The Caribbean’s best kept secrets are getting out. The Mediterranean’s quieter cousins are having a moment. And somewhere in the Pacific, a small island with excellent hospitality is about to become considerably harder to have to yourself.
Expedia has released its second annual Island Hot List, a ranking built from actual booking behavior rather than guesswork. The travel platform analysed global flight searches made across all its sites from September 2025 to March 2026, comparing them against the same period a year earlier, to work out which islands are quietly climbing in popularity before they become obvious choices.
The result is a list that rewards travelers who have already moved past the obvious hotspots and are looking for something with more depth. This year’s 10 fast-rising islands range from romantic Caribbean escapes to peaceful European hideaways, and the common thread running through nearly all of them is a preference for natural beauty, cultural depth and, in some cases, better value than the destinations everyone already knows.
St. Lucia Takes the Top Spot
Leading the list this year is St. Lucia, which Expedia has named best for romantic escapes. The reasoning tracks with a broader shift happening across the Caribbean. Travelers are trading crowded Caribbean hotspots for secluded escapes, dramatic scenery, and a gentle sense of adventure that elevates every stay.
For anyone who has done the well trodden Caribbean circuit already, St. Lucia’s appeal lies in its volcanic drama. The Pitons rising straight out of the sea give the island a sense of theatre that flatter islands cannot match, and it explains why properties like Sugar Beach, tucked into the valley between the two peaks, keep appearing on search results.
Porto Santo Offers The Slow Version of Madeira
Most travelers know Madeira. Fewer know its smaller neighbour, Porto Santo, which is emerging this year as the destination for people who want the Portuguese archipelago experience without the crowds. Expedia has ranked it best for wellness and relaxation, noting its golden sand, reliable warmth and a slower pace made for switching off.
The island is gaining momentum as travellers move beyond Europe’s classic beach staples in search of calmer, more relaxed stays, which makes it a natural fit for anyone who has done the Algarve and the Amalfi Coast and wants somewhere a little less discovered.
Praslin Rewards The Genuinely Curious
Third on the list is Praslin in the Seychelles, named best for nature lovers. This is not an island for sunbed loyalists. It is drawing attention for its protected UNESCO World-Heritage landscapes, rare wildlife and uncrowded beaches named among the world’s best, and in 2026, Praslin is turning time outdoors into the highlight of the trip rather than an afterthought between meals.
Syros Is The Greek Island Serious Food Travelers Have Been Missing
For anyone who has exhausted Santorini and Mykonos, Syros is the correction. Ranked best for cuisine and charm, the island is emerging in 2026 as a compelling alternative to the region’s better-known islands, where standout cuisine, neoclassical elegance and authentic Greek charm come together without compromising depth or character.
Lofoten Answers For Travelers Who Want Drama, Not Sun
Norway’s Lofoten Islands round out the top five, and they take the list somewhere entirely different. Ranked best for Arctic adventures, the islands are pulling in visitors with dramatic peaks, crystal-clear fjords and unforgettable Arctic adventures, offering the Midnight Sun’s near-24-hour summer daylight and Northern Lights viewing from September to April.
The Rest of the List
Rounding out the remaining five destinations, Palawan in the Philippines takes the title of best for natural wonders, prized for dramatic limestone cliffs, clear waters and pristine ecosystems. Culebra in Puerto Rico is best for water adventures, a laid-back island where snorkelling, diving and tidal pool exploring take centre stage. Sanibel Island in Florida earns best for family escapes thanks to its relaxed, low-effort pace.
Phu Quoc in Vietnam is named best for affordable luxury, rising as Southeast Asia’s luxury island hub with resorts that do not carry the price tag their polish suggests. And Fiji closes the list as best for multi-generational value, singled out for warm hospitality, rich culture and broad appeal across age groups.
A Football Detour Nobody Predicted
One line in Expedia’s release stands out. Melanie Fish, Head of Expedia Group Brands Public Relations, noted that the list was finalised until a destination generated so much buzz from football fans that we had to give it an award of its own. Expedia has not detailed which island earned that distinction, though the framing suggests a destination’s search volume spiked sharply enough around football season to force a late addition to the report.
This article is based on findings from Expedia’s Island Hot List 2026, compiled from global flight search data collected between September 2025 and March 2026.
Amanda O’Brien is the creator and editor of The Boutique Adventurer. She has visited 80 countries and is a member of the British Guild of Travel Writers as well as the IFTWTA. She is passionate about wine had has just completed Level 3 of the WSET. Born in Australia, she lives in London.