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St. Lucia, Porto Santo, Praslin and Syros are among the best island getaways to travel to this year, according to Expedia’s 2026 Island Hot List, an annual ranking of the most popular island destinations based on searches and bookings.

Released on July 21, this year’s Island Hot List highlights ten under-the-radar islands that offer an “alternative to traditional hotspots,” according to Expedia, with the locations praised for “combining natural beauty, cultural depth, and sometimes better value.”

St. Lucia tops the list for 2026, with Expedia reporting that searches for the Eastern Caribbean island are up 125% from 2025. Travelers say the lush Lesser Antilles getaway is best for “romantic getaways,” citing its intimate atmosphere and plethora of luxury resorts. Of course, there’s plenty to do for adventure lovers too, with long stretches of beaches, rainforests and spectacular volcanoes in the distance.

The island of Porto Santo, in the Portuguese archipelago of Madeira, ranked second on Expedia’s 2026 list of popular islands, with searches for the destination increasing by 85% compared to this time last year. Expedia says the so-called “golden” island is tops for “wellness and relaxation,” with travelers seeking spa treatments and quiet moments along stretches of sand said to contain relaxing “geotherapeutic” properties. Porto Santo also offers a sunny, airy and peaceful getaway, compared to the busy resorts and mountainous landscapes of its sister island, Madeira.

Praslin, an island in the Seychelles, is third on this year’s list as a destination for “nature lovers”. Located in the Indian Ocean, Praslin is home to the Vallée de Mai (“May Valley”) Nature Reserve, a national park and UNESCO World Heritage Site that offers an extensive palm forest that promises sightings of birds and rare plants (such as Coco de Mer palms). You can also head out into the open water to snorkel in search of giant turtles and coral reefs, or swim at Anse Lazio Beach, famous for its white sand and spectacular granite rocks in the distance.

This year’s Expedia roundup also includes Syros Greece, which the booking site says is best for foodies looking for authentic and innovative Greek cuisine; Lofoten Islands in Norway for arctic adventures; Phu Quoc, Vietnam, for “affordable luxury”; and Sanibel Island in Florida, which Expedia says is “best for family getaways.” Other islands on the Hot List are Palawan, Philippines; Culebra, Puerto Rico; and Fiji, along with Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas, which was named by Expedia as the “Best Private Island for Cruises.” Great Stirrup Cay is a private island exclusively for Norwegian Cruise Line guests.

Of course, this year’s Island Hot Lists reflect what people are talking about, and Expedia says searches for Cape Verde have skyrocketed a whopping 805% in the immediate aftermath of the country’s Cinderella World Cup. The travel site says the archipelago country off the coast of West Africa saw a surge in interest after “a summer of soccer, where the Cape Verde team melted the hearts of soccer fans and fueled a new wave of travel demand.”

Cape Verde was ranked 67th in the FIFA rankings before the World Cup, but finished second in Group H with three draws (including the tie, now world champion Spain). The team then narrowly lost to Argentina in a round of 16 match, earning the respect of Lionel Messi and soccer fans around the world. Meanwhile, Expedia calls it the “Best Soccer-Inspired Island.”

“Islands not only satisfy the need to get away, they can also be one of the smartest vacation values, thanks to Expedia’s all-inclusive resorts and savings packages,” says Melanie Fish, vice president of public relations for Expedia Group Brands, adding that “the list was finalized until two destinations generated so much buzz among cruise travelers and soccer fans that we had to give them their own awards.”

The 2026 Expedia Hot List was based on global flight searches across all Expedia outlets from September 22, 2025 to March 22, 2026, for travel on any date in 2026. See the full list here.