Palawan has claimed the title of Asia’s Best Island in the 2026 Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards, earning a near-perfect score of 98.99 out of 100. The Philippine province topped the publication’s UK rankings, surpassing Vietnam’s Phu Quoc, which scored 98.26, and Thailand’s Koh Lanta, which earned 97.50.
Published on Oct. 6, the results placed Palawan first among Asia’s leading island destinations. It also recorded the highest score across the UK edition’s regional island rankings, outperforming destinations celebrated for their beaches, landscapes, and tourism attractions.
Home to El Nido, Coron, and Puerto Princesa, Palawan is renowned for its limestone cliffs, turquoise lagoons, white-sand beaches, and rich biodiversity. Condé Nast Traveller also recognized the province’s sustainability efforts, adding environmental conservation to the qualities highlighted in its coverage.
The Philippines earned another top 10 finish through Boracay, which ranked seventh among Asia’s best islands with 94.29 points. Boracay also placed fourth in the separate Best Beaches in Asia category with 93.01, while El Nido ranked 12th with 84.84.
The annual Readers’ Choice Awards reflect evaluations submitted by participating travelers and readers through an online survey. The 2026 UK edition collected responses from April 1 to June 30, with ratings converted into scores out of 100. Condé Nast publishes separate UK and US rankings.
Palawan’s victory follows other international recognitions in 2026. In June, it placed fourth among Asia-Pacific’s best islands in the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards. Expedia also ranked Palawan sixth in its Island Hot List, naming it the best destination for natural wonders following a 40% year-on-year increase in global flight searches.
The province previously ranked fifth with 90.23 points in Condé Nast Traveler’s separate 2025 US edition. Its latest first-place finish brings renewed international recognition to Palawan’s natural heritage and strengthens its standing among Asia’s leading island destinations.
