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It takes 114 steps to climb the iconic red-and-white-striped Harbour Town Lighthouse in Hilton Head. Photo courtesy of Shutterstock.
Top East Coast spots for an island-hopping adventure
February 17, 2025
Island hopping is racing through turquoise waters from shore to shore under an endless blue sky. It’s white sand, palm trees, coconuts, sunscreen, seashells and swimsuits... but it can also be dense forests and rocky cliffs, sprawling estates and historic towns, golf courses and wild marshes.
All along America’s eastern coast sit dozens of islands. Some large and vast, others barely a mile across. From the northern coast of Maine to the southern shores of Georgia, these are five of our favorite islands along the East Coast.
1. St. Phillips Island, South Carolina
St. Phillips is one of America’s last unspoiled natural environments. Early settlers never came to these shores. Developers never claimed them, either. This 4-mile stretch of land just off South Carolina’s coast is a place of true preservation.
Visitors can explore the island on a six-hour day tour with Coastal Expeditions. A 30-minute ferry from St. Helena Island drops you off at the dock near billionaire Ted Turner’s old house (available to rent). Turner privately owned and protected the island for decades before the state purchased it in 2017. It’s now a part of nearby Hunting Island State Park. On land, take trails past ancient sand dunes, freshwater ponds, wetland habitats and salt marshes. You’ll likely spot alligators, foxes, birds and other wildlife.
Nearby Airport: Charleston International Airport (CHS)
2. Cumberland Island, Georgia
Cumberland Island’s 17 miles of remote white sand beaches sits off the shores of southern Georgia, accessible by the St. Marys and Cumberland Island Ferry. Arrive to open grassy plains where wild horses roam and state protected wildlife flourishes. Its ecosystems support many species like sea turtles, alligators and wild birds.
Interested in the grandeur of the Gilded Age? Visit the Dungeness Ruins, an estate Thomas Carnegie and his wife built in 1884. Or join Land and Legacies Tours to see Plum Orchard, another sprawling Carnegie mansion gifted by the family to the National Park Foundation. The Greyfield Inn, yet another Carnegie property turned bed and breakfast, offers lodging for those interested in staying on Cumberland overnight. Indulge in candlelight gourmet dinners and use the hotel’s bicycles and kayaks to explore lush trails, sand dunes and gilded age ruins.
Nearby airport: Jacksonville International Airport (JAX)
4. Block Island, Rhode Island
Rocky bluffs overlook white sandy beaches and rough Atlantic waves. Rolling grassy hills speckled with vacation homes. New Shoreham, the island’s main town, is a cluster of boutique shops, galleries and charming inns. This is Block Island, a 10-square mile strip just south of Rhode Island’s mainland.
For some, it’s the perfect day trip. For others, the island offers a relaxing weekend escape. Hike along the lush shoreline to the historic North Light, a lighthouse dating back to 1867. Or trek to the Mohegan Bluffs, a jagged cliffside with a winding wooden staircase leading to the beach. The East Coast is known for its seafood, and Block Island is no exception. The Oar at the 1661 Inn serves fresh-caught meals backdropped by boats pulling in and out of the Great Salt Pond docks.
Nearby Airport: Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport (PVD)
5. Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
This South Carolina gem has it all; history, pristine beaches, sprawling resorts with manicured golf courses, fine dining and shopping, protected ecology and more. With countless things to do and places to stay and eat, it can get overwhelming. Here’s where to start.
Harbour Island Lighthouse is a symbol of the island. Climb to the top for breathtaking panoramic views. For nature lovers, explore the wetlands and historical sites at Sea Pines Forest Preserve. Or visit the Coastal Discovery Museum and learn about the island’s history and ecology through interactive exhibits. And of course, the Lowcountry area is a golfer’s paradise, with 26 world-class golf courses spread across Hilton Head, Bluffton and Daufuskie Island. Hilton Head’s diverse activities make this an ideal vacation for families, couples, friends and solo travelers.
Nearby airport: Hilton Head International Airport (HHH)