Expedia reveals 2026 Island Hot List after Cape Verde buzz
Expedia reveals 2026 8216island Hot List of under-the-radar escapes, with St. Lucia No. 1 after searches jumped 125%. Porto Santo and Praslin follow, while Cape Verde searches soared 805% after a Cinderella World Cup run that won the archipelago a special soccer-inspired award.
Key Takeaways
- Expedia released its 2026 Island Hot List on July 21, ranking ten islands by searches and bookings.
- St. Lucia tops the list for romantic escapes; Porto Santo ranks second for wellness, and Praslin third for nature.
- Cape Verde interest rose 805% after its World Cup run; Expedia named it “Best Ultimate Soccer-inspired Island.”
- The list used global Expedia flight searches from Sept. 22, 2025, to March 22, 2026, for any 2026 travel dates.
What did Expedia put on its 2026 Island Hot List?
According to Variety’s report on Expedia’s ranking, the annual Island Hot List spotlights ten islands billed as alternatives to traditional hotspots, praised for natural beauty, cultural depth, and sometimes better value.
St. Lucia leads for 2026. Expedia said searches for the Eastern Caribbean island rose 125% versus 2025. Travelers favor it for romantic getaways, luxury resorts, beaches, rainforests, and volcano views.
Porto Santo, in Portugal’s Madeira archipelago, ranks second, with searches up 85%. Expedia calls the “golden” island best for wellness and relaxation, citing spa trips and sands described as holding calming “geotherapeutic” properties, plus a quieter vibe than busy Madeira.
Praslin in the Seychelles places third for nature lovers. It hosts the Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for rare plants such as Coco de Mer palms, plus snorkeling for turtles and coral and swimming at Anse Lazio beach.
Also named: Syros, Greece (foodies); Lofoten Islands, Norway (arctic adventures); Phu Quoc, Vietnam (affordable luxury); Sanibel Island, Florida (family escapes); plus Palawan, Philippines; Culebra, Puerto Rico; Fiji; and Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas, tagged “Best Private Island for Cruises” and exclusive to Norwegian Cruise Line guests.
Why is Cape Verde suddenly on travelers’ radar?
Expedia said searches for Cape Verde jumped 805% after the country’s Cinderella World Cup run. The West African archipelago drew fresh demand after “a summer of soccer,” where Cape Verde “melted soccer fans’ hearts.”
Cape Verde ranked 67th in FIFA standings before the tournament, finished second in Group H with three draws—including a tie with eventual champions Spain—then lost narrowly to Argentina in the Round of 32. Expedia labeled it the “Best Ultimate Soccer-inspired Island,” with Morabeza Hotel cited as a Cabo Verde stay pick.
Melanie Fish, VP of Public Relations for Expedia Group Brands, said islands can be smart vacation values via all-inclusive resorts and bundle savings, adding the list was not finalized until cruise and soccer buzz forced special awards for two destinations. For more culture and entertainment alerts, see our Streaming & TV Alerts hub.
How was the 2026 Island Hot List compiled?
Expedia based the 2026 Island Hot List on global flight searches across all Expedia points of sale from Sept. 22, 2025, to March 22, 2026, for travel on any date in 2026. The July 21 release frames the picks as buzz-backed escapes rather than classic resort default stops.
Together, the ranking pairs evergreen island demand—romance in St. Lucia, wellness in Porto Santo, nature in Praslin—with viral sports-driven curiosity around Cape Verde, giving planners a clear snapshot of where search and booking energy is heading for 2026.