Hawaii is the one state inside the USA which consists solely of islands, but for many individuals, regardless of its apparent attraction, a vacation on Hawaiian shores is out of attain for monetary or geographical causes.
That’s no motive to surrender hope of having fun with a tropical trip in a rugged and delightful territory, nonetheless. There are a lot of different islands which match Hawaii in magnificence and in fanfare, and a few of these provide sights related and even higher to what one obtains within the Hawaiian Islands. Many of those different selections too, are positioned in shut proximity to the USA Mainland, so you may have that unique expertise with out having to fly midway all over the world.
Image: A beachfront view of Sandals Grande St. Lucian, set by itself penninsula.
A few of the issues individuals love about Hawaii are its one-of-a-kind tradition, spectacular seashores, the limitless room for journey; majestic waterfalls and volcanoes you may go to, and rugged mountain landscapes ready to be explored. Not forgetting after all, the ‘Aloha’, also referred to as the welcoming spirit Hawaii and its individuals are recognized for.
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Image: Do not be fooled, this isn’t Hawaii! You’re looking at Saint Lucia’s majestic Piton Mountains.
There are a few alternate options to Hawaii which provide an analogous expertise in a method or one other. In case you are in search of a Hawaii different nearer to US Mainland, you’ll seemingly land on one of many dreamy tropical island locations within the Caribbean. Most of those tropical island locations are inside a 3 hour flight from US shores!
Good Hawaii alternate options embody Caribbean islands like:
- Saint Lucia
- Turks & Caicos
- Exuma (The Bahamas)
- Jamaica
- Barbados
- Nassau (The Bahamas)
- Antigua
- Grenada
In comparison with Hawaii, the costs of a meal and a drink are considerably decrease in Saint Lucia, Jamaica and Grenada.
Saint Lucia is thought for his or her pleasant individuals, wonderful climbing trails and gorgeous mountains. Of all tropical island locations near US shores, this stunning island comes as shut because it will get in being an alternate for Hawaii. Additionally take into account Turks & Caicos, which is residence to the most stunning tropical seashores on the earth and positioned inside two hours from US shores. The Bahamas provide wonderful snorkeling areas (Exuma!) and unimaginable scuba diving. Final however not least, Barbados is the final surf vacation spot near US shores.
Select your favorite Hawaii different from the lists beneath!
Tropical island vacation spot…
…with incredible white sand beaches
…where you can enjoy amazing snorkeling and diving
…with great surf
…where you can visit exotic black sand beaches
…where you can visit an active volcano
…with spectacular hiking trails
…where you can swim at majestic waterfalls
…with luxurious all-inclusive resorts
…with a welcoming spirit
Tropical island vacation spot with unimaginable white sand seashores
Turks & Caicos
Hawaii different positioned inside 2 hours from US shores.
Turks & Caicos is stuffed with among the most attractive seashores on the earth. The turquoise colour of the water towards white and in some instances pink sand, provides a magical contact that may actually make you’re feeling as if you’re in paradise. These are among the finest seashores you’ll seemingly come throughout in a lifetime, and a favourite for guests is the Grace Bay Beach which presents alternatives to check out new watersports, lounge on the seashore, and even go snorkeling additional offshore. You’ll have the ability to keep at resorts close to this seashore (all-inclusive resort Beaches Turks & Caicos comes with a spectacular water park) in case you guide early sufficient, which implies you’ll have dibs on the very best beachside spots!
- Flight time from Miami: 1 hour, 43 minutes.
- A meal in a mid-range restaurant prices barely much less in Turks & Caicos than in Hawaii.
- An area beer prices barely much less in Turks & Caicos than in Hawaii.
Honorable point out: Exuma, the Bahamas
Hawaii different positioned inside 2 hour from US shores.
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The beaches in the Bahamas are among the many most breath-taking on the earth, with choices to select from quite a lot of stunning white sand seashores to lounge on for every single day of your location. Coco Plum Seaside is likely one of the most spellbinding, and it’s a well-liked selection for guests to Exuma, within the Bahamas. At low tide, you may stroll on the sand proper out into the ocean area, selecting up sand {dollars} alongside the way in which, and at sundown, you may witness spectacular sunsets. Coco Plum’s location within the unique Bahamas archipelago ensures that you’ll completely love how carefree you’ll really feel on this area.
