THREE Philippine islands -- Boracay, Cebu, and Palawan -- were ranked as the top three best islands in the world, according to Conde Nast Traveler's Readers' Choice Awards 2017.

Boracay was ranked first in the survey, while Cebu and Palawan placed second and third, respectively.

"More than 300,000 travelers took part in our 30th annual Readers' Choice Awards survey - setting yet another new record - submitting millions of ratings and more than 100,000 comments to help us create a list of winning favorites," the travel website said.

The three Philippine islands bested some popular destinations such as Mallorca and Ibiza in Spain; Cayman Islands; Mauritius; Mykonos and Santorini in Greece; and Bali, Indonesia.

"This itty-bitty island (Boracay) in the western Philippines is as close to a tropical idyll as you’ll find in Southeast Asia, with gentle coastlines and transportative sunsets. Fold in a thriving nightlife scene, and you have one of the top tourist spots in the region," Conde Nast said.

According to Conde Nast Traveler website, Cebu is "famous for its beaches on the mainland as well as across many of the surrounding islands," adding that "to get a true taste of island life," tourists should "head off the grid on the Camotes Islands."

The travel website said the respondents of the survey, aged late-30s to late 60s, voted on 255 islands to come up with the list of Top 30 Best Islands in the World outside the United States. (SunStar Philippines)