Hawaii and Florida boast the highest number of great islands. But San Juan Island, Washington, is the very best in the U.S.
At least that’s the opinion of the users of TripAdvisor, who voted it the U.S winner in the first annual Travelers’ Choice Islands award.
Ambergris Caye, Belize, was voted the top island in the world; Santorini, Greece, led the European winners.
The U.S. list also included three Hawaiian islands and five in Florida, plus Chincoteague Island in Virginia.
More than 100 islands altogether were named Travelers’ Choice Island winners, on Top 10 lists for Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe, South America, the South Pacific, and the U.S. The vote was based on the quality and quantity of the most highly-rated hotels, restaurants, and attractions listed for each island on TripAdvisor during a 12-month period.
"Whether you’re looking for idyllic palm-lined islands, or islands that offer a more cultural experience, you’ll find inspiration in these lists," said TripAdvisor chief marketing officer Barbara Messing. "From the world famous to the hidden gems, what unifies every award winner is the fantastic feedback from travelers across the globe."
Here’s the list of U.S. and global winners:
Top 10 Islands in the U.S.
- San Juan Island, Washington
- Kauai, Hawaii
- Marco Island, Florida
- Anna Maria Island, Florida
- Maui, Hawaii
- Sanibel Island, Florida
- Chincoteague Island, Virginia
- Island of Hawaii, Hawaii
- Amelia Island, Florida
- Key West, Florida
Top 10 Islands in the World:
- Ambergris Caye, Belize
- St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands
- Bora Bora, French Polynesia
- San Juan Island, Washington
- Santorini, Greece
- Isla Mujeres, Mexico
- Moorea, French Polynesia
- Koh Tao, Thailand
- Easter Island, Chile
- Nosy Be, Madagascar
For the complete list of winners from the 2013 Travelers’ Choice Islands, as well as reviews and candid traveler photos, go to http://www.tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice-Islands.
