Paradise isn’t always postcard-perfect beaches with luxury resorts and cocktail bars. For some of us, true paradise means getting off the beaten track, slinging up a hammock where few travelers have ventured, and experiencing cultures largely untouched by mass tourism. I’ve spent years seeking out these hidden gems, often traveling with little more than a backpack and a sense of adventure.
The world’s most famous islands Bali, Phuket, Santorini have become victims of their own popularity. Overrun with tourists, these once-pristine destinations now struggle with environmental degradation and cultural dilution. But there’s good news: our planet still harbors incredible island escapes that remain relatively unknown to the average traveler.
These lesser-known islands offer something increasingly rare in our hyperconnected world: authenticity. Places where locals might still look at you with genuine curiosity, where traditional ways of life continue uninterrupted, and where nature exists in spectacular, unspoiled abundance.
Beyond the Brochures
Koh Rong Samloem, Cambodia
While neighboring Koh Rong has developed rapidly in recent years, its smaller sister island remains comparatively untouched. On Koh Rong Samloem, electricity still runs on generators in many areas, and Wi-Fi is spotty at best which is precisely its charm.
The island’s western shore features Saracen Bay, a crescent of powder-white sand and turquoise water. But venture beyond this relatively developed area, and you’ll find yourself in another world entirely. M’Pai Bay, a small fishing village on the northern tip, offers a glimpse into traditional Cambodian island life.
I spent a week in a $5-per-night wooden bungalow, falling asleep to the sound of waves and waking to fishermen heading out at dawn. Days passed swimming in bioluminescent waters, hiking through jungle paths where hornbills flew overhead, and eating fresh seafood barbecued on the beach. The absence of roads means getting around requires either boat trips or jungle treks, adding to the adventure.
What struck me most was the night sky without light pollution, the stars shine with incredible clarity. Lying in my hammock, watching shooting stars while listening to distant fishing boats, I found myself thinking that this must be what Thailand’s islands were like thirty years ago.
Providencia, Colombia
Located closer to Nicaragua than Colombia, Providencia feels worlds away from the South American mainland. This tiny Caribbean island (just 7 square miles) belongs to Colombia but has stronger cultural ties to its English-Caribbean heritage, with locals speaking an English Creole alongside Spanish.
Getting here requires effort a flight to San Andrés followed by either a small plane or a three-hour boat journey across often choppy waters. This natural barrier has kept mass tourism at bay, preserving both the environment and the island’s unique Raizal culture.
The island’s main draw is Crab Cay, where snorkeling reveals vibrant coral gardens and countless tropical fish. The water clarity is astounding I could spot eagle rays from the surface without even putting my face in the water. But what makes Providencia special isn’t just its natural beauty but its people’s fierce protection of their home. Local regulations limit development and prioritize sustainable tourism practices.
I stayed with a local family who served me traditional dishes like rondon (a coconut seafood stew) and taught me about their efforts to preserve their island’s ecosystem. Their pride in Providencia was infectious, and I left understanding why they work so hard to keep it special.
Ogasawara Islands, Japan
Japan might not immediately spring to mind when thinking of tropical paradises, but the Ogasawara archipelago (also called the Bonin Islands) challenges that perception. Located 620 miles south of Tokyo, these islands are so remote they’re often called “The Galapagos of the Orient” due to their unique ecosystems and high number of endemic species.
The only way to reach the main inhabited island, Chichijima, is via a 24-hour ferry from Tokyo that runs just once a week. This isolation has preserved both nature and a fascinating cultural mix the islands were settled by Europeans and Americans before becoming Japanese territory.
During my stay, I hiked through forests filled with birds found nowhere else on Earth, snorkeled in waters where dolphins regularly approach swimmers, and learned about the islands’ complex history from descendants of the original settlers. The local cuisine blends Japanese techniques with island ingredients fresh tuna sashimi paired with passion fruit and locally distilled rum made an unforgettable meal.
What makes the Ogasawara Islands truly special is their untouched quality despite being part of one of the world’s most developed nations. Here, Japan’s typically perfect infrastructure gives way to a more relaxed, nature-focused lifestyle where weather dictates daily activities and island time prevails.
