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When you picture an island getaway, blazing sun, palm trees, glistening turquoise waters and glasses of pinã colada probably spring to mind. But Earth’s islands come in all shapes and sizes, from ones made up of dramatic, jagged peaks to those covered in dense jungle.
To celebrate the diversity of our planet’s islands and archipelagos, travel guide website Big 7 Travel has revealed its latest ranking of the 50 Best Islands in the World. Compiled based on social media popularity and the expertise of its editorial team, the ranking includes archipelagos in the Mediterranean, isles in the Caribbean and sandy stretches in the Indian Ocean. There’s one British island in the mix, too.
The only UK island to make it onto the list was Scotland’s Isle of Mull. It came in 23rd place, with Big 7 writing that the ‘rugged coastline is defined by rocky bays, cliffs that overlook tiny islets, and unexpectedly white sands’.
Mull’s main hub is Tobermory, which is known for its multicoloured rows of houses (pictured above) and the 228-year-old Tobermory Distillery (one of the oldest whisky distilleries in Scotland).
Fluffy highland cows that roam the beach on Calgary Bay, while offshore Mull is a prime place for seeing dolphins, seals and if you’re lucky, even minke whales, orcas or basking sharks. And if you look up, you have a chance of seeing osprey, puffins, golden eagles and the magnificent (and very rare) white-tailed eagle.
Further inland there’s Ben More, a peak which takes around four to six hours to clamber up and back down again, but on a clear day you’ll be rewarded with far-reaching views over the Inner Hebrides and across to the Scottish mainland.
The island is the most accessible part of the Hebrides – it can be reached by ferry from Oban in just 45 minutes. And this year, there’s been talk about a potential bridge or tunnel to make it even better connected to the mainland.
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