Florida landed top spots for its sparkling islands in Travel and Leisure’s annual World’s Best Awards for 2025. Florida islands dominate the survey, with five islands in the top 15. Amelia Island scored as the second best island in the world followed by a handful of other Florida islands.
The Sunshine State is home to many of the best islands to visit in the continental United States, according to the newly published survey of nearly 200,000 travelers worldwide. That includes two locales hit hard by three hurricanes in four years – a tribute to Floridians’ resilience.
“Old Florida at its very best,” one Travel + Leisure reader wrote. “Locally owned and managed eateries and hotels. Down-home Southern friendliness. Great food,” the magazine said.
The annual survey asked readers to vote on their top destinations, hotels, and a host of other categories. The survey winner was Paros in Greece, chosen as the top island in the world.
Florida’s Islands Dominate
- Amelia Island in second
- Marco Island in sixth
- Florida Keys in eighth
- Sanibel Island in 11th
- Captiva Island in 15th
Florida dominated the category, providing five of the top 15. That was more than any other state in the U.S. It was also one more than it had in the 2024 World’s Best Awards. Marco Island joined the other four for the first time this year.
Travel + Leisure readers rated islands on natural attractions, beaches, activities, restaurants and food, people and friendliness.
Amelia Island is known for beaches and horseback rides in Nassau County, about 30 minutes from Jacksonville.
Marco Island is in Collier County near Naples. Abundant with wildlife, it’s the largest of Ten Thousand Islands in the U.S. In the early days of the Covid pandemic Marco Island was an early rebel as the Marco Island City Council voted for a limited re-opening of its beaches.
The Florida Keys dropped this year to eighth from fifth in 2024 but remains a favorite as Florida islands dominate the survey.
Captiva Island, popular for redfish and snook and many of its wealthy residents, was hit by Hurricane Ian in 2022 and Helene and Milton, within two weeks of one another in 2024. The waterside restaurant The Mucky Duck was damaged by all three hurricanes but recently reopened.
