Kauai Edges Out Maui On Top US Island List

Ka`anapali Beach. Photo courtesy of HVCB.

By Sonia Isotov

Based on reviews of “millions of travelers around the world,” TripAdvisor, one of the largest online travel websites, today announced that Maui is among the top 10 islands in the United States.

Three Hawaiian islands landed in the top 10 ranking. Maui was recognized as the No. 5 top US island, but was edged out by Kauai which ranked No. 2 on the list. The Big Island was rated No. 8.

Maui is still ranked the No. 1 island in the world by the readers of travel magazine Conde Nast, having kept the top position for 19 years in a row.

While San Juan Island was honored as the top island in the US in the Trip Advisor poll, it was the only US island in the list of the top islands of the world.

The TripAdvisor Traveler’s Choice Islands awards recognized more than 100 islands across the world as winners of its inaugural Travelers’ Choice Islands awards, which included dedicated lists for Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe, South America, the South Pacific and the US.

According to a news release, the Travelers’ Choice Islands are based on the quality and quantity of the most highly-rated hotels, restaurants, and attractions listed for each island on TripAdvisor gathered during a 12-month period.

The top 10 islands in the US are as follows:

1. San Juan Island, Washington
2. Kauai, Hawaii
3. Marco Island, Florida
4. Anna Maria Island, Florida
5. Maui, Hawaii
6. Sanibel Island, Florida
7. Chincoteague Island, Virginia
8. Island of Hawaii, Hawaii
9. Amelia Island, Florida
10. Key West, Florida

The top 10 islands in the world are:

1. Ambergris Caye, Belize
2. St. John, US Virgin Islands
3. Bora Bora, French Polynesia
4. San Juan Island, Washington
5. Santorini, Greece
6. Isla Mujeres, Mexico
7. Moorea, French Polynesia
8. Koh Tao, Thailand
9. Easter Island, Chile
10. Nosy Be, Madagascar