- Flight time from Miami: 1 hour, quarter-hour.
- A meal in a mid-range restaurant prices barely much less in Exuma than in Hawaii.
- An area beer prices much less in Exuma than in Hawaii.
Tropical island vacation spot you may get pleasure from wonderful snorkeling and diving
The Bahamas
Hawaii different positioned inside 1 hour from US shores.
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The Bahamas is a well-liked diving vacation spot for individuals who need a number of choices of locations to go snorkeling or scuba diving. Visibility is often nice across the islands. Don’t miss out on the Thunderball Grotto close to the Exumas! This underwater cave filled with tropical fish, is unlikely to disappoint.
Insider tip: Mix your Thunderball Grotto tour with a chance to swim with the pigs within the Bahamas. Wish to be taught extra about swimming with pigs/pig island within the Bahamas? Meet The Swimming Pigs of The Bahamas!
- Flight time from Miami: 45 minutes.
- A meal in a mid-range restaurant prices barely much less within the Bahamas than in Hawaii.
- An area beer prices much less within the Bahamas than in Hawaii.
Honorable point out: Grenada
Hawaii different with low price of residing.
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There are many dive websites in Grenada the place you may witness fascinating coral, wonderful sea life, and even some historic shipwrecks. These embody Buccaneer, Rhum Runner, King Mitch and extra. The Grenada Underwater Sculpture Park can also be fascinating to probe for divers, and amid the marine life you’ll discover just a few constructions that have been included as a part of a preservation effort for the reefs on this space. Intrigued? Right here’s All You Need to Know About The Grenada Underwater Sculpture Park.
Insider tip: Sandals Grenada, one in every of Sandals finest all-inclusive resorts occurs to be positioned in St. Georges, Grenada. Providing luxurious suites and limitless cocktails, this resort will put your proper within the coronary heart of the motion on your island trip!
- Flight time from closest large US metropolis: 3 hours, 40 minutes.
- A meal in a mid-range restaurant prices kind of the identical in Grenada than in Hawaii.
- An area beer prices much less in Grenada than in Hawaii.
Tropical island vacation spot with nice surf
Barbados
Finest Hawaii different for surfers from the US.
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Barbados is likely one of the solely smaller islands with a taking place surf tradition. This makes it an ideal Hawaii different. Actually, the island ceaselessly performs host to surf competitions and different conventions. There are a number of spots you may try if you wish to go online in Barbados together with Duppies, a surf seashore the place the residing is simple. Duppies is on the northwestern finish of Barbados. Additionally well-liked is the Soup Bowl which will be discovered near the city of Bathsheba. The Soup Bowl is a well-liked spot and generally hosts worldwide longboard competitions. Then there’s Silver Sands Seaside on the south coast the place the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Sea meet for some nice wave motion.
Insider tip: For those who’re a beginner, you may be taught to surf, kitesurf or windsurf with Talma’s deAction Seaside Store or Boosy’s Surf College in Surfer’s Bay.
- Flight time from Miami: 3 hours, 35 minutes.
- A meal in a mid-range restaurant prices barely much less in Barbados than in Hawaii.
- An area beer prices much less in Barbados than in Hawaii.
Tropical island vacation spot the place you may go to unique black sand seashores
Saint Lucia
Hawaii different with low price of residing.
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A volcanic island by origin, Saint Lucia presents distinctive alternatives to go to black sand seashores which can be as charming as they’re intriguing. Anse Chastanet Seaside in Soufriere is likely one of the hottest black sand seashores on the island, and it is usually an ideal spot for snorkeling and scuba diving. That is positively one of many seashores you’ll wish to go to whereas in Saint Lucia, and when you’re within the space, why not go to the Sulphur Springs, residence to the world’s solely drive-in volcano?
- Flight time from Miami: 3 hours, 29 minutes.
- A meal in a mid-range restaurant prices considerably much less in Saint Lucia than in Hawaii.
- An area beer prices much less in Saint Lucia than in Hawaii.
