24 Amazing US Island Destinations To Visit
America’s coastlines hide spectacular island treasures waiting to be explored. From tropical paradises in the south to rugged escapes in the north, these island getaways offer unique experiences for every type of traveler.
So grab your sunglasses and your sense of adventure. Each of these U.S. islands promises postcard views, local charm, and travel moments you’ll be talking about long after you return.
1. Maui, Hawaii
Volcanic peaks tower above shores so clear they rival glass. Maui pulls you in with endless adventures-from catching the first light atop Haleakalā to swimming with graceful sea turtles in Molokini’s sparkling waters.
Discover hidden waterfalls along the Road to Hana or simply unwind on Ka’anapali Beach’s golden sands. The Valley Isle offers perfect balance between adventure and relaxation.
2. Nantucket, Massachusetts
Wandering Nantucket feels like stepping into a storybook-cobblestone lanes twist past cozy gray-shingled cottages whispering tales of the past. Located 30 miles south of Cape Cod, Nantucket preserves its whaling history while offering modern indulgences.
Cycle past cranberry bogs and lighthouses on the island’s extensive bike paths. Summer brings perfect beach days at Surfside and Madaket, while fall transforms the island into a peaceful retreat with foggy mornings and cozy evenings.
3. Key West, Florida
Quirky, colorful, and unapologetically free-spirited describes this southernmost paradise. Roosters roam freely through streets lined with pastel-hued conch houses where literary giants like Hemingway once found inspiration. Key West blends Caribbean vibes with American history, creating a unique cultural atmosphere.
When the sun dips, Mallory Square bursts to life, street artists dazzle, and the sky paints a masterpiece over endless ocean blues. Beyond the famous Duval Street bars lies a sophisticated side with tropical gardens, historic forts, and world-class seafood restaurants.
4. San Juan Islands, Washington
Emerald jewels scattered across the Salish Sea offer a perfect Pacific Northwest escape. These islands combine dense evergreen forests with rocky shorelines where orcas regularly make appearances. San Juan Island features rolling lavender fields and historic sites from the Pig War boundary dispute.
Orcas Island, shaped like a horseshoe, boasts the highest point in the archipelago – Mount Constitution – with panoramic views of surrounding islands and mainland mountains. Lopez Island attracts cyclists with its gentle terrain and friendly locals.
5. Mackinac Island, Michigan
Leave the modern world behind and cruise horse-drawn carriage lanes on this Victorian gem, where cars are just a distant memory. Horse-drawn carriages clip-clop along streets lined with gingerbread-trimmed cottages and grand hotels from another era.
Famous for its creamy fudge and the magnificent Grand Hotel with the world’s longest porch. Mackinac (pronounced Mack-in-aw) preserves its historic charm through a strict no-automobile policy. Bicycle around the 8-mile perimeter road for spectacular Lake Huron views and limestone formations like Arch Rock.
6. Kauai, Hawaii
Ancient rainforests cascade down dramatic cliffs into azure waters on Hawaii’s Garden Isle. Kauai’s landscape feels primeval with its emerald valleys, jagged mountains, and red-walled Waimea Canyon – often called the Grand Canyon of the Pacific.
Hike the breathtaking Napali Coast or kayak the only navigable river in Hawaii, the Wailua. Some of the wettest spots on Earth exist here, creating countless waterfalls. Despite devastating hurricanes over the years, Kauai maintains strict building height restrictions, preserving its natural beauty.
7. Amelia Island, Florida
Southern charm meets beachside elegance on this Atlantic barrier island. Moss-draped oaks line streets where eight different flags have flown during its colorful history, earning it the nickname “Isle of Eight Flags.”
Fernandina Beach’s Victorian-era downtown features boutiques and seafood restaurants serving fresh-caught shrimp. Wildlife thrives in maritime forests and salt marshes. Amelia offers 13 miles of pristine beaches where you might spot dolphins playing in the surf or find shark teeth fossils washed ashore.
8. Catalina Island, California
Mediterranean vibes just 22 miles from Los Angeles create an unexpected island escape. Crystal-clear waters surrounding this mountainous getaway invite snorkelers to explore vibrant kelp forests teeming with orange Garibaldi fish.
Avalon, the main town, features a crescent harbor filled with boats and the iconic Casino building (never actually a gambling hall). Catalina’s interior remains wonderfully wild, with free-roaming bison descended from a 1924 movie production herd. Zip lining, glass-bottom boat tours, and hiking trails offer diverse adventure options.
