10 The Canary Islands start off our top 10 Volcanic Islands. This group of Spanish islands in the Atlantic off the North West of Africa are formed of many volcanoes and are some of the very oldest islands on earth created purely by volcanic activity under the sea. Nowadays the Canary’s are among some of the most popular holiday islands in the world throughout the year and especially for winter sun getaways, with a constant flow of sun-loving holiday makers to its black powder beaches. Hot dry winters make it an ideal holiday destination, and we can be comforted by the fact that its volcanoes are currently inactive!
9 Fiji This beautiful Volcanic Island in the South Pacific radiates life and colour, with exotic wildlife and a rich marine life. One of the few benefits of being a volcanic destination, or in this case extinct volcano, means the soil is wonderfully fertile allowing for a flourishing ecosystem around it. Fiji is well known for it’s diving but for those of us that are not the biggest fans of being deep underwater with an oxygen tank strapped on our backs, there is so much to see in Fiji just by snorkeling. There is plenty of coral reef just off the beach in many areas for an array of colourful reef fish and soft coral. Flora thrives in Fiji’s many parks such as the Garden of the sleeping Giant in Nausori, or wildlife in Kula Eco park. The deep white coral sands make Fiji one of our top 10 Volcanic Island holiday destinations.
8 Iceland We all know this Volcano after the chaos it caused in 2010, but can we pronounce it? Eyjafjallajokull, which caused so much travel chaos is just one of Iceland’s many active volcanoes. However this densely volcanic island is still high up on the best holiday destinations. The incredible landscape caused by the volcanic properties has given Iceland some of the most exciting natural attractions such as geysers, steaming blue lagoons, bubbling mud pools, contrasted by dramatic glaciers overseen by ethereal ribbons of the northern lights. Being the largest of our Top 10 Islands it has the big city of Reykjavik as its capital and is a great starting point for discovering this fascinating Island.
7 Dominica This heavenly little island nuzzled between Guadeloupe and Martinique in the Caribbean has several volcanoes mainly sleeping, with the small chance of an eruption in the next 100 years. Thanks to science we can be warned well in advance of an eruption so we can happily visit this lush green island and enjoy its many natural delights. Visit Dominica’s boiling lake, and natural hot baths and cool off in waterfalls. Get a glimpse of Dominica’s sea turtles in this great snorkeling destination.
6 Reunion Island Far out in the Indian Ocean this French Island has 2 volcanoes, however Piton de Neige is extinct leaving a fascinating crater to explore. Reunion is also home to one of the worlds most active volcano’s, Piton de la Fournaise, the volcano is quite accessible with some fantastic viewing points around it, smoldering away with very recent eruptions leaving the ground around it hot and smoking. Not far from Madagascar and Mauritius this tropical destination can be noted for its many waterfalls sparkling and cascading over the high plateau of the island. One of the Indian Oceans more modern islands with good roads, pretty French towns and a laid back surfing atmosphere. Some of the best surf can be found in St Leu and glorious views of the deep blue Indian Ocean will enchant you while hiking up its steep heights or cycling its many trails.
5 Cape Verde Islands off the West coast of Africa is fast becoming a top holiday destination and makes it into our top 5 of the worlds best volcanic islands. Being much less travelled than the other islands in the top 10 means you won’t find the crowds here yet, but hurry they’ll be here soon! Numerous Volcanoes are dotted around the 10 islands, and the most active being on Fogo Island sitting right on a volcanic hotspot, with eruptions as recent as the mid 90’s. Its fertile soil surrounding it provides a rich growing space for coffee and vine plantations. You’ll find plenty of culture here both African and Portuguese, and being a fairly new holiday spot you’ll find some very new modern hotels and all inclusive resorts. Both black volcanic sandy beaches and pristine white sandy beaches line the shores, and one of its biggest activities – windsurfing, thrives on its aqua waters. Cape Verde is an important nesting ground for loggerhead turtles and much is being done here to protect this endangered species.
4 Montserrat This tiny island sits below St Kitts and Nevis, above Guadeloupe in the Caribbean. The active Volcano of Soufriere Hills is in the south of the island and recent eruptions mean that virtually the whole southern half of the island has been overrun with lava destroying its capital and many roads. The Volcano which started erupting in the 90’s is still very much alive, however many tourists still visit the rich green contrast of the north part of the island outside the exclusion zone in order to see this incredible phenomenon of Mother Nature. You’ll still find plenty of hotels and gorgeous silver beaches set to the back drop of this mighty towering caldera. Enjoy all the usual benefits of the Caribbean Sea such as snorkeling, diving, boat trips around the island and its warm temperatures all year round.
3 Azores A group of volcanic islands out in the middle of the Atlantic, now dormant, is an ever popular tourist destination. Although none of its volcanoes are active, it still offers some incredible sights such as the Santiago Lagoon on Sao Miguel Island. This is an ancient volcano caldera, and it also has a beautiful blue lagoon next to it. Filled with history, pretty towns, and gorgeous beaches the weather here is very mild but also changeable. Whale watching is one of its foremost tourist activities as well as the sights of its famous jumping dolphins. The islands of the Azores are often described as garden like with around 60 plants completely unique to these islands.
2 Bali In Indonesia makes our 2nd place in our top 10 volcanic island destinations, one of the worlds favourite holiday islands. Batur Volcano, one of Indonesia’s most active volcanoes resides right here in Bali. It has had quite a few small eruptions over the recent years however it’s one of the top tourist attractions here. If safe to do so, you can take a hiking tour up the volcano in time to watch the incredible sunrise and spectacular views of the surrounding Caldera. Tourists flood to this tropical location due to its brilliant azure waters, white beaches and gorgeous weather often in the mid 30’s during the dry season of April to September. Don’t be put off by the rainy season as this can sometimes only mean an hour of tropical rain in the afternoon, and slightly cooler temperatures can be a refreshing change from the humid peak season.
And finally, the top spot goes to…
1 Hawaii The Pacific group of volcanic islands has made it to our number 1 volcanic Island destination. And so what has made it number 1 in our top 10? Well we think it really does have everything. Big island is home to one of the worlds most active volcanoes, Kilauea. Set in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park it is one of many volcanoes in Hawaii. But perhaps the reason it’s most fascinating is due to the fact that you are able to witness to red hot lava flow as it cascades across the park and down into the sea. Thousands of tons of lava is produced every day increasing Hawaii’s land mass and changing its landscape since it started erupting in the early 80’s and has continued ever since. Hawaii offers rainforest, deserts, incredible surf, exotic sea-life, romantic coves, fantastic hotels and something to interest every age group and traveller type.