Travel + Leisure magazine has announced its 2016 World’s Best Awards, ranking the San Juan Islands #5 on its list of The Best Islands in the Continental U.S. The ranking complements Travel + Leisure’s endorsement earlier in the year voting the San Juan Islands as #2 of “World’s Friendliest Islands.”

Here’s what Travel + Leisure had to say in its announcement: “In the Salish Sea, just a short ferry ride from the Washington State mainland, travelers have discovered the San Juan Islands, a counterculture stronghold. Creative designers and sculptors, foragers who double as innkeepers and chefs, and nature enthusiasts have made the tight-knit communities scattered across 172 islands welcoming and exciting destinations.”

The rankings for the first five of the Best Continental U.S. Islands (in order) are: Hilton Head, South Carolina; Kiawah Island, South Carolina; Mount Desert Island, Maine; Nantucket, Massachusetts; San Juan Islands, Washington State. The San Juan Islands have consistently been honored as one of top 5 islands for 15 out of the last 16 years. http://tandl.me/29xkvT7

The rankings for the first five of the Top Overall World Islands (in order) are: Palawan, Philippines: Boracay, Philippines: Ishia, Italy: Waiheke Island, New Zealand and Santorini, Greece.

World’s Best rankings are the outcome of Travel + Leisure’s 21st World’s Best survey of readers’ favorites and described as “an essential index of the places you want to go.” The World’s Best Awards list is also the cover story of the magazine’s August issue, available on newsstands later this month.

Criteria for judging islands included natural attractions, beaches, activities/sights, restaurants/food, people/friendliness, and overall value (survey Methodology). To see what the San Juan Islands offer in these categories and to get helpful travel tips and find out about specials on lodging and activities go to the San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau: www.VisitSanJuans.com.

Travel + Leisure has the world’s largest audience of any travel magazine. Its annual survey is a chance to see what resonates with readers as authentic, quality, long-lasting experiences.

The San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau is a non-profit, economic development agency contracted for responsible tourism management and competitive marketing of the San Juan Islands as a year-round travel destination. Visitor spending directly benefits businesses and residents on Lopez, Orcas, Shaw and San Juan Islands.