9. Block Island, Rhode Island
Unspoiled natural beauty awaits just 13 miles off Rhode Island’s coast. Dramatic bluffs frame pristine beaches where the loudest sounds come from crashing waves and calling seabirds. Victorian architecture dots the island, with the Southeast Lighthouse perched dramatically atop Mohegan Bluffs.
Block Island dedicates nearly 50% of its land to conservation, ensuring its rugged charm remains intact. Bicycle rental shops make it easy to explore the compact 7-square-mile paradise, where you’ll discover hidden coves and freshwater ponds.
10. Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Low-country luxury defines this Atlantic barrier island where Spanish moss drapes ancient oak trees. World-class golf courses blend seamlessly into the natural landscape, earning international recognition for sustainable development. Hilton Head’s 12 miles of hard-packed beaches invite long walks and bicycle rides.
The island embraces its Gullah heritage – descendants of enslaved Africans who maintained distinct cultural traditions. Wildlife sanctuaries protect loggerhead turtle nesting grounds, while dolphin pods regularly delight visitors during sunset cruises.
11. Sanibel Island, Florida
Shell-seekers paradise stretches along Florida’s Gulf Coast where currents deliver incredible treasures to its shores. Early morning beachcombers perform the “Sanibel Stoop” – bending to collect rare junonia shells and colorful coquinas.
Unlike many Florida destinations, Sanibel maintains a natural feel with no high-rises allowed.
The J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge covers nearly half the island, protecting mangrove forests where roseate spoonbills and alligators thrive. Bicycle paths wind throughout the island, connecting pristine beaches with charming shopping areas.
12. Mount Desert Island, Maine
Rugged coastal beauty reaches its peak on this granite-studded island home to Acadia National Park. Dramatic cliffs plunge into the Atlantic while forested mountains provide panoramic views of countless surrounding islands.
Bar Harbor serves as the charming gateway town with seafood restaurants and ice cream shops.
Mount Desert features the first sunrise viewable in the United States from Cadillac Mountain during certain times of year. Thunder Hole demonstrates nature’s power as waves crash into a narrow inlet, creating explosive sounds and spectacular splashes.
13. Kodiak Island, Alaska
Wilderness in its purest form awaits on America’s second-largest island. Emerald mountains rise from the Gulf of Alaska, creating a dramatic backdrop for abundant wildlife including the famous Kodiak brown bears – the largest bears in the world.
Russian heritage remains visible in the Holy Resurrection Orthodox Cathedral with its distinctive onion domes. Kodiak’s economy centers around some of the world’s richest fishing grounds. Remote beaches and hiking trails provide solitude for adventurous travelers seeking authentic Alaskan experiences away from cruise ship crowds.
14. Chincoteague Island, Virginia
Wild ponies roam freely on adjacent Assateague Island, creating magical scenes along unspoiled Atlantic beaches. Made famous by the children’s novel “Misty of Chincoteague,” this charming island maintains its small-town character.
Each July, the Pony Swim draws crowds to watch as the wild horses swim across the channel.
Chincoteague offers excellent bird-watching opportunities, particularly during migration seasons at the wildlife refuge. Fresh seafood stars on local menus, with the sweet Chincoteague oysters and famous salt marsh lamb considered delicacies.
15. Whidbey Island, Washington
Pastoral landscapes meet dramatic shorelines on this accessible escape in Puget Sound. Charming small towns like Langley and Coupeville showcase historic buildings, art galleries, and farm-to-table restaurants featuring local shellfish.
Whidbey stretches nearly 40 miles long but maintains a rural character with working farms and vineyards.
Deception Pass Bridge connects the northern tip to the mainland, spanning a dramatic strait with swirling tidal currents. Military history buffs appreciate Fort Casey State Park with its massive gun batteries once protecting Puget Sound.
16. South Padre Island, Texas
Sun-drenched barrier island extends along Texas’ southern coast, offering the state’s premier beach destination. Warm Gulf waters and consistent breezes create perfect conditions for kiteboarding and windsurfing enthusiasts.
South Padre serves as an important conservation area for endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtles. Sea Turtle Inc. rehabilitates injured turtles and educates visitors about conservation efforts.
The island’s location near the Mexican border influences its vibrant food scene, where fresh-caught seafood meets authentic Tex-Mex flavors in local restaurants.
