The World’s 9 Most Romantic Islands

The Island of St. Lucia

Of all the islands in the Caribbean (and there are many; the Bahamas alone claims 700), St. Lucia is among the most romantic. The swoon-worthy combination of the towering Piton Mountains, lovely beaches, and warm turquoise Caribbean Sea make it one of the most picturesque. Frequent flights from the United States make it quite accessible.

Get out and see the island, making your way to the Castries market to stock up on St. Lucian spices that grow on trees, and drive down to Soufriere for fresh seafood by the harbor.

St. Lucia has a spectacular assortment of romantic resorts, both luxury and all-inclusive (with some qualifying as both). These are among those that excel in pampering couples:

• Jade Mountain: three walls and the fourth is completely open, leading to your private plunge pool
• Anse Chastanet: each room is delightfully different and all require a digital detox 
• Sandals Grand St. Lucian: offers overwater bungalows and rondoval units with a private pool

The Island of Kauai

Each of Hawaii's major islands is worth exploring, but romantic couples with a sense of adventure may love Kauai most.

Achieve a sense of place on a helicopter tour of "The Garden Isle," exposing the Na Pali coast and Waimea Canyon's verdant cliffs, tumbling waterfalls, and unpeopled beaches. Or hike the 11-mile Kalalau Trail overlooking Na Pali. With any luck, you'll see it all against a rainbow sky. Swim and sunbathe on any of the island's 43 white-sand beaches. And just for fun, take a movie-set tour: Some 60 feature films were made here, including Jurassic Park, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and South Pacific.

The Island of Bora Bora

There are more than 100 gorgeous islands in the South Pacific Ocean. Among them are Tahiti, Moorea, Tahaa, and Huahine, places any couple would be thrilled to loll upon. Lined with beaches lapped by the purest waters and fringed by palm trees, Bora Bora replicates paradise. 

Explore lagoons, swim, snorkel, walk hand-in-hand along deserted beaches. Hike Mount Pahia or Mount Ohue. And simply relax and revel in each other's company.

Definitely choose a resort that offers overwater bungalows, so you can indulge in this unique type of accommodation that offers direct access to the warm waters. Among them:

• Hilton Bora Bora Nui Resort & Spa : more than 100 thatched-roof bungalows on stilts over the lagoon
• Le Meridien Bora Bora: French-accented hospitality
• Four Seasons Bora Bora: where Jennifer Aniston & Justin Theroux honeymooned

New Zealand's North Island

Before The Lord of the Rings enchanted audiences with New Zealand's magnificent, and often otherworldly landscapes, couples in love came here for the wine, the wildlife, and the waves along rarely crowded sandy shores.

Visit Ninety Mile Beach in the far North (it’s actually just 55 miles long). The vast dunes seem positively desert-like. Thrill seekers can cross them on an ATV bike.

Check out these welcoming Relais & Chateaux resorts on New Zealand's North Island. Even their websites are exhilarating:

• Kauri Cliffs: luxurious plantation style lodge with al fresco spa services
• Cape Kidnappers: unlimited views remind lovers of the vastness of Earth and endless possibilities

The Island of Capri

A glorious island in the Sea of Naples with a picturesque harbor, Capri was popularized by the jet set and became a playground for the international rich and famous. 

Kiss under the Blue Grotto, a luminous sea cave, and by the Faraglione di Mezzo archway. Both need to be reached by boat. Later, toast yourselves at an outdoor café with a glass of limoncello made with lemons from nearby fruit trees. 

Experience la dolce vita at in-town hotels and hidden gems:

• Hotel Gatto Bianco: offers good value in the center of town with a white cat in residence
• Hotel Canasta:  a family-owned hotel with fruit trees framing the swimming pool
• Villa Brunella: a sexy swimming pool and beautifully landscaped grounds
• J.K. Place Capri: an elegantly chic, yet cozy, Mediterranean mansion away from Capri's heavily touristed main square

Hamilton Island, Australia

Surrounded by the Great Barrier Reef, Qualia resort is located on the secluded northernmost tip of Hamilton Island. Adding to the resort's quiet and calmness, guests must be at least 16 years old.

Explore the Great Barrier Reef by snorkeling, scuba diving, or via reef tour. Laze by one of the two pools, curl up in the library, or visit the spa and fitness center. 

Accommodations consist of 60 private pavilions handcrafted from local lumber and stones. Interiors are nature-inspired. The resort has two restaurants, and you can even indulge yourselves by having the chef cook in your own private pavilion. The time to socialize is at sunset, quaffing cocktails at the Hamilton Island Yacht Club.

The Island of Santorini

There are as many as 6,000 islands along Greece's irregular coastline, although only about 200 are inhabited. Of those, none woo romantics like sun-blissed Santorini, which is the most visited. The sight of Santorini's iconic white stucco structures set against the blue Aegean Sea makes hearts soar. Adding a frisson of danger, sulphurous emissions and the occasional red glow remind visitors that Santorini's live volcano is merely asleep. 

Santorini has an active nightlife, centering around Fira and, to a lesser extent, Oia. During the day, go for a hike... if you can steal yourselves away from the beach. The best time to visit is October, when the crowds thin. Tourist attractions remain open till November.

You won't find large hotels on Santorini, but you can choose from villas and spa hotel properties.

The Islands of the Maldives

Hundreds of sandy islands in the Indian Ocean, the Maldives is home to more overwater bungalows than anywhere else on earth. That's one reason romantics are willing to fly for many hours to reach islands a few hundred miles from India.

While you're there, snorkel in the clearest, shallow waters filled with colorful tropical fish. Dine at Subsix at Niyama, which lies six dry meters below the ocean. You'll feel as if you're inside an aquarium.

Extraordinary accommodations are ordinary in this part of the world. Consider:

• Niyama: a resort on two islands, one dubbed "Play" with villas on white sand and the other "Chill," where dining and the spa await
• Four Seasons Maldives at Kuda Huraa: 52 bungalows circled by sea and wreathed with tropical blooms
• Four Seasons Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru:  pristine tropical beauty on a remote island hideaway

The Island of Manhattan

Not every couple considers a remote, sandy island the epitome of a romantic escape. Perhaps that's why Manhattan is favored by couples who crave excitement, sophistication, and surprises around every corner.

To make the most of your time in the city, walk. Not only is Manhattan flat, most of it is on a grid pattern so it's very easy to get around. And there are amazing neighborhoods to discover! Greenwich Village, Chinatown, the Lower East Side, and Central Park all have their charms. But unless you want to treat yourselves to a Broadway show, avoid Times Square. It's filled with clueless tourists who don't realize the real New York is just beyond it.

Note the city's most romantic hotels to keep in mind for your stay.