Praia da Marinha in Algarve is one of the most iconic beaches of PortugalCredit: Getty Images/iStockphoto
Feeling the squeeze? We’ve got the perfect antidote with these handpicked beaches and islands.
The Algarve, Portugal
After Trip Advisor named Portugal’s Praia de Falesia Best Beach in the World for 2024, attention quickly turned to the beaches of this southern European nation on the Iberian Peninsula. Visitors from within Western Europe have frequented the 200 kilometres of beaches that make up Portugal’s Algarve region for decades, while those from outside Europe have tended to favour seaside spots in Spain, Italy and southern France. But Portugal is cheaper and less crowded in peak summer times, and while Praia de Falesia’s expanse of white sand is now well-known and at risk of growing busier, you can discover other deserted beaches close by, even in the middle of summer. See algarveportugaltourism.com
Lombok, Indonesia
Bali without the tourist crush… Lombok.Credit: Getty Images
While Bali continues to rack up visitor numbers (In 2023, 5.3 million international tourists and 10 million Indonesian tourists visited) its neighbour, the island of Lombok, is knocking at its door. With 2 million visitors last year and a 20 per cent increase in tourism, it’s still easy to escape the crowds on Lombok. Only 30 minutes by air from Bali (or 90 minutes by boat), it offers pretty much everything Bali does, from world-class surf to diving; sunset beach bars and restaurants set on pretty offshore islands to a climb up Mount Rinjani, Indonesia’s second-highest mountain. All without the crowds and at a cheaper price. See indonesia.travel/au/en
Cyprus
Same turquoise beaches as Greece, but with less crowds… Cyprus.Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto
Tourism authorities in Greece are projecting that in 2024 the number of visitors to Greece may exceed 35 million. That’s why 2025 should be about visiting neighbouring Cyprus instead. You’ll find endless stretches of golden beaches, secluded bays and coves – and there’s still plenty of Green and Roman ruins, but it’s a lot cheaper than the Greek Islands and a whole lot less busy. The cuisine is every bit as good and there’s non-stop nightlife for those who want to party. As a bonus, travellers need not worry about language issues: Cyprus was a former English colony and everyone still speaks English. See visitcyprus.com
Koh Samui, Thailand
Four Seasons Koh Samui is already experiencing The White Lotus bump in bookings.
The hottest island on Earth in 2025 will be Koh Samui. Why? Four words: The White Lotus effect. Season one of the hit Netflix series was set in Maui, Hawaii, while season two was set in Sicily, and in the aftermath of the screenings, both places received massive tourism bumps. When hints were dropped that Thailand was the setting for season three of The White Lotus, hotel bookings in Koh Samui skyrocketed even before the exact location was known. Then when news was confirmed that much of the action would be focused on the island’s Four Seasons resort, there was barely a room available all year. Phuket will share some of the billing, but Koh Samui will be the star when the show hits our screens in the first half of 2025. See tourismthailand.org
Koh Tao, Thailand
Lush Nang Yuan Island, Koh Tao.Credit: Getty Images
When Koh Samui becomes overpopulated with White Lotus devotees, more adventurous travellers will be looking for a quieter (and cheaper) alternative nearby. Koh Tao is just that. With no airport, the only way to get there is via high-speed catamaran from Koh Samui (90 minutes) which restricts tourist numbers, especially those from the US with limits on their holiday time. But this tiny island once only known for its diving, offers better beaches and while there’s no Four Seasons, you can opt for everything from a thatched-roof hut to five-star resorts built in dense rainforest by the beach. Yoga and health retreat devotees are well catered for, too. See visitkohtao.org
Palau
Palau’s reef-protected Rock Islands Southern Lagoon.Credit: iStock
Traditionally a haven for Chinese tourists – 90,000 visited in 2015 – last year barely 8000 Chinese visited, leaving one of the world’s most unspoilt marine archipelagos with few visitors. Its Bureau of Tourism is stepping up efforts with new eco-friendly resorts and tours for adventure-seeking travellers. One of the world’s best dive sites, there’s at least 1450 species of fish as well as the World Heritage-Listed Rock Islands Southern Lagoon where you can find the planet’s highest concentration of marine lakes. See pristineparadisepalau.com
Cook Islands
Relax on the South Pacific’s most pristine lagoon... Aitutaki Lagoon Private Island Resort.
While only 45,000 Australians visit the Cook Islands each year, compared with 350,000 that go to Fiji, the news is certainly getting out about these once-secret islands. Then again, it’s possible to find your own piece of lagoon on its main island of Rarotonga which is full of sunset bars, beachside restaurants and water activities. Even better is that Jetstar offers four direct flights out of Sydney to the Cook Islands each week. It’s the first Australian carrier to fly there since the demise of Ansett.
See cookislands.travel/au
For great deals on Cook Islands holidays visit MyHolidayCentre.com.au
Airlie Beach, Queensland
Tourism boom… Airlie Beach, gateway to numerous marine attractions, is an attraction in itself.Credit: Mark Fitz
Many Australians discovered Airlie when the pandemic prompted more exploration of our own country, and now it’s experiencing a 15 per cent growth in visits by domestic tourists. The region has the most tourism-focused economy in Queensland – one in three locals work directly in tourism and more than $2 billion dollars of tourism expenditure is expected for 2025. A gateway to the 74 islands of the Whitsundays, it was always just a question of time until the word got out. See tourismwhitsundays.com.au
Greenland
Try dog-sledding in Kulusuk.
