St. Lucia tops Expedia island list as Cape Verde gets World Cup bump
Expedia says island travel searches are pointing to St. Lucia, Porto Santo and Cape Verde after a soccer-fueled surge.
By Poppy Nakagawa · Culture Writer
3 min read
St. Lucia is sitting at No. 1 on Expedia’s 2026 Island Hot List, with the travel company saying searches for the Eastern Caribbean island climbed 125% from 2025.
Expedia released the annual ranking on July 21, using searches and bookings to flag island destinations gaining heat with travelers. The company said this year’s picks offer alternatives to more familiar vacation spots, with appeal tied to scenery, culture and, in some cases, value.
According to Expedia, St. Lucia is drawing interest as a romantic getaway. The island in the Lesser Antilles is also known for beaches, rainforest and volcanic scenery, while its resort scene gives honeymooners and couples plenty to book.
Porto Santo Island, part of Portugal’s Madeira archipelago, landed second. Expedia said searches for Porto Santo rose 85% year over year, with the destination standing out for wellness and relaxation.
The travel company pointed to Porto Santo’s sandy stretches and spa-friendly reputation, including claims that its sands have calming “geotherapeutic” qualities. Expedia described it as a quieter, sunnier option compared with Madeira’s busier resorts and mountain terrain.
Praslin in the Seychelles took third place, with Expedia billing it as a draw for nature lovers. The Indian Ocean island is home to the Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve, a national park and UNESCO World Heritage Site known for palm forest, rare birds and plants including Coco de Mer palms.
Expedia also highlighted snorkeling around coral reefs and giant turtles, along with Anse Lazio beach, which is known for white sand and granite boulders.
The broader 2026 roundup includes Syros, Greece, which Expedia said suits travelers chasing Greek food; Norway’s Lofoten Islands for arctic adventures; Phu Quoc, Vietnam, for affordable luxury; and Sanibel Island in Florida for family trips.
Other destinations named by Expedia include Palawan in the Philippines, Culebra in Puerto Rico and Fiji. The company also gave Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas a cruise-focused nod, calling the Norwegian Cruise Line private island the best private island for cruises.
Cape Verde got its own spotlight after a soccer-driven burst of attention. Expedia said searches for the archipelagic country off West Africa jumped 805% following its World Cup run, naming it the best ultimate soccer-inspired island.
The team entered the tournament ranked 67th by FIFA, according to the report, then finished second in Group H with three draws, including a tie against eventual champion Spain. Cape Verde later lost narrowly to Argentina in the Round of 32, a result the report said earned notice from Lionel Messi and fans around the world.
Melanie Fish, vice president of public relations for Expedia Group Brands, said islands can offer strong vacation value because of all-inclusive resorts and bundled savings on Expedia.
“The list was finalized until two destinations generated so much buzz from cruise travelers and soccer fans that we had to give them awards of their own,” Fish said.
Expedia said the 2026 Island Hot List was based on global flight searches across its points of sale from Sept. 22, 2025, through March 22, 2026, for travel at any point in 2026.
This story draws on original reporting from Variety.