10 best tropical destinations within the United States

By TravelWiseJan 15, 2024 16:50 PMNews
Share:
10 best tropical destinations within the United States
Florida, USA. Source: Pinterest

You don't have to fly to the Maldives or Bali to soak up the sun on the beach in the tropics. You can have a tropical vacation in America as well. Although the continental United States is too far north to be considered tropical, you can find destinations with good weather and beautiful beaches.

Travel + Leisure magazine has identified 16 regions of the United States where you can have a tropical-style vacation. However, TravelWise tells you about the top ten.

Key West, Florida

Florida's coastline, which is just over two thousand kilometers long, is an ideal place to relax. And Key West is a small "Caribbean" island, as the locals call it. There is always a large flow of tourists here because this is the only place where the temperature never drops below zero. If you want to spend your entire vacation on the beach, then this is where the longest famous beach, Smathers, is located. It is equipped with all the amenities for visitors: parking, toilets, shopping tents, and you can also rent chairs and sunbeds. We can assure you that this is a paradise among palm trees with the taste of lime and the smell of cigars.

10 best tropical destinations within the United States
Key West, Florida. Source: Wikipedia

Kauai, Hawaii

Pack your swimsuit, mask, and snorkel, and let's go to Hawaii! Here you will find a rich program: cultural attractions, spas, diving, surfing, stage shows, and that's not the whole list! In addition, there is also incredible nature here: black-tite lagoons, hickories, waterfalls, and rainforests. So don't hesitate and go in search of new experiences!

10 best tropical destinations within the United States
Kauai, Hawaii. Source: Wikipedia

Amelia Island, Florida

The island is located in the far northeast of Florida. It is home to two international resorts: Amelia Island Plantation and the Ritz-Carlton Hotel. Various animals can be seen on the island's coast: sea turtles lay their eggs, and dolphins, manatees, and sometimes northern fur seals, which are on the verge of extinction, can be found off the coast of Amelia.

10 best tropical destinations within the United States
Amelia Island, Florida. Source: Wikipedia

Santa Cruz, Virgin Islands

The sandy archipelago in the Caribbean Sea consists of three islands, and Santa Cruz, the largest, attracts those who want to take a break and relax from their responsibilities. This does not mean that the island's colorful towns do not have a variety of historical sites, gourmet restaurants, and shops. St. Croix is filled with colorful reefs, white beaches, and hidden coves just waiting to be discovered. Take a walk on the beach and forget about the worries of everyday life.

10 best tropical destinations within the United States
St. Croix, Virgin Islands. Source: Wikipedia

Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama

These are small resort towns in the southeastern United States. They have a humid subtropical climate with long, hot summers and mild, temperate winters. Although the cities are small, you will not be short of things to do. Here you can relax on the beach or in nature, go ocean fishing, dolphin watching, or water sports. There is also a golf course, a water park, and the Gulf Coast Zoo.

10 best tropical destinations within the United States
Gulf Shores, Alabama. Source: Wikipedia

Maui, Hawaii

Travel the scenic road to Hana on the Hawaiian island of Maui for black sand beaches, rustic farms, and chic resorts. Or, if sightseeing on foot rather than behind the wheel is more your style, take a self-guided island walk to discover misty waterfalls and bright rainbows above. This tropical place is known for its golden stripes of shore and rocks that shimmer with all shades of green.

10 best tropical destinations within the United States
Maui, Hawaii. Source: Wikipedia

Dauphin Island, Alabama

The city is also called a "bird sanctuary," and thousands of tourists come here every year to see their annual migrations. It has white sand beaches, golf courses, and amusement parks. All this makes Dauphin an attractive vacation resort. Here you can rent a hotel room, apartment, resort, or private apartment. You can go fishing from the pier or rent a charter boat in the Gulf of Mexico.

10 best tropical destinations within the United States
Dauphin Island. Source: Wikipedia

South Padre Island, Texas

This is an oasis where you can escape and hide from problems. White sand beaches, clear, warm water, sunny weather, and plenty of things to do. Isn't it a paradise! Fishing, boating, visiting the bird-watching center, nature center, and alligator sanctuary are just a few ways to enjoy the island.

10 best tropical destinations within the United States
South Padre Island, Texas. Source: Wikipedia

Santa Catalina, California

It has hot weather, but incredible nature, mountains, beaches, and luxury resorts and hotels. Snorkeling, kayaking, fishing, diving, boating, mountain biking, zip-lining, and hiking are just a few of the activities that will help you have fun on the island.

10 best tropical destinations within the United States
Santa Catalina, California. Source: Wikipedia

Oahu, Hawaii

This is an earthly paradise in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Beach vacations are not so popular here. Instead, kitesurfing and hiking are the most popular activities. There is also a large selection of accommodation. Most of them are located in the capital Honolulu.

10 best tropical destinations within the United States
Oahu, Hawaii. Source: Wikipedia
Top Articles
Top 10 reasons for flight cancelation by airlines: a clear algorithm of actions to get compensation

Top 10 reasons for flight cancelation by airlines: a clear algorithm of actions to get compensation

Oct 16, 2025 16:22 PM
Smartphone with eSIM logo surrounded by travel essentials like flowers, map, camera, and sunglasses

Where to Buy eSIM at the Best Price: A Full Review of Tariffs and Options

Aug 8, 2025 10:54 AM

Internet on a Cruise: How to Avoid Huge Bills for Connectivity

Aug 6, 2025 09:14 AM

No More SIM Swaps: The eSIM Travel Solution You’ll Actually Use

Aug 4, 2025 16:51 PM
More News
Emirates aircraft operating scheduled January flights

Emirates Urges Early Airport Arrival Ahead of January Travel Surge

Dec 31, 2025 23:36 PM
unsplash

Lapland Airports Prepare for Gradual Rollout of EU Entry/Exit System

Dec 31, 2025 23:16 PM

Weather Warnings Trigger Free Flight Changes Across UK and Ireland

Dec 31, 2025 22:17 PM

Holiday Journeys Complicated by Severe Snow in Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship

Dec 31, 2025 21:37 PM
Passenger sitting inside a train looking out at a forested landscape.

Europe’s Rail Network Adds Five New Routes in 2026

Dec 31, 2025 21:07 PM
Neon sale sign displayed in a shop window

Great British Rail Sale Returns with Millions of Discounted Fares in Early 2026

Dec 31, 2025 20:38 PM
Ryanair aircraft operating a European route

Ryanair Lists Five Cities Seeing Strong Demand for Travel in 2026

Dec 31, 2025 20:05 PM
Electronic cigarette with built-in battery

Asiana Airlines to Dispose of Fire-Risk Items Found During Travel from 2026

Dec 31, 2025 09:36 AM
China Eastern aircraft departing from an airport

China Eastern to Close Fuzhou Ticket Office as Sales Shift Online

Dec 31, 2025 08:12 AM

The Farm at San Benito Joins Autograph Collection as Brand Enters the Philippines

Dec 31, 2025 05:36 AM

China Eastern Expands Free Inflight Wi-Fi Across Domestic Widebody Fleet

Dec 31, 2025 03:09 AM
Riga city skyline along the Daugava River

Air India Connects the Baltics with Its European Network via airBaltic

Dec 31, 2025 00:35 AM
Eurostar train affected by Channel Tunnel disruption

New Year Travel Disruption Spreads Across UK and Europe

Dec 30, 2025 22:45 PM
Passengers boarding a Ryanair aircraft at a regional airport.

Ryanair Tops One Million Passengers at Münster/Osnabrück Airport

Dec 30, 2025 08:37 AM
Hawaiian Airlines aircraft in flight.

Hawaiian Airlines Passengers See TSA PreCheck Disappear During Peak Holiday Travel

Dec 30, 2025 06:36 AM

Loganair Launches Winter Fare Sale for Early 2026 UK Travel

Dec 30, 2025 04:37 AM

Stockholm Arlanda Opens Free Parking for Dogs on New Year’s Eve

Dec 30, 2025 03:17 AM
Nha Trang Beach and Tran Phu Street coastline.

Hyatt Opens First Branded Hotel in Nha Trang on Vietnam’s South-Central Coast

Dec 30, 2025 01:30 AM
Passengers boarding a Ryanair aircraft at the airport.

Ryanair Tenerife Flight Turns Back After Turbulence Injures Passengers

Dec 29, 2025 23:55 PM
Lava and ash erupting from Mount Etna at night.

Mount Etna Eruption Raises Aviation Alert Without Halting Flights

Dec 29, 2025 03:10 AM
Interior of a luxury train suite in Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia’s First Luxury Train Sets Course for 2026

Dec 29, 2025 01:08 AM
Riverside footpath running beside a calm tree-lined section of the river on a bright day

First National River Walk Brings Clearer Access to Nature Near Manchester

Dec 28, 2025 00:39 AM

Winter Storm Brings Ground Delays After Two Aircraft Get Stuck in Snow at Kittilä Airport

Dec 27, 2025 23:55 PM

American Airlines Rethinks Dallas–Fort Worth Hub with Major Schedule Overhaul

Dec 27, 2025 22:42 PM
Crowded beach in Hawaii with visitors relaxing near the ocean on a sunny day

Visitor Costs Rise Again as Hawaii Approves Green Fee Rollout

Dec 27, 2025 22:38 PM
Hotel room with large windows overlooking Manila at sunset

AC Hotels Makes Manila Debut, Adding Choice for City Stays

Dec 26, 2025 23:25 PM