Palawan / Photo by Travel and Leisure
It’s no surprise, but Palawan is once again declared by Travel and Leisure magazine as the world’s best island. And joining this little slice of paradise is Boracay and Cebu, which was ranked second and sixth, respectively.
Palawan first scored the top spot in 2013, and the website says that it’s a “little surprise that the island is back at the top.”
The website described Palawan (which ranked 93.71) as:
Visitors are greeted with mountains rising out of impossibly turquoise waters, where shipwrecks and reefs make for prime scuba diving and snorkeling. “Palawan is every beach lover’s dream destination,” said one voter, who regarded it as a “wonderful and magical place.” Palawan is also home to a five-mile-long underground river. It’s considered one of the world’s wonders of nature, and visitors shouldn’t miss the chance to boat through its limestone caverns.
Travel and Leisure went on to say that “The Philippines’ predominance shows that discerning travelers are willing to travel great distances for the rewards of clear waters and sugary white beaches.”
One reader described Boracay (90.47) as a “national treasure.” Another said that “there is never a dull moment in Cebu. [It] is perfect for travelers who don’t want to spend a lot of money on recreational activities.”
The annual “World’s Best” surveys are ranked by readers, who must score cities, islands, cruise lines, spas, and airlines. The world’s best islands are ranked on “activities and sights, natural attractions and beaches, food, friendliness, and overall value.”
Joining Palawan, Boracay, and Cebu in the top 10 are Ischia, Italy (3rd, 90.22), Waiheke Island, New Zealand (4th, 90.00), Santorini in Greece (5th, 89.07), Maui in Hawaii (7th, 88.55), Hilton Head, South Carolina (8th, 88.35), Kauai, Hawaii (9th, 88.33), and Bali, Indonesia (10th, 88.24).
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