The World's Best Island Beaches

"I find it difficult to disconnect from life, so I love how isolated the Maldives are," says Nick Porfilio, CEO of social savings website Saveful.com. "It takes a long time to get there--about 24 hours from the U.S.--but you truly feel like you're in paradise, unplugged from the rest of the world." Once there, the San Franciscan adds, "if you want to go snorkeling or diving, one of the world's best reefs is literally outside your villa's door."

That mix of seclusion and convenience was a big reason why Travel + Leisure readers placed the Indian Ocean archipelago near the top of the World's Best awards. As part of the annual survey, readers ranked islands around the globe for such enticements as their dining, value, and romantic appeal, but none of those features would be worth much without one other category: their beaches.