Traveller news - Islands and archipelagos: readers' travel tips
A remote paradise in Thailand, a landmark of Inca history and island
hopping in Sweden. Readers tell us about their favourite islands and
archipelagos
Winning tip: Achill Island, Ireland
Achill Island on the west coast of Ireland is a place of spectacular
natural beauty, boasting vast boglands, rugged hills, vertiginous sea
cliffs and a catalogue of blue flag beaches. Do not miss the
breathtaking Atlantic drive, the mysterious deserted village at the foot
of Slievemore mountain, or the clear turquoise waters and pale sandy
beach of Keem Bay, set snugly amid green velvet hills and guarded by a
small flock of ever-watchful sheep.
Photograph: Alamy
Paddling around the uninhabited St Anna archipelago, only two hours
from Stockholm, you’ll experience true solitude. Lush islands and still
waters are yours to explore, paddle around and pitch your tent on as you
please. Spend your days swimming, fishing for perch and basking on the
rocks before finding your next island to visit. Go between May and July
to make the most of the long midsummer days and seemingly endless
sunsets. Martine Sobey
The Azure Window on Gozo.Photograph: Alamy
Gozo is an enchanting part of the Maltese archipelago. Head to its
Museum of Archaeology to admire one of the oldest art collections in the
world, including 5,000-year-old terracotta goddesses. Visit the
Ggantija temples, a magnificent Unesco world heritage site. From the
grand temples, walk to the beach through countryside with great views of
the island. Enjoy the blue water and don’t forget to try Kinnie –a
Maltese coca-cola! heritagemalta.org/museums-sites/gozo-museum-of-archaeology/Semper-paratus
Photograph: Alamy
Isla del Sol in Lake Titicaca lies several thousand metres above sea
level and was revered by the Incas as the birthplace of the sun. Stroll
along the tracks that criss-cross the landscape, passing deserted Incan
ruins and nodding greetings to the Aymaran inhabitants. You’ll feel a
world away from home. At the end of a day, what could be better than a
fresh trout supper as the sun sets over the lake? Mcgowan22
Photograph: Alamy
Set in the Red Sea, this Eritrean Archipelago is about as hard to get
to as they come. But the effort is more than rewarded by these
spectacular, deserted islands. Snorkelling beckons by day,
phosphorescence on the water abounds by night and aside from the four
inhabited islands, you’ll have them all to yourself. Phillipkerry
Photograph: Alamy
Abandon the day-trippers and stay in one of the six national park
bungalows. Once everyone leaves, you’ve got 42 islands to yourself and
plenty to explore: hidden coves, beautiful reefs, fascinating caves and
Ko Mae Ko, the inspiration for Alex Garland’s book ‘The Beach’ – an
emerald saltwater lake encircled by limestone cliffs and linked by an
underground tunnel to the sea. It’s one of Thailand’s few untouched
paradises. tfinrg
Photograph: Yvette Cardozo/Getty Images
Sindabezi Island sits in the middle of the Zambezi river a short
distance upstream from the mighty Victoria Falls and accessible only by
boat. With just five guest chalets, my family and I felt like we were
hosting our own house party on a private island. Richard Smith
Photograph: Majority World/REX
This is an absolute gem of an island. Its surprisingly sparse
population and few visitors meant we often had vast stretches of
beautiful tropical beach to ourselves. The food and accommodation
available was simple, but provided all that we needed for an escape from
the hustle of life in mainland Bangladesh; we spent most nights
sleeping under the stars. e_macy8
Photograph: Alamy
Ilha das Peças and Superagüi are two islands in a beautiful area of
preserved Atlantic forest in southern Brazil. Superagüi has a 19-mile
beach and one very small fishing village. This is one of the places
where you can still see the Caiçara culture thriving, with their
violin-based songs and men dancing in noisy sabots. These islands also
offer a rare opportunity to see other spectacles like flocks of parrots,
dolphins and jumping manta rays. Rafaela
Photograph: Tim E White/Getty Images
This temperate Atlantic island, less than a four-hour flight from the
UK, has much to offer the adventurous. Venture into the lush, verdant
mountains to explore the network of levada walks, following
vertiginous paths alongside aqueducts and beneath waterfalls; or travel
further into the forests by jeep or horseback. Ride in a cable car for
far-reaching views across the rooftops of the capital city, Funchal,
hurtling back downhill via a 40mph wicker toboggan! CaroleTidball
Photograph: Alamy
Reaching this island chain in the Bicol region of the Philippines
felt like winning a challenge from Survivor and The Amazing Race
combined. As I got settled in one of the nipa stilted huts, I realised
how little I actually needed to feel comfort, even luxury. With every
island I hopped on, I was left breathless with the simplicity nature
alone could create. The sound of the waves kissing the pristine sand and
the wind disturbing the coconut trees made me feel like I’d found
paradise. caramoanislands.commarksnaps
Up close with a boa constrictor on Coiba.Photograph: Alamy
A former penal colony an hour’s ride from Santa Catalina, Coiba
Island is not your average tropical island. Accommodation is with the
park rangers in one of their huts. They will lead you into the depths of
the primary rainforest, much of which remains undiscovered. Diving is
phenomenal, and wildlife above and below water is plentiful and
fascinating and includes snakes, crocodiles, and some endemic birds to
name but a few. A sense of adventure is required for Coiba, but it’s
guaranteed to be the highlight of a trip.
A remote paradise in Thailand, a landmark of Inca history and island
hopping in Sweden. Readers tell us about their favourite islands and
archipelagos
