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The world’s best islands

Remember National Geographic’s top 10 islands to visit last October? It caused quite a stir as there were some that made the list that you perhaps wouldn’t expect. Now Tripadvisor has produced a similar top 10 islands list, and interestingly not a single island makes both lists! I’m not sure what this tells us – that “best” is very subjective or that we live on a planet with huge diversity and there are too many beautiful islands to choose from… Santorini Here’s Tripadvisor’s top 10 islands for 2013: 1. Ambergis Caye, Belize Cayes, Belize 2. St. John, US Virgin Islands, Caribbean 3. Bora Bora, Society Islands, French Polynesia 4. San Juan Island, Washington, USA 5. Santorini, Cyclades, Greece 6. Isla Mujeres, Mexico 7. Moorea, Society Islands, French Polynesia 8. Koh Tao, Surat Thani Province, Thailand 9. Easter Island, Chile 10. Nosy Be, Antsiranana Province, Madagascar Which of the two lists do you agree with most?  Are there islands absent from both which you think should be included?

Paul Johnson

Paul Johnson is Editor of A Luxury Travel Blog and has worked in the travel industry for more than 30 years. He is Winner of the Innovations in Travel ‘Best Travel Influencer’ Award from WIRED magazine. In addition to other awards, the blog has also been voted “one of the world’s best travel blogs” and “best for luxury” by The Daily Telegraph.

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12 Comments

  1. Ah! So that’s what Tripadvisor community agrees upon. Quite an interesting list with my favorite Santorini on 5th position. But how can it miss Maldives. It’s baffling really to know that one of the most spectacular islands and best romantic destinations (not to mention it’s just a meter above sea level and the most endangered island too)in the world has been left out.

  2. No Açores (Azores)? Really? Well, get a map. Right there in the middle of the Atlantic. There is a few.

  3. Great list! Ive only been to one so far, and two are happening later this year, but Im going to make it a goal to go to all of them!

  4. Quite interesting list! Very different between each other. We would include Isla Rodriguez, in Mauritius, quite special also. Isla de Pascua, Isla Muejeres and Nosy Be are very nice places, even if the last one is not as luxurious as others mentioned

  5. I would definitely add Bali: is a beautiful and peaceful island where you can spend a relaxing holida submerged by nature and an inspiring sea.

  6. I’ve been to three, St. Johns, Santorini and Moorea. I don’t know that I could choose which I loved best, but it is fun to reminisce. Thanks for the reminder!

  7. Interesting list this year.I have or have friends that have been to many of these. Every island is different and again it all depends on what you want or like. I certainly wouldn’t put several of these on a “favorites” list of any kind. No surprise to me that again my favorite island isn’t mentioned because no-one knows about it. No-one ever mentions St.Vincent. The Grenadines are held for the elite and the mainland is an agricultural island with very little tourism. St.Vincent is as the Caribbean used to be. They have all the beauty and exotic topography of the most exotic of islands and waters that rival the clarity of anywhere I’ve seen. No big resorts, cruise ships, crowds of tourists,or packed beaches. No super ritzy resorts full of ex-pats. Just welcoming locals, lots of organic foods and “good vibes”, all without the big pricetag associated with many of these destinations.

  8. Loved Santorini so much, I conceived a child there in 1981. I hear it’s become touristy of late. Going to Athens/Crete in Oct. What other islands should I visit in my spare week?

  9. So where is Sanibel Island, Florida?
    70% preserved in Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge and Sanibel Captuva Conservation Foundation.
    Nearly a 100% ban on new construction.
    Beautiful natural beaches and top 5 shelling in the world
    What is not to love?

  10. From my simple heart, I recommend you look at an island with whales, lighthouses, lobster and birds and spectacular people enjoying ocean views and smells at every turn!
    Luxury without the price tag.
    My choice is Grand Manan Island Charlotte County Canada

  11. How about Bali island..?
    How about Indonesia archipelago..?

    after the Bali bombings in Kuta, Bali is not as busy as it once was. bali bomb incident in a very influential with tourism Indonesia.We as Indonesian citizens kususnya bali child will try to give my best to the tourists who come to Bali, because we want to be like before (before the bomb incident kuta) again.

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