Finding true dream paradises has become difficult in an increasingly fast-paced, hyper-technological world, too often experienced through a phone camera. The beauty of a place is judged based on algorithms, metrics, and the number of likes on a photo, and these destinations become massified, overrun, and overcrowded.
There are still some places that manage to “protect” themselves, thanks to their difficult-to-reach location or because they’re within reach of a narrow tourist niche. Little-known islands, remote atolls where nature reigns supreme, small universes where peace and silence reign, where vacations are slow and you can experience pristine beaches and “barefoot wellness” resorts, with villas nestled in lush gardens and hospitality geared towards integration and environmental protection.
Below, we’ll tell you about six realities that have turned some islands into paradise, not exactly within everyone’s reach, but dreaming doesn’t cost anything!
Nihi Sumba, Indonesia
Isolated from the tourist trail, a hub of ancient traditions such as the Pasola, an equestrian competition during which riders armed with lances simulate a battle to honor the spirits, small villages, and ancestral rituals, this is Sumba, a wild and fascinating island.
The religion of the indigenous people of Sumba is based on Marapu, an animistic belief that influences daily life. Sumba’s villages are known for their traditional homes with conical thatched roofs, which can reach over 10 meters in height.
Among tropical beaches, terraced rice paddies, forests, and coral-filled seabeds, we find the Nihi Sumba Resort, which embodies the concept of “sustainable luxury”. The ocean-view villas, built with traditional thatched roofs, are hidden in nature. The Resort’s goal is to provide a holiday immersed in nature through a variety of experiences, including surfing, diving, forest excursions, and visits to traditional villages where you can purchase ikat, a hand-dyed artisanal fabric often used as a wedding gift.
Islas Secas, Panama
An archipelago off the Pacific coast of Panama consisting of 14 volcanic islands, only one of which is inhabited. It is here that the Islas Secas Resort is located, nestled in one of the planet’s richest marine ecosystems in the Gulf of Chiriquí, an hour’s boat ride from Coiba National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A paradise of beauty and biodiversity, it is home to rare species of monkeys and birds now extinct in the rest of Panama. The park covers 503 square kilometers of Isla de Coiba and is a veritable lost world of pristine ecosystems and wildlife.
Abandoned in the 20th century due to the establishment of a penal colony on the island, intrepid travelers can hike through the primary rainforest, snorkel among whale sharks, giant manta rays, humpback whales, sea turtles, dive, or enjoy the deserted beaches. The resort is committed to the protection and conservation of the archipelago, with an open-air spa nestled in tropical gardens.
Como Parrot Cay, Turks & Caicos
Welcome to a private island in the Turks & Caicos archipelago, accessible only by boat, once a pirate hideout! Formerly known as Pirate Cay, it is said to have been the refuge of the pirate Anne Bonny.
A thousand acres of pristine nature, four miles of white-sand beaches, and a handful of villas overlooking the sea. Here, a vacation is all about relaxation and mental and physical regeneration, as demonstrated by the COMO Shambhala Retreat, located separate from the villas and featuring a yoga pavilion and a Pilates studio.
Kisawa Sanctuary, Benguerra Island, Mozambique
The Bazaruto Archipelago is located about 10 km off the coast of Mozambique and consists of five small tropical islands (Bazaruto, Benguerra, Magaruque, the deserted island of Santa Carolina, and Bangué), including Benguerra Island. Still unknown to international tourism, it is listed among the top 25 wild destinations by National Geographic magazine and is the second largest island in the archipelago. Endangered dugongs and over 140 bird species live here. Deserted white-sand beaches stretch for miles, dhows glide across turquoise waters, and starlit nights.
The archipelago was declared a National Park in 1971. It’s also one of the most important marine sanctuaries along the East African coast and is home to numerous rare and endemic species.
Kisawa Sanctuary is a pristine oasis nestled between five kilometers of deserted beaches, dunes, and tropical forests. The homes blend seamlessly into the surrounding landscape, nestled in lush vegetation and overlooking the Indian Ocean. Built with natural materials and furnished by local artisans, respecting Mozambican traditions, they are beautifully appointed.
Miavana By Time + Tide, Madagascar
Northeast of mainland Madagascar, Nosy Ankao is an archipelago protected by a coral reef. The island is a model of environmental conservation, where the experience is based on active exploration of pristine nature, accompanied by private guides and marine biologists.
Among the main activities are:
- Trekking and Lemurs: Following a reforestation and conservation project, the island is home to protected colonies of crowned lemurs.
- Marine Exploration: The surrounding waters are protected and home to an intact coral reef, offering snorkeling, diving, kayaking, and the chance to observe passing whales, humpback whales, or manta rays, depending on the season.
- Turtle Conservation: Guests can join researchers during daily beach monitoring to protect sea turtle nests.
- Island exploration: The interior of the island can be explored by bike, reaching secret coves and trails that lead to the panoramic lighthouse.
Bawah Reserve, Anambas Archipelago, Indonesia
Let’s return to Indonesia to discover the last paradise on this list. The Anambas Islands are an archipelago of approximately 255 islands, only 26 of which are inhabited, part of Indonesia’s second-largest marine reserve. How do you get to this paradise? Land in Singapore, take a ferry to the Indonesian island of Batam, and from there board a seaplane to Bawah Island, where a sign reading “Welcome to Paradise” greets you.
The owner, a Singaporean tycoon, reclaimed this uninhabited island to save it from dynamite fishing. Electricity is provided by solar panels, water runs in a closed circuit with a desalination machine, the garden is permaculture (a sustainable system of self-perpetuating plants), there is no plastic on the island, and all building materials are recycled. A remarkable project is the coral protection project, which is being replanted to revitalize the marine environment around the island. The plus? The saltwater pool carved into the rock with direct access to the sea.
Even though these tropical paradises aren’t accessible to everyone, each of us, wherever we travel in the world, can do a lot to preserve and protect the environment, while minimizing our impact. Each of us can contribute to saving our paradise.