Island Vacations You Don't Need A Passport For

One great option to escape the pressures of life is to lounge on an island like your favorite celebrity, and there may be more island destination options than you realized. Sure, there are destinations worth visiting in a lifetime, but some of those trips are international destinations that will take time and budgeting to conquer. 

But just because you don't have a passport doesn't mean you can't take a leap and embark on an adventure. Here are some island locations you can visit without a passport.

There are over 13 miles of beaches to soak up the sun on Amelia Island, an enchanting destination located off the coast of northeast Florida. Take in spectacular sunsets and sunrises over pristine waters. Temperatures in September — the best time to vacation if you're hoping to go kayaking or enjoy water sports — average about 85 degrees.

Guam is a U.S. territory that U.S. citizens can freely traverse without the headache of acquiring a passport. It's known for its tropical beaches, and adventure seekers can spend their time diving into the deepest point of the ocean at The Challenger Deep, or Jet Skiing on the Philippine Sea waves.

Located 22 miles southwest of Los Angeles is Catalina Island, a place West Coasters know and love and others must visit in their lifetime. Here, visitors can embark on an ocean expedition, try their hand at fishing or go scuba diving with aquatic creatures. No passport needed.

If you're a U.S. citizen, you won't need a passport to enter Isabela, Puerto Rico, where temperatures average a warm 84.7 degrees. Although Isabela is known as the "Garden of the Northwest," it has three beaches that merit a visit. And if you're hoping to perfect your surfing skills, Jobos Beach on the northwest coast has been recognized as an ideal surfing beach.

There's no island quite like Hawaii. Jaw-dropping views, warm temperatures and the calm of beautiful beaches all combine for a relaxing vacation. And Kauai, Hawaii's fourth-largest island, is a tropical dreamscape. If you're vacationing in Kauai, be sure to make a detour to Manawaiopuna Falls in Hanapepe Valley. It's one of many movie locations you can actually visit.

If you're a fan of water sports or you're just hoping to soak in the sun for a while, one of the best places to vacation is Key West, Florida. Activities on the island range from boating to kayaking to snorkeling with dolphins.

If you're a U.S. citizen, you won't need a passport to visit this stunning Hawaiian island. The best time to visit Maui if you're searching for small crowds and perfect weather is during either fall or spring. But if you plan to become a surfing pro, winter is the time to go.

Located approximately five hours north of Boston, Mount Desert Island in Maine is a destination that has been touted as one of the most beautiful spots in New England. Most of the island is home to Acadia National Park, where travelers can go biking or climbing, but islanders can still have fun in the water and go kayaking or canoeing.

About three hours northwest of Seattle, away from the hustle and bustle of the much-frequented Pikes Place and Space Needle, Orcas Island, often referred to as "the gem of the San Juans," combines the joys of outdoor activities — like hiking, nature watching and horseback riding — with fun in the water — like whale-watching, kayaking and fishing.

Orcas is just one of the islands off the coast of Washington. Not to be confused with the capital of Puerto Rico, the San Juan Islands are the perfect place for travelers who want to blend traditional water activities like kayaking and paddleboarding, with ventures that can be accomplished in the Pacific Northwest, like visiting a herd of alpacas on the island. If you're a U.S. citizen, no passport is needed to escape to these islands.

Palomino Island is a private, luxurious getaway located in Puerto Rico. Visitors can spend their time relaxing under palm trees and snorkeling in gorgeous, clear waters all without a passport. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, American tourists traveling directly between parts of the U.S. and U.S. territories, such as Puerto Rico, won't need a passport to enter and exit. However, proof of identification, such as a government-issued ID or a birth certificate, is recommended.

Located not too far from Hawaii, Saipan is the largest of the Northern Mariana Islands. Relax on the shores of Micro Beach, a beautiful family beach, or engage your wild side and try cliff diving. And there's no bad time to visit Saipan: this destination is known for its sunny and warm days year-round. The Northern Mariana Islands are another U.S. territory that can be accessed by U.S. citizens without a passport, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

If you're searching for a warm-weather winter destination worth the visit, look no further than South Padre Island in Texas. Advertised as the only tropical island paradise in Texas, visitors who step foot on South Padre Island will have access to miles and miles of beautiful white sand beaches and 300 days of sunshine. You can even have a memorable experience with the entire family and take sandcastle lessons to create an enchanting castle of your own.

If you're a U.S. citizen, there's no passport required to relax on St. Croix's unbelievably beautiful beaches while pristine, blue water floats over your toes. Just carry your state-issued ID with you as a form of identification. The weather is warm and sunny year-round, with average temperatures in the summer around 82 degrees Fahrenheit and winter temps around 77 degrees. St. Croix is especially worth the visit for romantic adventure seekers and history lovers alike hoping to learn the complex nature of how Spain, Great Britain, the Netherlands, France, the United States and more all contributed to the shaping of the island.

If you're a U.S. citizen, no passport is required to enter the island of St. John — just a license for fun. This Carribean island is home to Trunk Bay, a renowned beach famous for its crystal sands, blue waters and underwater trails.

History buffs, look no further than St. Simons Island in Georgia for your next vacation. This island has numerous historic attractions, like the Bloody Marsh Battle Site where British and Scottish soldiers defeated Spanish forces in July 1742, and the Cannon's Point Preserve with middens on site that date back to 2500 B.C. And when you need to take a break from the history lessons, pay a visit to East Beach, where you can enjoy beach activities like shelling and kiteboarding.

St. Thomas is a Carribean paradise within the U.S. Virgin Islands. The island has been described as a place that "pulses with energy" thanks to its picturesque beaches, lively nightlife scene and a sky ride that takes you 700 feet above the city.

The 76 square miles of the territory of American Samoa is comprised of five volcanic islands and two atolls that can all be accessed without a passport if you are a U.S. citizen. Tutuila, the largest of the five American Samoa islands, offers the most breathtaking views.

Vieques, a Carribean Island on the eastern coast of Puerto Rico, is home to Mosquito Bay, the brightest bioluminescent bay in the world. When organisms called Pyrodinium bahamense come into contact with another organism, they produce a bright burst of blue light that can be seen across the waters. This passport-free adventure in Vieques is right up there with the world's strangest natural wonders. 

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