Ambergris Caye , in Belize , has held on to the title of world 's No . 1 island for the second year running in awards by the travel review site TripAdvisor . The island is acclaimed not only for its beaches but for its coral reef -- the second largest in the world -- limestone caves , and tracts of tropical rainforest dotted with waterfalls . Islands in Polynesia ( Bora Bora ) , Greece ( Naxos ) and Thailand ( Ko Tao ) , as well as Marco Island , off Florida , were other winners in the top 10 global list . Perhaps less obvious postcard-rack material , the Scottish island of Harris and Lewis ranked no . 5 worldwide and top among European islands . Alastair Lockett , from the Hebridean island 's tourist board , was not at all surprised by the accolade . With its `` pure white sand '' and `` turquoise water , '' Harris and Lewis -- which ranked nowhere in last year 's top 10 -- actually `` looks Caribbean , '' he told CNN . Its `` accessible remoteness '' and `` sense of space '' were what drew people to the island , he said . Best U.S. islands . Among the 10 best islands in the United States -- aside from Marco Island , at No . 1 -- were Chincoteague , in Virginia , known for its wild ponies , and San Juan island , in Washington , acclaimed for its orca-sighting . Mauii , a beautiful possible shoe-in from Hawaii , was another U.S. winner , as was the `` golfer 's paradise '' of Hilton Head , South Carolina . Trailing in the wake of Lewis and Harris among 10 best European islands was Gozo , Malta ; Santorini and Cephalonia , among a clutch of Greek islands ; and Mull and Mainland , the largest of the Orkney Islands -- making up a Scottish trio . TripAdvisor 's Travelers ' Choice Island awards are based on the most highly rated hotels , restaurants and attractions listed for each island on the website during a 12-month period . The top 10 islands in the world were : . 1 . Ambergris Caye , Belize . 2 . Providenciales , Turks and Caicos . 3 . Bora Bora , French Polynesia . 4 . Marco Island , Florida . 5 . Lewis and Harris , Scotland , United Kingdom . 6 . Naxos , Greece . 7 . Aitutaki , Cook Islands . 8 . Nosy Be , Madagascar . 9 . Easter Island , Chile . 10 . Ko Tao , Thailand . Top 10 islands in the U.S. 1 . Marco Island , Florida . 2 . Chincoteague Island , Virginia . 3 . Anna Maria Island , Florida . 4 . San Juan Island , Washington . 5 . Maui , Hawaii . 6 . Kauai , Hawaii . 7 . Island of Hawaii , Hawaii . 8 . Nantucket , Massachusetts . 9 . Hilton Head , South Carolina . 10 . Key West , Florida . Top 10 Islands in Europe . 1 . Lewis and Harris , Scotland , United Kingdom . 2 . Naxos , Greece . 3 . Gozo , Malta . 4 . Mainland , Orkney Islands , Scotland , United Kingdom . 5 . Milos , Greece . 6 . Cephalonia , Greece . 7 . Santorini , Greece . 8 . Capri , Italy . 9 . Isle of Mull , Scotland , United Kingdom . 10 . Paros , Greece .
Ambergris Caye wins TripAdvisor best island award for second year running . Scotland 's Harris and Lewis is new entrant at no . 5 . Chincoteague , with its wild ponies , and San Juan island among U.S. top 10 .