Picture your ideal holiday destination and you'll probably think of an idyllic island. From tropical spots with aqua water and palm trees to quaint stone harbours with colourful fishing boats, there's something about islands that brings about the holiday mood. Experts at Planet Cruise have analysed data ranging from safety scores to ferry costs and social media buzz to identify the ultimate island hopping destinations around the globe.
Here's their top ten. READ MORE: The top 10 destinations in Asia that Aussies are travelling to right now The Dominican Republic in the Caribbean is a prime spot for island hopping. It's between Puerto Rico and Jamaica, as well as being a popular holiday destination in its own right.
Scotland is not the first place which you imagine when you think of islands, but it has plenty of windswept paradises to explore. Shetland, Orkney, and the Hebrides are the main beauty spots to visit. The research did find it had the most expensive ferry prices though, at an average $19.
READ MORE: The best lookout points in Australia crowned in Uniquely Aussie Awards The Portuguese island of Madeira is a holiday hotspot for Europeans. The Azores are also a more isolated island paradise. One of the most famous island chains in the world, the Maldives is a honeymooners paradise, known for its tranquil beauty.
READ MORE: Train travel is booming in Europe right now - here's everything you need to know about Eurail Passes Head to the Spanish Balearics: Majorca, Ibiza, Menorca and Formentera for everything from party towns to quiet villages. READ MORE: How to see cherry blossoms in full bloom without going to Japan A relatively affordable but massively popular place to island hop: Greece. For family-friendly adventures, explore the beauty of Kefalonia or Crete.
Party enthusiasts will find excitement in Kavos on Corfu or Faliraki on Rhodes. For a taste of luxury, Mykonos and Santorini offer the perfect blend of upscale glam and breathtaking views. Hvar is the most famous Croatian island but there are plenty of others to explore.
The nation's Sail Week is on many people's bucket lists. It sees party-goers converge on the Euro nation to live it up aboard boats. After exploring the mainland treasures of Dubrovnik and Split, discover the unspoiled natural beauty of Brač or head to Korčula, renowned for its vineyards and olive groves.
READ MORE: These are Australia's most beautiful outdoor bathtubs Home of the ultimate island-hopping inspiration, the book and Leonardo DiCaprio film, The Island, Thailand is a backpacker favourite. Popular islands like Phuket and Ko Phi Phi draw crowds with their white sand beaches, delectable cuisine, and lively nightlife. For a more tranquil escape, explore Koh Phra Thong, known for its diverse birdlife, or unwind in beachfront bungalows on Koh Jum, where you can watch monkeys hunting for crabs along the shore.
Japan is certainly not yet known for island hopping. It's made up of four main islands: Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu,. But there are also hundreds of other smaller inhabited islands.
Some are even know for being full of cats. Japan also had among the cheapest average ferry prices, at just $4 the survey said. After visiting Osaka and Tokyo, head to the Yaeyama Islands for activities like snorkelling, canoeing, hiking, and diving.
For a more secluded escape, the Amami Islands offer limestone caves, deserted beaches and vibrant coral reefs. READ MORE: Should pets be allowed in holiday rentals - here's what Australians think Tropical hotspot, the Philippines , came out on top for island hopping in the survey. With more than 7000 islands you won't be short of places to explore.
Cebu, Cebu and Palawan are among the most popular. This tropical paradise boasts the highest number of searches for "#islandhoppers" on Instagram and TikTok, the survey said..
