Top 12 Islands For Solo Travelers
Traveling solo is cause for celebration — just make sure you choose a setting that attracts fellow singles. These 12 picks guarantee you'll mingle, not sit alone at dinner in a sea of cooing honeymooners.
Even shy types make friends on Jost: On weekends, bars like Soggy Dollar are packed. If it's too much to muster a "Where are you from?" just challenge that someone to the ring game — loser buys next round.
Start with a scuba day trip — it's a sport where singles get paired because it's frowned upon to dive alone. If you're still unattached come happy hour, order that Chang beer from the bar's corner seat. Or try one of the on-the-beach establishments where groups gather atop rugs, not around tables, making it easier to join in.
If you'd rather bond over beats than beaches, try Iceland. This tiny outpost has music festivals year-round; two of the biggest are I Never Went South or 'Aldrei fór ég suður' on Easter, and Iceland Airwaves Music Festival in November.
The temples, the spiritual practices, the balmy setting — it adds up to a certain undeniable magic. You'll meet 20-somethings there to party, sure, but also sensitive types drawn to Bali's energy and tropical beauty.
Consider your intentions: If you want no-strings-attached mingling, Jamaica has resorts like Hedonism II. Granted, the resort can be occupied 80 percent by couples — so although you may not find a soul mate, you also won't likely dine alone.
It doesn't take much for this town to raise a glass. Whether it's Fantasy Fest in October, Hemingway Days in July or just Tuesday, Duval Street is always full of the laughter of those ready to share good spirits.
The party scene here isn't as techno-intense as Ibiza, but it's still a nonstop party. By day, sip rosé and nibble calamari while mingling at the seaside bar, then make plans for a hot spot to reconvene at come nightfall.
It's the Vegas of the Caribbean: white-sand beaches with casinos, megaresorts, pool parties and nightclubs. And while you can scuba with sharks in Vegas thanks to the Mandalay Bay Shark Reef experience, here in the wild with Caribbean reef sharks, it's the real deal.
It's Hawaii's most developed island, but it's not lacking out-of-the-way beaches and inspiring natural settings. Go to meet surfers, yogis and other free-spirited types who live in the now.
They say that sharing a high-adrenaline situation bonds any two people. Find out in Queenstown, where popular pastimes include skydiving, bungee-jumping, skiing, luge and jet-boating.
St. John is as fast-paced as a Jimmy Buffett song. You'll meet laid-back types at most Cruz Bay beach bars and smoothie joints. On weekends, head to Cinnamon Bay on the north shore for pick-up volleyball games starting midmorning and ending a couple of hours before sunset.
On the French side, there's a language barrier if you don't parles francais — but the beaches are convivial, especially those with bars near the water. Plus, if you completely strike out, several beaches are topless or even nude, so you'll at least see more of what you've been missing.