Islands are host to diverse plant and animal life. Oceanic islands have the sea as a natural barrier to the introduction of new species, causing the species that do reach the island to evolve in isolation. Continental islands share animal and plant life with the continent they split from.
Island, any area of land smaller than a continent and entirely surrounded by water. Islands may occur in oceans, seas, lakes, or rivers. A group of islands is called an archipelago. Islands may be classified as either continental or oceanic. Learn more about islands in this article.
We rank the 24 World's Best Islands to Visit. See which places our readers like the best, and vote for your favorites.
24 World's Best Islands to Visit for 2026 | U.S. News Travel
If you've seen an island on a postcard, it's probably on this list. These hot spots offer access to stunning beaches, beautiful reefs, and more.
Island nations can be part of an island (such as Haiti and the Dominican Republic, which share the island of Hispaniola), one island (such as Madagascar), or many islands (such as the Philippines).
A key or cay is another name for a small island or islet. An island in a river or lake may be called an eyot. There are two main types of islands: continental islands and oceanic islands. A grouping of geographically and/or geologically related islands is called an archipelago.
Islands are landmasses completely surrounded by water. They form through volcanic activity, tectonic shifts, coral reef growth, sediment deposition, or river processes.
The best islands in the world in our annual "World’s Best Awards" survey for 2024.