Overwater bungalows, caldera sunsets, volcanic beaches, and ancient rainforests.
Amina DialloGlobal Travel & Nature Editor
Winner
Bora Bora
Overview
Islands offer an immediate sense of escape. We reviewed island nations and archipelagos on lagoon water quality, luxury accommodations, cultural heritage, and natural diversity.
Winner spotlight
№1Bora Bora remains the ultimate romantic island. Mount Otemanu's jagged basalt peak towers over a multi-hued turquoise lagoon enclosed by a protective coral reef motu string, pioneering the luxury overwater bungalow experience.
At a glance
| Pick | #1 Bora Bora South Pacific | #2 Santorini Cyclades Archipelago | #3 Maui Pacific Island | #4 Bali Island of the Gods | #5 Palawan Last Ecological Frontier | #6 Maldives Atolls Indian Ocean | #7 Capri & Amalfi Isle Tyrrhenian Sea |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Score | 9.9 | 9.7 | 9.6 | 9.5 | 9.4 | 9.6 | 9.3 |
| Scenery | Iconic | Stunning | Beautiful | Lovely | Charming | Nice | Nice |
| Crowd level | Manageable | Moderate | Busy | Busy | Quiet | Quiet | Quiet |
| Food scene | World-class | Excellent | Great | Great | Good | Good | Good |
| Best season | Spring | Autumn | Spring | Autumn | Summer | Spring | Autumn |
The list
Ordered by overall score across every test. The “best for” note tells you exactly who each pick is for.
1Volcanic basalt peak rising out of a pristine multi-hued turquoise lagoon.
Best overallWhy buy
Keep in mind
2Whitewashed cliffside villages hanging high above a submerged volcanic caldera.
Caldera views & luxuryWhy buy
Keep in mind
3Haleakala volcanic craters, road to Hana rainforests, and world-class surfing.
Diverse eco-zonesWhy buy
Keep in mind
4Sacred jungle temples, terraced rice paddies, and vibrant artistic spirit.
Culture & wellnessWhy buy
Keep in mind
5El Nido limestone karsts, secret lagoons, and subterranean rivers.
Unspoiled lagoonsWhy buy
Keep in mind
6Ring-shaped coral atolls with house reef marine life steps from your bed.
Overwater luxuryWhy buy
Keep in mind
7Cliffside lemon groves, Faraglioni rocks, and Mediterranean glamour.
Mediterranean glamourWhy buy
Keep in mind
Deep dive
| Feature | Bora Bora | Santorini | Maui | Bali | Palawan | Maldives Atolls | Capri & Amalfi Isle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accessible by train | |||||||
| Budget friendly | |||||||
| Hidden gems | |||||||
| Photogenic | |||||||
| Family friendly | |||||||
| Local food scene | |||||||
| Guided tours | |||||||
| Quiet escape |
The verdict
Before you buy
Every destination was visited in person by our editors, in season, for a minimum of three days. We judge places on how they feel at 7am, how they treat solo travellers, and whether the food justifies the jet lag.
A great destination is a great destination at the wrong time of year for nobody. Check the best-season note before you book, and remember that the second-most-famous spot in any region is usually the better trip.
The winner of our The 7 Best Island Destinations in the World ranking is the pick that scored highest across every test — but 'best overall' isn't always 'best for you'. Use the 'Best for' note under each of the seven to match a pick to your budget, your space and your habits. Every entry on this list earned its place; the ranking simply tells you where to start.
Questions
We don't pretend to be objective — we're transparent. Each destination is scored by editors who visited in person, on scenery, crowds, food, value and 'would we fly back tomorrow'. The score is an average of those five.
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