5 of the Safest Tropical Destinations Americans Can Fly to Without a Passport

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Standing in a huge, slow-moving customs line while clutching a sweaty passport is a terrible way to start a beach vacation. When the summer heat hits and you just want to sink your toes in the sand, dealing with international borders, visa forms and long flights can completely ruin the atmosphere.

The good news? You don’t need a passport or international ticket to find a completely safe, off-the-grid island escape.

If you want the crystal clear waters and slow island pace without the headache of border control, you just need to know where to look. By getting flight details and swapping stories with other travelers, we tracked down 5 of the absolute safest tropical spots in our own backyard.

Grab your driver’s license, pack a bag and check out these 5 incredible destinations.

1. St. John, US Virgin Islands

To get here you have to hop on a plane to the Caribbean, but you never actually leave US territory. The backpackers and sailing crews we talk to consistently rave about the intense, quiet energy of St. John.

• The atmosphere: More than 60% of the island is a highly protected national park. There isn’t even an airport on the island; you have to take the ferry from St. Thomas. That extra boat ride acts as the perfect filter to keep the loud, heavy tourist crowds away.
• The ground experience: As soon as you step off the ferry, the noise of the world just stops. Instead of gigantic concrete hotels, you’ll find rugged unpaved hiking trails that cut through thick, green hills. You can walk down to the water, smell the heavy salt in the air, and have a huge stretch of white sand all to yourself.

2. Sanibel Island, Florida

Located right on the warm Gulf Coast, this island is an absolute magnet for people who just want to unplug and stare at the water. It has a strong focus on protecting nature and keeping life incredibly simple.

• The atmosphere: You won’t find flashing neon signs or loud, thumping nightclubs here. It is extremely safe, very walkable and moves at a snail’s pace.
• The ground experience: Nomads who spend time there swear that the best way to get around is to rent a rusty beach cruiser. You cycle on flat sandy paths while the warm wind blows in your face. The biggest activity of the day is the “Sanibel Stoop”: hours of bending in the shallow, warm surf to dig up perfect, unbroken shells. It’s the kind of place where you rinse the sand off your feet with a garden hose and go to bed happy.

3. Kiawah Island, South Carolina

Driving up the coast from Charleston will take you to this enormous, highly protected barrier island. It feels incredibly safe and completely disconnected from the real world as it is far away from the busy highways.

• The atmosphere: The environment here feels wild but completely safe. Huge, centuries-old oak trees covered in gray Spanish moss hang right above the roads, creating dark, cool tunnels for you to drive through.
• The ground experience: Road trippers love the beaches here because the sand is hard. That means you can cycle for miles on the edge of the crashing waves. You can feel the sea breeze and watch dolphins swimming in the surf all afternoon without having to worry about looking over your shoulder.

4. Marco Island, Florida

Marco Island is right on the edge of the wild, muddy Everglades. It offers a crazy mix of completely clean, very safe streets and raw, untouched nature.

• The atmosphere: Remote workers love setting up camp here because the crime rate is virtually zero. It is a wealthy, peaceful community surrounded by thousands of small mangrove islands.
• The ground experience: The boating public absolutely love this place. You can rent a small boat, pack a cooler and slowly weave through the thick, green mangrove trees. When you go to an empty sandbar to swim, the only sounds you hear are the seagulls and the water lapping against the side of the boat. It gives you the thrill of an explorer, but you can still grab a hot shower and a safe, great meal at the end of the day.

5. Coronado, California

Located across the bay from the busy streets of San Diego, Coronado is a sunny, easy-going island town. There is a strong naval presence nearby, keeping the entire area incredibly safe and orderly.

• The atmosphere: Solo travelers constantly talk about how safe they feel walking through this city. It has a classic, old-school California surf town energy mixed with upscale charm.
• The ground experience: When you drive over the gigantic, overwhelming bridge onto the island, the pace immediately drops. Locals cruise around on skateboards with surfboards under their arms. You can walk down Orange Avenue in the dark to grab an ice cream and feel completely safe. When you finally reach the beach, you’ll see real gold flakes glinting in the sand as the icy Pacific Ocean crashes onto the shore.