A small corner of paradise located off the coast of Tripoli, Rabbit Island is really worth the detour for an unforgettable stay in Lebanon. Pack our bags, we're off to Rabbit Island, a one-of-a-kind island in Lebanon, particularly popular in summer for its beautiful, uncrowded beaches.

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Located 5 km off Tripoli, Rabbit Island can be reached by boat from the port of Mina in Tripoli. The walk passes through several rocky islets barely visible from the coast, over crossings that are sometimes tumultuous because they are often exposed to the wind. Boats, often sizeable, stop at each islet to drop off vacationers ready to live a great adventure far from the infernal noises of the city.

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Rabbit Island or Palm Island (for some) takes its name from the introduction of these animals by the French to satisfy their hunting desires in the 1930s.

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For what it represents, this island has two particularities. First, it is one of the only public beaches in the country where the Lebanon Water Festival takes place every year, an event organized to promote water sports, ecotourism and the protection of the Lebanese coastline. Rabbit Island also stands out for its nature reserve, which has been protected by UNESCO since 1992.

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For the record, Rabbit Island was the victim of an aerial bombardment in 1984 during the civil war. Cleaned from top to bottom then cleared of mines, it was reopened in the late 1990s. In 2006, the Israeli offensive against Lebanon once again damaged the island. In 2009, an oil spill condemned it further, rendering it completely useless and inaccessible to the Lebanese.

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But since then, Tripoli has become a city that exudes tranquility and serenity. All seasons are now good for visiting the city and pushing a little further offshore towards Rabbit Island.