There’s no better place to immerse yourself in the world’s natural wonders than on the islands of the world. They often offer unique ecosystems, vibrant wildlife, and dramatic landscapes that offer countless opportunities for incredible shots. 

Here are ten of the best islands for nature photography, including what makes them unique, the best times to visit, and some iconic photographers who have captured their beauty.

Galápagos Islands, Ecuador

#1 best island for beauty photography

A large tortoise with a rugged shell and wrinkled skin sits on rocky terrain. It is surrounded by sparse greenery, looking up slightly. The texture of its shell is rough and weathered, contrasting with the smoother rocks around it.


Why Visit: A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Galápagos Islands are a living laboratory of evolution. With endemic species and surreal landscapes, they’re a dream for nature photographers.

Wildlife and Nature:

  • Giant tortoises
  • Marine iguanas
  • Blue-footed boobies
  • Lava fields and pristine beaches

Best Time to Visit: December to May, for warmer weather and calm seas, making it ideal for underwater photography.

Famous Photographer: Frans Lanting has extensively photographed the Galápagos, highlighting its extraordinary biodiversity.

Unique Feature: The chance to photograph animals that are remarkably unafraid of humans.

Svalbard, Norway

#2 best island for beauty photography

Aurora borealis displays vibrant green lights stretching across the night sky over a range of snow-capped mountains. The scene reflects on calm, dark waters below, creating a serene and majestic landscape.


Why Visit: This Arctic archipelago offers ethereal landscapes of glaciers and fjords, as well as some of the world’s most photogenic wildlife.

Wildlife and Nature:

  • Polar bears
  • Arctic foxes
  • Walruses
  • Ice-covered mountains and tundras

Best Time to Visit: April to August, during the midnight sun for 24-hour daylight.

Famous Photographer: Paul Nicklen has captured Svalbard’s icy wilderness, especially its charismatic megafauna.

Unique Feature: The interplay of ice and light, creating otherworldly photography conditions.

More about Svalbard

Madagascar

#3 best island for beauty photography

A dirt road lined with tall baobab trees under a bright blue sky. The trees have thick trunks and sparse, leafy branches. Green shrubs and grass border the path, creating a lush landscape.

 

Why Visit: Known as the “eighth continent,” Madagascar’s biodiversity is unmatched, with 90% of its wildlife found nowhere else on Earth.

Wildlife and Nature:

  • Lemurs (ring-tailed, indri, sifaka)
  • Chameleons
  • Baobab trees
  • Rainforests and spiny forests

Best Time to Visit: April to June or September to November, for clear skies and active wildlife.

Famous Photographer: Nick Garbutt’s work showcases the island’s extraordinary fauna and flora.

Unique Feature: The Avenue of the Baobabs offers iconic silhouettes at sunrise and sunset.

More about Madagascar

Faroe Islands, Denmark

#4 best island for beauty photography

Aerial view of rugged, snow-dusted mountains along a winding coastline. The sea is deep blue, with a few boats and circular fish farms visible. Cloudy sky adds drama to the remote landscape.

Why Visit: Rugged cliffs, misty mountains, and picturesque villages make the Faroe Islands a dramatic backdrop for nature photography.

Wildlife and Nature:

  • Puffins
  • Seabirds (gannets, kittiwakes)
  • Waterfalls plunging into the ocean
  • Verdant landscapes

Best Time to Visit: May to August, for puffin nesting season and long daylight hours.

Famous Photographer: Chris Burkard has captured the wild beauty of the Faroes, particularly its dramatic coastlines.

Unique Feature: Múlafossur Waterfall, a cascade that tumbles directly into the ocean.

More about Faroe Islands

Komodo Island, Indonesia

#5 best island for beauty photography

A person walks on a path overlooking a scenic landscape with rugged brown hills, turquoise waters, and sandy beaches on a sunny day. Several boats are anchored near the shoreline in the distance.

 

Why Visit: A part of the Komodo National Park, this island is famed for its prehistoric inhabitants and colorful underwater world.

Wildlife and Nature:

  • Komodo dragons
  • Coral reefs
  • Manta rays and vibrant marine life
  • Rugged savannah landscapes

Best Time to Visit: April to December, with the dry season offering the best visibility for underwater photography.

Famous Photographer: David Doubilet’s underwater shots showcase the vibrant marine ecosystems of Komodo.

Unique Feature: The only place to see the world’s largest lizards in their natural habitat.

