Our annual Readers’ Choice Awards, in its 36th year, have not failed to identify the travel experiences that our readers most enjoy, ranging from hotels and airlines to cruises, islands, and bags. You went deeper and further this year, looking for secluded houses, taking smaller, cozier ships, and giving priority to places you’ve been wanting to see for years. In our yearly Readers’ Choice Awards survey, an astounding 526,518 of you informed us, at least, of this.
These are our readers’ choices for the top US islands, so you can use the findings to plan your next trip.

Key West, Florida:

Key West is unique among the Florida Keys; readers adore it for its colorful homes, laid-back atmosphere, and diverse population. Situated nearer to Cuba than Miami, the islands have an abundance of culture and history, in addition to offering top-notch diving and fishing in pristine waters. Get your tan on Smathers Beach and then visit The Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum, where you may join a tour led by a Key West local, to satisfy your literary cravings.inc

Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts:

Known for its untamed Atlantic beaches and charming communities, Martha’s Vineyard is a well-liked summer retreat. Two zones, each with unique experiences, are typically distinguished on the islands: On the east coast, “down-islands” refers to the more developed area. This is where most tourists go to discover all the seafood restaurants and preppy apparel stores. On the southwest tip, the area known as “up-islands” is far more rural, with thick forests and picture-perfect fishing settlements. You will discover a plethora of enjoyable activities and an abundance of lobster rolls in every place you choose to visit.

Lanai, Hawaii:

Over the years, Oprah, Cindy Crawford, and Tom Cruise have all been drawn to Lanai, which is a private and elite place. Though Kanpur Preserve, a protected dry-land forest, is home to rare plant specimens native to Hawaii, the real attraction here is the beauty rather than celebrity sightings. Polihua and Kaiolohia (also known as Shipwreck) beaches offer a taste of exquisite solitude.

Marco Island, Florida:

The Paradise Coast of Florida, which stretches from Naples to the neighboring Marco Island, has a tropical vibe thanks to an abundance of mangroves and mangoes. The Gulf Coast Island, which has fantastic parks and beaches, an abundance of outdoor activities, and excellent lodging options like the JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort, is the ideal destination for a weekend escape.

Block Island, Rhode Island:

With its seagrass-lined beaches, lighthouses, and thirty miles of hiking trails, Block Island is the epitome of a New England escape. Though it won’t take long, New Shoreham, the sole town on the island, is full with shops and eateries that are worth checking out. Continue your stay at Block Island Beach House. The hotel feels like your own private beach house, but without the maintenance, with its flowery wallpaper, colorful surfboards, white-washed rooms, and rentable bikes.

Big Island, Hawaii:

Imagine the Big Island as the perfect playground for adventure. Hawaii may not be the finest place to go beaching, but the islands are nonetheless quite special because of its breathtaking national parks and volcanoes. Experience steam vents, craters, and lava flows in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, which spans 505 square miles and is home to the active Kilauea volcano. With its lush walking pathways and cascading waterfalls, Waipio’s Valley, also called the Valley of the Kings, is yet another breathtaking example of nature’s magnificence.

Kauai, Hawaii:

Kauai, the most lush and green island in Hawaii, certainly lives up to its moniker as “The Garden Isle.” Though only about half of the islands are accessible by car or foot, most worthwhile locations are well worth the effort. For example, Polihale Beach is reachable by a hilly and uneven five-mile route that requires four-wheel drive.

With its expansive sand dunes, breathtaking sunsets, and exceptional astronomy opportunities due to the absence of light pollution, it is undoubtedly among Hawaii’s most stunning beaches. Another difficult-to-get-to but worthwhile location is Honopu Beach, which is only accessible by swimming from nearby Kalalau Beach or from an offshore boat (about a quarter-mile swim).

Mackinac Island, Michigan:

Mackinac Island, a beloved vacation destination for Midwesterners, was a pleasant addition to the list last year, and it appears that its attractiveness hasn’t diminished at all this year. The majority of the islands—more than 80%, to be precise—is contained within the Mackinac Island State Park, which is protected, well-preserved, and teeming with natural beauty. The Grand Hotel, with its expansive 660-foot front veranda overlooking the water and similarly decadent five-course banquets, is the island’s most well-known feature, though.

Oahu, Hawaii:

Because of Honolulu, Waikiki Beach, and the North Shore—which is known for its world-class surf breakers and garlic shrimp vendors—Oahu receives more tourists than any other Hawaiian island. Many of the tourist-heavy locations, such as Pearl Harbor and Doris Duke’s Shangri-La, are truly worthwhile visits, but if you know where to go, you may avoid the crowds. Generally, the North Shore is your best option because locations like Mokulei Beach Park have quiet waters, great snorkeling, and few other people.

Sanibel, Florida:

Despite being split apart by hurricanes in 1921 and 1926, the sister islands of Sanibel and Captiva have long attracted tourists because of their serene beaches, wildlife, and bike paths along the Gulf Coast. Particularly well-known for being the seashell capital of the world, Sanibel is a great place to spend a day with a picnic and a bucket in locations with lots of conch, like Bowman’s Beach.

