b'Best TimesCORAL KALEIDOSCOPEAerial view of Hamilton coast HAMILTON ISLAND, AUSTRALIAHamo, as the Aussies like to call it, is the largest of the Whitsunday Islands (a group of 74 islands) on Australias northeast coast, along the Great Barrier Reef between Brisbane and Cairns. Hamilton Island has luxury resorts, stunning beaches, and outstanding watersport opportunities. Though car-free, there are free island shuttle services and buggy rentals available. Explore the surrounding coral gardens and wonderful aquatic life on snorkelling or diving excursions. Take a scenic helicopter flight or seaplane ride around the Whitsundays for jaw-dropping top-down views of the Great Barrier Reef. Close by are iconic Whitehaven Beach and Heart Reef, famous for incredible blue waters and rich marine life. Hamilton Island marinahayesandjarvis.co.uk/hamilton-islandBEST TIME: Hamilton is a year-round destination thoughHiking near glaciers some of the waters around theon Fox Islandisland may get jellyfish between January and March. Visitors can catch glimpses of migrating whales around July-September.PHOTOS: DAVID KOVALENKO ON UNSPLASH (HIKER), DR VALLABH KULKARNI ON UNSPLASH (KENAI COASTLINE)Kenai Fjords National ParkUNTAMED WILDERNESS Relaxing sea lionsFOX ISLAND, ALASKAJust 5.5 kilometres long and 3.2 kilometres wide, Fox Island is a remote, magical natural world in the heart of Alaskas Resurrection Bay. Car-free Fox Island is accessible to guests staying overnight at the eco-friendly Kenai Fjords Wilderness Lodge, which can only be reached by boat. This is an off-the-beaten-path island with unique wildlife like sea lions, puffins, and bald eagles. You can take a guided sea kayaking tour around the island, a full-day cruise to see glaciers and wildlife, leisurely walks on mist-covered pebble beaches or more demanding hikes through the islands beautiful mountains. Guests at the lodge can unwind in the oceanfront sauna, sit around beach campfires, and sometimes spot sea lions and humpback whales right from the property. hayesandjarvis.co.uk/fox-islandBEST TIME: Late-May to September50 \x1a HAYES JARVIS'