Earth is home to approximately 670,000 islands, so that can make choosing your next island getaway quite the daunting task. In a 2024 survey conducted by Travel + Leisure magazine and Capital One Travel for the World’s Best Awards, 186,000 readers voted for their 25 favorite islands. Participants weighed each locale according to its hospitality, activities, restaurants, beaches, and overall cost to visit. From Greek isles boasting azure waters and rugged coastlines featuring white sea caves to an underrated island often neglected by Caribbean cruisers, these are the six destinations that earned top marks as the world’s best islands.
6. Crete, Greece
Crete is not only one of the most remarkable destinations in Greece, but also the largest of the country’s 6,000 islands. Voters in the survey of the world’s best islands ranked it No. 6 in the world. You’ll need more than a few days to explore Crete’s 3,200 square miles — from sunbathing on the pink-sand Elafonissi Beach to hiking through the White Mountains of the Samaria Gorge and meeting the spunky kri-kri (wild goats), exploring ancient ruins like the Minoan Palace of Knossos, and admiring the Venetian and Turkish architecture of Chania’s Old Town. While the seemingly endless attractions are reason enough to plan a visit, Crete also earned top marks in the survey for its hospitality culture.
5. Dominica
Earning fifth place in the world’s best islands survey, Dominica is often missed by Caribbean cruisers and beachcombers, who are instead drawn to the all-inclusive resorts of Aruba, Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, or the Dominican Republic. But the lack of crowds and the unspoiled natural scenery are part of why this tiny nation is such an enchanting paradise. Nicknamed “Nature Island,” Dominica is mountainous and home to rainforests with incredible biodiversity, black-sand beaches, hot springs, waterfalls, and even volcanoes federally protected within Morne Trois Pitons National Park.
4. Milos, Greece
Island hoppers flock to Santorini for sunset views and to Mykonos for nightlife, but another island in Greece’s Cyclades group is just as swoon-worthy, according to survey voters. Greek mythology says Aphrodite sent Prince Milos to inhabit his eponymous island, and Romans claim the island is the birthplace of Venus — the goddess of love, beauty, sex, fertility, and victory. With a surreal lunarlike landscape of white volcanic rock, Milos is a great place for cliff jumping, snorkeling in sea caves, sailing, exploring ancient ruins, and sunbathing. Plus, this less-crowded island is only a ferry ride from Santorini and Mykonos, which makes it an ideal stopover on your Greek island vacation.
3. Bali, Indonesia
Bali always seems to earn a place in the spotlight, and for good reason. Named the world’s third-best island according to Travel + Leisure readers, the Indonesian province is a paradise for yoga retreats, honeymoons, and excursions to experience the island’s fascinating culture. Bali — the only majority-Hindu island in Indonesia — is infused with spirituality, lending it the nickname “Island of the Gods.” The lush tropical locale is home to numerous temples and historical landmarks, but voters were also impressed by the island’s hospitality and bang for your buck.
2. Phú Quốc, Vietnam
An under-the-radar island in Vietnam takes second place in the world’s best islands survey, perhaps for its tranquility away from hordes of tourists. More than half of Phú Quốc is home to the dense jungle of Phú Quốc National Park, and visitors can also witness the majestic reefs of the Kien Giang Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO-protected area. Luxe accommodations dot the island’s pristine beaches, and you can observe a rich variety of marine life from the coast, such as starfish at Starfish Beach, and if you’re lucky, bioluminescent plankton.
1. The Maldives
The Maldives is the world’s flattest country and one of the smallest nations on Earth. Located about 450 miles off the Asian continent’s mainland, the archipelago of 1,192 islands has a rich culture, with dance, coral-carving, and boat-building traditions dating back centuries. Voters in the survey enjoyed the coconutty seafood dishes at tropical restaurants, luxury bungalows on the water, top-tier snorkeling and scuba-diving, nightlife in the capital of Malé, and the friendly locals. The country’s coastline of white sand and calm turquoise water is seemingly endless, so it’s hard to choose a favorite beach — and that may be why families and honeymooners alike thought that the nation as a whole deserved first place as the world’s best island destination.
Featured Stories
More from our network
Daily Passport is part of Optimism, which publishes content that uplifts, informs, and inspires.
