I've been to 30 tropical islands. From Bora Bora to Barbados, here are the top 5 I'd visit again.

This South Pacific haven screams "paradise." Though getting there was a long journey — I had to take a 16-hour flight from New York to Tahiti, followed by an hourlong flight to Bora Bora — the island was absolutely otherworldly.

The island, formed by an extinct volcano, is surrounded by a calm turquoise lagoon that's basically a huge wading pool. I remember marveling at rows of romantic bungalows with glass floors and thatched roofs overlooking the water.

The island's Mount Otemanu, shrouded by clouds, was also a postcard-worthy sight from any angle.

The local cuisine combines French and Polynesian cultures. I enjoyed meals such as poisson cru, a ceviche-like dish made with coconut milk, tomatoes, and cucumber. It was truly heaven on earth.

Glittering St. Barts is full of fancy spots, with a yacht-filled harbor, designer shops along the pristine streets of Gustavia (the island's capital), and luxurious hotels such as the Hotel Manapany and Eden Rock.

I found a lively day-drinking scene at Nikki Beach, a destination that's attracted celebrity guests such as Mariah Carey, and restaurants with menus and wine lists to rival any Parisian hot spot.

But you don't have to be a multimillionaire to soak in the island's beguiling swankiness. During my visit, I spent an afternoon on a catamaran ride and did some window shopping at the home-design store Maison Pélican.

Visitors can also find elevated cuisine at various price points — I had tuna poke and chilled rosé from Ti' Corail on a laid-back beach, and it was one of my favorite meals.

I was most surprised by the many local beaches, such as the sandy Gouverneur Beach and the secluded Colombier Beach, a spot accessible only after a steep (but worth it) hike.

If you're a Francophile who adores fabulous food and an upscale feel, I highly recommend St. Barts.

St. Martin is split into two distinct French and Dutch sides. I thought the French side had a quiet, relaxed vibe during my visit.

I lay on the beach at Orient Bay (referred to as the Saint-Tropez of the Caribbean) and shopped at the luxury boutiques in Marigot, the capital of the French collectivity on St. Martin.

I found the Dutch side much livelier as I clubbed at the Soggy Dollar Bar in Simpson Bay and sipped rum cocktails while watching the sunset at The Rusty Parrot.

The island is also the ultimate destination for aviation geeks, as the Princess Juliana International Airport is steps away from Maho Beach. I spent hours watching planes fly directly above me.

Visitors can also island hop to nearby St. Barts and Anguilla, easily accessible by ferry or plane.

Curaçao is known for having more than 35 beaches, so every sun-worshipper can find their perfect spot.

During my visit, it seemed that some beaches, such as Playa Piskadó, were mainly frequented by locals, so they were uncrowded and relaxed. Others, such as Grote Knip and Playa Kalki, in quiet coves, were very tranquil.

While on the island, I noticed a fun Dutch influence through food such as fried meat snacks called bitterballen. I also encountered an unexpected gin-and-tonic culture, as Dutch genever (a spirit made in Holland and Belgium) is similar to gin.

During my stay, I sipped my way through the gin-and-tonic menu at Zest Restaurant & Beach Cafe on the lively Jan Thiel Beach and, of course, tried the island's namesake bright-blue liqueur.

Handelskade, a row of brightly colored Dutch colonial buildings lining the water in Willemstad (the island's capital), was the perfect photo op.

As an added bonus, Curaçao is part of the ABC islands (the other two being Aruba and Bonaire), which are unlikely to be severely impacted by hurricanes.

The Caribbean is synonymous with rum, but in my opinion, no island offers as authentic an experience as this destination.

Based in Barbados, the iconic rum producer Mount Gay has been selling the spirit since 1703. Touring and tasting at the company's distillery is a must-do for any fan of the sugarcane-based spirit.

Visitors can also make their way through Barbados' flavorful cocktails (and cuisine) at lively bars and restaurants. I loved the potent rum punch and local fish cakes at Oasis Beach Bar, as well as the seared jerk tuna and butter beans at Calma Beach Club.

The island was perpetually vibrant — it seemed like a party, festival, or concert was always happening. The snorkeling in Carlisle Bay was also amazing, as I saw parrotfish, hawksbill turtles, and seahorses.

Plus, Rihanna fans can snap a selfie in front of the Barbadian native's colorful childhood home, where her name adorns the doormat.

This story was originally published on August 9, 2024, and most recently updated on August 12, 2024.