Palawan has done it again. Readers of Condé Nast Traveller’s UK edition voted Palawan the best island in Asia in the magazine’s 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards, giving it a score of 98.99. The Philippine Information Agency reported the win, and we’re thrilled, though not surprised, to see the place we call home take the top spot.

The 2026 Results

The rankings came out on October 6, 2026. Palawan led the magazine’s list of the 10 best islands in Asia, ahead of two strong regional rivals:

  1. Palawan, Philippines: 98.99
  2. Phu Quoc, Vietnam: 98.26
  3. Koh Lanta, Thailand: 97.50

Palawan’s score was also the highest of any island in any region of the UK edition this year. For comparison, the top island in Europe, Hydra in Greece, scored 98.12.

How the Readers’ Choice Awards Work

The Readers’ Choice Awards are now in their 29th edition, and they’re voted on by travelers rather than a panel of editors. Readers rate destinations through a secure online survey. To qualify, a destination needs a minimum number of responses and a minimum overall rating. Ratings use a five-point scale that is then converted to a percentage score.

In other words, this ranking comes from people who have actually been to Palawan and loved it.

Kayakers paddling through the turquoise water of El Nido's Big Lagoon, surrounded by limestone cliffs
El Nido's Big Lagoon: limestone cliffs and turquoise water, the kind of scenery voters had in mind.

Why Palawan Keeps Winning

The award called out Palawan’s crystal-clear waters, iconic limestone cliffs, pristine lagoons, and world-class beaches, along with its remarkable biodiversity and growing sustainability efforts. Spend a few days here and you’ll see why:

  • Lagoons and limestone in El Nido. Kayak into the Big and Small Lagoons on El Nido Tour A, or explore hidden beaches and caves on Tour C
  • Lakes and shipwrecks in Coron. Kayangan Lake and Barracuda Lake are some of the clearest waters in Asia. See them on Coron Island Tour A
  • A UNESCO World Heritage Site in Puerto Princesa. The Underground River tour takes you by boat into one of the world’s longest navigable subterranean rivers
  • Quiet beaches in Port Barton. For sandbars, starfish, and a slower pace, try the Port Barton island hopping tour
Wooden boardwalk over the clear blue-green water of Kayangan Lake in Coron, Palawan
Kayangan Lake in Coron is often called one of the cleanest lakes in the Philippines.

Not Palawan’s Only Award This Year

2026 has been a big year for the province. Palawan was also named one of the top islands in the Asia-Pacific region in the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2026 and made the list in DestinAsian’s 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards. Add the many “world’s best island” titles it has collected over the past decade, and Palawan keeps proving it belongs on every Asia bucket list.

Planning a Trip to Asia’s Best Island

Expect more visitors after an award like this, especially during the dry season (roughly December to May), when the seas are calmest for island hopping. A few tips:

  • Book tours and transfers early for peak months, particularly around Christmas, New Year, and Holy Week
  • Give yourself time. Distances between El Nido, Coron, Port Barton, and Puerto Princesa are long, so plan at least a week to see more than one area. Our airport transfers make the overland legs easy
  • Travel responsibly. Bring a reusable water bottle, use reef-safe sunscreen, and pay your local environmental fees. These are part of what keeps Palawan worth voting for
  • Pack smart. Our Palawan packing checklist covers everything you’ll need for boat days and beach towns