(CNN) Spin the globe, pick a spot and odds are good you'll alight on the color blue: 71% of the Earth's surface is covered with water. <\/p>\n
Vast stretches of ocean spread from the edges of the continents, and what lies between the coasts is true wilderness. Far from terrestrial plants and light-filled shallows, the open ocean makes no accommodation for human comfort or survival.<\/p>\n
Islands are the exception. These widely scattered landing places offer respite in the form of fresh water, abundant food and the occasional fruity cocktail.<\/p>\n
Every single one invites travelers to leave familiar shores behind. <\/p>\n
Whether you're dreaming of a beachy escape or plotting a course for the edges of the Earth, these are the world's 10 most beautiful islands: <\/p>\n
Milos (Greece)<\/p>\n
This is where the famous Venus de Milo statue was discovered in 1820.<\/p>\n
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This is where the famed Venus de Milo was discovered in 1820, and the island -- like the statue -- does spectacular justice to the ancient goddess of love. <\/p>\n
Whitewashed houses with blue shutters mirror the island's natural color scheme, and the coast has eroded into a wonderland of arches, coves and white-sand beaches that invite discovery. The Kleftiko caves, which you can reach only by water, are amazing.<\/p>\n
Bartolom (Ecuador)<\/p>\n
Visitors can't stay overnight at Bartolome Island in the Galapagos.<\/p>\n
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The bald summit of Pinnacle Rock looks out across pale beaches and blue-green water, their colors offset by the coal-black lava flow at Sullivan Bay. <\/p>\n
It's not possible to overnight on Bartolom, which is named for a friend of the naturalist Charles Darwin, but the island is just a day trip away from Santa Cruz, the Galpagos' main base for visitors. <\/p>\n
Go to: Don a snorkel and swim with Galpagos penguins, the only penguins to live north of the equator. Spot the native birds as they dart below the surface while looking for food. <\/p>\n
Fregate (Seychelles)<\/p>\n
Wild landscapes still thrive on the private island, which is a haven from the Seychelles' more developed shores. Giant aldabra tortoises saunter through the understory here, while two species of sea turtles crawl ashore to lay their eggs. <\/p>\n
Granite cliffs swerve for the breakers, giving way to powdery beaches: one, Anse Macquereau, can be turned into a perfectly private getaway. A \"beach occupied\" sign dangles from a nearby palm tree, inviting visitors to reserve the picture-perfect cove for themselves. <\/p>\n
Go to: Channel castaway fantasies gone luxe. (Eating breakfast in a banyan tree platform is where Swiss Family Robinson meets fine china, pressed linen and impeccable service.) <\/p>\n
St. Lucia (Lesser Antilles)<\/p>\n
The Pitons are twin volcanic spires located in Saint Lucia.<\/p>\n
Daniel Slim\/AFP\/Getty Images<\/p>\n
A matched set of volcanic peaks, the Pitons, are the spectacular centerpiece of this beautiful island. <\/p>\n
Jura (Scotland)<\/p>\n
The Jura mountains dominate the view on the isle of the same name.<\/p>\n
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Walking trails ramble through mountains home to native red deer, while golden eagles and sea eagles wheel overhead. <\/p>\n
Komodo Island (Indonesia)<\/p>\n
Komodo Island will close to visitors in 2020 to protect its most famous residents. <\/p>\n
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From a lipstick-pink beach to free-roaming lizards, Komodo Island is a topsy-turvy tropical paradise pulled straight from a fever dream. <\/p>\n
Here, thorny savanna rolls towards a shoreline lapped by crystalline water, dramatically varied ecosystems that provide shelter for oddball wildlife. <\/p>\n
Senja Island (Norway)<\/p>\n
High mountains swoop toward indigo water off Senja Island, a showstopping destination in a country with more than 50,000 beautiful islands. <\/p>\n
From the rocky summits of nderdalen National Park to deep, ice-chilled fjords, Senja Island is a dramatic stage for the natural beauty of the Arctic. <\/p>\n
Mo'orea (French Polynesia)<\/p>\n
A fringing reef wraps the island of Mo'orea in a sheltered embrace, creating a creamy blue lagoon that's a natural playground for swimming and snorkeling.<\/p>\n
But it's a dramatic backdrop of jungle mountains that make Mo'orea one of the most beautiful islands on Earth. The summits rise from the forest like jagged stone teeth, a rugged contrast to the paradise scenes at the water's edge. <\/p>\n
Go to: Sleep in an overwater bungalow with views of the mountains, then sip your morning coffee as tropical fish dart beneath your front porch. <\/p>\n
Palawan, Philippines <\/p>\n
Palawan offers many secert beaches with clear water and pale sand.<\/p>\n
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Go to: Ride a tidal river deep into a limestone cave system, then bask away the afternoon on a postcard-ready beach. <\/p>\n
Kaua'i (United States)<\/p>\n
All that lava rock from Kilauea's smoking crater crumbles into otherworldly black-sand beaches,.<\/p>\n
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Native forest here provides habitat for bird species that only live in the Hawaiian islands, and a trip into the wilderness reveals hanging valleys and towering waterfalls above crystal-clear freshwater pools.<\/p>\n
The most spectacular wilderness on Hawaii's \"Garden Island\" flanks the N Pali Coast, which intrepid hikers can reach via a challenging trail known as one of America's toughest walks. <\/p>\n
Go to: Hike the wilderness N Pali Coast Trail to an untouched beach that can't be reached by road. <\/p>\n
Editor's note: A previous version of this story included a photo that misidentified the location of Senja Island, Norway. <\/p>\n
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10 of the world's most beautiful islands - CNN<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" (CNN) Spin the globe, pick a spot and odds are good you'll alight on the color blue: 71% of the Earth's surface is covered with water. Vast stretches of ocean spread from the edges of the continents, and what lies between the coasts is true wilderness Continue reading