Tropical island vacation spot the place you may go to an lively volcano
Saint Lucia
Hawaii different with low price of residing.
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The Sulphur Springs is residence to the Soufriere drive-in volcano, and this space has developed over time to develop into one of many coolest sights of its form within the Caribbean. Positioned within the midst of a collapsed crater guests can drive proper into this space and do excursions, bathe within the Sulphur mud baths or in hots springs. The final minor eruption of the dome volcano on this space was in 1780.
- Flight time from Miami: 3 hours, 29 minutes.
- A meal in a mid-range restaurant prices considerably much less in Saint Lucia than in Hawaii.
- An area beer prices much less in Saint Lucia than in Hawaii.
Tropical island vacation spot with spectacular climbing trails
Saint Lucia
Hawaii different with low price of residing.
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Saint Lucia has a number of nooks and crannies ready to be explored, and this consists of among the most spectacular climbing trails which let you expertise life on the wild aspect. The views and the alternatives to be taught concerning the completely different bushes and vegetation are all a part of what makes the climbing expertise in Saint Lucia distinctive. On some trails, you’ll have the ability to see varied species of animals and birds, together with Saint Lucia’s nationwide parrot, Amazona Versicolor (Saint Lucia Amazon). Some nice climbing trails in Saint Lucia embody the Tet Paul Nature Path, Gros Piton Nature Path, Petit Piton Path, Anse La Raye Falls, Salut falls and the Barre de L’Isle Path.
- Flight time from Miami: 3 hours, 29 minutes.
- A meal in a mid-range restaurant prices considerably much less in Saint Lucia than in Hawaii.
- An area beer prices much less in Saint Lucia than in Hawaii.
Tropical island vacation spot the place you may swim at majestic waterfalls
Jamaica
Hawaii different with low price of residing, inside 2 hours from US shores.
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Dunn’s River Falls is a prime attraction in Jamaica and includes a waterfall which drops dramatically 100 ft down from the sting of a cliff. It’s a sight to behold, and as a part of your tour you may select to stroll up the areas of the Falls which aren’t as treacherous. Whereas there you should definitely try Dunn’s River Falls Seaside. Learn our Dunn’s River Falls guide for extra info on this tour. Another nice waterfalls in Jamaica embody Mayfield Falls, Attain Falls and YS Falls.
- Flight time from Miami: 1 hour, 45 minutes.
- A meal in a mid-range restaurant prices considerably much less in Jamaica than in Hawaii.
- An area beer prices much less in Jamaica than in Hawaii.
Honorable point out: Grenada
Hawaii different with low price of residing.
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Measuring 65-feet excessive, Harmony Falls is likely one of the most stunning within the Caribbean. Individuals who go to this waterfall get pleasure from cooling off within the pure swimming pools beneath the falls that are tremendous refreshing. Water sneakers are beneficial. Different wonderful waterfalls in Grenada embody Seven Sisters Falls, Royal Mount Carmel waterfalls and the Annandale Falls.
- Flight time from closest large US metropolis: 3 hours, 40 minutes.
- A meal in a mid-range restaurant prices kind of the identical in Grenada than in Hawaii.
- An area beer prices much less in Grenada than in Hawaii.
Tropical island vacation spot with luxurious all-inclusive resorts
Jamaica
Hawaii different with low price of residing, inside 2 hours from US shores.
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At Sandals Montego Bay, the enjoyable by no means stops and the seashore by no means ends.
There are alternatives galore in Jamaica in terms of the place to remain for an opulent all-inclusive trip. As this is likely one of the larger islands within the Caribbean, there’s extra room to discover and a wider vary of all-inclusive resorts in Jamaica. You’ll discover Sandals largest resort (Sandals Ochi), Sandals flagship resort (the newly renovated Sandals Montego Bay) and Sandals most enchanting resort (Sandals Royal Plantation) on this island nation. Visiting Jamaica with the household? Think about Beaches Negril and Beaches Ocho Rios, each resorts function a waterpark!
- Flight time from Miami: 1 hour, 45 minutes.
- A meal in a mid-range restaurant prices considerably much less in Jamaica than in Hawaii.
