Top 10 best islands to visit in January

Island-hopping sounds dreamy until you’re booking ferries, juggling hotel check-ins and managing flights between remote airports. Cruising simplifies it. With Princess, everything’s taken care of. You travel in comfort and dine onboard until you arrive at your port, totally refreshed. You’re ready for reef dives, rainforest hikes or beach days that you can enjoy at your own pace until it’s time to set sail again.

There are so many warm places to visit in January across the Caribbean, Hawaii and French Polynesia. Princess brings the world closer to you with voyages to over 330 cruise destinations across more than 100 countries, on all 7 continents. You’ll visit more destinations with fewer logistics and enjoy the kind of views you can’t get from a plane window.

History and marine life come together in Antigua. Step into the 18th century at Nelson’s Dockyard, a fully restored British naval base still echoing with stories from the Age of Sail. Then trade cobblestones for open water at Stingray City, where you’ll glide through waist-deep turquoise as Southern stingrays swirl around you.

Snorkelers will find bright coral gardens off Darkwood Beach, a laid-back cove with calm entry points and vibrant fish just offshore. Between the protected bays and warm currents, this is one of the Caribbean’s top islands for getting in the water early in the season.

Barbados balances natural wonder with deep island heritage. Venture underground at Harrison’s Cave, where a tram winds through tunnels of crystallized limestone, past stalactites, pools and cascading flowstones that shimmer under low light.

Back above ground, Carlisle Bay delivers some of the Caribbean’s most accessible wreck diving. Just offshore, six sunken ships shelter a surreal mix of marine life — seahorses, sea turtles and shimmering bait balls moving in unison.

You can even take a tour of the Mount Gay Rum Distillery, where Barbados’ most storied export is still made using centuries-old methods. Sip aged blends, learn the island’s rum history and enjoy panoramic views from the tasting deck.

St. Lucia’s terrain is dramatic in every direction, with areas like volcanic peaks, black-sand beaches and rainforest valleys packed into a single island. At Sulphur Springs, the world’s only drive-in volcano, guests soak in mineral-rich mud baths while steam rises from warm geothermal pools.

Snorkelers head straight for Anse Chastanet, where steep drop-offs and protected coral reefs make the water as vibrant as the shoreline. Expect schools of parrotfish, sponges the size of basketballs and excellent visibility year-round.

And then there are the Pitons — twin volcanic spires rising nearly 3,000 feet above sea level. Hike trails around their base or take in the view from the deck of the ship, where their silhouette marks one of the Caribbean’s most iconic coastlines.

Curaçao blends rugged coastline with Dutch Caribbean charm. Along the northern shore, Shete Boka National Park stretches across limestone cliffs and crashing inlets where sea turtles nest and waves pound into deep caverns.

In town, the Pietermaai District offers a colorful contrast, with historic buildings now home to cafés, cocktail bars and street art installations. It’s walkable, photogenic and always humming with local energy.

Offshore, experienced snorkelers and divers make their way to the Blue Room Cave, an underwater sea cave that glows cobalt when sunlight hits just right. Accessible by boat or fins, it’s one of the island’s most surreal natural experiences.

Lush and volcanic, St. Kitts and Nevis offer a mix of raw beauty and colonial history, with plenty of ways to explore both. One standout is the St. Kitts Scenic Railway, a narrow-gauge train that loops past old sugar plantations, coastal cliffs and island villages, all set to the sound of a live steel band.

On the island’s western slope, Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park rises above the sea on a natural limestone plateau. Built by the British in the 1600s, it’s now a UNESCO-listed site with panoramic views and thick stone walls that once made it the “Gibraltar of the West Indies.”

Wildlife lovers can head to Turtle Beach, known for calm kayaking waters and the chance to spot leatherback turtles in season. Even when the turtles aren’t nesting, the shoreline is quiet, wide and ideal for a laid-back day.

Lush and volcanic, St. Kitts and Nevis offer a mix of raw beauty and colonial history, with plenty of ways to explore both. One standout is the St. Kitts Scenic Railway, a narrow-gauge train that loops past old sugar plantations, coastal cliffs and island villages, all set to the sound of a live steel band.

On the island’s western slope, Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park rises above the sea on a natural limestone plateau. Built by the British in the 1600s, it’s now a UNESCO-listed site with panoramic views and thick stone walls that once made it the “Gibraltar of the West Indies.”

Wildlife lovers can head to Turtle Beach, known for calm kayaking waters and the chance to spot leatherback turtles in season. Even when the turtles aren’t nesting, the shoreline is quiet, wide and ideal for a laid-back day.

Grand Turk may be small, but it delivers big beneath the surface. Just offshore lies The Wall, a dramatic underwater drop-off where the sea floor plunges thousands of feet. It’s a world-class spot for snorkeling and diving. Visibility here often stretches beyond 100 feet, with reef sharks, rays and colorful corals appearing along the edge.

