The best islands to visit right off the US coast
Whether you are still working or retired, sometimes you just want to get away to experience a change of pace in a beautiful, easy-to-get-to place with wonderful beaches, decent hotels and inns, and fun things to see and do. Islands just off the U.S. coast fit the bill.
Fly near or to these islands, or pack the car for a trip that will take you across a causeway or aboard a ferry to these patches of paradise.
Here are TPG's picks for the best islands off the U.S. coast.
Hilton Head Island
With 12 miles of beaches and 32 golf courses (about two dozen of the championship variety), Hilton Head, South Carolina, is well known. But don't let that dissuade you from visiting. While it's certainly no secret, Hilton Head remains picture-perfect and offers plenty of activities and great places to stay.
About 30 miles from Savannah, Georgia, and accessible from the mainland via a causeway, this Lowcountry barrier island brags of the warmest water on the Eastern Seaboard.
Pull yourself from the beach for a while and escape into nature. Embark on a gentle kayak paddle through scenic marshland or stroll along paved pathways and keep a look out for resident wildlife at the Audubon Newhall Preserve and Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge.
Santa Catalina Island
Known locally as Catalina Island, this rocky patch of land jutting into the Pacific some 29 miles off the coast of Long Beach, California, offers an easy escape from the city. Catch a one-hour Catalina Express high-speed ferry from Long Beach, San Pedro or Dana Point, or the Catalina Flyer catamaran from Newport Beach, both operating year-round. It's not uncommon to see dolphins following your boat.
On the island you'll find quaint towns, sandy beaches and a wealth of water activities such as parasailing, glass-bottom boat tours to reefs and shipwrecks and diving and snorkeling opportunities in the clear waters.
Visitors are not allowed to drive cars on the island, but you can rent a golf cart or a bike to explore the main town of Avalon and take Jeep and bus tours to see the interior. About 90% of the island is a protected nature preserve. For a workout, trek up 2,103-foot Mount Orizaba.
Related: Catalina Island: What to see and do, and where to stay
Mackinac Island
When you get off the ferry on this remote Michigan island in the Great Lakes, you might have the feeling you've been transported back in time. Victorian architecture abounds, and one of the popular modes of transportation on the carless island is horse-drawn taxis.
The hillside, Victorian-era Grand Hotel goes by the moniker of America's Summer Palace. It's certainly a jaw-dropping sight with its 660-foot front porch, and it remains a bastion of tradition where guests still dress for dinner.
About 80% of the island is protected as Mackinac Island State Park, adding to the utopian allure. Explore by bike or golf cart. Historic sites include Fort Mackinac, a Revolutionary War fortress that also played a big role in the War of 1812.
The island is in the Straits of Mackinac where Lake Huron and Lake Michigan meet. Ferry service from the mainland is from Mackinaw City (Lower Peninsula) and St. Ignace (Upper Peninsula). Both Mackinac and Mackinaw are pronounced "ma-kuh-naa."
Amelia Island
With its uncrowded beaches and sand dunes, Amelia Island is a tropical paradise off Florida's northeast coast. It's connected to the mainland by two bridges and you can get there in 45 minutes from Jacksonville, Florida.
Founded in 1562, the island is the only place in the country that has been under the sovereignty of eight different flags. You can learn all about its history on a horse-drawn carriage tour of the 50-block historic district in Fernandina Beach, where you'll also find antique shops and Victorian homes and inns — many on the National Register of Historic Places.
The 18-mile-long barrier island has 13 miles of beaches (with more than 40 public beach access points), golf with views of the Atlantic and resorts such as the splurge-worthy beachfront Ritz-Carlton, with its 18-hole championship golf course and sea-inspired spa. Nature areas include Amelia Island State Park, where you can ride a horse on the beach.
Related: Florida's top 10 vacation regions for different types of travelers
Martha's Vineyard
A 45-minute ferry ride from Cape Cod, Massachusetts, the low-key, 96-square-mile island of Martha's Vineyard is full of New England charm and history.
Visitors find sandy beaches, dramatic cliffs overlooking the sea, charming inns, five lighthouses and such tranquil scenes as sailboats in harbors. Since Victorian times, affluent travelers have been drawn to the island.
What surprises many visitors is that outside the main towns such as Victorian-era Oak Bluffs, with its famous 1876 Flying Horses Carousel, and postcard-perfect Edgartown, much of the island is still rural and populated with working farms. Head to the West Tisbury Farmer's Market on a Saturday to sample local goods and to spot celebrities who frequent the island.
Another quintessential Vineyard experience is grabbing a lobster roll at Larsen's Fish Market to munch on Menemsha Beach — one of those good-to-be-alive moments.
Orcas Island
Located off Washington state and one of the San Juan Islands, Orcas Island is a ruggedly beautiful paradise with the bonus of thriving arts and culinary scenes.
Come to the island to bike, hike, go horseback riding, explore lush old-growth forests and swim in lakes — when you aren't dining on farm-to-table cuisine or checking out the galleries and boutiques in the historic village of Eastsound.
On a clear day from the lookout tower on top of 2,409-foot Mount Constitution, accessible by car or bike, you may catch 360-degree views of the Salish Sea, San Juan Islands and the mainland, including snowcapped Mount Baker and Mount Rainier.
You can get to the island on the Washington State Ferries system year-round from Anacortes, about 80 miles north of Seattle. The ferry ride is about 70 minutes (make reservations to bring your car).
Mount Desert Island
Accessible via a causeway, and the largest island off Maine at more than 108 square miles, Mount Desert Island, or what locals call MDI, is best known as the home of Acadia National Park and the small town of Bar Harbor, a longtime hangout spot for rich and famous New Yorkers. Quaint towns on the island also include Northeast Harbor, which Martha Stewart has been known to frequent.
Visitors come to admire the rocky coastline, eat lobster, go on whale-watching tours (to see humpback, finback and minke whales), shop at galleries and boutiques, see the leaves change color in the fall and take the perfect photo of a fishing boat loaded with lobster traps.
Related: This is why you should visit Maine's Acadia National Park
The national park covers a large swath of the island, with a 27-mile loop road. A key attraction is 1,532-foot Cadillac Mountain, the first place in the continental U.S. to see the sun rise. Visitors get up in the wee hours to catch the sunrise, a quintessential island experience (from late May to late October, a vehicle reservation is required to drive Cadillac Summit Road).
Sanibel Island and Captiva Island
These adjacent laid-back barrier islands off Fort Myers Beach, Florida, are such special places that the causeway out to Sanibel is sometimes referred to as the Path to Paradise.
Visitors come for the gorgeous, lightly populated beaches that are perfect places for strolling and shell collecting. Sanibel is the self-proclaimed seashell capital of the world, and you can find everything from tiny shells to conchs.
These islands, devoid of high-rises, offer plentiful paved bike paths and walking trails, as well as protected parks such as the J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge. On Captiva, connected to Sanibel by the 1918 Blind Pass bridge, golf carts are a primary mode of transport.
If you're lucky, your views may include dolphins popping out of the water, manatees and many species of birds. Mother Nature puts on an impressive light show at sunset — sometimes complete with the "green flash" phenomenon.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.