Best U.S. Islands You Don't Need a Passport to Visit
You don’t need to venture as far as New Zealand or even Bonaire to get on “island time.” Not when you can break free from the mainland without even leaving the contiguous 48 states (sorry, Oahu). And, yeah, we realize that “contiguous” and “island” shouldn’t exactly be used together, but you get the gist. The best U.S. islands offer boundless beauty and endless adventure.
Related: I Spent 4 Days Hiding Out in the Caribbean's Best Secret Getaway
There’s a New England reprieve awaiting you, bordered on all sides by Cape Cod waters. Some of America's best fishing spots lie beyond all those inland rivers and lakes. (Just ask anyone who's been to Padre Island in Texas or Brunswick Island in North Carolina.) There’s even an island escape smack dab in Utah’s Great Salt Lake. Just pitch a tent and be among the island’s 500-plus bison residents.
Looking for a quick island getaway? Set your sights domestically. Our continent's isle-lined coastal perimeter and giant lakes—some of which could pass for mini island-studded oceans—is where you’ll find these 15 best U.S. islands.
Catalina Island, CA
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Precisely one marathon's length off the coast of L.A., you'll find Catalina, a grounded antidote to the City of Angels. Though “grounded” is purely figurative. Many of the island’s recreational attractions still lie at sea, and its primary city Avalon (population 4,000) feels like a harbor town—where many of its locals and visitors get around by golf cart. To get to Santa Catalina, catch a ferry in Long Beach or San Pedro, both of which take about an hour. Stay a couple nights between Avalon and west-end Two Harbors (on the tiny isthmus that connects the two larger pieces of Catalina), with options ranging from regal suites to camping tents. You can hike the 1,500-ft. Silver Peak, 1,200-ft Avalon Canyon, or any part of the island’s 38.5-mile Trans-Catalina Trail pathways. Practice your falconry, get acquainted with resident bison, zip line over the horizon, or rejuvenate yourself at the Catalina Sea Spa before returning to L.A.
With an 18-mile beachfront, this barrier island in southeast Georgia is where wild hearts roam free—as in, it’s got unbroken wild horses and hogs along its sandy shores. A 45-minute ferry ride from St. Mary’s will get you to Cumberland, where you can camp among nature, get a clear view of the stars, simply swim, or bike/hike among the island’s 300-year-old oak trees and sprawling saw palmetto. You can partake in managed hunting sessions, visit the ruins of the Carnegie-family mansion Dungeness (which burned down in 1959), or the still-standing Plum Orchard Mansion (another Carnegie property, built in 1898). We’d encourage you to spend a night or two at Greyfield Inn too—the only lodging on Cumberland (yes, a late-19th-century Carnegie property) with its stunning old-world decor and 1.5-acre gardens.
One of five national parks in the Great Lakes State, Michigan's Isle Royale is far and away the most remote—floating just below the Canadian border in the middle of Lake Superior. But with 165 miles of foot trails and numerous isolated harbors, it packs the punch of a dozen more parks. To get to Isle Royale, take a ferry from the top of Minnesota (Grand Portage), or the uppermost mitten of Michigan (Copper Harbor). The recreation is akin to much of the upper Land ‘o Lakes: fishing, hiking, camping, canoeing. We’d suggest checking out the Rock Harbor Ranger Program (to learn about managing an isolated island) as well as the scuba diving options for an even more dimensional experience.
The fancy-pantsiest pick on this list, Nantucket’s reputation precedes itself, but largely in photographs. You know this Cape Cod island for its wharves, sand dunes, lighthouses, and cobblestone streets. A visit is cozy any time of year, so pack your best turtleneck and pretend like you’re in a Nancy Myers movie. While there, educate yourself on its 19th-century whaling culture at the Whaling Museum, eat freshly caught sea fare at Straight Wharf, and treat yourself to a stay at The Wauwinet for a quintessential Cape experience along the ocean—and the closest you can reside to the island’s Great Point Lighthouse. You can get to Nantucket any number of ways by sea or air.
