The Best Islands in the World: 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards

From India to Tanzania, these are the best islands—as voted by you.GettyTrends come and go, but here at Condé Nast Traveler, one thing never changes: your insatiable appetite for seeing the world. This year our readers cast an almighty 798,867 votes in our 39th Readers’ Choice Awards to tell us about the planet’s best travel experiences: You fell hard for palace hotels in Morocco, cruised down the Amazon, and got swept up in New York City’s exhilarating energy. Now, read on to find out where your favorites fall among the winners—and get inspired for where to go next, whether it's to a top-rated hotel or resort, or centered around a worthy cruise, spa, or island. These are the best cities in the world as voted by you, our readers.View all of the the Readers’ Choice Awards winners for 2026 here.GettyTop 5 in Africa & The Indian OceanDemerzel21/Getty5. Bazaruto Archipelago, MozambiqueThe six islands of the Bazaruto Archipelago—Bazaruto, Benguerra, Magaruque, Santa Carolina, Bangue, and Shell—are a protected conservation area and national park off the eastern coast of Africa. Nicknamed the Pearl of the Indian Ocean, the islands have only seen the arrival of big-name resorts within the past decade, like the impeccable andBeyond Benguerra Island in 2015.Pro tip: This is one of the few habitats of the endangered manatee-like dugong, which sailors sometimes mistook for mermaids.Getting there: Fly to Vilanculos on the coast of Mozambique; from there, take a seaplane to your final destination.8vFanI/Getty4. MauritiusInstagram and Pinterest have created renewed interest in this island in the Indian Ocean, thanks to its so-called underwater waterfall—a visually stunning runoff of sand and silt best viewed from above. Roughly 550 miles east of Madagascar, Mauritius may also be home to a lost continent hiding beneath the waves.Pro tip: Don’t trust the scales on Mauritius: The island has a stronger gravitational field, causing things (and people) to weigh more.Getting there: The island’s Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport is your link for flights to other cities in Africa, as well as to major cities in Europe, Asia, and Australia.Getty3. Zanzibar, TanzaniaWith its white coral sand beaches, turquoise waters, and laid-back island vibe, few destinations offer a sense of escapism quite like Zanzibar. Add to that plenty of sunshine and consistently pleasant temperatures, and it’s easy to see its appeal. For the history buffs among us, don't skip historic trade center Stone Town, famous for its meandering lanes, minarets-crowned buildings, and the 19th-century House of Wonders where the Sultan used to live.Pro tip: Visit the island during the dry season from June to October, when temperatures average out at 77 degrees. This time range also overlaps with the high season for safari, should a two-for-one trip be of interest.Getting there: To get to Zanzibar, fly directly to Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ), or arrive by ferry from Dar es Salaam in Tanzania.Chris/Unsplash2. SeychellesOur readers aren’t the only ones who consider this African nation one of the best islands in the world: Prince William and Kate Middleton and Victoria and David Beckham spent their honeymoons on the North Island of the Seychelles. Yet some stretches of sand are so deserted that parts of the movie Castaway were filmed here. The ultimate draw, however, is the nature—the white beaches here are so beautiful that visiting them borders on a religious experience.Pro tip: Seychelles is one of the best spots in the Indian Ocean for snorkeling. Head to the islands of La Digue and Félicité for the best variety of sealife.Getting there: Air France, Air Seychelles, and Turkish Airlines have regular flights that connect to Seychelles International Airport (SEZ), just south of the capital of Victoria.Matteo Colombo/Getty1. MaldivesA chain of 26 atolls and more than 1,000 islands in the Indian Ocean, the Republic of Maldives is one of the most sought-after tropical destinations in the world. It’s dense with villas and overwater bungalows, and the diving is unreal (though, sadly, some of the coral has been threatened by bleaching). Still, there’s a dive for all skill levels at Ari Atoll, where you can swim with rays and, deeper down, reef sharks.Pro tip: Cheval Blanc Randheli, the number one resort in the Indian Ocean (per this year’s reader survey), has 45 luxe villas—some tucked among the coconut groves, some jutting out directly over the water.Getting there: Fly into Malé’s international airport and transfer there to the appropriate resort or atoll.Top 10 in AsiaUnsplash10. Ko Pha Ngan, ThailandIf your idea of the perfect vacation involves three-day beach parties, Koh Pha Ngan is the Thai island for you. Famous for its full-moon parties at the Haad Rin peninsula's Sunrise Beach, this island is for hardcore partygoers and the anything-goes crowd. During peak season, the island can see upwards of 20,000 visitors dancing and cavorting on the white sands under a full moon. If you can't make it at the right time of month, don't worry—there are half-moon and black-moon parties in intervening weeks, too, and there's action every night of the week at the island's beach and cocktail bars.Pro tip: There are secluded beaches far from the crowds (like local favorite Bottle Beach, arguably one of the best beaches in Thailand), and plenty of spas where you can check yourself in for an afternoon of recovery, from the basic to the deluxe (such as the Ayurvana Spa at Santhiya Resort on Thong Nai Pan Noi Beach in the