While summer is typically the most popular time to embark on an island vacation, spring is just as ideal — the weather is moderate; crowds are smaller; and, for those who live in a part of the world where the icy grip of winter holds firm until March or April, it’s the perfect time to escape. Still, summer vacation is always a popular time to hit the sandy shores of islands near and far.
Here, our picks for the best spring and summer island getaways. As always, check for travel guidelines and closures before planning your trip.
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Hilton Head, an island just off the coast of South Carolina known for its combination of Southern charm and laid-back beach vibes, offers a quick and affordable escape for U.S. travelers. Hilton Head enjoys some of the warmest waters along the east coast, and endless sunshine — ideal for enjoying outdoor activities like biking among the Spanish moss-draped oak trees or exploring the Harbour Town Lighthouse and Marina.
Try and plan your trip around two of Hilton Head’s most popular events: the Hilton Head Island Wine & Food Festival showcases the best of Lowcountry cuisine against a backdrop of global wine partnerships while the RBC Heritage Tournament is South Carolina’s only PGA Tour event.
Malta
Malta, a historic Mediterranean paradise roughly 100 miles south of Sicily, is known for its beautiful beaches and hopping nightlife, but even non-club-goers will find plenty to do.
The MUZA is a national community art museum developed on a historical site in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed capital city of Valletta, where you’ll also find the Megalithic Temples of Malta and the underground prehistoric burial site known as Hal Saflieni Hypogeum.
Malta’s restaurant menus reflect its Mediterranean roots, and, of course, wine is always on order. The island is home to several vineyards open for tours including the award-winning Emmanuel Delicata.
In spring (typically late April), visitors can also experience the Malta International Fireworks Festival in between popular local pastimes like diving, windsurfing, and sailing sessions.
Islamorada, Florida Keys
The Florida Keys have long been the playground of discerning Americans in search of a gorgeous island getaway close to home. While most travelers flock to Key Largo or Key West, centrally located Islamorada remains an under-the-radar swath of paradise just waiting to be explored — no passport required.
Just a 90-minute drive from the Miami International Airport puts you in the sport fishing capital of the world, a utopia of six smaller islands bound by the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Gulf of Mexico on the other. The Islamorada Seafood Festival & Art Show showcases the island’s top restaurants, while the Annual Island Fest features local art, live music, and even more food.
The best part? Visiting during the summer means you’ll leave rowdy spring breakers behind on the mainland.
Madeira, Portugal
More and more cruise lines are stopping at this semi-tropical Portuguese island off the northwest coast of Africa, but that doesn’t mean Madeira doesn’t merit its own trip.
With six distinct climate zones across the island, there are plenty of options to suit any type of traveler, whether you want to explore mountainous regions (like the ancient Laurissilva Forest) or walk along the sunny south coast where bananas, grapes, and sugarcane grow in quaint fishing towns. For extra fun, check out the Carnival of Madeira or the beautiful Flower Festival.
If you’re looking to extend your trip, plan to spend some time in nearby Porto Santo, whose golden, magnetized sand is known for its healing properties. Not surprisingly, local spas have begun incorporating it into their treatments.
Okinawa, Japan
While best known as one of the world’s blue zones — that is, regions where people are especially healthy and live longer than global averages — Okinawa is also a tropical paradise well off the beaten path.
The 150 islands that make up the prefecture (Okinawa roughly translates to “rope in the open sea”) feature scores of coral reefs perfect for snorkelers and scuba divers, while ancient sites like the Shuri Castle in Naha are sure to please history lovers.
Depending on when you travel, you can also take in the Ryukyu Kaiensai Fireworks Festival that celebrates Okinawan music and culture, as well as the Iejima Lily Festival on nearby Iejima Island, which showcases lilies from around the world.
St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
St. Croix overflows with tourists during the holidays, but spring and summer offer a respite from the crowds, which means easier-to-snag restaurant reservations, lower room rates, and affordable airfare for winter-weary travelers.
St. Croix’s culinary scene is always top-notch, and the St. Croix Food & Wine Experience is the ideal way to get a true taste of paradise.
For a more unique travel experience, visit the historic town of Christiansted, where founding father Alexander Hamilton grew up. The Crucian Heritage and Nature Tourism organization offers a walking tour of Hamilton-specific landmarks, including his childhood home and his mother’s dry goods store, for true history buffs.
Ischia, Italy
Thanks to the book “My Brilliant Friend” (the first installment of Elena Ferrante’s Neapolitan Novels) and the HBO series it spawned, a new generation was enamored with Ischia — the Italian island once frequented by celebs during the 1950s.
Known as the sister island to Capri, Ischia is decidedly more reserved, though it lacks nothing in Italian chic. Spring is the best time to soak up the island’s near-perfect temperatures and avoid crowds, when its healing waters — via thermal parks and hot springs — and the lush Mortella Gardens reopen for the season.
Zanzibar
After you have looked for the Big 5 in the Tanzania bush, head to the white-sand beaches of Zanzibar to search for life under the sea. With some of the most diverse reefs in the world, the Zanzibar Archipelago is a scuba diver’s paradise.
Unguja Island, the largest island and the most developed, is colloquially referred to as Zanzibar and draws in most of the tourists. But Zanzibar’s neighboring Mafia Island is a diver’s dream, a quieter escape with unspoiled beaches and some of the richest and most diverse reefs in the world.
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