Nantucket, Massachusetts:

Every year, tourists flock to this classic summer retreat to stroll around the island’s winding streets lined with wood-paneled homes and ride their bikes to the lighthouses. Despite its small size, the crescent-shaped island of Nantucket boasts a variety of terrains, from rugged bluffs to salt marshes and sand dunes, making it practically difficult to shoot a terrible photo there.

Maui, Hawaii:

Travelers love climbing the majestic Mount Haleakala at sunrise, and the second-largest island in Hawaii is renowned for its volcanic beaches and coastal resorts. For foodies, hikers, and snorkelers alike, this is the place to be. It also happens to be a fantastic destination for families, offering a plethora of kid-friendly resorts and events for all ages. Some of the highlights include ziplining, canoe trips that allow you to identify turtles, luaus, and even a pretty amazing goat farm.

Amelia Island, Florida:

This Florida island has captivated our readers, whether it’s because of the seemingly infinite green areas or the incredibly friendly residents. Compared to most other beachy areas in the state, the 13-mile stretch of land along Florida’s northeastern coast feels significantly more unspoiled and natural. Hike a trek through Fort Clinch State Park or visit the downtown area for local dining and shopping after basking in the sun on almost deserted beaches.

Kiawah Island, South Carolina:

Kiawah Island seems to have been designed with getting away from the grind of the workweek in mind. Take the family to the opulent Sanctuary Hotel on the oceanfront at Kiawah Island, which is ranked among the best resorts in the South by our readers. Here, they may engage in friendly competition on the tennis and golf courts, as well as spend a lot of time in the several pools.

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina:

Situated over the bridge from mainland South Carolina, the most picturesque island in the Lowcountry has held the top rank for multiple years. This type of weekend escape will please every traveler: you can choose to laze around on 12 miles of immaculate sand, shop for handcrafted goods made locally, dine at eateries that can rival those in big cities, or work up a sweat on a golf course, bike trail, or paddleboard.

Fire Island:

Fire Island has long been a well-liked island getaway for people living in the five boroughs of New York. But because of Fire Island’s immaculate beaches on both its Great South Bay and Atlantic sides, it’s swiftly becoming more and more popular.

From sailing and kayaking to wakeboarding and kitesurfing, there are plenty of options for those who enjoy water activities. Beyond that, you can discover an island devoid of cars, with its resulting serene atmosphere and clean air. The Robert Moses State Park and the High Dune Wilderness have the greatest specimens.

Amelia Island, Florida:

Amelia Island is located in northeastern Florida and is easily accessible, however it is very different from nearby Jacksonville. The barrier island, with its 13 miles of picture-perfect beaches, is a terrific place to indulge in some well-earned relaxation.

You can enjoy excellent swimming and snorkeling in the crystal-clear Atlantic seas from your preferred beach hangout. Beautiful canals with excellent fishing and a home for wild manatees may be found on the mainland side.



There are many excellent restaurants on Amelia Island that serve delectable regional cuisine and give breathtaking views of the setting sun or early morning.

Golden Isles, Georgia:

The Golden Isles’ unearthly beaches draw large crowds of visitors. However, getting off the established path doesn’t require much. The Golden Isles, which comprise five islands, are much more than what first appears. Plenty of history lies beyond the powder-soft white dunes. See national monuments honoring past maritime conflicts and early 1800s lighthouses by venturing inland from the shore.

There is a ton of pristine wilderness, too, including a breathtaking live oak grove on St. Simons Island that is rumored to be haunted by spirits.

Outer Banks, North Carolina:

A large portion of Outer Banks history is currently on exhibit and dates back to the 1500s. That is, assuming there is still space left on the schedule after including all three of the chain’s islands and their countless stunning beaches.

Spending days by the water and discovering the riches beneath it will make your vacation to the Outer Banks unforgettable. There are many charming and historic lighthouses along the coast, such as the 1871 Bodie Island Lighthouse. And there are more wild horses, historic Corolla Park, and trekking both inland and along the coast.

FAQs:

Which Islands are best in US for visit?

Massachusetts’s Nantucket.
South Carolina’s Kiawah Island.
Florida’s Sanibel Island.
The South Carolina island of Hilton Head.
Mount Desert Island, Maine.
Fire Island, New York.
Florida’s Captiva Island.
Texas’s South Padre Island.

Which Island is closest to US?

The Bahamas are the easiest and closest Caribbean nation to reach by plane from the United States. This contributes to the island chain’s long-standing popularity among Americans who travel there.

How many Islands US has?

That is correct, with 18,617 islands, the United States ranks fifth. Alaska has the greatest number of named islands of any state, including Hawaii, with at least 2,670. The world’s most inhabited island nation is Indonesia, despite having just tenth as many islands as Norway.

Which are 5 biggest Islands of USA?

1. Hawaii Island
2. Kodiak Island
3. Puerto Rico
4. Prince Of Wales Island

Conclusion:

The United States has an abundance of land, with 50 states and five large territories. However, just a handful of those states are able to claim the nation’s most exquisite and gorgeous islands.

These islands exhibit an amazing diversity, much like the inner terrain of the United States. They bring you striking beauty, the history, culture, and distinctive flora and fauna of the area—far beyond the usual island getaway.

There’s bound to be an island in the US that fits your vacation style because of their differences. Whether it’s strolls on Kodiak Island in Alaska or drinks on St. John’s beautiful sand beaches.