The World’s Best Rated Islands

National Geographic rated 111 of the world’s islands a few years ago based on sustainability and risk for tourism overkill. Issues such as cruise ship crowds overwhelming an island resulted in lower scores. Closer to home, comments were made about the loss of traditional families because of house prices as seen on Salt Spring Island in British Columbia. The editors were quick to point out that the islands are a work in progress and many are taking significant steps to counteract detrimental ecological and cultural practices.

Listed are some of the world’s best islands followed by some of the most stressed islands.

Top 10 Scores (some were in a tie position) – considered to be in excellent shape for the longterm

• Faroe Islands (in Denmark) – remote and a cool climate so no wonder!

• Azores, Portugal – ecosystem is in great shape
• Lofoten, Norway – close to the Arctic; excellent museums & art galleries; kayakers paradise

• Shetland Islands, Scotland – great planning controls towards North Sea oil development
• Chiloe, Chile – gateway to fjord country
• Isle of Skye, Scotland – wild landscapes and a Gaelic language resurgence
• Kangaroo Island, Australia-tourism goes hand in hand with high environmental quality

• Mackinac Island, Michigan – no cars, no high rises
• Iceland – dramatic landscapes and unique culture
• Molokai, Hawaii – minimal beachfront development

• Aran Islands, Ireland – stong cultural heritage
• Texel, Netherlands – destination for vacation loving cyclists
• Dominica, Caribbean – rugged, green and friendly
• Grenadines, Caribbean – unspoiled beauty with great yachting
• Tasmania, Australia – some logging concerns but the nicest beaches I have ever seen plus great walks
• Bora-Bora, French Polynesia – natural and cultural beauty

• Fraser Island, Australia – a world heritage site though does have busloads of tourists
• Bornholm, Denmark – think homey, not spectacular
• Hydra, Greece – no cars and beautiful local architecture
• Falkland Islands, UK – slight problem with 1982 landmines & hiking!!
• Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia – vibrant Celtic & Acadian heritage

• Corsica, France – great mix of beach and mountains except in August

and here are some of the islands in trouble

• St. Thomas- US Virgin Islands – 4 out of 5 visitors are cruise ship passengers; the main city is described as one big jewellery store
• Ibiza, Balearic Islands, Spain – raver nightlife out of control but locals are working hard to regain control; some charm in places
• Providenciales, Turks & Caicos – strips of megahotels with busy beaches
• Jamaica, Caribbean – crime, poverty, tourist ghettos and dying reefs
• Hilton Head, South Carolina – souless suburbia

• Phuket, Thailand – ugly buildings, pollution and sex tourism
• Key West, Florida – overdeveloped and overun by those cruise ship passengers again though some enclaves of culture exist
• Oahu, Hawaii – environmental stresses; lack of interaction with locals
• Cozumel, Mexico – diving is still great but up to 10 cruise ships at a time
• St. Martin, Caribbean – high rise and strip development plus traffic
• Roatan Bay Islands, Honduras – invaded by cruise ship crowds and uncontrolled development

Leigh McAdam

HikeBikeTravel

Photo credit: Hilton Head

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