This lightly populated archipelago of 1,780 islands makes a splashy debut on the World’s Best Islands list by nabbing the No. 1 title thanks to its unspoiled beauty, abundant wildlife, and seascapes, which T+L readers deemed second to none. Seek out the serenity of the beaches of El Nido, where Bacuit Bay’s coral reefs teem with tropical fish, or, for bragging rights, the world’s longest underground navigable river.

Where to Stay: On the edge of a tropical rainforest, the palm-thatched villas of new luxury hideaway El Nido Pangulasian Island front a sandy cove where you can dive with sea turtles. elnidoresorts.com