1.BORA BORA
Scenery: 98.7
Friendliness: 91.0
Atmosphere: 94.1
Restaurants: 74.3
Lodging: 93.1
Activities: 85.9
Beaches: 89.5
Bora Bora is "the place to go when you want to decompress," notes one reader, who appreciated the "stunning tropical beauty and friendly natives." Described as "millennia away from the real world," this island offers many above-water bungalows, from which you can take in the "unreal" ocean scenery. But don't just stare, get your feet wet: Bora Bora "is as beautiful below the water as it is above," complete with the "thrill" of swimming with the "amazing sea life."
2.MOOREA
Scenery: 97.9
Friendliness: 92.4
Atmosphere: 94.2
Restaurants: 69.8
Lodging: 88.0
Activities: 87.5
Beaches: 88.3
Moorea's "beautiful, lush scenery, beaches and really great restaurants" won over our readers. The "tropical beauty with a French flair" has a lot to offer with its "beautiful lagoons, land tours and scootering." One reader said "even taking the local bus around the island is interesting."
3. GREAT BARRIER REEF ISLANDS
Scenery: 93.7
Friendliness: 93.1
Atmosphere: 92.5
Restaurants: 73.0
Lodging: 79.7
Activities: 90.2
Beaches: 83.2
The Great Barrier Reef consists of more than 3,000 individual reef systems and hundreds of islands, and our readers found plenty of "wonderful excursions." One said "everyone should come and snorkel because it's an awesome opportunity to see a whole different side to the ocean...truly breathtaking." The reefs are "full of life" and "one of nature's greatest treasures." "A must-go destination," the Great Barrier Reef Islands offer "adventures for all levels of people."
4.TASMANIA
Scenery: 95.0
Friendliness: 95.0
Atmosphere: 95.0
Restaurants: 73.3
Lodging: 71.0
Activities: 85.1
Beaches: 78.4
This "fascinating place" has "a rich cultural history." Our readers found "wonderful beaches, great hiking trails and very friendly people." "Fantastic scenery and a look at what Australia was like before tourism."
5.WHITSUNDAY ISLANDS
Scenery: 93.9
Friendliness: 87.7
Atmosphere: 90.9
Restaurants: 73.1
Lodging: 87.8
Activities: 85.0
Beaches: 79.0
"What a beautiful island," said one reader. "The sand is beautiful, the water is warm," perfect for snorkeling and sailing. It's a "beautiful location and an excellent starting point to see the Great Barrier Reef."
6.HUAHINE
Scenery: 88.9
Friendliness: 90.9
Atmosphere: 90.9
Restaurants: 66.0
Lodging: 73.7
Activities: 70.7
Beaches: 81.0
Huahine is "surprisingly lush" and the perfect island for "a total Polynesian experience." Readers raved about riding on catamarans and shore excursions to private beache (one reader dined with locals at picnic tables in the water). Also on tap: tours of pearl and vanilla farms.
7. RAIATEA
Scenery: 89.7
Friendliness: 86.4
Atmosphere: 85.9
Restaurants: 61.5
Lodging: 70.5
Activities: 79.5
Beaches: 73.3
One reader gushed, "We loved this Island. It is as beautiful as Tahiti and Bora Bora, with wonderful beaches, and not so much the touristy feeling." Another said he would love to retire here someday. The "clearest water" impressed others who found "palm trees growing one foot from the ocean!" But others were less moved, saying "lovely, but nothing to see after scenery."
8.RANGIROA & TUAMOTUS
Scenery: 89.1
Friendliness: 86.1
Atmosphere: 85.1
Restaurants: 48.8
Lodging: 69.6
Activities: 77.9
Beaches: 85.0
The largest atoll in the Tuamotus, Rangiroa is a "diver's paradise" with "great dolphin watching." One of our readers said it was "one of the most beautiful places I've ever been," though another said, "interesting to see, but not much to do."
9. GALÁPAGOS ISLANDS
Scenery: 94.1
Friendliness: 88.2
Atmosphere: 94.1
Restaurants: 42.9
Lodging: 58.3
Activities: 94.1
Beaches: 68.8
Wildlife enthusiasts will find the islands (actually the peaks of underwater volcanoes, some of which are still active) fascinating: They are rife with iguanas, tortoises, orcas, penguins, and many other bird species. These nature-rich islands are also "an
