Best islands in the world
NO. 1: The Faroe Islands
“Lovely unspoiled islands – a delight to the traveler.” Remote and cool, and thus safe from overcrowding, the autonomous archipelago located in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean between Iceland and Scotland earns high marks from panelists for preservation of nature, historic architecture, and local pride. “Spectacular waterfalls and harbors.” Simply the best island desitnation in the world.
Source: visitfaroeislands.com
2. Azores
Source: visitazores.com
Portugal This temperate mid–North Atlantic archipelago’s “green volcanic mountains and picturesque black-and-white towns” offer “driving tours, handicrafts, and cuisine,” plus an ecosystem “in great shape” and a “strong and vibrant” Portuguese culture. “Locals are very sophisticated,” but inappropriate development is beginning to appear.
3. Lofoten, Norway
Source: Visit Norway
Lofoten, Norway Chilly, highlatitude islands form a “masterpiece” of spectacular outcrops steeped in cherished tradition. “Many of the villages rent out cozy rorbu, the historic fishermen’s cabins.” “There are several excellent museums and art galleries.”
3. Shetland Islands
Source: visit.shetland.org
Shetland Islands, Scotland. Just south of no. 1, the Faroe Islands lays these amazing islands. More Norse than Scottish, “Shelties” keep up Viking traditions and show “extremely high integrity in all aspects of heritage and ecology despite North Sea oil development. Great planning controls and attitude.”
3. Chiloé, Chile
Source: chile.travel
Chiloé, Chile Gateway to Chile’s fjord country, “rural and unspoiled” Chiloé possesses a “pristine seascape, enhanced by protected forests and dozens of historic towns and wooden churches, 16 of which are on the UNESCO World Heritage list.”
4. Isle of Skye, Scotland
Source: visitscotland.com
Isle of Skye, Scotland
“Wild landscape and a place of cultural reselectric projects may affect attractiveness.” Ecotour operators at odds with whalers.
5. Kangaroo Island, South Australia
Source: tourkangarooisland.com.au
Kangaroo Island, South Australia “Agriculture, tourism, and wilderness” meld with “high environmental uality and local involvement.” Feral pigs and goats, and introduced koalas do disrupt habitats.
5. Mackinac Island, Michigan
Source: mackinac.com
Mackinac Island, Michigan (SCORE: 80) “No cars [banned since 1898], no high-rises, and little development pressure” arn praise for the iconic isle in Lake Huron. “Overall the island is a gem. Downtown is a bit too touristy.”
5. Iceland
Source: visiticeland.com
Iceland. Just north of number one on National Geographic Travelers favorite islands destination in the world list, the Faroe Islands, lays the also unique Iceland.Dramatic landscapes, unique culture, and high environmental awareness, but “new smelters and hydro-electric projects may affect attractiveness.”
Ecotour operators at odds with whalers.
6. Molokai, Hawaii
Source: www.visitmolokai.com
Molokai, Hawaii Tops in the tropics, Molokai “is 1950s in accommodation,” its rugged coast and minimal beachfront preventing big-resort development and protecting Hawaiian cultural ways. “Seems like old Hawaii.”
7. Aran Islands, Ireland
Source: aranisland.info
Aran Islands, Ireland The threesome off the Irish west coast exude Gaelic tradition. Islanders “maintain a strong sense of cultural heritage and identity.” Tourism management gets good reviews.
7. Texel, Netherlands
Source: wikitravel.org
Texel, Netherlands Well-caredfor Dutch holiday island on theTexel, Netherlands . Well-cared for Dutch holiday island on the Waddenzee. “Nice low-key destination for cyclists.” Waddenzee.
“Nice low-key destination for cyclists.”
8. Dominica, Caribbean
Source: dominica.dm
Dominica, Caribbean Rugged, green, friendly, with few beaches, the “Nature Island” offers an “authentic, unspoiled experience, with natural and cultural amenities.” Downside issues: support for Japan on whaling and a proposed oil refinery
8. Grenadines, Caribbean
Source: grenadagrenadines.com
Grenadines, Caribbean “Unspoiled beauty,” not too developed, and great yachting, although yacht discharge
pollutes local waters. Authentic—“one of the last, best hopes of the Caribbean.”
9. Tasmania, Australia
Source: discovertasmania.com.au
Tasmania, Australia) “Great, but needs to reduce logging” sums up panelist opinion. “Proposed pulp mill threatens Tasmania’s image as clean, green, and pristine.”
9. Bora-Bora, French Polynesia
Source: tahiti-tourisme.com
Bora-Bora, French Polynesia “Outstanding natural and cultural beauty.” The island gets praise for balancing beach tourism with “emphasis on local culture, archaeological sites, and native species.” Risk of becoming “very touristique.”
9. Fraser Island, Australia
Source: fraserisland.net
Fraser Island, Australia Forested sandy island off Queensland, a World Heritage site, gets good marks for park preservation, but “busloads of tourists detract.”
9. Bornholm, Denmark
Source: bornholm.info
Bornholm, Denmark “‘Homey’ rather than spectacular” characterizes the “charming townscapes” of this Danish outpost in the Baltic Sea. Crowded in summer.
9. Hydra (Ídra), Greece
Source: hydradirect.com
Hydra (Ídra), Greece Small island with no cars allowed and “beautiful local architecture, authentic Greek food.” Good preservation, but can be “swamped by day-trippers.”
9. Falkland Islands
Source: falklandislands.com
Falkland Islands (U.K.) Wild, bleak, and culturally British; a stopover for Antarctic cruises. Notable problem: Leftover landmines from the 1982 war inhibit hiking.
10. Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia
Source: cbisland.com
Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia Vibrant Acadian and Celtic heritage mix with coastal panoramas on the “top notch” Cabot Trail. Tourism helps combat “high unemployment and out-migration.”
10. Corsica, France
Source: visit-corsica.fr
Corsica, France “Fantastic mix of mountains, beaches, and strong cultural identity.” The independent-minded Corsicans maintain one of the Mediterranean’s last isles sheltered from mass tourism. Well, almost: “Still a gem, but not in August.”
Source: Traveler.National Geographic. * Best islands *