3 Affordable Islands You Probably Thought Were Too Expensive

Some destinations have an air about them.

That je ne sais quoi is usually closely related to a place’s atmosphere. Whether thanks to ancient history, stunning artisanal crafts, or natural wonders, some destinations are simply more memorable.

Many islands fit this bill.

But given traveling to an island requires buying a flight (or a boat) ticket, these trips are usually clumped with larger and more elaborate international trips. In other words, they don’t come around that often.

Worse, travelers might cross off certain destinations based on that air.

If an island sounds or looks too pricey, then it might get bumped from the itinerary—even if it’s not overly expensive or hard to get to.

If you’ve been dreaming of finding a secluded spot, then keep these three affordable islands on your list. Despite being highly rated and hugely popular, they won’t cost you an arm and a leg—not even on flights.

Koh Phi Phi, Thailand

For decades, Thailand has been a hotspot for backpackers—and much of that is thanks to its cheap hostels, affordable street food, and jaw-dropping natural wonders.

In Koh Phi Phi, all visitors need to do is find a beach and settle in.

Koh Phi Phi is known for its white sand beaches and its clear waters. Visitors have dozens of hotels to choose from—even luxury options are within reach and cost around $100 a night.

I’m talking beachfront, beach-view, Thai-style bungalows sort of luxury.

Even the flights aren’t too crazy. Because Thailand is a popular tourist destination for travelers from around the world, you can almost always find airline deals. I recommend visiting during the shoulder seasons in spring and autumn.

I recommend staying at Saii Phi Phi or Zeavola Resort.

The Isle of Skye, Scotland

The Isle of Skye sits just north of Scotland—a place you might know it for its highland cow population.

The island is popular for fans of outdoor activities, golf, and Scottish culture. In terms of the great outdoors, Isle of Skye visitors usually explore Cuillin Hills and Talisker Bay, which offer lovely scenery of the coast.

Culturally speaking, guests can also explore the island’s many storied villages. The capital of Portree is home to colorful homes and charming shops, while Dunvegan Castle and Gardens takes you deep into the past during the reign of the Clan MacLeod.

As mentioned above, golf is also popular on the island. Though players will face a tough go thanks to powerful winds, they’ll be able to play in the sport’s homeland—an opportunity many golfers covet. You can look into golfing at the Isle of Skye Golf Club.

You can find affordable lodging from around $150 to $200 a night. However, flights might be pricier—especially during summer. I recommend focusing on the shoulder season in autumn to save (October and November).

Zanzibar, Tanzania

In Zanzibar, there’s no need to choose between tropical wonders and culture—visitors have access to both.

This area is known for its white sand beaches and turquoise waters, which started attracting tourists en masse in the 1990s. The islands are home to marine life (including whales) and wild bushland that’s perfect for mini-safaris.

Zanzibar is home to two islands, Unguja (typically called Zanzibar) and Pemba.

For centuries, ports in both islands were pivotal areas for spice trade between South Asia and East Africa. The largest port is Stone Town, aka Mji Mkongwe in local Swahili.

This area has been controlled by many colonial forces, from Portugal to Oman to Britain. I suggest checking out sites like the House of Wonders, Old Fort, and Palace Museum—they’ll paint a solid picture of recent history in Zanzibar.

Hotels in Zanzibar cost less than those in Koh Phi Phi or the Isle of Skye, with highly rated and extravagant spots like Kisiwa Hotel & Resort costing around $120 a night.

However, cheap flights not be as easy to come by. Compared to Scotland and Thailand, East Africa is a bit further off the well-traversed paths. Consider booking in summer, when prices are cheapest.

If you’re heading to Zanzibar, I suggest staying at Kisiwa Hotel & Resort or Tembo House Hotel.

Missed a Connecting Flight? Here’s What to Do

Imagine racing through the airport, dodging other travelers while dragging a heavy suitcase behind you.

You’re arms are getting heavy, your lungs are burning.

This is not a relaxing start to your Oahu escape—

But if you don’t make it from Terminal A to Terminal C in the next ten minutes, you’re about to miss that connecting flight to Hawaii.

