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Top luxury island resort destinations in North America

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Saint Barthélemy
Luxury Island with Caribbean Charm
8.6
French settlers arrived in 1648. Sweden ran the island from 1784 until 1878. The main town, Gustavia, is named for a Swedish king. Today the island is known for designer shops, private villas and boutique hotels. French food and euros add a European feel to the beaches.
Highlights:
  • 🐠 Discover marine life in the Nature Reserve marine zone
  • ⛰️ Hike to the summit of Morne du Vitet
  • 🏖️ Relax on the idyllic Colombier Beach
Paradise Island
Turquoise Waters and Endless Thrills
8.1
Quieter than downtown Nassau, this small island sits across the harbour and is linked by two bridges. It was once called Hog Island and was renamed in 1959. Atlantis has a huge water park and marine habitats. The Ocean Club offers a quiet garden setting.
Highlights:
  • 🦈 Explore The Dig, Atlantis Resort’s underwater aquarium
  • 🏖️ Relax on the famous white sands of Cabbage Beach
  • 🐬 Swim with dolphins at Atlantis Marine Habitat
Lānaʻi
Privately owned paradise of contrasts
7.5
Dry and sunny for most of the year, this island has coastal highs near 28 degrees Celsius. Most of the island is privately owned and has few roads. Two luxury resorts offer golf, spas and ocean views. Spinner dolphins are common in Hulopoe Bay. Small planes and ferries from Maui reach the island.
Highlights:
  • ⚓ Visit the historic shipwreck at Kaiolohia Beach
  • 🤿 Snorkel in Hulopo‘e Bay’s vibrant coral reef
  • 🪨 Explore the otherworldly rock formations at Keahiakawelo
Providenciales
Turquoise Waters Meet White-Sand Beaches
8.5
Located in the Turks and Caicos southeast of the Bahamas, this island has Grace Bay Beach. The beach stretches about 19 kilometres with soft white sand and shallow turquoise water. Resorts, spas and restaurants line the shore. Snorkelling reefs are close. Chalk Sound has bright blue water.
Highlights:
  • 🤿 Snorkel vibrant coral reefs at Bight Reef
  • 🌊 Explore the stunning turquoise waters of Chalk Sound National Park
  • 🏖️ Relax on the pristine sands of Grace Bay Beach
Maui
Island of Sun, Surf and Serenity
8.8
Many resorts welcome guests with a fresh flower lei. Wailea has calm beaches, spas and upscale resorts on the sunny south shore. Kaanapali has a long beach in the west. Haleakalā crater, at 3,055 metres, needs a reservation for sunrise visits. Humpback whales pass the coast from winter to spring.
Highlights:
  • 🐢 Snorkel with turtles at Molokini Crater reef
  • 🚗 Drive the scenic and winding Road to Hana
  • 🌄 Watch sunrise atop Haleakalā volcano summit
Grand Cayman
Crystal waters, stingrays and sunsets
8.8
Columbus sighted the Cayman Islands in 1503 and named them for sea turtles. Today this island has Seven Mile Beach, lined with upscale resorts and beach clubs. Stingray City lets guests wade with rays in shallow water. Fine dining and spas are close to the shore.
Highlights:
  • 🤿 Dive into the crystal-clear waters of Eden Rock Reef
  • 🏖️ Relax on the pristine white sands of Seven Mile Beach
  • 🐋 Swim with stingrays at the famous Stingray City sandbar
Kauai
Lush Landscapes and Secluded Beaches
8.9
As the fourth largest of the main Hawaiian islands, this island is known as the Garden Isle. Upscale resorts sit at Princeville and Poipu. The Na Pali Coast has green cliffs best seen by boat or helicopter. Waimea Canyon is a deep red gorge with waterfalls and lookouts.
Highlights:
  • 🤿 Snorkel at Poipu Beach with vibrant marine life
  • 🚤 Take a boat tour along the Na Pali Coast
  • 🌄 Hike the breathtaking trails of Waimea Canyon
St. Martin
Dual-Nation Beaches, Cuisine and Culture
7.8
Lively and varied, this island is shared by France and the Netherlands. The border between them is open. The French side has Grand Case restaurants and calm Orient Bay beaches. The Dutch side has duty free shopping in Philipsburg and planes landing over Maho Beach. Upscale resorts sit on quiet bays.
Highlights:
  • 🏖️ Relax on the pristine sands of Orient Bay Beach
  • 🥾 Hike to the highest point at Pic Paradis
  • ✈️ Watch planes land at the famous Maho Beach
Great Exuma Island
Crystal clear waters and tranquility
7.9
Quiet and laid back, this Bahamas island has long white beaches and shallow turquoise water. A large beachfront resort sits at Emerald Bay. Boat trips visit the swimming pigs on nearby Big Major Cay. Georgetown has small restaurants and the sailing harbour that fills with yachts in winter.
Highlights:
  • 🤿 Snorkel at Thunderball Grotto from the James Bond film
  • ⛵ Sail through the crystal-clear waters of the Exuma Cays
  • 🐷 Swim with the famous Exuma pigs at Pig Beach
British Virgin Islands
Pristine sailing paradise with beaches
8.2
Located east of Puerto Rico, this territory has more than 50 islands and cays with calm, clear water. Luxury yachts and crewed charters sail between Tortola, Jost Van Dyke and Virgin Gorda. Granite boulders form the sea caves at The Baths. Private island resorts host small groups.
Highlights:
  • 🐠 Snorkel over coral gardens in the crystal waters of Norman Island
  • 🏞️ Swim through the massive granite boulders at The Baths
  • ⛵ Sail between Tortola, Virgin Gorda, and Anegada islands
U.S. Virgin Islands
Caribbean Paradise with U.S. Convenience
8.3
Warm all year with highs near 30 degrees Celsius, these islands have steady trade winds. Virgin Islands National Park covers about 60 percent of St John. Trunk Bay has a snorkelling trail. St Thomas has upscale resorts and shopping. Hurricane season runs from June to November, so check travel insurance.
Highlights:
  • 🥾 Hike the scenic Reef Bay Trail and visit ruins
  • 🤿 Snorkel the vibrant coral reefs at Trunk Bay
  • 🏖️ Relax on the white sands of Magens Bay Beach
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
One destination, 32 islands, countless possibilities
7.6
As a nation of more than 30 islands and cays, this country has many private escapes. Mustique is known for its villas and a small, polished resort. Bequia and Canouan have yacht harbours and beaches. Sailing between the islands is a favourite way to travel.
Highlights:
  • 🏰 Explore Fort Charlotte with panoramic Kingstown views
  • 🏖️ Relax on the pristine beaches of Tobago Cays
  • 🌋 Hike to the crater of La Soufrière volcano
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