If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Travel Winter Travel Ideas 21 Southern Islands Where You Can Shake Off The Winter Blues By Tara Massouleh McCay Tara Massouleh McCay Tara Massouleh McCay is the Senior Travel and Culture Editor for Southern Living. A writer and editor with 10 years of experience in producing lifestyle content for local, regional, and national publications, she joined the Southern Living team in 2021. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Published on January 6, 2025 Winter can be a little underwhelming in the South. While our neighbors up north are blanketed in snow and enjoying all the fun (skiing, snow ice cream, and the like) that comes along with it, we’re often left with nothing more than freezing rain, icy roads, and less-than-stellar attitudes. If you’re feeling stuck in the doldrums of winter, a change of scenery may be just what you need to clear your mind and your reset your mood. After all, there are only so many days you can embrace the chilly gloom with a movie marathon. This winter, set your sights on sunnier days with an island escape that’ll be a surefire cure to the cold-weather blues. While the tropical shores of Barbados or Turks and Caicos may be first to come to mind when brainstorming getaway destinations, we challenge you to think again. The South is home to dozens of great islands that can provide a similar beachy experience with far less travel time. With average temperatures ranging from the 60s to mid-70s, you’ll be well on your way to a full dethaw after just one day of fun in the sun on these islands. Anna Maria Island, Florida Jessica Sample Find mild temperatures, gorgeous white-sand beaches, and endless activities on this barrier island about an hour south of Tampa. Check into a multi-bedroom condo at mod oceanfront resort Mello on the Beach, then shop at the charming boutiques and galleries along Pine Avenue and enjoy stuffed shrimp and a view of the surf at Sandbar Seafood & Spirits. Learn More About Anna Maria Island Outer Banks, North Carolina Peter Frank Edwards With hundreds of options for waterfront rentals capable of sleeping the entire extended family, this quiet string of beach towns on the Atlantic Ocean is ideal for your next multigenerational trip. Northern towns like Nags Head and Duck offer vacation-ready spots like Duck Donuts and Caribbean restaurant Tortugas’ Lie, while the south is more secluded. See the wild horses or just spend time on the beach with the family. Learn More About The Outer Banks Jekyll Island, Georgia Beautiful Atlantic Ocean sunrise at Jekyll Island, Georgia. Christian Heeb/Getty Images Is there anything dreamier than a sunset walk on a driftwood-dotted stretch of shoreline? On Jekyll Island, natural beauty and luxury accommodations combine to give visitors an unforgettable getaway. Book a room at the Jekyll Island Club Resort, or spring for a one-of-a-kind glamping experience on nearby private reef island Little Racoon Key. Learn More About Jekyll Island St. Phillips Island, South Carolina Peter Frank Edwards This under-the-radar isle off the coast of Beaufort is primed for your next day trip. Covered in salt marshes, sand dune ridges, and winding tidal creeks, the wild habitat is home to all kinds of native plants and animals. Coastal Expeditions Beaufort hosts a regular ferry service to the St. Phillips that includes an ecotour along the Story River, 3.5-mile tram tour on the island, and plenty of time to explore. Learn More About St. Phillips Island St. Simons Island, Georgia Peter Frank Edwards Along the coast of Georgia, at the center of the state’s gentle curve inward, is St. Simons Island, an easygoing community where moss-covered oaks shade winding roads and miles of untouched beachfront unspool along the Atlantic. These stalwart trees stand among historic structures—such as Christ Church, Frederica—reflecting the area’s heritage. The broad beaches are perfect for long walks and sunbathing, while the upscale stores and boutiques at Pier Village and Redfern Village will satisfy the shoppers in your group. Visitors can choose from stays like The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort or one of the many bed- and-breakfasts. Once you’ve selected a home base, it’s easy to get around bike paths aplenty and cycling allowed on the beaches, cars aren’t your best bet. Snap a few photos at the historic St. Simons Lighthouse Museum, and let the kids run wild at nearby Neptune Park. The