Islands & Beaches
From Hawaii to the Midwest.
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Trends come and go, but here at Condé Nast Traveler, one thing never changes: your insatiable appetite for seeing the world. This year our readers cast an almighty 798,867 votes in our 39th Readers’ Choice Awards to tell us about the planet’s best travel experiences: You fell hard for palace hotels in Morocco, cruised down the Amazon, and got swept up in New York City’s exhilarating energy. Now, read on to find out where your favorites fall among the winners—and get inspired for where to go next, whether it's to a top-rated hotel or resort, or centered around a worthy cruise, spa, or island. These are the best islands in the US as voted by you, our readers.
View all of the the Readers’ Choice Awards winners for 2026 here.
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15. Fripp Island, South Carolina
A gated barrier island halfway between Charleston and Savannah, Fripp Island is the invitation to totally immerse yourself in the Lowcountry way of life you've been waiting for. With two 18-hole championship golf courses—Ocean Creek Golf Club and Ocean Point Golf Links—the main way of getting around these parts is by golf cart. Be sure to go beyond the manmade greens to spy the island's abundant wildlife, which ranges from loggerhead sea turtles to the over 175 species of birds who pass by.
Pro tip: While it may be missing a tropical tree or two, Fripp might strike some as familiar as it was a filming location for Forrest Gump, specifically for the scenes set in Vietnam: Take in the same stretch of the Atlantic coast Tom Hanks jogged along on morning runs while filming.
Getting there: Take I-95 to the end of local highway US-21 for the Fripp Island Bridge. Hilton Head Airport (HHH) is the closest option, but Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV) and Charleston International Airport (CHS) are also within driving distance.
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14. Tybee Island, Georgia
Just under a 30-minute drive from Savannah, this Southern Georgia barrier island is ideal for nature and history lovers who can make a day out of visiting the Tybee Island Lighthouse (the oldest in the state) and Fort Pulaski National Monument. Don't miss feasting on massive crab legs at Sting Ray's Seafood.
Pro tip: With Little Tybee Island close by, visiting Tybee can feel like a two-for-one deal. Don't let the name fool you; this second island is actually two times bigger, giving visitors plenty of untouched nature to explore.
Getting there: Tybee is located just 15 miles from Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport—which is named one of the best airports in the US by our readers year after year. Tybee is just 20 minutes east of Savannah’s Historic District; visitors can drive here via I-95 or I-16.
Courtesy Grand Hotel
13. Mackinac Island, Michigan
A long-beloved vacation spot for Midwesterners, most of the island (80 percent, to be exact) lies within the protected Mackinac Island State Park, meaning it’s both well-preserved and filled with natural beauty. The island is perhaps most famous, however, for the iconic Grand Hotel, with its sprawling, 660-foot front porch looking out to the water—and it's indulgent five-course dinners.
Pro tip: The island is completely car-free, meaning you’ll need to rely on biking or walking to get around. But you should definitely treat yourself to a horse-drawn taxi ride from Mackinac Island Carriage Tours, the oldest continually operating horse-and-buggy service in the world.
Getting there: Two ferries service the island seasonally: the Star Line Mackinac Island’s Hydro-Jet Ferry, departing from St. Ignace, and the Shepler’s Mackinac Island Ferry, departing from St. Ignace and Mackinaw City. There’s also the on-island Mackinac Island Airport for private charter flights.
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12. Jekyll Island, Georgia
Though this resort town is small, it's also mighty. Just seven miles of sand, marshes, and moss floating off Georgia's Atlantic coast, Jekyll Island's claim to fame rests primarily on two attractions: The primordial landscape of Driftwood Beach, which is exactly what it sounds like—a stretch of sand punctuated by weathered trees that looks especially Dalí-esque at low tide—and Jekyll Island Club Resort, a storied and exclusive property that titans of industry like the Vanderbilts and Rockefellers were once known to summer at.
Pro tip: One of the best ways to see the island is by bicycle rental from a local spot like Jekyll Wheels to pedal off and explore the 20 miles of smoothly paved trails webbed around the island.
Getting there: Take the local highway US-17 South to the Jekyll Island Causeway. Daily parking passes on the island cost $10 for standard vehicles.
