the island to spot otters in the wild, often seen gliding or playing just a few metres away. 

Another highlight when visiting this island is kayaking and paddleboarding through the island’s dramatic coastline and sea caves, however this is weather dependent — don’t be a daredevil and try it when the skies are storm-laced!

3. Nisyros, Greece

Welcome to Nisyros: a Greek island housing Greece’s youngest and active volcano. Far from the crowds of Santorini, Crete or Kos, this under-the-radar island is great for those craving the essence of a Greek holiday — minus the queues and selfie sticks. 

For a memorable dining experience, head to Balconi tou Emporeiou, where you can enjoy tasty traditional Greek cuisine while soaking up the amazing views of the volcano. Fresh food, panoramic views and zero crowds? Yes, please. 

If you are feeling warm from the island’s heat, head over to Pachia Ammos, a remote beach with dark volcanic sand and crystal-clear waters. Bring a picnic, grab a disposable camera and unfold slowly — just you, the sea, and the kind of quiet that’s rare to experience. 

4. Ponza, Italy

Want to experience Italian charm without the Amalfi crowds? Head over to Ponza, Italy — a small island off the coast of Rome where you can enjoy turquoise waters, dramatic cliffs and colourful houses. You can indulge in amazing Frutto di Mare from one of the island’s great seafood tavernas, or take a boat trip to the enchanting hidden grottoes tucked into the coastline. 

The Italian island also offers a sandy beach, which is in fact, the only one in the area. Despite this, it never tends to get crowded. Here, you can enjoy a view of nestled hills and colourful fishing boats, while sipping on a limoncello spritz and letting the day drift by.

Out of all of the amazing Italian summer getaways, Ponza is without doubt an intimate, slow-paced and off-the-beaten-path choice. 

5. Gili Air, Indonesia

Nicknamed ‘the chill island’, Gili Air is a haven for those who enjoy the unhurried rhythm of life. Its laid-back atmosphere attracts slow-travel seekers and soulful explorers looking to disconnect — and reconnect — in a place where time drifts like the tide. 

Here, you could enjoy yoga at sunrise, golden afternoons sipping cocktails as the sun dips into the horizon, and evenings gathered around beach bonfires as you listen to soft guitar clipping. Though Gili is known for people who visit Bali, it never feels overcrowded since there is no motorised traffic, which keeps the island calm and quiet.

If you are craving a bit more adventure, head to the local diving centre. Whether you’re a first-time diver or an experienced explorer, the vibrant reefs and sea turtles promise unforgettable experiences. 

6. Dominica, Caribbean

Dominica, often called ‘the nature island’ of the Caribbean, is a lush, mountainous sanctuary that feels worlds away from the polished resorts and cruise crowds of its neighbouring islands. Here, the wild is still wild — emerald forests, volcanic peaks, and over 265 rivers carve through the landscape like veins of adventure. 

You can take a dip in the island’s natural emerald pool, hidden beneath a cover of rainforest, or snorkel through the warm, bubbly waters of champagne reef, where volcanic gases rise like underwater fizz. While you are diving, you might spot a hawksbill turtle gliding by, as if welcoming you to this untamed Caribbean dreamland. 

7. Vis, Croatia

 

Formerly a Yugoslav naval base and world war two allied outpost, Vis is steeped in history, from ancient Greek ruins to Tito’s wartime cave hideout. Its long-standing isolation has kept the island less developed and far less touristy than its glitzier neighbors, Hvar and Brač. 

Today, Vis is known not only for its quiet charm but also for its exclusive wines, and many vineyards on the island offer wine tastings that overlook the sea. Here, you can savour a glass of liquid velvet while enjoying the cinematic landscape. Fun fact: Mamma Mia 2 was filmed right here! 

8. Åland Islands, Finland

Tucked between Sweden and Finland in the Baltic Sea, the Åland Islands is a peaceful archipelago of over 6700 islands — only around 60 to 80 of which are inhabited — which offer a vast stretches of untouched landscapes, quiet beaches, and blooming meadows. 

It’s a place where solitude and nature create the prime spot for an undisturbed escape. Cycle along coastal paths and kayak between the islets, or what about just sitting in the meadows with a book and letting the day drift by?

The islands are best to visit during the summer months, and it experiences more sunshine hours per year than anywhere else in the region, especially in midsummer, when the sun rises around 3:30am and sets close to 10pm. 

9. Kiribati

Kiribati, tucked away in the heart of Central Pacific, is a spellbinding island nation where communal values and a traditional lifestyle shape the soul of its people. 

If you’re seeking seclusion, Kiribati brims with it. Its untouched charm and limited flight connection make it a rare treasure for the truly adventurous. With its developing tourism infrastructure and its terrestrial beauty, it promises an experience that unfolds entirely on your own terms too. Kiribati offers many nature and water adventures, like snorkelling and diving in the lagoons of Abemama and Kiritimati. In addition to the vivid coral gardens, you can also spot world war two shipwrecks! 

For those drawn to the island’s deeper story, the Kiribati National Museum awaits, inviting you to discover the quiet resilience and rich traditions that makes this place so hauntingly beautiful.

10. Faroe Islands, Denmark

The Faroe Islands, located in the North Atlantic Ocean, have (despite their growing popularity in recent years), still retained a sense of serene isolation. Even though tourism has increased — in particular for those hunting for dramatic landscapes and birdwatching —the islands continue to be sheltered from the tourist tide. This Arctic archipelago is home to towering sea cliffs, with vivid green moss and mist-veiled mountains. Puffins, seals and lots of sheep are frequent fellow wanderers here, and the sheep actually outnumber the people! 

One of the most enchanting experiences awaits on Mykines, where the bird cliffs come alive during nesting season. As nesting season arrives, the air is filled with the sharp cries and fluttering wings of seabirds — puffins, fulmars, kittiwakes, and gannets all share the rugged cliffs. The Faroe Islands are an ideal choice for those drawn to Arctic beauty and bracing northern air — without the crowds and queues of more tourist-trodden destinations.