(Sub) Tropical Islands

When people think about (sub) tropical islands, most think about beaches, palm trees and lots of sunshine and blue skies. After all, that is how the holiday brochures will show you those islands. The reality is often quite different, though. Sure, there may be beaches and palm trees, and there will be sunny days with blue skies, but of the latter not nearly as many as you think. Islands are often the perfect catch points for rain, because they stick out above the ocean surface. Air that is saturated with water vapor from the sea is pushed upwards, cools down and so it starts to rain. Islands like Hawaii catch record amounts of rain, but often only on one side (because of the prevailing winds). The other side may be quite dry, but clouds can still spoil many beach days. Don’t let that stop you from visiting these islands, though. They are often stunningly beautiful. Just bring your camera rather than your swimsuit! Below photos from Hawaii and Gran Canaria (Canary Islands)…