When considering beautiful tropical islands, we often think of popular destinations like Bora Bora, the Maldives, Seychelles, Maui, or Bali. These places are undoubtedly stunning, but it's important to acknowledge that there are many other islands worth visiting.
With around 45,000 tropical islands scattered around the world, there are plenty of options that you may not be aware of. Why not choose one of these hidden treasures for your next extraordinary vacation? It provides a perfect opportunity to avoid crowds and tourists with cameras, while immersing yourself in the tranquility of nature and possibly experiencing a unique and vibrant culture. From small nations to remote island territories, these secret paradises definitely deserve a top spot on your must-see list. Let's take a closer look at each of them together!
Unveiling hidden gems: are these untouched paradises your next escape?
1. Lifou Island, New Caledonia
Source: Nico Smit/Unsplash
Lifou Island, located in the Loyalty Islands of French-governed New Caledonia, remains a mysterious place even to the native Kanak people. It boasts a rugged coastline where the jungle meets the vibrant blue sea, and its interior is filled with thriving vanilla plantations known worldwide. Unlike the other islands mentioned, New Caledonia has been inhabited since around 1100 BCE and wasn't discovered by outsiders until James Cook arrived in 1774.
Visitors to Lifou Island are encouraged to try traditional cuisine, often wrapped in banana leaves and cooked over an open fire, as well as indulge in coconut crabs caught directly from the beach. A major attraction is snorkeling along the ivory sand beaches and exploring the coral castles hidden just beneath the waves. Don't miss the opportunity to visit the Jokin Cliffs on the island's northern side, which offers a fantastic display of the diverse landscape found in New Caledonia, including its iconic pine trees.
2. Sumba Island, Indonesia
Source: Deepavali Gaind/Unsplash
While Bali is widely known as a top tourist destination, a short one-hour flight away lies the island of Sumba. Despite being twice the size of Bali, it only has a sixth of its population. Sumba gives off a similar ambiance to Bali before its surge in popularity, where you can spot men with machetes and women carrying water from the river to their villages by balancing it on their heads.
The island still preserves its longstanding traditions, such as mock battles between villages using intricately-carved spears and swords. Most families continue to live in traditional huts. Although tourism has started to make changes in recent years, Sumba remains relatively unknown to many except for avid surfers. In the 1980s, a small group of surfers discovered the island's legendary waves and decided to settle there, eventually leading to the development of a modest retreat.
Today, NIHI Sumba is one of the few resorts on the island. It not only caters to surfers but also offers activities like snorkeling, horseback riding on pristine beaches, yoga sessions, spa treatments, and opportunities for volunteering in local communities. In addition, the resort makes efforts to give back to the impoverished locals by improving their access to water and other basic necessities. While increasing tourism can have both positive and negative effects, the goal is to responsibly develop Sumba by growing its economy and improving the lives of its residents.
3. Lady Elliot Island, Australia
Source: Faith Mari Ardona/Unsplash
Lady Elliot Island, located in the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, is a paradise for divers, with 45 dive sites to explore. It's famous for its abundant manta rays, sea turtles, vibrant coral, and diverse marine life, boasting over 1,200 species. Even non-divers can have an amazing time with top-notch snorkeling, glass-bottom boat tours, and the opportunity to explore the island through two walking trails. From February to April, there are turtle tours that allow visitors to witness the incredible sight of baby turtles heading to the water.
To visit Lady Elliot Island, plane travel is necessary, with daily flights departing from Bundaberg, the Gold Coast, Brisbane, and Hervey Bay on the Fraser Coast. The island's sole resort, Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort, provides an eco-friendly experience, where guests can disconnect from modern technology and enjoy the tranquility of the surroundings, as no TVs, radios, or telephones are available.
ParkingNearAirports.io: your smooth parking partner!
Source: Javier Allegue Barros/Unsplash
In addition to our travel guide, we would also like to provide some additional helpful information for those who choose to travel by air.
If you use your own car to reach the airport, you know it is critical to park it safely for the duration of your trip. Almost every airport has special on-site parking for this purpose. However, travelers aren't ready to spend a lot of money at the beginning of their trip, as this option is pretty costly. So what should we do then?
Our booking platform, ParkingNearAirports.io, offers travelers online reservations for parking just outside airports that are affordable and convenient. Our experienced team is dedicated to providing travelers parking options at over 100 airports in the US and Canada. The app allows customers to search and compare parking rates at up to 70 percent savings compared to the cost of on-site parking at all major airports.
What is actually off-site parking, and which advantages has this parking type, you may ask? So let's take a closer look at this question.
First of all, off-site parking is much cheaper. So you can save money and then spend the most considerable amount on the things you really want to try or see while traveling.
Secondly, off-site parking services are faster. It might seem that it's faster to park your car at the airport, but that's not always the case. Off-site parking offers you the following convenience: when you drive directly up to the entrance, a staff member pulls your luggage out of your vehicle and loads it into the shuttle. Then they park your car for you. After your baggage is loaded, you can take your seat in the shuttle, which will bring you and your bags to the airport. It is a hassle-free option that is usually faster.
Source: Eduardo Velazco Guart/Unsplash
Thirdly, it's much more convenient. People are always stressed before the trip, as there are many things you should keep in mind. Not to be late when taking off, fighting traffic, finding a parking place, wondering how long the shuttle service will take, and more can leave you annoyed before you step foot inside the airport. If you choose off-site parking, you are using the assistance of a private company that caters to travelers' needs. Such services can make your trip much more comfortable when you arrive at the airport and return home.
With ParkingNearAirports.io, it takes just a few clicks within the application to reserve a parking spot. Upon arrival at off-airport parking, customers receive a booking confirmation and a guaranteed parking spot. The app helps customers find the most convenient airport parking lots. If plans change, cancellations are hassle-free and refundable.
We also offer you services for top cruise ports in Florida, Louisiana, Maryland, New Jersey, and Texas.
Let's look at an example. Imagine that you live in Newark, New Jersey, USA. If you're planning a trip to Sumba Island, Indonesia, you can choose cheap parking near EWR. If you're coming from Memphis, Tennessee, the situation is the same – you can use affordable Memphis long-term parking. So it depends just on where you are flying from.
On our official website, you can find the best deals, airport parking charges, and other information connected with parking near US and Canadian airports.