north of the island).Getting there: From Koh Samui, take the ferry or a high-speed boat from a nearby pier like Maenam or Bangrak to Thong Sala Pier or Haad Rin Pier.Getty9. Andaman Islands, IndiaIndia's Andaman Islands are chock-full of beaches for thrill seekers looking to snorkel among sea life and peer through shipwrecks, as well as relaxing sandy stretches for more meditative types who prefer their quiet strolls backgrounded by sherbet-hued sunsets alike. Whether you're enjoying Havelock Island's serene Radhanagar Beach or Elephant Beach, whose shores are a veritable water sports arena, these islands provide 365 days of sun, sand, and fun.Pro tip: Beyond the beaches, hike through the Baratang Limestone Caves' striking natural corridors through one of the most renowned natural wonders of these islands.Getting there: Direct flights to Port Blair's Veer Savarkar airport fly from Kolkata, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Delhi, and Vizag. Alternatively, travelers may also choose to arrive at Port Blair via ferry from Kolkata or Chennai.Getty8. Phi Phi Islands, ThailandThe Phi Phi Islands lie in the cozy cradle between Phuket and the Straits of Malacca off Krabi Province. Each of the six islands—Ko Phi Phi Don, Ko Phi Phi Le, Bamboo Island, Mosquito Island, Bida Nai, and Bida Nok—have their own charms to offer. From silky soft white sand to dramatic limestone cliffs, the beaches found on these islands are among Southeast Asia's finest.Pro tip: For a feel of local life, stop by Ko Phi Phi Don, the largest and most populated island of the group. If flopping in solace is more your speed, pop over to Ko Phi Phi Le, which lays claim to some of the island's most stunning vistas and coastal stretches.Getting there: As there are no airports on any of the Phi Phi Islands, visitors will have to arrive via ferry from ports such as Phuket or Krabi.Oleh Slobodeniuk/Getty7. Phuket, ThailandPhuket is not exactly a hidden gem, but that's because it's such a magical place to vacation, whether you want a busy immersion in city life or a quieter experience. Since it’s the biggest island in Thailand, you’re sure to find something to fit your desired itinerary. In general, though, we recommend skipping the overcrowded west coast and heading to quiet corners like Cape Panwa, where you’ll find luxury accommodations and rum distilleries that feel a bit more removed from the oft-touristed track.Pro tip: Phuket Town receives far fewer tourists than the western beach areas. Here you can sample colorful spices at markets, visit aging Taoist temples, and snap photos of the colorful street murals.Getting there: There are more than a dozen daily flights from Bangkok to Phuket, with most trips clocking in at an hour and 20 minutes.Ermakova Elena/Getty6. Bali, IndonesiaNowhere on the planet offers the same combination of surfing, spirituality, and sun-kissed pleasure as Bali. The island has sadly become synonymous with the concept of overtourism, but there are still enclaves of hidden cultural treasures and undiscovered gems—if you know where to look. For a primer on everything Insta-famous and off-the-beaten-track, check out our list of the best things to do in Bali.Pro tip: The shoulder months of April-May and September-October are the best times to visit Bali. Not only can you enjoy lower airfares and hotel rates during the low season, but you’ll also have the rare ability to see the island without its usual crowds.Getting there: Many airlines fly directly from the United States to Bali, including Singapore Airlines, Delta, and American.Chelsea Chehade/Unsplash5. Koh Samui, ThailandThailand’s second-largest island is famous for its palm-lined beaches, buzzing nightlife scene, and luxurious hotels. AVANI+ Samui Resort was voted one of the best resorts in Thailand by our readers, though the hillside villas at Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui and floor-to-ceiling bookshelves at The Library are also worth checking out. In terms of beaches, be sure to visit the five-mile Chaweng Beach, lined with coconut trees and surrounded by a natural reef. Just note that the northern end of the beach is party central.Pro tip: If you are looking for parties, check out Green Mango, one of Koh Samui’s oldest and most famous clubs.Getting there: You can fly directly from Bangkok to Koh Samui. A more budget-friendly option may be to fly to Surat Thani and then catch a ferry to Koh Samui—it will add a couple of hours to your travel time, but the views are pretty spectacular.Manish Tulaskar/Unsplash4. Langkawi, MalaysiaLocated off the northwestern coast of Malaysia, the Langkawi archipelago has pristine beaches, coral reefs, and lush mountains—plus that famous Sky Bridge you’ve definitely seen pictures of. This collection of 99 islands is also a foodie wonderland (eating is the unofficial national sport here), with spicy peanut satay skewers and macheted coconuts sold everywhere from high-end hotels to sidewalk stands.Pro tip: The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi was voted the best resort in Asia by our readers this year—chalk it up to a world-class spa, multiple beachfront restaurants, and a location in a 10 million-year-old rainforest.Getting there: Take a one-hour flight from the Malay capital of Kuala Lumpur.This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date.Caitlin Morton has been writing about travel for a decade, with bylines in Vogue, Travel + Leisure, AFAR, TripSavvy, Real Simple, and more. She enjoys baked goods, Ireland, orange nail polish, and horror movies. One time she held the door open for Ian McKellen, which is as close to fame ... Read More