I hope you’re reading this at your cubicle. Or sitting on public transportation somewhere. Even just lying on the couch scrolling down your phone. I hope you’re doing that bored face you do when you’re just surfing around on the Internet. I bet you are so blasé about everything right now.
Prepare to be transported to another place.
I’ve found some photos so magical, so breathtaking that you will have no choice but to print out these images. You could compile a calendar like the ones my dad used to buy my mom for Christmas. Call it “Islands” or “Bucket List” and hang it on your cubicle so you can look at them all the time.
What am I saying? You’ll probably just put them on Pinterest so you can take them with you wherever you go. That’s what I would do. (That’s what I’ll probably do as soon as I’m done writing this.) Here are some of the most beautiful islands in the world.
Aitutaki, Cook Islands
This island is almost atoll, which means it’s nearly a ring-shaped coral reef, which a partial lagoon in the center. Check out this satellite image to see what I mean.
Bora Bora, French Polynesia
This island actually is on my bucket list. We have been enamored with the idea of over-the-water huts for more than a decade. The crazy travel time/cost is the only thing holding us back.
Corfu, Greece
Oh, Greece, how I long to hop your islands. Corfu looks especially gorgeous, does it not?
Giola Lagoon, Greece
Apparently this lagoon on the island of Thassos is really difficult to get to, but oh what a reward at the end.
Huahine, French Polynesia
I bet you couldn’t tell by this photo that this island has a stream full of sacred eels. I’m halfway freaked out, but not enough to stop dreaming about this beautiful place.
Ko Phi Phi Don, Thailand
You may recognize this lagoon from the 2000 film “The Beach,” featuring my lover Leo DiCaprio. The movie is much better than the cheesy trailer would lead you to believe, so watch it at your own risk.
Laucala Island, Fiji
Of course this island is privately owned, originally by the Forbes family and now by the Red Bull chief. A resort is being built, so start saving your pennies. It’s only $5,000 per night for starters.
Marietas Islands, Mexico
It’s hard to believe a place like this actually exists. When you realize it was formed out of volcano activity, it starts to make a little more sense. Still, so freaking beautiful.
Mo’orea Island, French Polynesia
This island’s claim to fame is its heart-like shape. That, and gorgeous views like this one. Hold on, I’m packing my bags right now.
Sandy Cay Island, British Virgin Islands
Your eyes do not deceive you. This is an uninhabited island ripe for exploring. Let’s go!
Seychelles Islands
The beauty is just amazing. Too bad the islands have a (recent) history of being a pirate paradise.
Maldives
This island chain has 26 atolls in an amazing pattern. Be careful with your coconut drink, though, lest people think you’re concocting black magic.
There you have it. Are you pinning yet? Which island is your favorite? Let me know of any that I missed (so many islands so little time).