The best vacation island in the world

Just the word "island" alone evokes a desire for vacation in many people. After all, islands offer beaches, the sea, nature, and often a generous amount of sunshine. But what else makes the perfect vacation island? And which island best meets these criteria? A new ranking now provides clarity and shows the best vacation islands. The islands are, of course, as diverse as the needs of different types of vacationers, but there is likely a consensus on many aspects. The company "Bounce," a provider of luggage storage, has taken it upon itself to determine the best vacation islands of 2024 based on various criteria.

How the Winners Were Determined

To do this, the experts looked at the highest possible average temperatures as well as the highest average water temperatures on site. They also considered the number of beaches and possible activities (determined based on Tripadvisor data) as well as the average price of a hotel stay – and not to forget: the average price for a (local) beer.

The Top 3 Vacation Islands at a Glance

The result is an exciting and diverse list that could be the perfect inspiration for anyone still undecided about their travel plans. And these three destinations made it to the podium:

1. Phuket, Thailand
   • Thailand's largest island secures the top spot in the "Bounce" ranking. With a perfect score of 10.00 out of 10 possible points, this holiday paradise in Southeast Asia sets the standard in the "Island Index." Thanks to a mix of temples, nature, beaches, and nightlife, boredom is guaranteed not to set in here – and all at relatively affordable prices. Additionally, Phuket is one of the three places in the ranking that boasts the warmest possible water temperature of 30 degrees Celsius.

2. Zanzibar, Tanzania
   • The second place in the ranking also impresses with bathing fun at up to 30 degrees – as warm as it gets in the Indian Ocean around Zanzibar. Many may know that this belongs to Tanzania and is located about 30 kilometers off the mainland coast. What might surprise some, however, is that Zanzibar is not just one island but an entire archipelago, consisting of two main islands and numerous smaller ones. The white beaches invite not only for swimming but also for snorkeling. There is also plenty of culture to explore – and by far the cheapest prices in the ranking. Zanzibar achieves an overall score of 9.66.

3. Crete, Greece
   • The third-place island takes us to somewhat closer regions – namely the Mediterranean, and is one of the classics among summer travel destinations. We are talking about Crete, Greece's largest island. With around 8,300 square kilometers, it is more than twice the size of Mallorca. This means there is plenty of space for dream beaches, a proud 228 in total. This makes Crete almost the leader in the ranking in this category, only Sardinia offers more beaches. In addition, there are numerous cultural treasures and plenty of nature to discover. This results in an overall score of 9.31.

Complete List of the Best Vacation Islands

The top 10 of the "Bounce" ranking for the best vacation islands of 2024 are as follows:

1. Phuket, Thailand; 10.00/10 points
2. Zanzibar, Tanzania; 9.66/10 points
3. Crete, Greece; 9.31/10 points
4. Puerto Rico; 8.97/10 points
5. Mallorca, Spain; 8.62/10 points
6. Cozumel, Mexico; 8.28/10 points
7. Mauritius; 7.93/10 points
8. Aruba; 7.59/10 points
9. Bali, Indonesia; 7.24/10 points
10. Ibiza, Spain; 6.55/10 points; Sardinia, Italy; 6.55/10 points

With 6.55 points, Ibiza and Sardinia share the 10th place in the ranking