Unfortunately, the experience of running (or sprinting) to a gate is one of the most stressful situations a traveler can face. Unfortunately, it’s one that they might also be helpless to prevent.

As many people have noticed, airports and airlines seem prone to great delays since the lockdown ended in late 2020. Even customs lines have gotten longer.

Missing connecting flights is a greater risk than ever before, especially as travelers look to cut down on costs by booking flights with multiple airlines.

So what do you do when the worst happens at the airport? Here’s what the experts say you should do if you missed a connecting flight.

Missing a connecting flight due to a delay or cancellation

The most common reason that travelers miss connecting flights is due to airline delays.

These are often caused when companies reschedule pilots, look into mechanical problems, and manage air carrier delays.

If you missed a connecting flight due to the airline, buckle up and be patient.

You’ll likely need to wait in line to speak with an attendant who can rebook your flight with the same airline or a partner airline. I recommend burying your frustration deep inside at this time.

First, airline employees tend to face a lot of anger when delays happen, and a little kindness can go a long way in getting you a new flight (and maybe some good seats). They might also hand over a few added vouchers.

Second, (as of June 2024) the US doesn’t legally require airlines to reschedule your flight based on delays that were also outside of their control. The game of appeasement might be your only option.

(This could change soon—keep reading for more information.)

Missing a connecting flight due to weather

If your flight is delayed due to inclement weather, and this leads to you missing a connecting flight, then the airline will once again reschedule your flight.

However, they probably won’t offer any vouchers like they would in case of airline delays.

If you need to stay the night at a hotel, then you’ll be paying out of pocket. The same for any meals bought between landing at the airport and your rescheduled flight.

This is a common reason that travelers purchase insurance for their slights, as those with a policy would have their hotel and meals covered.

Missing a connecting flight due to a mistake

If you fell asleep in a massage chair or booked too tight of a connecting flight, then the waters get a little muddy. Airlines aren’t obligated to help you out, and you’ll likely face added charges when rebooking a flight.

There are a few varying pieces of advice on what to do in this case. Once more, you’ll need to dig deep to hide your frustrations—a smile and an understanding attitude in this case will go a long way.

Some experts advise heading straight to the customer service counter to ask (very politely and with great deference to your mistake) what can be done. At best, you’ll need to pay the ticket difference for the next flight from the same airline.

But, at worst, you’ll need to fully rebook the flight and pay the entire ticket cost up-front. If this scenario has your stomach in knots, then, once again, travel insurance is probably right for you.

Getting compensation for flight delays

As mentioned above, the US has had a real ‘Wild West’ approach to its airlines.

They aren’t legally required to compensate passengers for missed flights—even when the airline caused the delay.

Thankfully, the US Department of Transportation is now proposing legislation that will change this.

The idea is that airlines should be held responsible if they cause major delays for passengers. At the moment, however, airlines are still legally allowed to change their schedules as needed—which gives you little legal recourse.

In the future, US flyers might have more options for defending their rights with airlines. The Biden-Harris administration recently ruled that US airlines must compensate passengers who miss flights with cash—not meal or hotel vouchers.

I’d also like to point out that anyone with a connecting flight in Europe, the UK, and Canada has other rights. In the EU, airlines that cause delays of over three hours must compensate passengers—but passengers must apply for that compensation.

I’ve personally used AirHelp to get compensation for missed and delayed flights across Europe. All I did was send over my tickets, information about the delays, and how it impacted my overall trip. I’ve received hundreds in compensation each time.

If you faced any troubles with delays at European airports, I suggest you look into whether you could have your full or partial ticket price refunded.

Tips on preventing missed flights

Obviously, nobody plans on missing a connecting flight. But if you want to exercise a little more caution, here are a few tips.

Avoid booking flights with multiple airlines. It’s incredibly difficult to get compensation for missed flights, even due to delays or weather.
Give yourself plenty of time to make connecting flights when booking. If you’re using an agent, feel free to push back if they want you to take a short connecting time.
Know your rights with each airline, along with each country.
Have a solid plan when it comes to your luggage. If you need to repack at the last minute or if you go through security too slowly, you could face delays.
If you’re heading to Europe and need to go through customs, give yourself plenty of time. Americans now share this line with UK travelers.