family-friendly complex features picnic tables and a playground overlooking the ocean, as well as a wading pool, a miniature golf course, and a water gym. When you’re not sprawled out on the beaches of the state’s largest barrier island, take the 129 steps to the top of St. Simons Lighthouse for panoramic views or chow down on write-home-about barbecue at Southern Soul Barbeque. Learn More About St. Simons Island Sanibel Island, Florida Learn to do the “Sanibel Stoop” on this South Florida island that’s known as the Seashell Capital of the World. You’ll easily adopt the familiar posture of shellers searching for their next treasure, but you’ll love cruising along the island’s 25 miles of bike paths on a cruiser or spotting birds at the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge just as much. Learn More About Sanibel Island Amelia Island, Florida Courtesy of Omni Amelia Island Resort Located just off Florida’s northeastern tip, about 30 minutes from Jacksonville, Amelia Island offers the perfect combination of rich history, outdoor adventure, and tranquil beaches—plus a lively downtown that’s ideal for those looking to shop or dine out. Take a kayak trip to the island’s many disparate aquatic ecosystems from salt marshes to the intracoastal waterway. And be sure to set aside an afternoon to visit historic Fort Clinch State Park. Learn More About Amelia Island Kiawah Island, South Carolina Christopher Shane A pristine island with an upscale resort and residential community, this sandy strip is separated from St. Johns Island by the Kiawah River, so it has both river and ocean views. Find public beach access at Kiawah Beachwalker Park, or rent an oceanfront home to share with your vacation buddies. Break up your beach days with a bit of shopping at Freshfields Village, where you’ll find more than 30 curated shops and restaurants. With 10 miles of beautiful sands, scenic landscapes, spectacular golf courses, and easy access to Charleston, Kiawah is one of the South’s best islands. Schedule a tee time at Kiawah Island Golf Resort’s The Ocean Course, which (according to the Golf Digest 2023-2024 ranking) is the number three public golf course in America. Book your stay at the resort’s The Sanctuary hotel to enjoy its five-star luxury, or rent a vacation home to share with the family. This area begs to be explored. Take full advantage of the miles of biking trails that meander among oaks, palmettos, and magnolias. At the convergence of the Atlantic Ocean and the Kiawah River on the west side, watch dolphins feed at the end of the day. Go shelling at low tide on the east end at Sandy Point. The breathtaking east-west views mean that you can see the sun rise on your left in the morning and then turn your attention to your right later in the day to enjoy an amazing sunset—all without ever moving your beach chair. Learn More About Kiawah Island St. George Island, Florida Henryk Sadura / Getty Images This dog-friendly barrier island just off the coast of the Florida panhandle is the under-the-radar, laid-back beach town of your dreams. When you’re not taking a long walk on the beach, treat yourself to some of the freshest oysters you can find anywhere at Paddy’s Raw Bar or order a Rum Runner with a view of the water at Blue Parrot. Learn More About St. George Island Marco Island, Florida Sunshine State of Mind. Grab cocktails with a side of salty air at Little Bar Restaurant. Be sure to save room for a bite of the famous (and award-winning) Key lime pie after a meal at Lee Be Fish. Settle in for a gracious stay amid the elegant surroundings of JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort. ROBBIE CAPONETTO You know you’ve done something right when you book a trip to a place that’s located on Florida’s Paradise Coast. Opt for a nostalgic Old Florida weekend by staying at the Olde Marco Island Inn & Suites, which has been around since the late 1800s. Search for sand dollars at Tigertail Beach or go paddle boarding on the calm waters of Tigertail Lagoon. As one of Florida’s Ten Thousand Islands, Marco Island is as close to wild Florida as you can get. Learn More About Marco Island Florida Keys, Florida swissmediavision / Getty Images If you didn’t know you were still stateside, you’d probably guess you had been transported to a far-flung tropical island in the middle of the . Water surrounds you in what seems like a million shades of blue in the Florida Keys. But while it may feel otherworldly in its