Uncharted Waters
Andaman Islands, India
The Andaman archipelago contains over 300 islands, but only a handful are open to tourists, and even fewer receive significant visitors. While Havelock Island (now officially renamed Swaraj Dweep) has become relatively popular, islands like Long Island and Little Andaman remain largely unexplored.
These islands combine pristine beaches with dense rainforest and mangroves. What makes them particularly special is the opportunity to respectfully learn about the indigenous communities who have lived here for thousands of years, though direct contact with tribes like the Jarawa is prohibited to protect their way of life.
I spent time on Little Andaman, staying in a basic government guesthouse for about $10 a night. The island features Butler Bay, a perfect surf spot with consistent waves and barely any other surfers. Inland, waterfalls hidden in the jungle provide natural swimming pools after hot days.
The most memorable experience came from joining local fishermen on their morning rounds. Using traditional methods passed down through generations, they navigated through mangrove channels, pointing out wildlife I would have missed like the endemic Andaman water monitor lizard sunning itself on a branch.
Pemba Island, Tanzania
While Zanzibar draws crowds of tourists, its northern neighbor Pemba remains largely overlooked. This is surprising considering Pemba offers everything travelers seek in Zanzibar pristine beaches, rich culture, historic sites but without the crowds.
Known as “The Green Island” due to its lush clove plantations, Pemba features dramatic topography unusual for a coral island. Deep bays cut into the coastline, creating protected coves with beaches that you’ll likely have entirely to yourself.
I spent nights in a $15 bungalow at a small guesthouse run by a local family, eating home-cooked meals of freshly caught fish, coconut rice, and tropical fruits. During days exploring the island by rented motorbike, I discovered abandoned ruins from the island’s days as a Portuguese trading post and swam in crystal-clear waters where the only footprints on the beach were my own.
Pemba is also home to some of East Africa’s best diving sites, with vertical coral walls dropping hundreds of feet into the deep blue. The Pemba Channel separating the island from mainland Tanzania creates strong currents that attract large pelagic species, including hammerhead sharks and manta rays.
Batanes Islands, Philippines
The northernmost province of the Philippines, closer to Taiwan than to Luzon, the Batanes Islands feel nothing like the tropical Philippines most travelers know. Here, rolling green hills reminiscent of Ireland or Scotland meet the Pacific Ocean in dramatic fashion, with stone houses built to withstand powerful typhoons dotting the landscape.
The indigenous Ivatan people have developed unique cultural adaptations to their remote environment, including stone houses with meter-thick walls and traditional fishing techniques designed for the rough surrounding waters.
I stayed with an Ivatan family who charged just $20 per night including home-cooked meals. They taught me about their sustainable farming practices and showed me how they’ve maintained their traditions despite pressure from the outside world.
Weather here can be unpredictable, with flights frequently canceled due to strong winds or fog. This unreliability has kept tourist numbers low despite the islands’ incredible beauty. During my stay, I hiked across hills where Japanese cows (introduced during WWII) grazed freely, explored lighthouse ruins from the Spanish colonial era, and watched massive waves crash against volcanic cliffs.
The magic of Batanes lies in its otherworldliness standing on a windswept cliff watching fishing boats battle the churning sea below, you might forget you’re in Southeast Asia altogether.
True paradise isn’t about infinity pools or beach clubs. It’s about discovering places that challenge your expectations and connect you to something authentic whether that’s untouched nature, living cultural traditions, or simply a way of life that moves at a different pace.
These islands represent just a small sample of the world’s remaining hidden gems. They remind us that despite our increasingly documented planet, genuine discovery remains possible for travelers willing to venture beyond the algorithm-approved destinations that dominate social media.
The best part? Visiting these places typically costs less than a single night at a resort on more famous islands. Budget travel often leads to the most authentic experiences eating street food with locals, staying in family-run guesthouses, and using public transportation all create connections impossible from behind the walls of an all-inclusive resort.
Paradise, it turns out, isn’t disappearing it’s just hiding in plain sight, waiting for travelers willing to look beyond the obvious.