Cajun Recommendations: Honey Island Swamp Tour

Swamps are cool—even if they’re treated like the ugly stepchild of the natural world.

Though not quite as grand as a mountain range or as colorful as a forest in autumn, swamps are endlessly intriguing and ecologically important.

The United States is also rich in swamps—especially the state of Louisiana.

Louisiana’s bayous are habitats for diverse plant and animal species, from alligators to monarch butterflies. Swamps also work overtime to do things like suck up carbon from the atmosphere, filter and purify water, and provide flood control and storm protection.

I’ve even visited man-made swamps that were built to help purify dark water (that’s all the nasty stuff we flush down the toilet). The swamps filter the water, which then flows into wetlands.

These wetlands attract rare birds—enough so that these constructed wetlands have become hot spots for bird watchers.

Have I sold you on the humble swamp yet?

If you’re answer is no, then perfect. I don’t have the time or expertise to change your mind about swamps—but Dr. Paul Wagner of Honey Island does. And he wants to take you from the streets of New Orleans into America’s wildest swamp.

Enter Honey Island

Between the East and West Pearl Rivers lies Honey Island, a stretch of swamp named for its once numerous honey bee population.

Not only is this swamp home to rich fauna, including cypress trees, swamp mahogany, and mangroves but also dozens of animals.

Honey Island visitors have seen creatures like red wolves, deer, alligators (by the thousands), and even something called a Florida cougar. (I guess this one is the only one to make it west of the Mississippi.)

As outlined up top, birds are also really comfortable in swamps thanks to their nutrient-rich waters. For over a century, bald eagles have nested in Honey Island. But that’s just one of hundreds of rare species that await you in the swamp.

I suggest keeping a lookout for egrets, herons, storks, osprey, and more.

Dr. Wagner’s take on Honey Island

Honey Island is a prime spot to experience the wonders and wilderness of a swamp. But it’s accessible to just about anyone who’s heading into New Orleans.

As far as I’m aware, Dr. Wagner’s Swamp Tour is the only one that offers a bus pickup and drop-off from New Orleans.

In addition to the ease of transportation, this tour is popular thanks to Dr. Wagner’s years of experience. Not only is he a qualified ecologist with a (hardcore) passion for protecting this swamp, but he’s been perfecting his tour since it first launched in1982.

Here’s why I think Dr. Wagner’s tour is worth your time and money.

The company uses small boats. This protects the swamp while also offering visitors a very up-close look at flora and fauna.
All guides are licensed, meaning you’ll learn intriguing and memorable facts about Honey Island.
The company meets animal welfare guidelines, so you don’t need to worry about negatively affecting the ecosystem.
There’s a Big Foot factor in there—and who doesn’t love the chance to possibly spot a cryptid?

Reviews for Dr. Wagner’s Honey Island Swamp Tour

Here’s the rub—I don’t think Dr. Wagner hosts any of the tours anymore. That’s not a red flag to me. If he launched the tour in 1982, then he would have been due for retirement a few years back.

I also haven’t been able to find more on Paul Wagner’s doctorate degree, though he’s listed as an ecologist in a few articles.

That being said, based on reading dozens of reviews of the tour, people love Honey Island’s current tour guides. Both the group and private tours are highly rated, with frequent shout-outs to Captain Hunter and Captain Kyle.

I think the better question is, if you’re heading to New Orleans, why wouldn’t you go on the tour? (I swear I’m not being paid by Honey Island—I really do just love swamps.)

If you’re interested, you can book straight through TripAdvisor.

Not only do you get an up-close look at one of the world’s coolest and funkiest environments, but you’ll also get to see prehistoric lizards and exotic birds.

Andaman Islands & Uncontacted Tribes: Welcome to Port Blair

Have you ever heard of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands?

This unique Indian territory covers a swath of around 200 islands in the East Indian and Andaman Seas. The islands are similar to the Seychelles; highly tropical, surrounded by colorful reefs, and largely unspoiled.

That unspoiled label is actually quite important for the Andaman region.