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11. Kauai, Hawaii
The lushest and greenest of the Hawaiian Islands, Kauai more than earns its nickname, “The Garden Isle.” Most spots worth visiting require a bit of effort, as you can only reach one-fifth of the island on foot or in a car, but it’s more than worth it. You’ll need a four-wheel drive to get to Polihale Beach, for example, which is accessed via a rough and rocky five-mile-long road. But it’s arguably one of the most beautiful beaches in all of Hawaii, with sweeping sand dunes, incredible sunsets, and unforgettable stargazing thanks to the lack of light pollution. Another tough-to-access-but-worth-it spot is Honopu Beach, which you can only reach by swimming from an offshore boat or from the neighboring Kalalau Beach (a quarter-mile swim).
Pro tip: It would be a sin to visit Kauai and not spend a day on the Napali Coast. Get the best vantage points on an open-door flight over the cliffs and valleys, or join a kayak tour to paddle to its isolated beaches.
Getting there: Most airlines offer non-stop flights to Lihue Airport (LIH). There is also the option of flying into Honolulu International Airport (HNL) and hopping on a half-hour flight to Kauai.
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10. Big Island, Hawaii
Think of the Big Island as the ultimate adventure playground. While it’s not exactly Hawaii’s best beach destination, the island stands out for its stunning national parks and volcanoes. The 505-square-mile Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is the place to experience lava flows, craters, and steam vents—it's home to the very active Kilauea volcano. Waipi‘o Valley (known as the Valley of the Kings) is another staggering display of nature, with verdant walking trails dotted with waterfalls.
Pro tip: After a busy day spent outdoors, refuel on the Aka roll with shrimp tempura and spicy ahi at Aka Sushi Bar in Waimea. You’ll thank us later.
Getting there: Most major air carriers offer daily flights to Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport (KOA) in Kona. If you can’t find a direct flight, fly into Honolulu International Airport (HNL) on Oahu and take a 40-minute flight to the Big Island.
Courtesy Elizabeth Pointe Lodge
9. Amelia Island, Florida
Whether it’s the seemingly endless green spaces or the unbelievably hospitable locals, this Florida island has certainly charmed our readers. The 13-mile strip of land is located off Florida’s northeastern coast, and it feels far more untouched and natural than most of the state’s other beachy locales. After soaking up the sun on nearly deserted beaches, hike a trail through Fort Clinch State Park or explore the downtown area for shopping and local restaurants.
Pro tip: Elizabeth Pointe Lodge is one of the best hotels on the island, with a beachside address and delicious breakfasts. Spend one morning spent eating French toast and gazing at the ocean from the lodge’s wraparound porch, and you’ll soon declare Amelia Island your new favorite destination.
Getting there: Amelia Island is easily accessible, located only 30 minutes by car (over the Intracoastal Waterway) from Jacksonville International Airport.
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8. South Padre Island, Texas
From a sandcastle-sculpting class where you can pick up the tips and tricks from the pros, to adventure parks where you can zip-line through the air, to horseback riding across the beach, South Padre Island is packed with fun. But this Texas island is also dedicated to conservation, with sea turtle rehabilitation, birding, and nature centers that welcome visitors to learn more about the unique ecosystems that make up its marshes, meadows, and shores.
Pro tip: April marks the start of nesting season for sea turtles, with early-morning hatchling releases by Sea Turtle, Inc. occurring from mid-June through August. Visitors can join in to watch the tiny creatures make their way toward the waves via the National Parks Service.
Getting there: If you plan to fly in, Brownsville SPI International Airport (BRO), Valley International Airport (HRL), and McAllen International Airport (MFE) are close to the island. From there, you'll be able to take one of the shuttles or a taxi. For those arriving by car, the island is accessible by several major US highway routes.
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7. Sanibel Island, Florida
Flying and flopping at its finest—there's not even a single stoplight on the island—Sanibel is seated a mere three miles away from Fort Myers' mainland. To sweeten things even further, this is a two-for-one deal: Just north of the island sits its sister island, Captiva. Together, the island pair lays claim to 15 miles of beach, 25 miles of biking trails, 50 types of fish, and 230 bird species. As far as variety goes, Sanibel punches well above its weight.
Pro tip: The best souvenir to commemorate your visit is one of the 250-plus shell varieties sprinkled throughout Sanibel's shores. Be sure to visit during low tide for your pick of shells.
Getting there: Sanibel is just off Florida's I-75. From there, head to Summerlin Road and onto the Sanibel Island Causeway, which has a $6 toll to cross. The nearest airports to the island are Florida Regional South West (RSW) and Punta Gorda Airport (PGD).