beauty and seclusion, the real magic of the islands is their accessibility. Fly into Miami in the morning, and you can be island-side chowing down on a fresh mahi mahi sandwich by lunch. Learn More About The Florida Keys Daufuskie Island, South Carolina Courtesy of Haig Point Located just off the coast of Hilton Head Island and Savannah, this Lowcountry gem has been hiding in plain sight for years. Largely undeveloped with no grocery stores, streetlights, or sidewalks, Daufuskie is known for its unspoiled beaches, mystical marshlands, and rich Gullah culture. If you go, be sure to book a Gullah history tour with chef, author, and historian Sallie Ann Robinson and stop for a drink at Daufuskie Island Distillery. Learn More About Daufuskie Island Hilton Head Island, South Carolina Rachid Dahnoun / Getty Images For all the pomp and circumstance surrounding Hilton Head as a bustling resort town and world-class golfing destination, at its core, the island is still the same wild escape it’s always been. Hilton Head’s tenure as a beloved Southern vacation destination dates to 1956 when Charles Fraser, whose family owned much of the island, sparked the creation of the area’s first resort called Sea Pines Plantation. Folks have been flocking to the island ever since. Learn More About Hilton Head Island Tybee Island, Georgia Taylor Glenn/Redux Just 30 minutes south of Savannah, of the region’s most-visited cities, Tybee Island feels worlds away. From the oceanfront DeSoto Beach Hotel to bed and breakfasts, the island has a range of accommodations. Landmarks such as the Tybee Island Light Station and Museum on the north end and the pavilion and beach-flanked pier to the south give beachgoers a variety of destinations to shape lazy island days. Learn More About Tybee Island Captiva Island, Florida jmichaelmedia/Getty Images Renowned for its sugar white sand and excellent shelling, Captiva Island is an oasis where the best mode of transportation is via golf cart and the most useful itinerary is to beach, eat, sleep, and repeat. Seashell collectors unite during the annual Sanibel Shell Show taking place on both islands every March. Learn More About Captiva Island Key West, Florida Crawford A. Wilson III/Getty Images Welcome to the Sunshine State’s artsy, beachy paradise. One factor that sets Key West apart is the notion that nothing seems unusual here. You’re lounging by the pool at your hotel, and a chicken wanders up? It happens. The diner at the next table has a monkey on his shoulder?No one even bats an eye. Key West is the dropping-off point for those leaving reality behind, explains local Nadene Grossman Orr, the president and CEO of the event-planning company We’ve Got the Keys. “I believe that makes for one amazingly diverse, resourceful, and incredibly creative population,” she says. At Mallory Square, you can gather with the rest of the “Conch Republic” at sunset to look for the elusive green flash on the horizon just as the sun drops down into the Gulf. Supposedly, this bright fluorescent light gleams on clear, calm nights. On just about any evening, you can watch sailboats backlit by pink-and-orange skies. You could take a cruise on one, as there are plenty of charters offering sunset voyages for travelers. Then, sip some fruity beverages, stroll art galleries, and hit all the shops on main drag Duval Street in the southernmost city in the continental U.S. Learn More About Key West South Padre Island South Padre Island Beach. © Danno Wise Home to some of the prettiest beaches in Texas, South Padre Island combines Caribbean colors and coastal motifs with spectacular natural beauty. The undeveloped coastline north of the town provides miles of peaceful sand to explore. Nonprofits like Sea Turtle Inc. (which also owns a multimillion-dollar education center) and the South Padre Island Birding, Nature Center & Alligator Sanctuary promote a culture of preservation and respect for the environment that makes this place popular with wildlife lovers. The spring break destination also showcases its funkier side with an array of colorful bars and restaurants sprinkled among the condos and hotels. The high-rise Margaritaville Beach Resort South Padre Island and My Sapphire South Padre offer luxury amenities for guests—not to mention ocean views. Dauphin Island, Alabama Robbie Caponetto To reach this South Alabama isle, you will ramble along leisurely back roads, past tackle shops with hand-painted signs and over a bridge that carries