While most people (rightfully) imagine the Amazon rainforest as the world’s last vestige of uncontacted tribes, the Andaman Islands are home to two more: the Sentinelese and the Jarawa.

Unlike the other groups of Andanese peoples (including the Nicobarese, Shompen, Onga, and Great Andamanese), the Sentinelese have consistently driven foreigners from the shores of North Sentinel Island, where they live.

The Jarawa have had some contact with the outside world, but regularly fight to maintain autonomy over their native islands.

But the islands that both of these tribes call home aren’t far from civilization.

In fact, North Sentinel Island (home of the uncontacted Sentinelese) is only around 35 nautical miles separated from the capital city of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands territory, Port Blair.

Port Blair sits on the edge of South Andaman Island—and it’s one of India’s most up-and-coming tourist destinations.

Yeah, there’s a lot going on, and we haven’t even gotten to penal colonies yet. Let’s dive in.

Enter Port Blair

Port Blair was established by British colonists in the late 1700s. The idea was to use the islands as a place of exile for troublesome prisoners from the nearby Indian state of Bengal.

A penal colony was quickly set up, followed by a prison (which you can still visit today).

Today, Port Blair serves as the capital of the Andaman Islands, along with the first stop for tourists coming into the area.

This is the home base for most local administrations who work tirelessly to protect the area’s ecology, along with its isolated tribes. As tourism grows, these efforts receive more funding and attention.

But it’s a fine line to tread.

Uncontacted tribes in the Andaman Islands

It’s illegal to visit islands where uncontacted and protected tribes are located—but only the Sentinelese’s home island is regularly guarded against visitors.

This is for two reasons: to protect the tribe from unwanted contact and to protect those who wander onto their shores.

In 2018, an American missionary named John Chau lost his life attempting to make contact with the Sentinelese and convert them. He’s not the first to die after treading on North Sentinel Island, where the tribe lives.

Along with North Sentinel, tribes live on Little Andaman Island, Strait Island, Middle Andaman, Great Nicobar Island, and South Andaman Island, amongst others.

Similar to the Sentinelese, the Jarawa are highly resistant to external influence. Only those with specific permits (not available to tourists) have permission to visit their native islands and interact with them.

But you don’t need to tread on any toes to enjoy Andaman. Multiple islands are open to tourists, allowing you to enjoy unspoiled beaches, along with tribal arts and displays.

Here the best islands for tourists to visit in Andaman, listed with their Hindi names.

Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep)

Throughout the Andamans, you’ll find stunning white sand beaches surrounded by fertile woodlands. From what I’ve seen, the shores of Neil Island remind me of tropical coasts like the Riviera Maya and nearby Sri Lanka.

Here, you can enjoy all the finer trappings of a beach vacation, from snorkeling to sunbathing to coastal hikes. Locals are known for being quite laid back and welcoming—which is a notable plus in this region.

Ross Island (Netaji Subash Chandra Bose)

Ross Island is located just off South Andaman Island’s Port Blair. Though you can enjoy activities like swimming and diving, there’s another lure here for tourists: the ruins of the British penal colony.

Though Port Blair served as the administrative center, Ross Island actually held the empire’s prisoners. Along with the prison, you can explore colonial the remnants of British architecture and stroll through a small museum on the colonial era. You might also notice the traces of Japanese occupation, which took place during WWII.

Baratang Island

Baratang Island delivers on untouched natural wonders. It’s a bit denser in terms of its forests than other islands, which means you can explore mangrove-covered creeks, strange mud volcanoes, and tons of caves.

Like the rest of the islands on this list, the best way to get to Baratang is to organize a day trip from Port Blair. Most visitors use Port Blair as their home base so they can explore Baratang, Ross, and Neil Island at their leisure.

Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep)

Havelock Island is the most well-known option for tourists heading to Port Blair.

It’s home to the world-famous Radhanagar Beach, one of the most untarnished natural wonders on our planet. You’ll also notice plenty of options in terms of dining, lodging, activities, and tours.

