With white sand beaches, tropical drinks, and year-round warm weather, what’s not to love about Hawaii? While Hawaii is unequivocally a lovely place to visit any time of the year, sometimes you just don’t feel like dealing with a long-haul flight, expensive airfare, and being three time zones away from the mainland. That’s where we come in! If you’re still looking for that perfect island vacation without having to make the long trek to Hawaii, there are plenty of options out there. Check out this helpful guide to the 10 best island vacation alternatives to Hawaii:
Key West, Florida
A favorite amongst Presidents, writers, and artists, time passes slowly on Key West. From stunning sunsets to world-class diving to icy cool margaritas, it’s no wonder why Key West is such a popular year-round escape.
Chincoteague Island, Virginia
Chincoteague Island is a naturally unspoiled slice of nature. Wild ponies roam the island, you can catch your own seafood, and there is plenty more to do (like biking, bird watching, swimming, and horseback riding). This place is for the true nature lover.
Mount Desert Island, Maine
The sixth largest island in the country is nestled within the beautiful Acadia National Park and another great destination for nature loves. Virtually untouched coastal hiking trails and beaches are complemented by the fun vacation town of Bar Harbor. Mount Desert Island is a great place to rent a cottage, kick back, and relax.
Catalina Island, California
Just 22 miles off the coast of Los Angeles, Catalina Island feels like a world apart. Instead of traffic on the I-405, you’ll see single file traffic on the various hiking trails. Kayak tours of isolated beaches and untouched Pacific coves are also popular before returning to spend the night in the town of Avalon, at the heart of the island.
Hilton Head, South Carolina
Known worldwide as a golfer’s paradise, Hilton Head is perfect for the sports lover as it hosts several prestigious tournaments every year and boasts world-famous golf courses, tennis courts, polo grounds, and volleyball courts. The Sea Pines Forest Preserve and Harbourtown Lighthouse are also must-see’s at this famous destination.
Orcas Island, Washington
The Pacific-Northwest might not be the first place you think of when you’re dreaming about your island vacation, but Orcas Island in Washington offers scenery like you wouldn’t believe. Apart from the chance to see Bald Eagles and (you guessed it) Orca Whales, there are endless amounts of outdoor activities to do here even though it’s just a short trip from Seattle.
Nantucket, Massachusetts
Nantucket is the place to go for the classic New England getaway. Quieter than Martha’s Vineyard, but still upscale, Nantucket has white sand dune beaches, colonial houses, and charming towns that are great for a relaxing vacation in the Northeast.
Cumberland Island, Georgia
The largest coastal island in Georgia is perfect for kicking back and relaxing on a pristine white-sand beach, some of the most undisturbed beaches in the country. The pace of life on the island is slow, which is good because there are thousands of acres of marshland to explore along with wide variety of places to camp on the island.
South Padre Island, Texas
Does surfing in Texas sound strange? Jutting out from the tip of the state near the Mexican border, at South Padre Island you can surf to your hearts content, visit the famous Schlitterbahn Waterpark, or enjoy 70 miles of National Seashore. South Padre Island is truly for the water loving vacationer.
Mackinac Island, Michigan
Vacationing at Mackinac Island is like taking a time machine into the past. Horse-drawn carriages and bicycles are more common than cars at this island, which is famous for homemade fudge and a one-of-a-kind Victorian-era Grand Hotel. Mackinac Island is an unmissable summer vacation destination in the heart of the Midwest.
There you have it, 10 fantastic island vacation alternatives to Hawaii that span from Maine to Washington! If you’re interested in planning your next vacation to one of these destinations, consider staying at on of PC Housing’s vacation rental properties that span from coast to coast.
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