With a new international airport due to open in Nuuk in November and another one in the northern tourist hub of Ilulissat next year, the world’s least densely populated country is bracing for an unprecedented influx of tourists. Many will come in summer to go hiking, kayaking and to enjoy the midnight sun; more intrepid types will brave winter’s sub-zero temperatures to try dog-sledding, ice fishing and to marvel at the northern lights. Either way, Greenland is ready with an eclectic range of accommodation (beach igloo anyone?), captivating wildlife encounters (muskoxen are a highlight) and a fascinating Inuit heritage. See visitgreenland.com
Faroe Islands
Incredible greenery ices the cliffs surrounding Mulafossur Waterfall.Credit: Getty Images
This year summer temperatures in Europe reached record highs which has led travellers to seek cooler alternative European destinations such as Denmark’s Faroe Islands where the average maximum temperature is a very pleasant 15 degrees. What’s more, just 110,000 tourists visit each summer, with about 40,000 of those on short cruise-ship shore excursions. While you can surf in the Faroe Islands, the main attraction is its green fjords where waterfalls cascade straight into the sea. It’s one of Europe’s most eco-friendly destinations but the Islands’ mass slaughter of pilot whales in shallow bays, known as the grind, continues to spark international outcry. See faroeislands.fo
Kangaroo Island, South Australia
Southern Ocean Lodge’s triumphant comeback.
The sole Australian destination included in Lonely Planet’s list of Top 10 regions to visit in 2024, Kangaroo Island is set to bounce back even stronger in 2025 after almost half the island was burnt in the 2020 bushfires. Luxury travellers have flocked to the rebuilt Southern Ocean Lodge and one of the world’s best new golf courses, The Cliffs Kangaroo Island, will open next year. Qantas has increased flights to 12 a week, while 100,000 people visited the island on cruise ships alone in 2024, a number set to rise in 2025. See tourkangarooisland.com.au
The Maldives
Artist impression… Projekt Delfin will feature a series of artificial islands and new resorts.Credit: Atoll Estates
Some of the world’s most luxurious new resorts are set to open here next year. The site for Projekt Delfin is a lagoon in South Male Atoll. It will feature three new resorts made possible by the creation of artificial islands running entirely on renewable energy and connected by an overwater walkway. Rosewood Hotels will open a $US343 million new resort and Italy’s Bulgari Resorts is also opening Bulgari Resort Ranfushi set across 20 hectares of island. See visitmaldives.com/en
For great deals on Maldives holidays visit mymaldives.com.au
Palawan, Philippines
El Nido… a pristine marine reserve with 45 limestone islands.Credit: Getty Images
The Philippines is one of the most popular destinations for Australian travellers and its latest drawcard is the island of Palawan, which doubled tourism numbers to over 1.5 million tourists from 2022 to 2024. But even with the sudden popularity, it’s easy to escape on an island that stretches more than 650 kilometres and whose main tourism centre, El Nido, is situated on a marine reserve with 45 limestone islands to explore. Try everything from diving to island hopping to hiking old growth forest. See tourismphilippines.com.au
Adelaide, South Australia
Artist render of Court 2 of the 2025 Beach Volleyball World Championships from Adelaide’s Northern Riverbank.
One of the hottest beaches in Australia in 2025 won’t actually be a beach at all. Adelaide is hosting the 2025 Beach Volleyball World Championships, marking the first time the event will be held in Australia, or even the southern hemisphere. More than 100 teams from across the globe will compete from November 14 to 23 on newly created beaches in the centre of Adelaide, including along the northern river bank of the Adelaide River. Organisers hope to emulate the vibrancy of the Paris Olympics’ beach volleyball experience at the Eiffel Tower Stadium. See adelaide2025.volleyball.org.au
Mamanuca Islands, Fiji
The Mamanuca Islands is made up of about 20 islands.Credit: Getty Images
In September 2025, The Mamanuca Islands will host the finals of the WSL (World Surfing League) Championship Tour. The best surfers from the mens and womens tour will compete at Cloudbreak – Fiji’s iconic surf break beside Tavarua and Namotu Island Resort (where all the stars stay) – in a one-day winner-takes-all competition. The finals have only ever before been held in Trestles, Southern California in front of thousands of spectators. Join in as the world’s attention will be focused on the often huge and death-defying waves faced by the competitors. See namotuislandfiji.com
Bondi Beach, NSW
Bondi Beach’s Ocean Lovers Festival will expand in wider Sydney for 2025.Credit: iStock
The Ocean Lovers Festival is a celebration of ideas to help the future of the ocean and will be held on Bondi Beach in March 2025. There’ll be live bands, sunrise yoga sessions outside the Bondi Pavilion, film screenings as well as the Ocean Lovers Market in Bondi Park. There are plenty of events from sand sculpture competitions to beach cleaning operations and workshops featuring some of the world’s best ocean experts. It’s happening between March 19 and 23 next year and will be the first time the event expands to be a Sydney-wide festival. See oceanloversfestival.com