you a world away from any of your mainland cares. This 15-mile-long barrier island offers beach or bay vistas—sometimes both—from scattered condos and rental homes. History buffs will be excited to wander the grounds at Fort Gaines, which is noted for its preserved fortifications that date to 1821. Relax on the beach, or hike through a maritime forest on the Audubon Bird Sanctuary’s Lake Loop Trail, which weaves between towering pines and circles the water that’s home to abundant wildlife. Stop by the Dauphin Island Sea Lab and the Alabama Aquarium, which has more than 100 species. A 40-minute ferry ride or an hour-long drive connects you with Alabama’s Eastern Shore, where you can stroll the flower box-lined shopping district in Fairhope. Learn More About Dauphin Island Galveston Island, Texas galveston.com Preserved Victorian houses and retail options on The Strand set Galveston apart from most other island getaways. “There’s not another location on the Gulf Coast that has this kind of rich history, other than New Orleans,” notes J.P. Bryan, who opened The Bryan Museum in 2015. It houses an intriguing collection of Western artifacts that he has amassed over his lifetime. About an hour from Houston, Galveston delivers old-school character and modern entertainment, from the family-friendly roller coasters and giant Ferris wheel at Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier to Moody Gardens, a multi-faceted resort that includes rainforest and aquatic animal exhibits, dinner cruises, and interactive theaters. The Grand Galvez hotel, which reopened with lavish renovations under new ownership in 2023, anchors one end of the island. It is joined by an assortment of Victorian homes (some are rentable) and the neighborhood’s crown jewel, the 1892 Bishop’s Palace, which is open for tours. But what’s the biggest draw? Those Gulf waters—and they always will be. Hatteras Island, North Carolina Photo: myhrcat/Getty Visitors to the Outer Banks can find it difficult to choose which one of its windswept barrier islands to see first. Start at Hatteras. Its iconic black-and-white-striped lighthouse and stretches of undisturbed sands make it the quintessential “OBX” locale. It extends for 50 miles inside Cape Hatteras National Seashore and is dotted with small villages. Aaron Tuell, who helps promote the Outer Banks, says the natural landscape amazes first-timers: “From family friends to die-hard travel clients, they all have the same slightly shocked reaction when they see how much undeveloped beach wilderness there is between villages.” You can watch for sea turtle hatchlings or book kayak tours with area outfitters, but really the dunes and the waves on Hatteras are enough to keep you marveling. There’s a rugged beauty to them that’s hard to replicate. Steve Nelson, owner and CEO of The Inn on Pamlico Sound, is a former Wall Street executive who left Manhattan after he discovered this spot. He recommends checking out the local art scene and stopping by a marina to see boat captains bring in their catch. Horn Island, Mississippi Blushing pink, a full moon rises over the dunes on Horn Island. Brown Cannon III This remote part of Gulf Islands National Seashore invites anyone seeking a retreat to spend the day or even a few nights. The 10-mile-long snippet of land is just a mile wide and is located 8 miles offshore. Only a few approved charter boat services can take you to Horn Island, where you can explore the place that served as a muse for artist Walter Anderson, who was known for his depictions of the area’s shorebirds and its unruly landscape. At Ethotera Art Studio in nearby Ocean Springs, owners Heather and Jason Martin schedule several yearly trips that provide boat transportation to and from the island. While their preplanned expeditions include breakfast and dinner, as well as varying amounts of camping equipment (depending on the trip you choose), an adventurous spirit is always required. Case in point: There’s no fancy dock to greet you when you arrive. On choppy-sea days, your boat might drop anchor just offshore, necessitating a short wade onto the rustic island. Be prepared for a wilderness experience by carrying plenty of water and bug spray. Whether you take a camera, paints and a canvas, or just your memory along for the excursion, you’ll be capturing images of an enchanting place that has somehow escaped the 21st century. Learn More About Horn Island Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit