• Introduction
• 1. Islands with Natural Beauty
• 2. Island Beach Retreats
• 3. Grand Island Hotels
• 4. Historic Islands
• 5. Mediterranean Islands

Island Beach Retreats

Blessed by pristine beaches, these islands require little more than a swimsuit, a towel, and some shades for full enjoyment.

CUMBERLAND ISLAND, GEORGIA
This protected National Seashore has been an in-demand getaway since the late 19th century, when the Carnegies used it as a family retreat. In the 1970s, the civic-minded family fought to protect the powder-smooth sand from high-rise developments, making it possible for beachcombers to enjoy the wild horses, armadillos, and sea turtles that call the island home. These days, the National Park Service limits the number of day visitors and campers, but if you stay at the luxurious Greyfield Inn (from $395/night; greyfieldinn.com)—built in 1900 by the Carnegies—you’ll get unlimited access to a 1,000-foot-wide band of sand that stretches for miles. Getting There: Take the ferry from St. Marys, Ga. (reservations at nps.gov/cuis), or, if staying at the Greyfield, arrive via water taxi from neighboring Amelia Island.

MARTHA'S VINEYARD, MASSACHUSETTS

Long a haven for the Northeast’s creative elite, from Walter Cronkite to Carly Simon, the unique blend of rustic-cosmopolitanism here more recently attracted the likes of the Clintons, who upped the island’s renown when they visited during Bill’s presidency. The island’s high-profile fans are attracted to the stunning beaches and charming villages, but anyone can enjoy the uniquely New England brand of glamour. The Winnetu Oceanside Resort (from $230/night; winnetu.com), with its beachside cottages and kid-friendly activities, is perfect for families. Getting There: Take a ferry from Woods Hole or Hyannis, Mass.; Falmouth, Maine; New Bedford, Conn.; or North Kingstown, R.I., or fly from major New England cities.

GRAND MANAN, NEW BRUNSWICK

The Bay of Fundy, which separates Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, creates tides that rise and fall as much as 55 feet twice a day around Grand Manan, resulting in a shoreline that’s rarely the same from one hour to the next. Bring a chair, a camera, and patience to Deep Cove Beach, where the seawater will inch up your ankles, only to recede again, revealing tidal pools. Offshore, finback whales swim and farmers harvest dulse (a prized, edible seaweed). Author Willa Cather spent many summers in Whale Cove, and The Inn at Whale Cove (from $120/night; holidayjunction.com/whalecove) still maintains the cottage where she stayed. Getting There: Take the ferry from Blacks Harbour, New Brunswick.

AMELIA ISLAND, FLORIDA

Eight national flags have flown over Amelia Island since the 16th century, but the prize has always been the same: immaculate beaches spotted with starfish, nesting turtles, and migrating birds. The soft, white sand that covers its 13 miles of shoreline is separated from the main village of Fernandina Beach by 40-foot sand dunes. For the full flavor of the pristine landscape, stay at the Amelia Island Plantation (from $179/night; aipfl.com), a 1,350-acre resort eco-sensitively built around the island’s signature live oak groves, tidal marshes, and sand dunes. Getting There: Drive 30 miles north of Jacksonville, Fla., and cross a short bridge onto the island.

See St. Barts Travel Guide