You might sooner say you’re going to Acadia National Park than to Mount Desert Island, but they’re more or less one and the same. The park, with its 4-million visitors per year, is the primary draw for the island—and New England’s only national park, believe it or not. Much of the park’s visitor infrastructure was funded by John D. Rockefeller and designed to blend into the stunning green-and-blue horizon. Bar Harbor is the city at Acadia’s entry, and the island’s core establishment with its peppering of cozy BnBs and boutique hotels (try the Inn on Mount Desert). Bar Harbor also plays host to a popular classical music festival for a month each June/July. Other towns to consider on your island visit include Otter Creek, Seal Harbor, Somesville, Northeast Harbor, Southwest Harbor, and Bass Harbor—each quainter and more Maine-like than the last. You can drive out to the island or take a bus or ferry. Though if you’re only going to Bar Harbor, you’ll be fine to arrive without added wheels. It’s entirely walkable and all the more freeing as such.
Fire Island—a narrow 32-mile barrier island sheltering a southern stretch of Long Island from the Atlantic—takes on many identities along those miles. The Pines is a long-time and revelrous haven for gay men, while neighboring Cherry Grove is more popular with all letters of LGBTQ. Ocean Beach is perhaps the most popular for the masses due to its bustling tourism industry, with Water Island close behind. Meanwhile, sleepy Saltaire is a summer escape for New York’s rich and famous. While much of its bay-facing properties lack sandy stretches, it’s the oceanfront of Fire Island that rivals some of the Atlantic’s other best offerings. On a perfect sunny day, you can escape New York City early in the a.m., taking the Long Island Railroad to Sayville (for Water Island, Sailors Haven, Cherry Grove, and The Pines) or Bayshore (for everything else). Within a few hours you’ll forget you’re in New York at all.
Located three hours from Orlando, Amelia Island was the birthplace of the modern shrimping industry. For over six decades, nearly 100 shrimp boats docked in Fernandina Beach. The island remains known for its fresh, local-caught shrimp available on the island year-round at numerous seafood spots, like Timoti’s Seafood Shak, Lulu’s, and The Crab Trap. Biking through the historic oak-canopy-lined roads of Fort Clinch State Park or hiking the 6-mile off-road multi-use trail is popular for outdoor enthusiasts. The park offers a guided nature walk at the Willow Pond Nature Trail every Saturday at 10:30 a.m. In the walkable downtown Fernandina Beach, The Palace Saloon on Centre Street has been a fixture since 1878 and is the oldest saloon in Florida still remaining in its original location.
For a weekend retreat in South Carolina, take an hour-and-a-half ferry ride from Hilton Head to Daufuskie Island. It's just 10 square miles, so no cars are allowed on-island; golf carts are used as a primary mode of transport. When you’re not carting around buying local wares like metalworks by young sculptor Chase Allen at the Iron Fish Gallery, you can take a golf cart around the 20-hole Championship Signature Reese Jones golf course. Outdoor enthusiasts can bike through the nature conservancy or take a ride on horseback along Haig Point’s white beaches. Although there's no air conditioning and it can be buggy if you eat outside, Marshside Mama’s fills your seafood fix with dishes like Low Country Gumbo with fish and shrimp. Or, you can partake in the island’s popular local catch—deviled crabs—at the Old Daufuskie Crab Company. Beachfront stays can be booked at the Strachan Mansion and 1873 Lighthouse overlooking the Calibougie Sound.
Located an hour-and-a-half from Jacksonville, Sea Island is a 90-year-old resort island and was the honeymoon destination of choice for President George H.W. Bush and Barbara Bush in 1945. Sea Island’s Beach Club has private poolside cabanas, complete with an air-conditioned sitting area next to the adult pool and a flat-screen TV for sports games. There are tennis and squash centers on the island, as well as a yacht club, shooting school, salt marsh nature tours, horseback riding, and three championship golf courses. The 65,000 square-foot spa offers men’s treatments like hot stone and deep tissue massages. Take your pick of seven restaurants, including the Forbes Five-Star Georgian Room, which has flavorful Southern cuisine like Maine lobster, scallops, and beef Rossini. For accommodations, The Lodge at Sea Island is the Island's best-kept secret. Called the “the greatest locker room in golf" by PGA touring pros, the Men's Locker Room at The Lodge contains a full bar, cigar room with views of the ocean, a practice putting green, and steam room.