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6. Lanai, Hawaii
Private and exclusive, Lanai has drawn the likes of Oprah, Cindy Crawford, and Tom Cruise. The main draw here, though, is not the celebrity sightings but the scenery. Polihua and Kaiolohia (also known as Shipwreck) beaches offer a taste of isolation. Kanepuu Preserve, a protected dry-land forest, is home to rare plant specimens endemic to Hawaii.
Pro tip: It may not be on the beach, but the mountaintop Sensei Lanai, a Four Seasons Resort is an idyllic spot to recharge with daily exercise classes, meditations, massage treatments, and a Nobu restaurant.
Getting there: There are no direct flights to Lanai from the continental US; you’ll have to fly to Honolulu International Airport (HNL) or Kahului Airport (OGG) in Maui, where you can take a local airline to Lanai Airport (LNY).
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5. Nantucket, Massachusetts
Travelers return to this quintessential summer getaway every year to walk among the narrow rows of wood-paneled houses and bike out to the lighthouses that ring the island. Although crescent-shaped Nantucket may be small, it has a mix of terrains, from sand dunes and salt marshes to craggy bluffs, making it nearly impossible to take a bad photograph on the island.
Pro tip: If you’re in Nantucket, you’re eating seafood. For a good old-fashioned clam bake, head to Sayle’s Seafood, where $46 will get you piles of lobster, oysters, mussels, clam chowder, corn, and potatoes.
Getting there: Nantucket is easily accessible via plane from most airports in the Northeast. But we’re fans of the relaxed ferry rides from Cape Cod (one hour) and New York (six hours), where you can enjoy the coastal scenery.
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4. Oahu, Hawaii
Oahu is the most-visited of Hawaii’s islands—it has Honolulu, Waikiki Beach, and the North Shore, with its world-renowned surf breaks and garlic-shrimp vendors, to thank for that. Many of the tourist-heavy attractions are actually worth visiting, like Pearl Harbor and Doris Duke’s Shangri La, but you can dodge the crowds if you know where to look. The North Shore is usually your best bet, with places like Mokulei Beach Park offering excellent snorkeling, whale watching, and calm waters—and few other visitors.
Pro tip: You’d be missing out if you didn't head for a meal in Honolulu’s red-hot Chinatown. Stop by Wing for some shave ice, Char Hung Sut Restaurant for pork buns, and Livestock Tavern for the perfect bacon cheeseburger.
Getting there: Hawaii’s main airport in Honolulu is easily reachable from many US cities.
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3. Maui, Hawaii
Hawaii’s second-largest island is known for its volcanic beaches, oceanfront resorts, and the towering Mount Haleakala, a traveler favorite to scale for sunrise. It’s the place to be for snorkelers, hikers, and food lovers alike. It also happens to be a great place to travel with kids, with tons of family-friendly resorts and activities for all ages: Think ziplines, turtle-spotting canoe tours, luaus, and even a pretty awesome goat farm.
Pro tip: To catch as much of Maui’s natural beauty as possible, drive the Road to Hana, a 52-mile scenic route featuring dramatic waterfalls that includes the spectacular Seven Sacred Pools.
Getting there: Many mainland airlines offer direct routes to Maui from airports on the West Coast. Otherwise, it’s about a 40-minute flight to the island from Honolulu International Airport (HNL).
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2. Kiawah Island, South Carolina
Kiawah Island is seemingly custom-made for escaping the drudgery of the work week. Bring the family to the barrier island for a weekend at the luxe oceanfront Sanctuary Hotel at Kiawah Island, rated by our readers as one of the top resorts in the South, for some friendly rivalry on the golf course and tennis court (and plenty of water time in the many pools).
Pro tip: Kiawah Beachwalker Park at the southwest tip of the island is a rare public beach on Kiawah, and one of the best beaches near Charleston—enjoy sand as soft as talcum powder for only a $5 to $10 fee, in season.
Getting there: It’s about an hour’s drive from Charleston International Airport (CHS) over a causeway from the mainland.
This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date.
Caitlin Morton has been writing about travel for a decade, with bylines in Vogue, Travel + Leisure, AFAR, TripSavvy, Real Simple, and more. She enjoys baked goods, Ireland, orange nail polish, and horror movies. One time she held the door open for Ian McKellen, which is as close to fame ... Read More