- An area beer prices much less in Jamaica than in Hawaii.
Honorable point out: Saint Lucia
Hawaii different with low price of residing.
These spectacular Over-the-Water Bungalows present in Sandals Grande St. Lucian, ship an immersive journey of the Caribbean’s best turquoise waters.
A Saint Lucia trip could be the right Hawaii different for individuals who desire a trip that’s a mix of luxurious and laid again. You’ll be able to have the very best of each worlds on this island which presents a variety of lodging from modest villas to elegant resorts. Sandals has three resorts in Saint Lucia together with Sandals Regency La Toc, Sandals Grande St Lucian and Sandals Halcyon. Every of those resorts is positioned in a picturesque location on the island, with shut entry to the numerous nationwide landmarks and sights on the island. Finest information, visitors of any of those resorts get entry to all three!
- Flight time from Miami: 3 hours, 29 minutes.
- A meal in a mid-range restaurant prices considerably much less in Saint Lucia than in Hawaii.
- An area beer prices much less in Saint Lucia than in Hawaii.
Island vacation spot with a welcoming spirit
Antigua
The Caribbean is recognized for its heat and pleasant individuals, and Antigua is on the prime of that listing. You’ll actually really feel as if you’re assembly with lengthy misplaced household on this island, as everyone seems to be so welcoming and keen to do what it takes to make sure you have the very best time of their a part of the world. Whether or not it is one thing so simple as serving to you discover your approach round, or guaranteeing you’re feeling proper at residence inside your resort, you gained’t quickly overlook the type of hospitality you’ll expertise in Antigua.
Insider tip: Employees at Sandals Grande Antigua are recognized to be tremendous pleasant, going above and past to make sure you have essentially the most wonderful trip expertise! On prime of that, this romantic resort is positioned proper on Dickenson Bay, one in every of Antigua’s most stunning seashores. The resort bought voted the Most Romantic Resort within the World!
- Flight time from closest large US metropolis: 3 hours, 10 minutes.
- A meal in a mid-range restaurant prices extra in Antigua than in Hawaii.
- An area beer prices much less in Saint Lucia than in Hawaii.
Honorable point out: Saint Lucia
Hawaii different with low price of residing.
Saint Lucians are among the many friendliest individuals within the Caribbean, and almost each customer who goes to this island returns residence with enjoyable tales of the individuals they met, and the way blown away they have been by simply how wonderful everybody was. Simply the truth that you’re a foreigner is motive sufficient for everybody to wish to exit of their method to see to it that you’ve got the very best expertise, and that’s positively one thing to be appreciated.
- Flight time from Miami: 3 hours, 29 minutes.
- A meal in a mid-range restaurant prices considerably much less in Saint Lucia than in Hawaii.
- An area beer prices much less in Saint Lucia than in Hawaii.
Fall in love together with your favourite Hawaii different!
It is stunning seashores, welcoming spirit, majestic waterfalls, the awe-inspiring volcanic panorama… Hawaii undoubtedly has loads to supply. Usually, it’s the price and lengthy flight (it doesn’t get a lot nearer than a 6-hour flight from LAX) related to a visit to Hawaii that will get vacationers to search for alternate options.
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Panoramic view of St. Lucia’s Piton Mountains.
For these vacationers, Saint Lucia is perhaps the closest you will get to tropical island getaway that gives an analogous (maybe even higher) expertise as Hawaii. For those who’re trying to calm down on essentially the most stunning seashores on the earth, Exuma and Turks & Caicos is perhaps the island vacation spot for you as a substitute – or Barbados, in case you’d prefer to surf. Searching for majestic waterfalls and opulent resorts? Jamaica or Grenada might need what you might be in search of.
Sandals Grande St. Lucian is usually described because the “closest trip to a picture-perfect postcard”.
As every island is exclusive, you shouldn’t count on any of those locations to provide the very same expertise as Hawaii. Nevertheless, the Caribbean islands talked about above, will indubitably provide you with their very own distinctive causes to fall in love with. In spite of everything, the Caribbean is thought to present vacationers an expensive seashore trip that’s arduous to match!
