World's top 10 islands, according to TripAdvisor

10 photos: World's best islands

1. Maui, Hawaii – With more than 80 beautiful beaches and only about 131,000
year-round residents, the 2016 "best island" title holder is Maui.

2. Santorini, Greece – The Greek island of Santorini, the remains of an exploded 
volcano in the Aegean Sea, has black sand beaches and picturesque villages.

 

3. Jamaica – Jamaica didn't rank in last year's top 10. Now it's vaulted into third place.

4. Providenciales, Turks, and Caicos – Locally known as "Provo," Providenciales is the most developed island in Turks and Caicos. Most of its infrastructure is found along the 12-mile Grace Bay beach.

5. Bali, Indonesia – Bali is best known for its beaches but it's also got a unique system of rice terraces that are UNESCO protected.

6. Mallorca, Spain – Spanish painter Joan Miró was captivated by the Mediterranean light of the island of Mallorca. So are many Europeans who flock to the No. 6 island's beaches.

7. Mauritius, Africa – Back in 2013 we called Mauritius "the best Africa destination 
you know almost nothing about." Word's getting out.

8. Phuket, Thailand – Although the Thai island of Ko Tao didn't make the list this year, another Thai favorite did: Phuket, with its fabulous diving and imposing rock formations.

9. Bora Bora, French Polynesia – White sand beaches and blue lagoons are two
reasons Bora Bora held onto the ninth place for a second straight year.

10. Fernando de Noronha, Brazil – The number of visitors is restricted on Fernando de Noronha, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. "The lucky few are rewarded with unrivaled beaches and waters filled with dolphins and sea turtles," says TripAdvisor.

(CNN)For sun-starved worker bees, nearly any island will do.

But for the island aficionado, Maui is No. 1, according to TripAdvisor's 2016 Travelers' Choice awards for islands, released Tuesday.

Maui moved up from second place last year to knock Providenciales in the Turks and Caicos out of the top spot, sending it tumbling to fourth place.

"In addition to their truly magnificent landscapes, the Travelers' Choice Islands are home to highly rated hotels, restaurants, and attractions, and are brimming with unique culture," said TripAdvisor spokeswoman Julie Cassetina.

The World's best beaches

No. 2-ranked Santorini, Greece, moved up two spots from a No. 4 ranking last year.

Jamaica ranked No. 3 this year. The Caribbean island wasn't in last year's top 10.

In addition to the global list, TripAdvisor also ranks islands regionally.

The travel review and booking site selected its Travelers' Choice island award winners based on the quality and quantity of user reviews over 12 months.

World's top 10 islands for 2016

1. Maui, Hawaii

2. Santorini, Greece

3. Jamaica, Caribbean

4. Providenciales, Turks, and Caicos

5. Bali, Indonesia

6. Mallorca, Spain

7. Mauritius, Africa

8. Phuket, Thailand

9. Bora Bora, French Polynesia

10. Fernando de Noronha, Brazil

Top U.S. islands

1. Maui, Hawaii

2. Key West, Florida

3. Oahu, Hawaii

4. Island of Hawaii, Hawaii

5. Mount Desert Island, Maine

6. Hilton Head, South Carolina

7. Amelia Island, Florida

8. Marco Island, Florida

9. Chincoteague Island, Virginia

10. Mackinac Island, Michigan

Top 10 European islands

1. Santorini, Greece

2. Majorca, Spain

3. Madeira, Portugal

4. Crete, Greece

5. Tenerife, Spain

6. Rhodes, Greece

7. Gran Canaria, Spain

8. Corsica, France

9. Jersey, United Kingdom

10. Island of Capri, Italy

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