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Don’t have a valid passport? No need to pack away your flip-flops. We have tips on 10 sultry beach getaways that don’t require one for U.S. citizens. Think about it: Lazing in the sand in your private beach cabana, all-inclusive resorts where you don’t have to lift a finger, snorkeling and swimming in crystal blue waters. It’s all easier (and closer) than you think.
From a low-key barrier island in Florida to the dynamic San Juan, Puerto Rico, these no-passport destinations and activities will make you feel like summer goes on forever.
Though it feels worlds away, U.S. citizens don’t need a passport to visit Puerto Rico because it's a U.S. territory. And with 270 miles of coastline and nearly 300 beaches, there’s plenty to do to soak up the sun. From exploring secluded coves to snorkeling in crystal-blue waters as warm as bathwater, Puerto Rico is one of the most gorgeous places to visit for a beach vacation.
One of the best ways to get to know a place is through food, and Puerto Rico’s culinary scene is not only a magnet for epicureans, it offers a lens into the island’s cultural identity. Get a full taste with a Flavors of San Juan food tour to sample authentic Puerto Rican dishes, such as mofongo, the mashed green plantain that’s Puerto Rican comfort food at its finest.
A Hawaiian beach vacation is a dream for many, and as America’s 50th state, no passport is needed to make that dream a reality. On the Big Island’s Kohala Coast, stunning beaches are as plentiful as palm trees, with sparkling waterfalls dropped in for good measure.
The experienced guides at Hawaii Forest & Trail lead family-friendly tours that include off-road adventures, a gentle ramble through a private nature preserve, and a dip under a cascading waterfall.
On the southernmost tip of the Sea Islands chain off of Florida’s Atlantic coast, you can enjoy miles of pristine beaches and salt-marsh estuaries on Amelia Island.
Some places to explore include the pedestrian-friendly Fernandina Beach, which is punctuated with Victorian, Queen Anne, and Italianate homes, many on the National Register of Historic Places.
When you're ready to go beyond the Florida beaches, history buffs shouldn’t miss a visit to the immaculately preserved Civil War fort at Fort Clinch State Park, where you can learn the life of a Union soldier through exhibits and periodic re-enactments.
Leave your passport at home when you visit Sarasota, a coastal Florida haven where you can spend days in a bathing suit and nights enjoying world-class performances. With a sophisticated array of homegrown arts, from ballet to opera to live theater, there’s lots to do away from the sand. The John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art's collection is acclaimed for its 17th century Baroque canvases by Dutch painter Peter Paul Rubens and its courtyard filled with Greco-Roman statues.
For more modern visuals, the Sarasota Art Museum features boundary-pushing exhibits.
Located midway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, the Pismo Beach surf culture is the essence of “California Dreaming.” Of course, you don’t need a passport to enjoy the Golden State’s trifecta of sand, surf, and sunshine.
Even in winter the waves here are fine for surfing. The Central Coast Surf School provides instruction, boards, and wetsuits for the uninitiated.
For an immersion in Sunshine State charm before mass tourism, Anna Maria Island fits the bill, without a tall building or big-box shop in sight. This low-key barrier island sits along Florida’s Gulf Coast, west of Bradenton, a perfect spot to fill balmy days with swimming and fishing.
With pristine white sand, these are some of the best beaches in the South, wide open and glorious for disconnecting. Anna Maria Beach is serene and secluded, perfect for a day of peaceful reading and lounging with gentle waves in the background.
This Leave No Trace destination is committed to protecting its superb beaches with responsible tourism practices.
St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. John are the three main islands of the U.S. Virgin Islands. All are the definition of Caribbean paradise, and all are United States territories, making for a picture-perfect beach vacation.
St. John is the least developed, with a wealth of unspoiled hiking trails and a wide variety of flora and fauna. Lightly tread beaches, some of the best in the Caribbean, are ideal for swimmers, snorkelers, and sun-seekers.
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