More about Komodo Island

Iceland

#6 best island for beauty photography

The image shows the Northern Lights over Kirkjufell mountain in Iceland. A vibrant display of green and purple auroras fills the sky above a cascading waterfall and a serene landscape.

Why Visit: Though not traditionally thought of as an island, Iceland’s diverse landscapes make it a nature photography hotspot.

Wildlife and Nature:

  • Arctic foxes
  • Puffins
  • Glaciers and volcanoes
  • Waterfalls like Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss

Best Time to Visit: February to March or September to October, for the Northern Lights and fewer crowds.

Famous Photographer: Ragnar Axelsson has beautifully captured Iceland’s people and landscapes.

Unique Feature: The interplay of fire and ice, with volcanic eruptions juxtaposed against glacial serenity.

More about Iceland

Borneo (Malaysian and Indonesian territories)

#7 best island for beauty photography

Close-up of an orangutan with a prominent, serious expression, sitting in a lush green forest setting. Its thick, shaggy reddish-brown fur contrasts with the dark, textured skin of its face.

Why Visit: Borneo is home to ancient rainforests teeming with exotic wildlife and lush vegetation.

Wildlife and Nature:

  • Orangutans
  • Proboscis monkeys
  • Pygmy elephants
  • Mangroves and tropical rainforests

Best Time to Visit: March to October, during the dry season for better trekking conditions.

Famous Photographer: Tim Laman has captured the island’s extraordinary biodiversity, particularly its orangutans.

Unique Feature: The Danum Valley Conservation Area, a pristine rainforest ecosystem.

More about Borneo

Tasmania, Australia

#8 best island for beauty photography

Scenic view of a pristine crescent-shaped beach surrounded by lush greenery and rugged mountains. The coastline curves gently with clear blue waters, and the sky is softly lit by a setting sun, casting warm hues over the landscape.

 

Why Visit: With its varied topography, Tasmania offers unique opportunities for photographing wilderness and wildlife.

Wildlife and Nature:

  • Tasmanian devils
  • Wombats
  • Eucalyptus forests and alpine moorlands
  • Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park

Best Time to Visit: November to April, for mild weather and active wildlife.

Famous Photographer: Peter Dombrovskis’ iconic images of Tasmania helped preserve its wilderness areas.

Unique Feature: The Tarkine rainforest, one of the world’s last temperate rainforests.

More about Tasmania

Hokkaido, Japan

#9 best island for beauty photography

A person in a blue dress and hat walks through a vibrant field of purple lavender flowers. In the background, a village lies at the foot of a lush green mountain range under a partly cloudy blue sky.

 

Why Visit: Hokkaido is a winter wonderland with striking landscapes and rare wildlife.

Wildlife and Nature:

  • Red-crowned cranes
  • Steller’s sea eagles
  • Snow-covered landscapes
  • Volcanic caldera lakes

Best Time to Visit: December to March, for snowy landscapes and crane courtship displays.

Famous Photographer: Hiroshi Seo has captured the elegant beauty of Hokkaido’s wildlife.

Unique Feature: The dance of red-crowned cranes in the snow, a rare spectacle.

More about Hokkaido

Seychelles

#10 best island for beauty photography

A sea turtle swimming gracefully near the surface of clear blue ocean water. The sun shines through the water, illuminating the turtles patterned shell and flippers. Bubbles trail behind as it moves through its underwater habitat.

 

Why Visit: This Indian Ocean paradise is a haven for both terrestrial and marine photography.

Wildlife and Nature:

  • Aldabra giant tortoises
  • Coco de Mer palms
  • Coral reefs and tropical fish
  • Granite boulders and powdery beaches

Best Time to Visit: April, May, October, or November, for calm seas and warm weather.

Famous Photographer: Michael Aw’s underwater photography showcases the vibrant marine life of the Seychelles.

Unique Feature: The Coco de Mer palm, with its unusually large seeds, is found only here.

More about Seychelles

How to find out more about the best islands for nature photography

These islands offer unparalleled opportunities for nature photography, each with its unique charm and biodiversity. Whether you’re capturing the intricate dance of cranes in snowy Hokkaido or the prehistoric majesty of Komodo dragons, the world’s islands promise a feast for your lens and an unforgettable adventure.

Discover more about these islands, including where to visit, what activities to try and what the best hotels are on these islands.

Here at Travelisland, we delve into the most fascinating islands of the world, feel free to explore the site further.