Aruba, Fiji, and Paros Topped Expedia’s First-Ever Island Hot List. Here’s Why.
As international travel continues to rebound, one type of trip is emerging as a popular favorite: island vacations. On July 15, one of the world’s biggest booking websites released its first-ever “Island Hot List,” ranking the most popular islands in the world based on the last 12 months of travel. According to Expedia, interest in island destinations has surged by more than 30 percent globally compared to last year. Its rankings reflect not just the most postcard-perfect beaches in the world, but also show travelers’ priorities shifting toward sustainable tourism, cultural immersion, and off-peak travel.
Expedia’s 2025 Island Hot List is determined by in-depth analysis. The Expedia team reviewed more than one million accommodation searches from May 2024 to May 2025 and compared them to the same period the previous year, finding a 30 percent rise in interest in islands. Analysts also looked at average daily hotel rates during the peak season, ranging from approximately $150 in Bali to $655 in the Maldives, and compared the differences to off-peak periods. Other factors given weighted value include the number and frequency of flights, accommodation quality based on verified guest reviews, weather, cultural offerings, and recreation opportunities. It also used proprietary data from travelers, such as booking window lengths and specific search filters used, to see how trends had changed year to year.
According to the Hot List, these are the top beaches to visit in the next year.
Photo: Expedia Island Hot List
Aruba: Best for consistent weather
Photo: fokke baarssen/Shutterstock
Sitting just outside the hurricane belt, Aruba is a reliable pick for travelers who want near-guaranteed sunshine with minimal risks of storms and grey skies. It has a fairly dry climate that stays that way through the wet season, which gives travelers more flexibility for when to visit. In what would normally be a shoulder-season month, such as September, temperatures are still in the mid-80s, though hotel costs drop. Diving is a big draw, though visitors also tend to explore the island’s more rugged eastern coast on guided 4×4 excursions. Inland, Arikok National Park has cactus-lined trails and cave art preserved in limestone.
Bali’s reputation continues to spread beyond its yoga and surf-town draws. Expedia reports that the Indonesian island is seeing a sharp rise in demand for wellness-focused experiences, particularly in Ubud and the inland highlands. While yoga and plant-based cuisine now rank among the island’s most searched experiences, it’s also ranking higher for sustainable experiences. Bali has local bans on single-use plastics and incentives for resorts to adopt renewable energy and gray-water systems. Travel in Bali is generally most affordable during the drier shoulder season (from roughly September to November), when rainfall is low and the humidity is slightly more manageable.
Dominican Republic: Best for outdoor adventure
Hiking El Salto Del Limón in Samana, Dominican Republic. Photo: B Cruz/Shutterstock
The inclusion of the Dominican Republic suggests a growing interest in Caribbean destinations that blend classic beach escapes with more adventurous exploration. While Punta Cana, home of dozens of all-inclusive resorts, continues to attract beachgoers, Expedia’s search data shows a growing interest in less touristed parts of the country, including Jarabacoa and Constanza. Those regions draw travelers with hikes to waterfalls, guided canyoning tours, and national parks like Armando Bermúdez. Per the report, April is a particularly good time to visit, when rainfall is low and adventure outfitters offer seasonal discounts. Cultural travelers will want to spend a few days in Santo Domingo, with its preserved colonial quarter and booming culinary scene.
The Maldives remains one of the most iconic destinations for honeymoons and anniversary trips. While its overwater villas and turquoise lagoons are well known, the island nation has taken tangible steps to reduce tourism’s ecological impact. These include mandating coral restoration work at new developments and requiring resorts to participate in marine conservation education. Travelers seeking better value often book during the shoulder month of May, when rainfall is sporadic but visibility remains excellent for diving and snorkeling.
Fiji: Best for community-based travel
Photo: ChameleonsEye/Shutterstock
Fiji’s position on the list highlights a push toward regenerative travel. The country has multiple government policies and programs designed to ensure tourism benefits local communities, including coral reef restoration programs, cultural exchanges in remote villages, and tree-planting programs funded by tourism taxes. Search volume for Fiji rose substantially between 2024 and 2025, according to the report, especially with travelers from Australia, New Zealand, and the West Coast of the US. September and October are ideal for those looking to avoid the rainy season while still enjoying lower-than-peak airfare and hotel rates.
Jamaica’s appeal has always been cultural as much as coastal, even if it’s known for sprawling beachside resorts. From Rastafarian communities in the Blue Mountains to historic plantations and street-level food tours in Kingston, the island offers plenty beyond the beach. According to the data, most the interest is outside resort zones like Montego Bay. December was flagged as one of the best months to visit, when rainfall tapers off and music festivals ramp up — though Carnival in February is a lively time, too.
Sardinia, Italy: Best for culinary exploration
Photo: BOOCYS/Shutterstock
The fact that Sardinia is a trending destination may suggest a growing curiosity about Blue Zones, or the regions around the world where people live significantly longer than average. In addition to its reputation for healthy Mediterranean cuisine, travelers are also showing interest in agrotourism and village markets. Food-forward travelers are seeking out farm-stay experiences where they can sample unique sheeps’ milk cheeses, roasted meats, and local wines. September is again the recommended month to visit, according to data, when harvest festivals begin and temperatures remain beach-friendly.
O‘ahu is the only US island on the list, showing that when it comes to domestic destinations, travelers are opting for both natural beauty and cultural depth. According to the Expedia data, surf culture and native Hawaiian experiences are among the most searched themes related to the island. While Waikiki is a great base for a few days, travelers with more time to spare are trending toward North Shore villages and historic sites. September is a strategic time to visit, before winter swells bring in crowds and airfare spikes.
Paros, Greece: Best for nightlife
Photo: Pit Stock/Shutterstock
You may be familiar with Greek islands like Santorini, Mykonos, and Corfu, but Expedia’s data says it’s the island of Paros in-the-know travelers are heading toward. Searches for Paros were up 45 percent, and the report praises the island’s “rising design scene, low-key luxury stays, and its charming port towns.” It’s also more affordable and less-crowded than the aforementioned tried-and-true islands. It’s easy to reach via quick connecting flights or a water shuttle from Athens. The town of Naoussa is generally the best place to stay for nightlife and beach access, though it can be a little pricier than the capital city of Parikia.
The Maldives took the top spot for romance, but the trade-off is that those romantic over-the-water bungalows are usually at least $1,000 per night. But Expedia’s data found that travelers seeking luxury stays without upper-echelon price tags are increasingly turning to Thailand’s Koh Samui. The island is becoming known for yoga retreats, detox program, and general wellness and spirituality, though it’s also a top destination for diving and beaches. Interest in the island was up a stunning 55 percent, though that’s probably in part due to Season Three of the White Lotus, which filmed at a luxury Koh Samui resort.
The full list of the top trending islands, including tips for saving on beach travel, is available on the full Expedia Island Hot List announcement. 
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