Summertime is travel time, and who doesn’t love an island vacation? Exploring our planet's beauty and wonder can be one of life’s greatest pleasures. Start by visiting an island you may have never considered, or make new discoveries at an old favorite.

Swipe through to get ideas for your next island vacation.

Con Dau, Vietnam, is a small island with little commercial development. The soft sand is perfect for digging your feet into and the emerald waters are a great place for stand-up paddling or kayaking. There’s a charming downtown area for shopping and dining.

Located in the Indian Ocean, Mauritius is known for the beautiful Black River Gorges National Park, which features rainforests, waterfalls, hiking trails and a myriad of wildlife. There's golfing, diving and plenty of stunning beaches so visit in this island nation.

On Vega Island, Norway, you’ll experience a different kind of island vacation. Try sea kayaking, fishing and hiking, all the while enjoying the astonishing natural wonders of this island that’s just south of the Arctic Circle. Vega is part of an archipelago of thousands of small islands that are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Maui’s beauty is legendary. The second-largest island in the Hawaiian archipelago, Maui is home to the largest dormant volcano in the world, Haleakala. It’s also known for its stunning beaches — don’t miss the red sand beach and the black sand beach. Windsurfers love Maui because the weather conditions are great for surfers of varying skill levels.

The Caribbean, of course, boasts some of Earth’s most beautiful islands. Consider visiting Dominica, one of the lesser-known jewels of the area. This island is for hikers who love exploring and experiencing nature, snorkelers and scuba divers too.

Visit Crete, Greece, for a glimpse of ancient history alongside stunning pink beaches. Don’t miss the Palace of Knosses, the center of an ancient civilization. Chania is a charming waterfront city with narrow streets and a beautiful harbor. Crete boasts plenty of sandy beaches, too.

The French Polynesian island of Tikehau features stunning pink-sand beaches set against stunning turquoise waters. Scuba divers will love spending time on Tikehau, and birdwatchers will spy numerous fascinating species.