Dreamy beaches may get most of the attention, but tropical locations around the world have much more to offer than sand and palm trees. From Sri Lanka’s towering Sigiriya and Belize’s Great Blue Hole to the lush landscapes of Bali and the turquoise shores of the Seychelles, travelers on Reddit have captured some remarkable sights. These 16 photos show just how varied and colorful a tropical escape can be.
Palau and Peleliu, Micronesia
A trip through Palau and the small island of Peleliu offered turquoise waters, lush tropical scenery, waterfalls, and fascinating World War II history. The Reddit poster said the journey was inspired by watching HBO’s The Pacific, while Reddit user moderatelyremarkable shared their own experience, saying, “Palau is awesome, I loved it. I didn’t visit Peleliu, but the short trip to the country was one of my best travel experiences.”
El Nido, Palawan, Philippines
Turquoise water, steep limestone islands, and palm-covered shores make El Nido in Palawan look like a quintessential tropical escape. The original poster described reaching the area during China’s Golden Week and said the long journey was “a small price to pay for far fewer crowds and scenes such as this.” Reddit user whydidijointhis was equally enthusiastic, commenting, “El Nido was my favorite place in the world when I went a few years ago…. AMAZING colors, friendly people, and smaller tourist crowd. It was a dream.”
Lord Howe Island, Australia
Lord Howe Island pairs clear blue water and green mountains with an isolated setting in the Tasman Sea, creating some seriously impressive tropical-looking scenery. Reddit user AskALocal was particularly taken with the photos, commenting, “Fabulous photos. The one with all the fish is just wild!”
Los Cabos, Mexico
Los Cabos pairs deep blue water with Baja California Sur’s dramatic desert coastline, making for striking seaside photos. Reddit user Tnsatbhs, who shared the image, was especially impressed by the water, commenting, “So clear too! The deep blue color is awesome!”
Bali, Indonesia
Bali’s rice terraces, waterfalls, dense greenery, and volcanic landscapes give the island plenty of scenery beyond its famous beaches. Reddit user Macken_47 was struck by how closely the photo matched one from their own trip, commenting, “Took almost an identical photo in May 2016, Bali truly is a wonderful place!”
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Jelat Village, West Java, Indonesia
Heavy rain brought out the deep greens of the rice fields and vegetation surrounding Jelat Village in West Java, where the photographer captured waterways, wet leaves, and quiet rural scenery. Reddit user baabullah, who shared the photos, described the atmosphere by saying, “The air was cool and calming.”
Oahu, Hawaii
Oahu combines white-sand beaches and lush greenery with steep mountains rising dramatically near the coast, scenery the photographer compared to a tropical version of Iceland. Reddit user No_Complaint_3394 said the island exceeded expectations, commenting, “There are so many different parts and personalities to the island. Gorgeous photos!”
Tropical Queensland, Australia
A road trip along Queensland’s tropical coast revealed everything from the Daintree Rainforest and Whitsundays to waterfalls, clear beaches, and encounters with native wildlife. Reddit user WishIhadaCaliTaco summed up the collection perfectly, commenting, “So many of these scenes have a magical feel to them, thanks for sharing.”
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French Guiana
French Guiana offers a surprisingly varied tropical landscape, with dense jungle, offshore islands, wildlife-filled marshes, and remote communities alongside unusual sights such as the Guiana Space Centre. Reddit user moderatelyremarkable, who had traveled there, commented, “Nice pictures. I visited French Guiana five years ago, it was a very interesting destination and a very enjoyable trip.”
Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India
Neil and Havelock islands show off the Andamans’ tropical side with turquoise water, white-sand beaches, dense forests, coral reefs, and colorful marine life. Reddit user NYR_LFC was impressed by the photos and commented, “I have never heard of these places before now. Beautiful!”
Great Blue Hole, Belize
Seen from above, Belize’s Great Blue Hole stands out as a huge circle of deep blue water surrounded by the lighter turquoise shades of Lighthouse Reef. The aerial perspective especially impressed Reddit user Interesting_Job6486, who commented, “That view is incredible. Seeing the Big Blue Hole from above really puts its scale into perspective. Nature never fails to amaze.”
Seychelles
The Seychelles delivered classic tropical scenery across Mahe, Praslin, and La Digue, where granite boulders, clear water, quiet beaches, and lush vegetation filled the photographer’s 10-day trip. Reddit user GreenStickBlackPants was especially enthusiastic about the scenery, commenting, “It’s just as beautiful as you can imagine. Every photo is just regular ol’ breathtaking beauty.”
The Abacos, Bahamas
The Abacos deliver classic Bahamian scenery, with crystal-clear water, quiet beaches, sandbars, and small cays such as Green Turtle Cay and Elbow Cay. The original poster especially loved Cherokee Sound, describing it as a “beautiful surprise,” while Reddit user tycoon34 commented, “The Abacos are a special place. Not super accessible in tourist infrastructure or for one’s budget, but if anyone has the opportunity to go, do it.”
Saint Lucia
Saint Lucia’s lush mountains and dramatic Pitons create the kind of tropical scenery that can make even a balcony view memorable. Reddit user MountainManCan, who had gotten married on the island, commented, “Driving was super skeptic, but the scenery and the people were amazing!”
Mauritius
Mauritius packs plenty of tropical scenery into one island, from waterfalls and forested national parks to clear ocean water and unusual landscapes such as the Seven Coloured Earth. Reddit user bimmarina was impressed by the photos, commenting, “looks like the caribbean but it’s nowhere near! tropic beauty”
Sigiriya, Sri Lanka
Rising dramatically above the tropical greenery of central Sri Lanka, Sigiriya, also known as Lion’s Rock, makes for a striking sight from the surrounding landscape. Reddit user Suspicious_Soft1190 summed up their reaction to the photo simply, commenting, “oh my god, that is beautiful!”