17. Ocracoke Island, North Carolina
Remote and steeped in pirate lore, this Outer Banks treasure remains accessible only by ferry, private boat, or small aircraft. Blackbeard met his fate here in 1718, and locals still speak with a unique brogue that reflects their isolated maritime heritage.
Ocracoke Village centers around a picturesque harbor filled with fishing boats and surrounded by live oaks.
Stretching sands untouched by time beckon for solitary strolls, where your footprints might be the only ones to grace the shore. Wild ponies descended from shipwreck survivors roam in a protected pasture, continuing centuries-old island traditions.
18. Jekyll Island, Georgia
Gilded Age elegance remains preserved on this barrier island once owned by America’s wealthiest families. The Jekyll Island Club served as an exclusive winter retreat for Rockefellers, Vanderbilts, and Morgans in the early 20th century.
Today, the historic district showcases restored cottages (actually mansions) and the grand clubhouse hotel. Georgia law mandates that 65% of Jekyll remain undeveloped, protecting maritime forests and beaches. Driftwood Beach on the north end features hauntingly beautiful tree skeletons sculpted by erosion, creating one of America’s most photogenic shorelines.
19. Galveston Island, Texas
Victorian splendor meets Gulf Coast fun on this historic island with a resilient spirit. After surviving the deadliest natural disaster in American history – the 1900 hurricane – Galveston rebuilt itself with determination.
The Strand Historic District showcases iron-fronted buildings housing shops and restaurants. Pleasure Pier extends over the Gulf with carnival rides and games reminiscent of the island’s heyday.
Galveston embraces its colorful past, from pirate Jean Lafitte’s settlement to its period as the “Wall Street of the South” before the devastating hurricane.
20. Kiawah Island, South Carolina
Natural luxury defines this Atlantic barrier island where alligators sunbathe alongside championship golf courses. Live oaks draped with Spanish moss create a quintessential Lowcountry landscape across 10,000 acres of carefully preserved coastal environment.
Kiawah’s 10 miles of pristine beaches provide critical habitat for endangered loggerhead turtles. The Ocean Course, host of multiple PGA Championships, offers golfers breathtaking ocean views from every hole.
Unlike many resort destinations, Kiawah maintains strict development standards, ensuring dark skies for stargazing and protecting maritime forests.
21. Molokai, Hawaii
Authentic Hawaiian culture thrives on this unspoiled island where modern development takes a backseat to tradition. No building stands taller than a coconut tree on Molokai, where residents proudly maintain their rural lifestyle.
The world’s highest sea cliffs drop dramatically 3,600 feet into the Pacific along the north shore.
Kalaupapa Peninsula tells a poignant story as a former leprosy colony where Father Damien ministered to patients. East End fishponds built by ancient Hawaiians still demonstrate ingenious aquaculture techniques that sustained communities for centuries.
22. Isle Royale, Michigan
Wilderness sanctuary rises from Lake Superior’s cold depths, creating America’s least-visited national park. Accessible only by boat or seaplane during summer months, this roadless archipelago offers unparalleled solitude. Wolves and moose engage in a fascinating predator-prey relationship studied by scientists for decades.
Backpackers traverse 165 miles of rugged trails through boreal forests. How far would you go to escape the ordinary—could you conquer 165 miles of wild, untamed boreal beauty?
Isle Royale’s isolation creates a perfect laboratory for ecological research, while abandoned copper mines and lighthouses tell stories of hardy settlers who once braved the harsh environment.
23. Tangier Island, Virginia
Stepping onto this Chesapeake Bay island feels like traveling back in time. Residents speak a unique dialect with linguistic roots in 17th-century English, preserving words and phrases from their ancestors who settled here in 1686. Watermen harvest famous Chesapeake blue crabs from traditional wooden deadrise boats.
Golf carts and bicycles serve as primary transportation on narrow lanes between colorful clapboard houses. Tangier faces an uncertain future as rising sea levels threaten this living museum of American maritime culture that has changed little in centuries.
24. Orcas Island, Washington
Horseshoe-shaped paradise combines arts, agriculture, and stunning natural beauty in the San Juan archipelago. Lush forests climb dramatic mountains, creating perfect vantage points for whale watching and sunset viewing. Eastsound village features galleries showcasing local artists inspired by the island’s beauty.
Moran State Park contains the highest point in the San Juan Islands – Mount Constitution – with a stone observation tower offering 360-degree views.
Orcas gained its name not from the marine mammals but from a Spanish explorer, though the island’s waters do attract resident killer whale pods.