Which islands will be trending in 2026? Expedia places Saint Lucia, Porto Santo, and Praslin at the top of its new ranking. But behind the strong growth predicted, this study primarily measures the evolution of searches performed on the platform, and not actually confirmed bookings.
Expedia published the second edition of its Island Hot List on July 21, 2026. The ranking features ten island destinations whose popularity is rapidly growing among users of the platform.
According to the specialized press, searches for the selected destinations have increased by an average of 55% year-over-year. Expedia also notes a 20% increase in mentions of island travel on social media.
Summary
How Expedia established its 2026 trending islands ranking
The ranking is based primarily on global flight searches recorded on various Expedia sites between September 22, 2025 and March 22, 2026, for travel planned in 2026.
This data was compared to searches conducted between September 22, 2024 and March 22, 2025, for trips planned in 2025. Expedia indicates that it also examined social mentions, accommodation searches on its US site and trends observed on Google.
These results show an increase in digital interest. They do not allow for a direct measurement of the number of stays sold, future tourist numbers, or the commercial profitability of each destination.
Saint Lucia overwhelmingly dominates the Expedia rankings
Saint Lucia takes first place with a 125% increase in searches over the past year. Expedia positions the Caribbean island in the romantic getaway segment, highlighting its volcanic landscapes, beaches, and secluded accommodations.
Porto Santo comes in second place with an 85% increase. This island in the Portuguese archipelago of Madeira is associated with well-being and relaxation. Its long sandy beach and more tranquil pace of life are used to differentiate it from the most popular European beach destinations.
Praslin, in the Seychelles, completes the top three with an 80% increase. Expedia highlights it for its natural spaces, wildlife, and beaches. The island is home to the Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Syros and the Lofoten Islands are progressing strongly
Syros ranks fourth with a 60% increase in searches. Unlike several Greek islands primarily marketed for their beaches, Expedia emphasizes Ermoupoli's gastronomy, neoclassical heritage, and urban identity.
The Lofoten Islands in Norway occupy fifth place with a 50% increase. Their positioning is based on Arctic landscapes, outdoor activities, the midnight sun in summer and the observation of the Northern Lights for part of the year.
Expedia's sales page contains a display inconsistency at this location, with a visual reference to South Caicos. However, the official press release and detailed information published by Expedia confirm that the fifth destination in the ranking is indeed the Lofoten archipelago.
Palawan, Culebra and Sanibel complete the middle of the rankings
Palawan, in the Philippines, comes in sixth place with a 40% increase. Expedia highlights its limestone cliffs, clear waters and natural spaces.
Culebra, an island territory in Puerto Rico, saw a 35% increase in rankings and moved up to seventh place. The destination is positioned for diving, snorkeling, and water sports.
Sanibel Island, Florida, ranks eighth with a 25% increase. Expedia describes it as a family destination. Along with Culebra, it is one of two U.S. territories included in the main ranking.
Phu Quoc and Fiji round out the top 10
Phu Quoc, in Vietnam, also recorded a 25% increase. The island is classified in the "affordable luxury" category, a commercial qualification that is not accompanied by any overall comparative price index.
Fiji finishes the ranking with a 15% increase. Expedia associates the destination with multigenerational travel, due to the diversity of accommodations and activities offered to families.
The published rates are therefore as follows: Saint Lucia at 125%, Porto Santo at 85%, Praslin at 80%, Syros at 60%, Lofoten at 50%, Palawan at 40%, Culebra at 35%, Sanibel and Phu Quoc at 25%, then Fiji at 15%.
Two additional awards for Cape Verde and Great Stirrup Cay
Two destinations received a separate mention but did not make the top 10. Expedia singled out Cape Verde because of the interest linked to football in 2026.
Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas has been named the best private island for cruises. The island belongs to Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings and access is reserved for passengers of the group's cruise lines according to their respective programs.
This distinction doesn't stem solely from flight searches used to establish the main ranking. Expedia states that it analyzed accommodation searches and other digital signals for its additional awards.
A useful indicator, but not a reliable sales forecast
For travel agencies and tour operators, the Island Hot List can help identify destinations with increasing visibility. However, the ranking does not guarantee that these islands will automatically see the highest sales in 2026.
The data comes from the Expedia ecosystem and may be influenced by the markets where the platform is most used, available air links, promotional campaigns or destination news.
The main takeaway remains factual: during the period studied, the ten selected islands saw a significant increase in flight searches on Expedia. Their conversion into bookings will need to be confirmed by sales figures and visitor statistics.
Article published on July 24, 2026 based on data and information available at that date.
Sources
- https://www.expedia.com/newsroom/expedia-reveals-2026-island-hot-list-the-next-wave-of-trending-islands-2/
- https://www.expedia.com/see/islandhotlist2026
- https://www.travelagentcentral.com/destinations/expedia-report-top-islands-visit-2026
- https://nypost.com/2026/07/22/lifestyle/hottest-island-vacation-destinations-of-2026-revealed/
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