The camping-only Antelope Island State Park is a quick 20-minute drive from Salt Lake City. The island is the largest in the Great Salt Lake, and is home to a herd of 500 free-roaming bison, 250 species of birds, as well as mule deer, bighorn sheep, and pronghorn. The 28,000-acre island welcomes hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders with the park’s 36 miles of backcountry trails. Recently designated a Dark Sky Park by the International Dark-Sky Association, it’s the perfect place to pitch a tent and camp for a weekend under a star-filled sky. During the day, walk along sandy beaches and kayak the salty waters with Gonzo Boat Rentals & Tours. Dust off the Stetsons for the one-day annual Bison Round-up every October or pay a visit to the Historic Fielding Garr Ranch, a restored 150-year-old ranch open year round. For dining, visit the Island Buffalo Grill because, well, you have no choice—it's the only eatery on the island
Brunswick Islands are located just over three hours from Charlotte, sitting along the southernmost coast of the state. The chain of five islands offers 45 miles of beaches, along with the Intracoastal Waterway, and scenic marshland in view of wildlife and pristine nature local ecosystems, best viewed by kayak or paddleboard. You can cast a line into one of the southeast’s finest fishing spots with pier, kayak, and offshore fishing throughout the Brunswick Islands; or, charter a boat with Ollie Raja Charters where catches of the day include tuna, marlin, and mahi-mahi. Appropriately, the town of Calabash is called the “Seafood Capital of the World,” where the famous style of Calabash seafood originated: Shrimp, clams, fish, and oysters are coated in a light batter, then quickly fried to lock in their freshness. Check Six Brewing Company in Southport offers 10-12 varieties of craft beer on tap. For beachfront accommodations, stay at the Winds Resort Beach Club or Sea Trail for golf lovers.
Home to North America’s Volvo Ocean Race (and at one point, America's Cup), Newport is one of the top sailing destinations on the planet. A 40-minute drive from Providence and situated on the southernmost tip of Aquidneck Island, Newport’s legendary Ocean Drive (also known as Ten Mile Drive), includes a journey past elaborate mansions and Fort Adams State Park, home to the iconic summertime Newport Folk and Jazz Festivals. Also on Ocean Drive, you'll pass Hammersmith Farm, where JFK and Jackie celebrated their 1953 nuptials. But you're here for the sailing: If you didn't bring your own, be sure to hop aboard an authentic America’s Cup 12-meter yacht with America’s Cup Charters. Unwind later at the Hotel Viking for Top of Newport Bar + Lounge's curated dinner experience, featuring sweeping bay vistas and a rotating cocktail selection.
Padre Island is located about 40 minutes south of Corpus Christi, and home to the Padre Island National Seashore—the longest stretch of undeveloped barrier island in the world. Many choose to set up camp for stargazing on this shore. You can also canoe or kayak in the salt water of the Laguna Madre and/or the freshwater of the Gulf of Mexico. From mid-June through August, visit Padre Island National Seashore to witness newly hatched sea turtles being released into the wild. After a day at the beach, unwind and watch the sun set on the deck at Doc’s Seafood & Steaks and end with a desert at BJ’s German Bakery & Café featuring German-style pasties, croissants and pies. To keep the kids entertained, a day can be spent at the new Schlitterbahn Waterpark, where attractions include high-thrill rides and wave pools.
An hour from Cleveland sits South Bass Island, planted in the western basin of Lake Erie, accessible by the scenic Miller Ferry. This is one adventure-filled spot. You can kayak through Ohio’s few remaining natural arches, Needle’s Eye on Gibraltar Island, go birding at Scheef Point Nature, or spelunking in a limestone cave that is actually the world’s largest geode. After, grab a meal at The Goat Soup & Whiskey, which serves up fresh, golden brown lake perch tacos and, yes, whiskey. We suggest you stay the weekend at Bodee’s Bungalows, located just far enough off-the-beaten path that you feel secluded but still within walking distance to downtown.
It might be warmer elsewhere, but Washington State's San Juan Islands have all the fun. This is a place for paddling, along the shore or in the open from island to island: Lopez, Orcas, Shaw, and San Juan. Early summer is prime time for humpback whales on their way to Alaska, and orcas have been known to come close enough to be seen underwater as they forage and play in the kelp (so you'll want to paddle in a group or with a guide if you're inexperienced). Locally grown island food can be found at spots like Orcas Island’s Doe Bay Café, whose produce comes from their one-acre onsite garden, or dine at Houlme, co-owned by renowned chef Jay Blackinton. If you choose to pack your own picnic, toast the island sunset with a bottle of San Juan Vineyard’s Siegerrebe or Westcott Bay apple brandy. Stay overnight on a farm like Pebble Cove Farm on Orcas or Midnight’s Farm on Lopez.
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