NEWTON, Mass., March 26, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- TripAdvisor(®), the world's largest travel site*, today announced the winners of its inaugural Travelers' Choice Islands awards. Based on millions of valuable traveler reviews and opinions on the site, the awards recognize more than 100 islands across the globe, including dedicated lists for Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe, South America, the South Pacific, and the U.S.

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"Whether you're looking for idyllic palm-lined islands, or islands that offer a more cultural experience, you'll find inspiration in these lists," said Barbara Messing, chief marketing officer for TripAdvisor. "From the world famous to the hidden gems, what unifies every award winner is the fantastic feedback from travelers across the globe."

Top 10 Islands in the U.S.:

    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

Top 10 Islands in the World:

    1. Ambergris Caye, Belize
    2. St. John, U.S. 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

"We're delighted that San Juan Island is honored as both the top island in the U.S. and as a top four world pick in the TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Islands awards," said Deborah Hopkins, executive director for the San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau. "We'd like to thank the travelers who have made this win possible, simply by sharing their love of the sparkling waters, abundant wildlife, outdoor recreation and vibrant arts scene that San Juan Island offers on TripAdvisor."

For the complete list of winners from the 2013 Travelers' Choice Islands, as well as reviews and candid traveler photos, go to http://www.tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice-Islands.

To see the best hotels for luxury, service and more, as honored in TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Awards for Hotels from January, go to http://www.tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice-Hotels.

Note to Editors

Awards selection:
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.

About TripAdvisor
TripAdvisor(®) is the world's largest travel site*, enabling travelers to plan and have the perfect trip. TripAdvisor offers trusted advice from real travelers and a wide variety of travel choices and planning features with seamless links to booking tools. TripAdvisor branded sites make up the largest travel community in the world, with more than 200 million unique monthly visitors**, and over 100 million reviews and opinions. The sites operate in 30 countries worldwide, including China under daodao.com. TripAdvisor also includes TripAdvisor for Business, a dedicated division that provides the tourism industry access to millions of monthly TripAdvisor visitors.

TripAdvisor, Inc. (NASDAQ: TRIP) manages and operates websites under 19 other travel media brands: www.airfarewatchdog.com, www.bookingbuddy.com, www.cruisecritic.com, www.everytrail.com, www.familyvacationcritic.com, www.flipkey.com, www.holidaylettings.co.uk, www.holidaywatchdog.com, www.independenttraveler.com, www.onetime.com, www.seatguru.com, www.sniqueaway.com, www.smartertravel.com, www.tingo.com, www.travel-library.com, www.travelpod.com, www.virtualtourist.com, www.whereivebeen.com, and www.kuxun.cn.

*Source: comScore Media Metrix for TripAdvisor Sites, worldwide, January 2013

**Source: Google Analytics, worldwide data, January 2013

©2013 TripAdvisor, Inc. All rights reserved.

SOURCE TripAdvisor

SOURCE: TripAdvisor