Six great island destinations for small ships
These special islands are off limits for the megaliners, so hop on a small ship and set sail.
1. Miyajima Island, Japan
Known for its huge red tori gate that sticks straight up from the ocean, Miyajima Island sits in the Seto Inland Sea, just off the coast from Hiroshima. Known as the Island of the Gods, it’s regarded as one of the most scenic places in Japan and has long been associated with romance and mystery. Visit ancient holy sites, elegant temples and virgin forest.
2. Huahine, French Polynesia
The South Pacific is dotted with picture perfect islands, but Huahine might just be the region’s best kept secret. Close to the celebrity favourite of Bora Bora, Huahine is a lush green paradise with immense tropical jungles, coconut plantations and banana groves covering almost its entire surface. It's also surrounded by the best surf in the South Pacific, with a world-class break close to shore.
3. Banda Islands, Indonesia
Part of the legendary Spice Islands, the Bandas were once considered so valuable that the British traded one of them to the Dutch in return for a little outpost called New Amsterdam. You may now know it as Manhattan. Bad deals aside, this remote cluster of 10 islands are some of the most spectacular in Indonesia. Raw, rugged outcrops are surrounded by a rainbow of coral reefs making for unbeatable diving.
4. Hvar, Croatia
The Dalmatian Coast of Croatia is one of the highlights of the Mediterranean and (largely) less crowded than surrounding countries. The capital, Hvar Town, dates back to the 13th century and you could happily get lost among the marble streets, stone squares and Gothic palaces. You can flop on any of the pretty little beaches set around the island itself or hop across to the nearby Pakleni Islands, 20 blissful little islets just off shore.
5. Hundred Islands, Philippines
In spite of the name, there are actually 124 islands that make up this magical national park in the Philippines. Centuries of waves and tides have eaten away at the base of some of the islands, making for a unique mushroom-like appearance. Most ships will sail through the region for scenic cruising, though some will stop for swimming, snorkelling, diving or zodiac excursions to take passengers deeper into the park.
6. Baffin Island, Canada
This isn’t a small island by any means (in fact, it’s the fifth largest in the world) but it takes a special kind of ship to get here. Part of the Canadian territory of Nunavut, Baffin sits inside the Arctic Circle and is a sweeping, wild land home to remote Inuit communities. Specially designed ice breakers carry passengers to its frosty shores for sledding, snow shoeing, climbing and to see the Northern Lights. Just bring your thermals.
Have you been to any of these islands? Let us know in the comments below.