Islands often promise travelers an escape to paradise. Yes, the pristine beaches and clear waters make for an idyllic setting for relaxation and rejuvenation — but these destinations below can also host a range of exciting activities, from surfing and snorkeling to attending regional festivals and sampling local cuisine.
Every year for our World's Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Over 186,000 T+L readers completed the 2024 survey. A total of more than 700,000 votes were cast across over 8,700 properties (hotels, cities, cruise lines, etc.).
The top 3 winners included two destinations that need little introduction: The Maldives (No. 1) and Bali (No. 3). But sneaking in at No. 2 is the under-the-radar Vietnamese island of Phú Quốc, located off the country’s western shoreline in the Gulf of Thailand. Greece, which has more than 6,000 islands and islets, has four winners on the list: Milos (No. 4), Crete (No. 6), Corfu and the Ionian Islands (No. 20), and Páros (No. 24). Three Italian islands — Ischia at No. 11, Sicily at No. 17, and Sardinia at No. 21 — made the cut this year, and don’t forget Thailand, represented by Koh Samui in ninth place and Phuket at No. 16.
Phú Quốc, off the western coast of Vietnam in the Gulf of Thailand, is an emerging tourism destination — and that's its greatest strength. While several beaches in Southeast Asia are developed, Phú Quốc maintains an understated tranquility.
