20 Best Islands in the World 2016

20 Best Islands in the World 2016 from nearby Caribbean beaches to islands in Southeast Asia

More than 300,000 travelers in Condé Nast Traveler ranked the best islands in the world in the 2016 Readers’ Choice Awards survey, from nearby Caribbean beaches to far-flung islands in Southeast Asia. Here’s the 20 Best Islands in the World 2016:

1. Boracay, Philippines

An island in the Western Philippines. Boracay is as close to a tropical idyll as you’ll find in Southeast Asia, with gentle coastlines and transporting sunsets. Add in a thriving nightlife scene, and you have not only one of the top tourist spots in the region, but also one of the best islands in the world 2016.

Find a place to stay in Boracay

2. Palawan, Philippines

One of the Philippines’ 7,107 islands, Palawan is again voted as one of the best islands in 2016. It’s now home to one of the new seven natural wonders of the world, Puerto Princesa Subterranean River.

Find a place to stay in Palawan

3. Mallorca, Spain

Although generations of Europeans have been flocking to the Spanish isle every summer, Mallorca still exhibits a laid-back charm. In addition, you’ll find classic Mediterranean blue waters, stunning mountain views, and winding cobble-stoned streets, depending on which type of vacation you take.

Find a place to stay in Mallorca

4. Great Barrier Reef & Whitsunday Islands, Australia

Another of the 20 best islands in the world 2016 is the Great Barrier Reef, a living structure so vast that it’s visible from outer space. It consists of more than 3,000 individual reef systems and hundreds of islands. In addition, the 74 islands of the Whitsundays offer some of the best snorkeling and sailing in the world.

Find a place to stay in Whitsunday Islands

5. Cebu, Philippines

Ranked 5th in the 20 best islands in the world 2016 is Cebu in the Philippines. It is famous for its beaches on the mainland as well as across many of the surrounding islands.

Find a place to stay in Cebu

6. Vancouver Island, BC, Canada

Next in the list is Vancouver Island. It is consistently one of the best islands in Condé Nast Traveler readers’ top islands in Canada. Here you can pick from salmon fishing, wine tasting, sailing, strolling along beaches and nature trails, or learning about glassblowing.

Find a place to stay in Vancouver

7. Turks and Caicos

At the 7th position is Turks and Caicos or TCI for short. TCI actually consists of 40 islands. You can have your pick of some of the world’s loveliest white sand beaches in Providenciales and colonial architecture throughout Cockburn Town.

Find a place to stay in Providenciales

8. Bermuda

Another one of the 20 best islands is Bermuda. A British Overseas Territory, it offers tons of things to do: snorkeling near pink-sand beaches, golfing, shopping, museum hopping, and more.

Find a place to stay in Bermuda

9. Crete, Greece

At the 9th position is Crete, Greek largest Isle and also one of the most distinctive, with its own unmistakable culture, landscape, and mythological history. In addition, make sure to visit the Minoan palaces in Knossos if you make it beyond the beach.

Find a place to stay in Crete

10. Bali, Indonesia

The next in the list of the 20 best islands is Bali, where every experience is memorable. It is the kind of place where you’ll eat the best fresh fish of your life. You’ll watch whole families zoom by on motorbikes, or maybe a monkey will steal your glasses at Uluwatu temple.

Find a place to stay in Bali

11. Mykonos, Greece

At the 11th position is Mykonos in Greece. It is said to be where Hercules killed the invincible giants. It is also a popular cruise ship stop. In addition, Mykonos is more recently known for its raucous party reputation that would impress even Dionysus.

Find a place to stay in Mykonos

12. St. Barts

Also on the list of the 20 best islands in the world 2016 is St. Barts. The tiny slice of France in the Caribbean brings a distinctive European spirit to island life. While it may be most famous for glamorous celeb-filled parties, St. Barts has the quality restaurants, beautiful tropical hikes, and great hotels to back up the hype.

Find a place to stay in Gustavia, St. Barts

13. Cayman Islands

Get your fill of hiking, snorkeling, sailing, and even golfing. Head to Little Cayman for some of the best diving at Bloody Bay Wall. Expect sea turtles, colorful sponges, and maybe even a shark or two.

Find a place to stay in Grand Cayman

14. Sardinia, Italy

The second-largest island in the Mediterranean, Sardinia has gorgeous beaches at every turn, classic colorful Italian coastal cities, and summertime celebrity spotting to rival Positano.

Find a place to stay in Cagliari, Sardinia

15. Tahiti, French Polynesia

Another one of the 20 best islands 2016 is Tahiti. As the largest island in French Polynesia, there’s plenty of nightlife, restaurants, villas, and resorts for you to choose from.

Find a place to stay in Tahiti

16. Ibiza, Spain

Although Ibiza may be known as a clubbing mecca, there’s plenty more to do than drink and dance your worries away. Think UNESCO sites, hippy markets like the weekly Las Dalias, and unparalleled Mediterranean sunsets.

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17. Santorini, Greece

Next on the list of 20 best islands in 2016 is Santorini, which is a volcanically formed island with dramatic cliffs, ancient ruins, and picturesque towns.

Find a place to stay in Santorini

18. British Virgin Islands

A laid-back, less developed alternative to the U.S. Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands is made up of about 60 islands. The beaches, rum bars, and shipwreck sites of the islands are best explored by boat.

Find a place to stay in Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands

19. St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands

Two-thirds of the landmass in St. John is national parkland. It makes an ideal getaway for hikers seeking out jungle trails and snorkelers who’ll nose down over the surrounding reefs.

Find a place to stay in St. John

20. St. Lucia, Caribbean Islands

Finally, in the 20 best islands 2016 is St. Lucia which is also a popular honeymoon spot.

Find a place to stay in Castries, St. Lucia