Palawan, a tropical paradise in the Philippines, has been voted one of the top islands to visit worldwide, according to readers of the New York-based magazine Travel + Leisure. The island secured the 13th spot on a list of 25 top island destinations, with a reader score of 90.59.
The Maldives topped the list with a score of 95.63, followed by Phu Quoc in Vietnam (94.41), Bali in Indonesia (93.26), Milos in Greece (93.08), and Dominica (92.47).
Renowned for its stunning natural beauty, Palawan is famous for its limestone cliffs, lagoons, and rainforests. The island is home to the Puerto Princesa Subterranean National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature. Visitors can also experience the rich cultural heritage of indigenous communities like the Batak and Tagbanua tribes.
The complete list of top islands includes:
Maldives
Phu Quoc, Vietnam
Bali, Indonesia
Milos, Greece
Dominica
Crete, Greece
Hvar and the Dalmatian Islands, Croatia
Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
Koh Samui, Thailand
Great Barrier Reef Islands, Australia
Ischia, Italy
Cuba
Palawan, Philippines
Fiji Islands
Golden Isles, United States
Phuket, Thailand
Sicily, Italy
Anguilla
Moorea, French Polynesia
Corfu and the Ionian Islands, Greece
Sardinia, Italy
Madeira, Portugal
Skye and the Hebrides, Scotland
Paros, Greece
Zanzibar, Tanzania
In addition to this recognition, Palawan was recently honored in the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2024 under the Best Island category. Another Philippine island, Boracay, also made it to the prestigious list.