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Travel+Leisure Announce Top 15 Islands in the World
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Bound to inspire some serious wanderlust Travel+Leisure have unveiled their “Top 15 Islands in the World” as part of their “World’s Best” series.
The list was compiled by Travel+Leisure according to surveys submitted by their readers who “rated islands according to their activities and sights, natural attractions and beaches, food, friendliness, and overall value.”
Six of the top fifteen islands are located in Asia, but for those looking for something a little closer to home Maui made the list coming in at number 14.
Top 15 Islands in the World
15. Azores, Portugal
Located in the Atlantic Ocean, the archipelago of the Azores is comprised of nine volcanic islands offering dramatic landscapes, quaint fishing villages, beautiful hydrangea rich hedgerows and stunning beaches. The islands now host thousands of tourists each year to take advantage of the temperate climate.
14. Maui, Hawaii
As the only Hawaiian island to make the top 15 list, Maui remains a top favorite among Travel+Leisure readers thanks to its 30 miles of golden beaches, surf, waterfalls and wildlife.
13. Orkney Islands, Scotland
Comprised of over 70 islands off the northern tip of Scotland, the Orkney Islands give visitors a chance to reconnect to nature away from mass commercialism and tourism. With breathtaking scenery, ancients monuments and history, and charming wildlife, travelers looking for something off the beaten path will love a holiday on these romantic, windswept islands.
12. Cook Islands
With their picture perfect palm trees, long stretches of deserted tropical beaches and perfect watersports conditions, it’s no wonder Travel+Leisure have placed the Pacific Ocean’s Cook Islands as firm favorites. Renowned for its scuba diving and snorkeling, the Cook Islands are named after British navigator James Cook with Rarotonga being the largest and most visited island in the chain.
11. Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
The exotic Galapagos Islands in the Pacific Ocean were once considered the world’s top destination for wildlife viewing. If spending time surrounded by stunning wildlife is on your bucket list there is no better place than the Galapagos. Thanks to its isolated locations, visitors to the islands will find many species of animals and fauna found nowhere else in the world.
10. Tasmania, Australia
Home of the illusive Tasmanian Devil, the island of Tasmania – located off Australia’s southern coast – is known for its rugged scenery, which includes national parks and many protected areas. Used as a penal colony by the Europeans starting in 1803, the island has a much cooler temperature than the rest of Australia with four distinct seasons. Thanks to its rugged outdoor activities and unique wildlife and fauna, Tasmania is popular with tourists both from the Australian mainland and around the globe.
9. Páros, Greece
Located in the heart of the Aegean Sea, Páros features the typical whitewashed Greek architecture, beautiful fishing villages and gorgeous beaches with golden sand. But it’s not just for sunbathing. The island is renowned as being a top-notch destination for windsurfing.
8. Cebu, Philippines
Consisting of one main island surrounded by 167 islands and islets, Cebu is a tropical paradise boasting white-sand beaches, top notch diving and stunning scenery. Cebu City also offers tourists some fantastic cuisine, shopping and a lively bar scene.
7. Mauritius
Located in the Indian Ocean, Mauritius is renowned for its beaches, lagoons and reefs making it the perfect spot to snorkel and scuba dive. The mountainous interior offers tourists the chance to explore rare wildlife, discover hidden waterfalls and hike through the Black River Gorges National Park.
6. Palawan, Philippines
Known as the “Last Ecological Frontier of the Philippines” the archipelago of Palawan offers tourists the chance to experience gorgeous beaches, mountains, jungles and desert on one of the most biodiverse islands in the world. Consistently ranking as one of the best islands in the world, Palawan with its crystal clear waters and abundant sea life, is a dream come true for travellers looking to experience some off-the-charts snorkeling and scuba diving.
5. Waiheke, New Zealand
Just a 30 minute boat ride from Auckland, the New Zealand island of Waiheke with its stunning scenery, gorgeous vineyards and plethora of eco-tours makes it an island with something to offer everyone. The island’s Hauraki Gulf is the perfect place to go swimming, kayaking, or surfing and hikers will love the abundance of walking trails scattered around this quaint island overflowing with character.
4. Maldives
Naturally the Maldives feature heavily on any “Best Of” list thanks to their postcard picture perfect sandy beaches and clear, turquoise waters. This tropical nation in the Indian Ocean is made up of 26 atolls of more than a thousand coral islands. With its blue lagoons, tropical reefs and gorgeous beach resorts it’s no wonder the Maldives consistently rank one of the best islands to travel to.
3. Lombok, Indonesia
Located east of Bali, the Indonesian island of Lombok is known for its breathtaking beaches and top notch surfing spots. It draws avid scuba divers from around the world thanks to its stellar reefs and abundance of sea life.
2. Bali, Indonesia
The Indonesian island of Bali is renowned for its volcanic mountains, rice paddies, beaches and coral reefs. Bali makes up part of the infamous Coral Triangle – an area with the highest levels of biodiverse marine life – making it a popular tourist destination for scuba diving and snorkeling.
1. Java, Indonesia
With Indonesian islands making up the top three in Travel+Leisures “Best Islands” list, it’s the island of Java coming in at number one. Comparable in size to England, this large island offers tourists the chance to experience rice paddies, volcanoes, rainforests and stunning beaches once they have left the busy and polluted city of Jakarta. Home to over 140 million people – making it one of the most populated islands on earth – Java’s cultural complexity should make it tops on the bucket list of tourists looking to experience a place completely out of the ordinary.