Havelock is also home to dozens of high-class resorts and spas. If you want to truly soak up the Andaman Islands in a luxurious fashion, you’re better off flying into Port Blair and then heading straight to Havelock Island.

You’ll notice tourists from across Asia reveling in the sand.

North Bay Island

Like Havelock, most tourists schedule a visit to North Bay Island when they head to Port Blair. It’s well-known for its stunning coral reefs that offer shelter to unique marine life. Because of this, most visitors spend their time snorkeling or scuba diving along the shoreline.

There isn’t too much else to do in North Bay—not that you’ll get bored with all the water activities available to you. However, you can also schedule unique beachside experiences (like private couples dinners), which are definitely worth looking into.

Vancouver’s Pym Island: Inside the 6.2-acre Private Island

Pym Island isn’t cheap by any stretch of the imagination.

This private island, located off the coast of British Columbia, first hit the market last year with a listing price of $7 million.

It’s a surprisingly low number when you look at the surrounding area.

As of June 2024, the average price of a home in Vancouver was around is around $1.4 million. In nearby Victoria, home owners might pay around around $780,000 instead.

Though we’re talking millions right now, the jump from $1.4 million to $7 million isn’t that great—especially when you consider the incredibly luxurious amenities available at Pym Island.

In what world could someone from Vancouver or Victoria feasibly purchase their own fully private, 6.2-acre island only a short boat ride from the cities’ docks?

And the better question is, if the island has been on the market since April 2023, why hasn’t anyone bit yet?

Let’s take a closer look at Pym Island.

Conveniently hidden away

Pym Island offers a truly remote feel, even if it’s close to other small islands that border Vancouver Island.

The 6.2-acre spread is home to a stunning main house, along with five other cozier cabins. There’s also a small residence for the island’s caretaker, which makes sense.

Buyers will need one, let me tell you.

Not only are there 2,700 feet of coast to maintain, but the island’s top-tier amenities require regular upkeep and work.

The island is also home to an outdoor tennis court, a private dock, a boathouse, fire suppression stations, and an indoor pool. All the guest cabins have at least one bathroom; some have two.

No detail has been spared. To be frank, I’m almost more impressed with the sheer number of maintenance features. These include a backup water connection to Vancouver Island, a backup diesel generator in case the electricity cuts, and tanks designed to store extra fresh water.

It’s so remote I’m almost getting prepper vibes.

Beautiful on the inside, too

When I first read about Pym Island’s cottage, I prepared for a rustic site.

The island’s coastline is kept purposefully rugged, which means you can’t really see what’s hidden under its massive conifer trees. But my jaw dropped when I saw the interior of the main cottage.

Luxury isn’t a fitting word; it’s too easy to throw around. The atmosphere on the inside of the main house is better described as pure opulence—like a finely crafted Persian rug, like a marble relief created by a Greek master.

The main salon is covered in wood and brick accents, along with plenty of untreated stone. There’s a courtyard filled with bright red gardenias in one part of the home, along with an indoor pool surrounded by an arched colonnade in another.

Pym Island’s brush with stardom & crime

Luxury listings take longer to sell. The fact that Pym Island has been on the market for a year doesn’t hint at any major issues.

But given the sheer quality of the main house and the unbeatable privacy of this island, I wanted to dig deeper.

I didn’t find much—it seems like the agent representing Pym Island has kept the property away from larger publications in order to maintain the current owner’s desire for privacy. But there was a strange trail of crumbs that led back to a failed web series and a solved murder case.

Back in 2015, Gang Yuan a multi-millionaire from China and owner of Pym Island, was murdered in a disagreement with a family member. (Note: this crime did not take place on the island.)

Yuan’s murder made headlines, which shined a light on a web series that Yuan’s daughter had started with a group of friends, titled ‘Ultra Rich Asian Girls’. (Any guesses what the show was about?) In one episode, Yuan’s daughter took her friends to Pym Island to expound upon the virtues of a drama-free life.

Again, the crime didn’t involve Pym Island—but it’s not very often that I find multi-million-dollar private island listings with such a sordid and recent past. And it seems few people in the area have forgotten about the trial and aftermath.

UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage: A Closer Look

UNESCO does a lot more than designate World Heritage Sites.

