I truly believe that there’s nothing better than a tropical holiday in summer. Between feeling the warm sun on your skin and the relaxing sound of waves, nothing beats those salty beach days and sunset cocktails. But while I’d love to spend the entire season jet-setting across different islands, my bank account tends to disagree. I’ve therefore found another way to invoke the joy of a sunny getaway—investing in a tropical perfume.
What Is a Tropical Perfume?
Tropical fragrances are basically summer perfumes in a bottle, featuring any of your favourite warm-climate plants. Think fruity fragrances with creamy notes of coconut, juicy bursts of mango, or the airy scent of frangipani in bloom. They perfectly blend fruity, floral scents and beachy notes that will instantly transport you to warm island breezes and sun-drenched beaches, without actually having to go abroad.
At first, I’ll admit I was initially very sceptical about tropical perfumes, worried that they would smell overly sweet like those fruity body sprays we drenched ourselves in throughout high school. But the truth is that there are now plenty of ultra-sophisticated options that balance out the juicy notes with warm sandalwoods, delicate florals and deep ouds to make them feel chic, elevated, and grown-up.
So whether you’re heading abroad and looking for a perfume to take with you, or simply in need of a mood-boosting scent to help you feel like you’re living your best OOO life, even if you’re on a trip to your local high street, I’ve rounded up the best tropical perfumes to invest in this summer
The Best Tropical Perfumes
1. Best Overall Tropical Perfume: KAYALI Maui Sweet Banana 37, £79
2. Best Everyday Tropical Perfume: Maison Margiela Beach Walk, £62
3. Best Nighttime Tropical Perfume: Vilhelm Parfumerie Mango Skin, £145
4. Best Holiday Tropical Perfume: Juliette Has a Gun Lust for Sun, £100
5. Best Tropical Body Mist: Phlur Dragon Fruit Body Mist, £25
Shop the Best Tropical Perfumes
1. KAYALI Maui Sweet Banana 37
Kayali
Maui Sweet Banana 37 Eau de Parfum
Key notes: Banana, coconut cream, pear, gardenia, jasmine, sandalwood, rum, vanilla bourbon
Maui Sweet Banana 37 was created to replicate the smell of a tropical holiday. With notes of bananas, coconut cream and vanilla bourbon, this fresh but fruity fragrance is sure to evoke memories of your favourite sun-kissed vacation.
2. Maison Margiela Beach Walk
Maison Margiela
Beach Walk Eau de Toilette
Key notes: Coconut milk, lemon, cedar, heliotrope, bergamot, musk, pink pepper, ylang-ylang.
If you’re looking for an everyday scent that’s not too overpowering, Maison Margiela’s Beach Walk is a lightweight EdT that features beachy notes of coconut milk, lemon, bergamot and ylang-ylang. Despite its lower fragrance oil concentration, reviewers have praised this scent for lasting all day.
3. Vilhelm Parfumerie Mango Skin
Vilhelm Parfumerie
Mango Skin Eau de Parfum
Key notes: Mango, blackberry, black pepper, wild orris, black lotus, jasmine, patchouli, vanilla, pink sugar
Mango Skin by Vilhelm Parfumerie perfectly blends the fruity notes of mango and blackcurrant with woody patchouli and spicy black pepper. This more sophisticated take on a tropical scent makes it perfect for night outs or formal events.
4. Juliette Has a Gun Lust for Sun
Juliette Has a Gun
Lust for Sun Eau de Parfum
Key notes: Coconut, freesia, bergamot, gardenia, jasmine, ylang-ylang, orange blossom, white musk, vanilla, ambroxan
With notes of coconut, freesia, orange blossom and ambroxan, Lust for Sun is the ideal holiday fragrance. And the best part? You can also buy this scent in a smaller 50ml or 7.5ml to ensure you get through airport security with ease.
5. Phlur Dragon Fruit Body Mist
Phlur
Dragon Fruit Body Mist
Key notes: Dragon Fruit, pineapple, watermelon, plum blossom, lotus flower, peony, sugared amber, vanilla bean, sandalwood
I’ve used a number of Phlur body mists, and I’m always impressed with how long-lasting they are. And according to reviews, this dragon fruit spray is no different. The gorgeous mix of dragon fruit with plum blossom and sandalwood makes for a scent that is sure to earn you loads of compliments.
