Dreaming of tropical island paradises or planning an escape to a beautiful remote island? In this post, I explore some of the top tropical island paradises in the world that are lush, luxurious, and best of all, remote. If you’re looking to go that extra mile and love the idea of very few tourists around, then look into these tropical island paradises and start planning your trip today.

The Maldives is already known for its exclusivity. And traveling to the Maldives, you’re going to get that one way or the other. But if you’re looking for that extra notch up, then try the island of Villingili in Addu Atoll. It’s located way down in the southern part of the Maldives, smack dab in the Indian Ocean.

The best part of this island is Shangri-La, a luxury resort brand. The hotel has only about 132 rooms, each unique and different from one another. Feel free to walk on the beach, play on the hotels own private golf course, or participate in the hotel’s private tours around the island.

Or perhaps you want to relax in your hotel overlooking the ocean. Or in your personal pool surrounded by lush tropical jungle. The best part is that you have a choice of what style and kind of vacation you want while on the island. Villingili is genuinely one of the best tropical island paradises in the world due to its remoteness and lush surroundings.

Visit Shangri-La Villingili

Villingili is 335 miles south of Malé International Airport, meaning that you will need to take a flight from Malé to Gan Airport in Addu City. Then take a water taxi to the island.

Average about $600 a night

Nestled right in the middle of the Great Barrier Reef lays Hayman Island. With a plane ride, another plane ride, and then a boat ride, you can find yourself in the middle of a lush island surrounded by stunning scenery. Hayman has exactly one hotel on it, the massive InterContinental. This hotel will support all of your island paradise needs with water sports, upscale rooms looking out over the island, and upscale bars and restaurants.

The hotel itself occupies a large section of the southern part of the island with a beautiful beachfront. Here you can choose from over 168 rooms, suites, and villas. There is a massive pool if you want to avoid the beach, as well as tropical gardens, if you’re in the mood to walk around something tropical? Many people also like to hike or take a boat to explore Hayman or the surrounding islands.

Visit Hayman Island Intercontinental

From all major Australian airports, there are daily flights to Great Barrier Reef Airport. Then from there, it’s another boat ride to Hayman Island.

Average around $250 a night

Southeast of Florida and the Bahamas lay the beautiful turquoise islands of Turks & Caicos. Now the main islands are already gorgeous, but off the coast of the islands of Caicos are several smaller islands with beautiful resorts and private homes. Arguably the most beautiful of them all is Parrot Cay, a tropical island paradise.

For travelers looking for a remote island not too far from the United States, this is a perfect fit. COMO is the only hotel on the island offering luxury and secluded vacation. The island is rich in hidden coves, pristine beaches and reefs, and the ability to explore on your terms while remaining mostly empty.

As for the hotel itself, there are private villas, beachside houses, Asian-inspired therapies as well as yoga all in a private tropical setting. Turks & Caicos is already a world-class destination, but COMO Parrot Bay takes it up another level.

Visit COMO Parrot Cay

From the United States, it’s easy to fly into Providenciales International Airport. From here, it’s then a boat ride over to Parrot Cay.

Average of $1650 per night

The British Virgin Islands are perhaps some of the most scenic islands in the Caribbean and renowned for its beaches. Guana Island lies just east of Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands and is entirely private. One of the best parts about Guana Island is the possibility of renting the entire island.

The island is pretty sparse, with only fifteen cottages and four private villas. There is no big hotel on the island and only one restaurant. When you book, you’re paying for an all-inclusive experience. This island is something that would be a once and lifetime experience as prices are not low. However, I think it would be cool to say you were able to rent an entire island for your vacation with some friends.

Visit COMO Parrot Cay

For most travelers, it’s best to fly into San Juan, Puerto Rico, or Charlotte Amalie in the US Virgin Islands. From there, it’s another boat ride or plane ride to the island of Tortola, and then from there, a boat ride to Guana Island.

Starting at $800 per night

The North Island, in the country of Seychelles, is a real island paradise and is already known as a secluded far-flung destination. Seychelles is a French-speaking nation in the middle of the Indian Ocean. The country has beautiful beaches, unique geography and home to North Island, a private island with exactly one hotel on it.

The North Island hotel itself is very exclusive, with only 11 villas on the island total. Given the low amount of people on the island, its safe to say you’ll feel like you’re the only one on the island. Of course, everything is personalized with spa treatments, guided tours, and outdoor activities. If you’re looking for a true island paradise and budget isn’t the issue, then consider the North Island.

Visit The North Island

It’s about 30 miles northwest of the main island of Mahé. From there, you’ll need to take a boat ride or helicopter to reach the island.

Starting price is $6,000 per night.

This island is truly unique and truly out in the middle of the Caribbean sea. Off the coast of Belize lies a reef and the island of Thatch Caye. Now, this is not like the other resorts I’ve listed in this post. This one is truly about being eco-friendly with a focus only on the bare necessities. There are no TVs or wifi for most of the property with an emphasis on seclusion.

