Last Updated on July 30, 2025
The late beloved singer-songwriter and barefoot in the sand aficionado Jimmy Buffet once said, “If there’s a heaven for me, I’m sure it has a beach attached to it.”
Everyone has their own idea of paradise, be it the Rocky Mountains, life in the desert, or a shimmering lake destination. For me, it’s all about the beach, the islands and the sea.
Though there are plenty of places providing that utopic, nirvana experience, it’s always good to know that right here in the US, we have many of our own Shangri-Las. The good news is that American citizens don’t need a passport to get there. Here are some of my favorites.
Kauai, Hawaii
I love the Hawaiian Islands, each with its own landscapes, culture and spectacles. But my favorite is Kauai. Known for its unique geography and unparalleled natural beauty, Kauai is one of the most breathtaking islands in the world. 97 percent of its land is covered with verdant, undeveloped mountain ranges and lush, tropical rainforests.
From the soaring cliffs of the Na Pali coast and its many velvety emerald peaks to the vast chasms of Waimea Canyon and the hundreds of rainbows and waterfalls, Kauai dazzles the senses like no other destination on the planet. It’s an outdoor lover’s paradise filled with a myriad of enchanted surprises.
Santa Catalina Island
Located just 22 miles from the mainland of Southern California, Catalina Island has a magnetic appeal. This captivating place feels a world away from a much busier everyday life. Covering only 76 square miles, the island is accessible only by boat, plane or helicopter.
A surprising 88 percent of the island remains uninhabited, set aside as a nature conservancy to protect its rugged coastline, hidden coves, unspoiled beaches, crystalline waters, rare plants, endangered species, and threatened habitats.
Cars are scarce on the island so walking, biking or golf carts are the principal forms of transportation. Charming streets veering off the central square are filled with a myriad of fascinating island boutiques and you won’t find a stop light or a business chain anywhere in this Mediterranean-like nirvana.
The Florida Keys
The Florida Keys are home to the only barrier coral reef in North America and the third largest in the world. Stretching over 129 miles from Key Largo to Key West, the Keys crystal-clear multi-hued waters, warm trade winds and laid-back island culture make for an tropical island escape without ever having to leave the U.S.
World-class snorkeling and diving at sites like Molasses Reef, Looe Key and John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park only add to the nirvana-feel of the Keys. Open air tiki huts, hammocks, rum drinks, colorful houses, artsy historic towns and island music create a borderless, bohemian atmosphere. Life is lived outside, barefoot, and on “island time.”
U.S. Virgin Islands
Three islands make up this gorgeous destination: St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix. Most travelers fly into St. Thomas, making it a base of operation for enjoying the other parts of the archipelago though each island has its own magic.
St. John, the smallest of the three islands’ is one of the greatest places found anywhere in the Caribbean. Spellbound and moved by the island chain’s incredible beauty, Laurance Rockefeller, venture capitalist, financier, philanthropist, and conservationist purchased, then donated 60 percent of St. John to the United States’ National Park Service.
In 1962, Congress expanded the boundary of Virgin Islands National Park to include 5,650 acres of submerged lands to protect and preserve the stunning coral gardens, seascapes and sleepy lagoons. The beaches throughout the islands are beyond stunning, especially those found on St. John and snorkeling and diving are unforgettable experiences.
Puerto Rico
Renowned for its Caribbean charm, Puerto Rico features awe-inspiring beaches, lush rainforests, a vibrant Latin American island culture and incredible mouthwatering cuisine.
Puerto Rico is the largest of the US territories offering a diversity of experiences that include the distant islands of Vieques and Culebra, surfing in Rincon, and historic lighthouses near Cabo Rojo. Visitors can paddle over three bioluminescent bays in three different and distinct Puerto Rican locations. Diving, snorkeling, ziplining, hiking and river tubing are popular outdoor adventures.
Northern Mariana Islands
This group of 14 islands in the western Pacific are a U.S. commonwealth offering a fascinating blend of tropical beauty, WWII history and Chamorro-Carolinian culture. While lesser known than Hawaii or Guam, the island’s charm is its unspoiled, uncrowded, quieter and less commercial feel than most US tropical destinations. The islands sport white sand beaches, turquoise lagoons, lush jungle interiors, pristine dive sites with coral reefs, WWII shipwrecks, and underwater caves. Visitors can snorkel and dive with sea turtles and reef sharks, and hike through volcanic landscapes and rainforests trails.
American Samoa
Five remote volcanic islands and two coral atolls make up the natural beauty of American Samoa in the South Pacific, situated between Fiji and the Cook Islands. This is the only U.S. territory south of the equator.
It’s a place where volcanic mountains meet tourmaline reefs and the traditional Polynesian life here is still celebrated with pride. American Samoa is referred to as the “last true Polynesia.”
Dramatic landscapes, rainforests, steep cliffs and secluded beaches are all part of American Samoa’s allure. With little to no crowds, the island is one of the least visited U.S. national parks where snorkeling, diving, hiking and untouched wilderness abound.
Villages are led by matai (chiefs) and governed by communal customs. This is where visitors can enjoy authentic Polynesian hospitality, not a tourist performance. It’s a place that’s hard to reach, but so worth the trip.
