Growing tired of the cold and dreary days? Pack your bags – it’s time for a warm escape to lush mountaintops, bioluminescent bays and dreamy deserts. From the turquoise waters of Dry Tortugas National Park to the seaside villages of the Golden Isles, check out these eight incredible spots to chase away those winter blues!
Dry Tortugas National Park (Florida)
At Dry Tortugas National Park, you’ll snorkel vibrant coral reefs, descend to ancient shipwrecks and explore Fort Jefferson – the largest all-masonry fort in the United States! Comprised of seven islands and surrounding waters, the park is ripe for adventure (and only accessible by boat or plane). Charter a seaplane for a bird’s eye view of the islands and fort, or stay overnight on a camping trip at Garden Key!
Golden Isles (Georgia)
There’s no better spot for a postcard-worthy sunset than Georgia’s Golden Isles – four barrier islands located just south of Savannah, Georgia. From the expansive marshlands on Little St. Simons Island to the fairytale-like Driftwood Beach on Jekyll Island, the views on these isles are worth making the trip for. Enjoy paddleboarding on St. Simons Island, or experience the red carpet treatment at the luxury resort on Sea Island.
Mount Lamlam (Guam)
Rising more than 37,000 feet from the depths of the Marianas Trench, Mount Lamlam in Guam is technically the tallest mountain in the world–but most of it is underwater! Take a one-hour hike to the summit for a 360-degree island view. You’ll see the lush rolling green hills, verdant jungles, sandy shorelines and a shrine to the Virgin Mary.
Point Udall (St. Croix, USVI)
A gorgeous sunrise awaits at Point Udall, home to the Millenium Monument – a giant stone sundial built to commemorate the first sunrise in 2000. Take a quiet early morning hike from the monument to the shores of Isaac Bay Beach, or hike up to Goat Hill for an even more spectacular view of the island!
Ofu Beach (American Samoa)
It’s all about the tropical beach vibes at Ofu Beach. A secluded oasis in American Samoa, this beach is as remote as they come – no restaurants, surf shops, or cabanas in sight. Just off the coast, a shallow coral reef is home to more than 300 species of tropical fish and diverse corals. Bring your snorkeling gear and hang out with the sea life, or lay on the beach with a towering mountain range as your backdrop.
Mosquito Bay (Puerto Rico)
Imagine gliding over a bioluminescent bay in a glass-bottomed kayak, admiring the billions of microscopic organisms that give Puerto Rico’s Mosquito Bay its signature blue-green shimmer. During the day, get your fun in the sun at Vieques’s photogenic Caracas Beach, then head back to Mosquito Bay for an after-dark tour of the glowing cove under the stars.
Joshua Tree National Park (California)
An hour outside Palm Springs, California’s Joshua Tree National Park sits where the Mojave and Colorado Deserts meet, creating a dry, jagged landscape full of surreal rock formations, towering cacti and unbelievable wildlife. Camp among the ironwood trees and watch for mule deer, bighorn sheep, jackrabbits and road runners! At night, the sky becomes a starry canvas, thanks to the lack of light pollution.
Punalu’u Beach (Hawaii)
The onyx sands of Hawaii’s Punalu’u Beach create an ethereal vibe that has to be seen to be believed. Created thousands of years ago by hot magma flows, this beach is one of the most popular on the Big Island! Enjoy a swim in the clear waters. Keep an eye out for green sea turtles and finish the day with a macadamia-tasting experience at the nearby Ailani Orchards.