On top of that, the staff encourages you to participate with the community on the island. There are only 30 people total allowed on the island at any given time, and the goal is to meet and engage with new people. You can, of course, hang on your own. Still, tourists are encouraged to go snorkeling, diving, and fishing provided every day. This hotel is genuinely for the budget, eco-friendly tourists who want to be secluded at the same time.

There are five different types of villas, including ones that hang over the water. All have a secluded feel, and you’ll have easy access to all parts of the island as it’s tiny.

Visit Thatch Caye

All flights into Belize usually land at Belize International Airport. From there you need to take a boat or a plane to the city of Dangriga. From there, you then take the final boat to Thatch Caye. You’ll need to organize with the hotel for the boat ride to Thatch Caye.

Average about $150 per night

I’ve already listed three other islands in the Caribbean. Still, there are just so many private lush island paradises there, including Petit Saint Vincent. Like other islands in the Caribbean, this is also privately owned and, of course, super luxurious. The island is home to the Hotel Petit Saint Vincent, an exclusive offering just 22 rooms on this remote island in the Caribbean.

Many people are paying for privacy and genuinely want to escape. Petit Saint Vincent is giving tourists that option with no TVs, no wifi, or telephones. So you truly are escaping the ordinary world and to one trying to escape from technology.

Of course, with seclusion, you’re getting the chance to experience a beautiful island with a minimal amount of people. Petit Saint Vincent is known for turquoise blue water and sugary white sand. Feel free to take in some of the daytime outdoor activities or chill in the spa if that’s your thing. At Petit Saint Vincent, you get one of the best island paradises in the world.

Visit Petit Saint Vincent

According to the private hotel you can arrive by your private plane or land in Barbados or Grenada and take another flight to Union Island. From there it’s another boat ride to Petit Saint Vincent.

Average $2,200 per night

If you’re planning to visit Tahiti already, then congratulations because you’re already heading one of the best island paradises in the world. No matter where you travel in French Polynesia, it’s beautiful, there are a ton of hotel options to choose from but consider Vahine Island. Vahine Island is a small island that is part of other small islands that is part of its main anchor island of Taha’a. Vahine Island is in the atoll part, making it remote but also surrounded by reefs.

There so many beautiful choices in French Polynesia, but this island seems unique, given that its boutique and similar to other resort prices in French Polynesia. Travelers looking for an untouristy French Polynesia will undoubtedly find it on Vahine Island.

From Vahine, it’s possible to take an outrigger canoe, kayak, windsurf boards, and other ocean activities. There is also the option to explore the nearby Taha’a island, including visiting vanilla plantations.

Visit Vahine Island

All travelers have to arrive in Tahiti and then transfer to a smaller plane. From Tahiti you then fly to Raiatea and then a boat ride to Vahine Island.

Starting from around $550 per night

Madagascar is a pretty hard country to travel, and there aren’t many luxurious island paradises that are accessible. However, the island of Nosy Anko is truly remote and has one of the best and most exclusive hotels in Madagascar, Time and Tide Miavana. The company brands themselves as luxurious camping, and given the crazy costs to be on a beautiful secluded island, I can certainly see why.

First off, this area of Madagascar is remote, and getting to Nosy Anko is an adventure in itself. The island is nothing but lush jungle with white sandy beaches that everybody staying on the island has access to. There are currently only 14 villas on the island so that you will feel isolated.

One of the highlights is the chance to get to see the rare lemur and take treks in the jungle with your tour guide. The hotel also offers snorkeling, scuba diving, and of course, helicopter tours to nearby national parks. Time and Tide Miavana is not a budget-friendly type of hotel, but if you have the money, it certainly is worth it.

All travelers will first have to arrive in the capital of Antananarivo. From there, you need to take another flight to Diego Suarez or Nosy Be. From there, you need to take the hotel helicopter to fly into this remote island.

Starting at $3,000 per night

Off the coast of Cambodia, there are several secluded islands but none more refreshing than Song Saa. This luxurious hotel is not like most in Cambodia, given that it is pricey, but you get what you pay for with a unique island paradise.

The cool thing about this island is the ability to explore the next island over by a bridge. Here you can take a guide to learn about the local flora and fauna. Trekking, not your thing? Then, of course, you can use your private pool, do some yoga, meditation, or other watersports.

All travelers need to get to Sihanoukville from either Bangkok, Phnom Penh, or Siem Reap. From Sihanoukville, you need to take a highspeed boat ride to the island.

Food and hotels are pricey in Iceland. You’re going to pay a minimum of 15 dollars for food. Hotels usually range around 150 to 300 dollars.

As you’ve seen, there are some beautiful, lush, exotic island paradises in the world. Through my research, I have found that these islands can be exclusive and pricey, with a few in the budget range. However, I felt like I compiled some of the best tropical islands in the world and have convinced myself to travel to some of these!

Check out my ‘What to Wear in,’ page for ideas on what to wear while traveling.

Or perhaps check out the Least Visited Countries in the World.

Or explore the Island of Martinique.