The best islands in the world, according to travelers

By Madeline Diamond, INSIDER From Business Insider

White Staircase Santorini Greece
Santorini, Greece.iamjiere/iStock

The INSIDER Summary:
Travel + Leisure just revealed its 2017 World’s Best Awards, including picks for the top islands in the world.
Palawan in the Philippines was named the top island in the world for 2017.
Hilton Head, South Carolina, Santorini, Greece, and Bali, Indonesia are other islands on the list of winners

Every year, Travel + Leisure releases a ranking of hotels, cities, cruise ship lines, islands, and other travel categories, dubbing a select few the “world’s best.”

This year, the 22nd annual awards list revealed that Palawan in the Philippines is the top island in the world for 2017.

The ranking is based on the results of a reader survey, in which participants rate their travel experiences. This year, the list includes three islands in the US, (Hilton Head, South Carolina, and Maui and Kauai, Hawaii) and two in the Philippines (Palawan and Boracay).

Keep reading to see the 10 best islands in the world, according to travelers.

10. Bali, Indonesia
Aside from relaxing on its gorgeous beaches, visitors can explore Bali’s rich history and culture.Steven Urquhart/Shuttershock

9. Hvar and the Dalmatian Islands, Croatia
Hvar’s red-roofed homes overlooking the Adriatic give the island a classic Mediterranean feel. Evgeniya Moroz/Shutterstock

8. Ischia, Italy
Located in the Gulf of Naples, Ischia is a volcanic island known for its thermal hot springs.leoks/Shutterstock

7. Kauai, Hawaii
Kauai is known as “Hawaii’s island of discovery.”bjonesmedia / iStock

6. Maui, Hawaii
One of the famous black sand beaches on the island of Maui.7Michael / iStock

5. Santorini, Greece
Santorini is famous for its whitewashed, cliffside homes.Ekaterina_Lin/iStock

4. Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
Sea lions on Punta Carola beach in the Galápagos Islands.AlbertoLoyo / iStock

3. Boracay Island, Philippines
Boracay is only 4.5 miles long, but it has no shortage of white sand beaches.Shutterstock / Ekaterina Pokrovsky

2. Hilton Head, South Carolina
With 12 miles of beaches, 24 golf courses, and 350 tennis courts, Hilton Head is a resort lover’s dream.iStock/Sean Pavone

1. Palawan, Philippines
Palawan was named not only Travel + Leisure’s top island in Asia, but also the top overall island for 2017.Rad Radu / Shutterstock

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