As a branch of the UN that focuses on education, science, and culture, there’s obviously an emphasis on the humanities.

But did you know that there’s an entire sector of UNESCO that’s dedicated to uncovering and preserving our world’s ‘intangible’ cultural heritage?

That term is used to describe practices, expressions, and activities that demonstrate hyper-unique elements of culture. In other words, these forms of heritage are tied to specific places, languages, and people.

UNESCO regularly adds new traditions to its long list of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Just about anything can receive this unique designation, from poetry to dance to clothing.

While I’d love to list out a few American examples, the US hasn’t officially adopted UNESCO’s Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage—which means we aren’t allowed to submit our own traditions.

It’s also sometimes posited that this UNESCO list is aimed at countries that have less economic development and, at the same time, longstanding cultural histories. The goal is to boost tourism and interest in these locations, along with resources and infrastructure.

The US doesn’t meet the first economic requirement.

But I’m a bit baffled by the notion that the US might lack longstanding cultural traditions and histories. The US is home to 574 federally recognized tribes, along with hundreds of unrecognized tribes, after all. I imagine each has a few traditions worth preserving and promoting.

Semantics aside, I’ve been obsessed with this ever-growing list of intangible cultural heritage for a few years.

To take you on a quick tour of intangible cultural heritage, I’ve collected three of the most interesting categories (opera, New Year celebrations, and theatre) along with a few super cool examples from around the world.

Opera

Kun Qu (China): Kun Qu opera is incredibly colorful, complex, and storied. You’ve probably heard sound clips of this incredible art form from a few movies over the years. The practice was refined in the 1700s up until the 1900s, at which point in time it started to gain popularity around China and Asia.
Opera dei Pupi (Italy): Puppets? Singing opera? In Sicily? Say no more, I’m interested. Though described as puppets, the pieces used in this opera are complex and refined marionettes. They gained popularity as street shows for Sicily’s working class, telling fables and tales from across Europe. Now that I’ve taken a closer look, I’m not sure whether to be terrified or intrigued. I’ll let you decide for yourself.

New Year Celebrations

*Note: New Year celebrations don’t solely relate to the calendar year. They might be determined by the moon cycle or the passage of a year.

Sidama, Fichee-Chambalaalla (Ethiopia): To celebrate the first anniversary of a marriage, Sidama women return home to visit their parents. They bring a meal made from fruit, milk, and butter, which is shared between neighbors. It also involves storytelling, combining elements of culinary and oral tradition.
Momoeria (Macedonia, Greece): This 12-day festivity celebrates the Christian holidays of Christmas, New Year, and the Epiphany with an ornate party. The celebration includes dancing, theatre, storytelling, and even resource management. It’s not about celebrating the last year but planning for the next one.
Washoku (Japan): This form of cultural heritage refers specifically to the types of foods eaten during Japanese New Year. Specifically, it also applies to the way in which food is produced, processed, and packaged. The goal is to mindfully and sustainability create traditional foods to celebrate the New Year.
Nowrus (Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, India, Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan): Persian New Year is celebrated in many places and in many different ways. It coincides with the spring equinox—and actually has its roots in the ancient religion of Zoroastrianism rather than Islam. Like Momoeria, celebrations involve unique festivities.

Theatre

Mek Malung (Malaysia): This unique form of dance theatre is found in only one tiny region of Malaysia. It combines elements of singing, dancing, and dialogue. Physicality is punctuated by swinging arm movements, while the actors perform with only the accompaniment of a small oboe.
Sbek Thom (Cambodia): This highly unique form of theatre is known as ‘shadow theatre’, which should give you a clue about its content. Puppets are crafted from fine leather, which are then lit to cast ornate shadows. This is a highly sacred art that’s often used to tell spiritual tales, like those from the Ramayana.
Koodiyattam (India): When you imagine an Indian play on a stage, you might see images of Koodiyattam in your mind. This tradition comes from the southern Indian state of Kerala and dates back to the Sangam period of 300 BCE to 300 CE. That means when you watch Koodiyattam, you’re experiencing an almost-lost form of ancient Sanskrit theatre.