Back on land, the island’s quirky side comes through at the conch farm, once the only one of its kind in the world. It offers a closer look at one of the Caribbean’s most iconic sea creatures and an unexpected way to learn about local aquaculture.

In Cockburn Town, colonial-era buildings line quiet streets, and small museums trace the island’s role in salt trading and early Caribbean settlement. It’s compact and walkable, with pastel storefronts and a slower pace that invites lingering.

Roatán is fringed with reefs and thick with jungle — an island where the natural world is always close. At the Roatán Institute for Marine Sciences, guests can interact with Atlantic bottlenose dolphins in protected ocean enclosures, learning about local conservation efforts through hands-on encounters.

On land, Gumbalimba Park winds through lush forest, with swinging bridges, caves and free-roaming parrots that echo through the canopy. Capuchin monkeys often make surprise appearances, adding a little wild and exciting energy to the trails.

For a quieter perspective, take a guided kayak through the island’s mangrove tunnels. These narrow, shaded waterways open into hidden lagoons and provide a peaceful look at one of Roatán’s most important ecosystems.

Bora Bora lives up to the hype with its lush peaks, lagoon-hugged motus and water so clear it looks backlit. A visit to the Lagoonarium, an open-water marine sanctuary, puts you in the water with rays, reef sharks and a kaleidoscope of tropical fish under expert guidance.

Onshore, Matira Beach offers shallow, glassy water and long stretches of soft white sand, with dramatic views of Mount Otemanu across the bay. It’s a rare public beach in a destination known for private overwater bungalows. Accessible, uncrowded and unforgettable.

For the best vantage point, hike the lower slopes of Mount Otemanu. The trails weave through forested ridges and ancient volcanic rock, revealing panoramic views of the island’s lagoon and reef-fringed coast.

Kauai is Hawaii at its most raw. Rugged cliffs, sweeping canyons and beaches edged with ironwood trees are just some of the diverse landscapes you’ll see. This is the island for travelers who want scenery that feels untouched but still easy to reach.

The Nā Pali Coast is the showstopper. Its ridgelines climb straight from the sea, carved by time and impossible to see by road. Take it in by catamaran or air for the full effect — waterfalls, sea caves and cathedral-like peaks that rise more than 4,000 feet above the shoreline.

In the southwest, Waimea Canyon cuts deep into the island’s core with layered volcanic rock in shades of rust and green. Hike the rim trails or stop at lookouts where the views seem to stretch beyond the horizon.

Cap your visit with a stop at Kīlauea Lighthouse, perched on a bluff above a protected wildlife refuge. In January, it’s one of the island’s best places to spot migrating humpbacks offshore.

Why are so many people drawn to the islands in January? There are several perks to take your trip so early in the year, especially when cruising makes a January trip so easy. Here’s what you have to look forward to:

• Escape the winter chill: While much of the world is bundled in coats, January offers steady warmth and longer daylight hours across the Caribbean and Pacific islands.
• Unique seasonal events and wildlife:  January is prime time for spotting humpback whales in Hawaii and enjoying early-year cultural festivals in many Caribbean ports.

Less crowded, more comfortable: Post-holiday sailings tend to be quieter, with fewer crowds on shore and more availability for top-rated excursions.

Unparalleled travel experience

Sailing with Princess means arriving rested, not rushed. Our ships are designed for comfort and connection in every suite or stateroom. Whether you’re enjoying a private balcony, a suite with extra space or one of our thoughtfully appointed staterooms, we’ve designed everything with your comfort in mind.

Our curated excursions go beyond the basics, bringing guests face to face with each destination’s culture, cuisine and natural beauty. There is endless onboard entertainment, world-class dining and amenities tailored for every age and interest.

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We take our environmental responsibility seriously and know that vibrant destinations deserve thoughtful stewardship — as does the powerful ocean that makes Princess possible. Across the fleet, Princess has invested in advanced technologies that reduce emissions and minimize impact, both at sea and in port.

Many of our ships are equipped with shore power, allowing us to shut down engines and plug directly into local electrical grids while docked. Princess has also outfitted its ships with Advanced Air Quality Systems to meet and exceed global emissions standards. These systems help us operate efficiently and cleanly. Plus, every crew member undergoes environmental training so that we can continue to lead with care — for our guests, and for the oceans we share. Princess continues to evolve how we sail, so future generations can experience these places just as meaningfully.

Seamless booking and support

Planning a cruise should feel as enjoyable as the trip itself. Princess offers flexible fare types — including refundable and non-refundable options — so you can choose what works for your travel plans. You can also reserve your stateroom with just a small deposit, then pay the rest over time.

Once you're booked, tools like the Cruise Personalizer® let you manage everything in one place. This includes shore excursions, dining times, special requests and more. Need help? Our support team is available 24/7, whether you have a pre-cruise question or need assistance during your sailing.

Everything is built to give you more freedom and fewer surprises so you can focus on where you're going, not how to get there. See just where you can go with Princess and explore your January cruises today!