6. Killian Paris Sunkissed Goddess
7. The Body Shop Passionfruit Body Mist
The Body Shop
Passionfruit Body Mist
Key notes: Passionfruit, peach, vanilla
If you’re in need of a tropical fragrance that won’t break the bank, look no further than The Body Shop’s Passionfruit body mist. It only contains three notes (passionfruit, peach and vanilla), but reviewers have described it as “paradise in a bottle”, so it’s definitely worth the blind buy.
8. Jo Malone London Frangipani Flower Cologne
Jo Malone London
Frangipani Flower Cologne
Key notes: Frangipani, lemon, ylang ylang, sandalwood
For those who find fruity fragrances a little too overpowering, Jo Malone’s Frangipani Flower cologne is a much more subtle perfume that focuses on the flowers that grow across the beaches of Bali. Frangipani, lemon, ylang ylang and sandalwood blend together to create a floral-lactonic scent that you can wear for any occasion.
9. Born To Stand Out Black Guava Extrait Extreme
Best Oud Tropical Perfume
BORN TO STAND OUT
Black Guava Extrait Extreme Eau de Parfum
Key notes: Guava, mandarin, cardamom, Madagascan oud, peony, rose, geranium, amber, Madagascan patchouli, cypriol
If, like me, you love oud, you need to smell Born To Stand Out’s Black Guava. It does come with a price point that’s higher than most, but the mix of guava, Madagascan oud, rose and patchouli makes for a fruity-smoky scent that you won’t be able to put down.
10 Le Monde Gourmand Angel Soirée
Best Gourmand Tropical Perfume
Le Monde Gourmand
Angel Soirée Eau de Parfum
Key notes: Lychee, strawberry, marshmallow, apricot, rose, milk, violet, magnolia, vanilla, praline, musk, sandalwood
Angel Soirée by Le Monde Gourmand channels the sparkling sweetness of a lychee martini on a beach getaway. Despite being in the gourmand family, it manages to remain elegant and grown-up whilst still feeling modern.
11. Ellis Brooklyn Guava Granita
Ellis Brooklyn
Guava Granita Eau De Parfum
Key notes: Guava, banana, coconut, melon, mango, water lily, bergamot, vanilla, sandalwood, almond milk
If you’re a fruity fragrance enthusiast, Guava Granita is the perfect pick for you. Formulated with HALOSCENT® technology to extend the wear without smelling too overpowering, the scent features five different tropical fruits to give you that sun-soaked getaway feeling even when at home.
Shop More Tropical Perfumes I Love
The 7 Virtues
Candied Lychee Eau de Parfum
Key notes: Sugared lychee, orange, geranium, vanilla, peony amber
Kopari Beauty
Pink Guava Hair & Body Mist
Key notes: Guava, mandarin, mango, sandalwood, vanilla
Maison Francis Kurkdjian
Kurky Eau De Parfum
Key notes: Tutti-frutti, tangy fruit accord, vanilla, white musk, peaches, raspberries
D.S. & Durga
Jazmin Yucatan Eau de Parfum
Key notes: Passion flower, water, bergamot, jasmine sambac, cloves, snake plant, copal, vetiver
Phlur
Mango Mood Body Mist
Key notes: Mango, blackcurrant, pink pepper, jasmine sambac, orris, lotus, brown sugar, patchouli, vanilla absolute
Ellis Brooklyn
Banana Milkshake Mist
Key notes: Banana, melon, papaya, rum, tonka beans, ice cream, wool barrel, strawberry, apricot
Le Monde Gourmand
Lait De Coco Eau de Parfum
Key notes: Coconut, cream, vanilla, bergamot, praline
Phlur
Coconut Skin Body Mist
Key notes: Coconut, palm leaf, caramel gelato, frangipani, tiare blossom, sandalwood, salty amber
Sol De Janeiro
Cheirosa ’68 Perfume Mist
Key notes: Pink dragonfruit, lychee, Brazilian jasmine, ocean air, hibiscus, sheer vanilla, sun musk
Why Trust Us?
At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products, including perfume, makeup, skincare and nails, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, make-up artists and leading industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.
We focus on fragrance formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.
