Summary
- American Samoa: A remote and underrated tropical island destination with a small population and a lack of tourists.
- Tahiti: A luxurious and romantic alternative to Hawaii, known for its stunning scenery and upscale resorts.
- Azores: An archipelago of subtropical volcanic islands in the Atlantic, offering unique Portuguese culture and outdoor activities like hiking and whale watching.
Hawaii is one of the top tropical island destinations for Americans. Hawaii has no shortage of reasons why everyone should go therebut there are also reasons not to visit, including expense and overtourism.
Fortunately, there are alternatives in Hawaii for beachgoers who want something tropical while being less crowded. Here are three picturesque (and often underrated) tropical island alternatives to Hawaii.
American Samoa: the last undiscovered American territory
American Samoa is a territory of the United States and yet it receives almost no visitors.
Aerial view of Pago Pago village, American Samoa
Hawaii is a separate state of the United States and the only state not connected to the North American continent. But there are many other island outbuildings to explore.
The United States has several territories, including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. While Hawaii is famous among American vacationers, American Samoa almost completely disappears from the radar.
American Samoa is made up of tropical, forested islands: everything anyone could want for a tropical island getaway.
- Population: 45,000
- Capital: Pago Pago
- Status: Unincorporated territory of the United States
American Samoa is the only part of the United States located south of the equator and neighbors the much larger independent country of Samoa (Samoa was divided by colonial powers in the late 19th century).
Only a few tens of thousands of people bother to visit American Samoa each year. It’s very far from the continental United States and difficult to reach. But those who go there find a virgin land, almost devoid of tourists.
Vatia from the Tuafanua Trail in American Samoa National Park, USA
There are no large franchise resorts and only a nascent tourism industry. Many visitors choose to stay with locals and immerse themselves in the local culture of far-flung islands.
- Getting There : Direct flights from Honolulu
Although American Samoa is a territory of the United States, everyone (including Americans) must travel there with a valid passport and onward ticket. The islands are visa-free, but a passport is required.
10 great things to do in American Samoa, the forgotten American territory
American Samoa is one of the most amazing yet overlooked American territories and a great place to truly experience the South Pacific.
Three international airlines serve the islands (Hawaiian AirlinesSamoa Airways and Talofa Airways) and connect the islands to Hawaii, Samoa and Tonga (flights are twice weekly to Hawaii).
Tahiti: the most romantic island destination in the Pacific
Tahiti and Bora Bora might just be the Pacific’s most romantic alternative to Hawaii
A woman overlooking the water on vacation in Tahiti
French Polynesia (and particularly its popular islands of Tahiti and Bora Bora) is known worldwide for being a luxurious and romantic destination. It is particularly popular with newlyweds. However, travelers looking for a cheaper tropical island destination should probably keep looking; Bora Bora, in particular, is famous for its luxurious and expensive hotels.
French Polynesia is full of underrated and overlooked islands to explore.
French Polynesia is made up of some 121 islands and atolls spread across a vast region of the South Pacific. The population of the French territory (technically an overseas country of France) is approximately 280,000, most of whom live on the main island of Tahiti.
Couple jumping into the water in Bora Bora, French Polynesia
- Population: 280,000 (total)
- Largest city: Papeete
- Status: Department of France
Tahiti has volcanic mountains, rainforests, coral reefs, pristine beaches and about two-thirds of the population. It hosts Fa’aa international airport, the gateway to French Polynesia.
And some will say that French Polynesia is more romantic than Hawaii.
10 Best Things to Do in Bora Bora to Immerse Yourself in Paradise
When you visit Bora Bora, how can you immerse yourself in the island paradise? These ten activities will help you.
- Getting There : Direct flights from Honolulu, San Francisco and Los Angeles
Besides Tahiti, one of the most famous island destinations in French Polynesia is Bora Bora. Located approximately 125 nautical miles from Tahiti, it is an extinct volcanic island surrounded by a lagoon and a coral reef. The summit rises 2,385 feet above the sea and the island is world renowned for its luxury resorts.
Azores: the perfect alternative to Hawaii in the Atlantic Ocean
Take a direct flight from New York to the Azores, one of the most spectacular alternatives to Hawaii in the Atlantic.
The magnificent landscape of the Azores Islands
The Azores are a neglected subtropical volcanic archipelago in the North Atlantic en route to Europe. The Azores is an autonomous region of Portugal and includes nine spectacular volcanic islands.
They are located approximately 930 miles from Portugal and 1,200 miles from Canada and are considered by the Portuguese to be one of their best kept secrets (they even have Portugal’s highest point: Mount Pico at 7,713 feet) .
- Population: 236,000
- Largest city: Ponta Delgada
- Status: Autonomous region of Portugal
The Azores are timeless and laid back. Here it’s less about the beaches and more about the unique local Portuguese culture, island hiking, whale watching (some of the best in the world) and local cuisine. Another advantage is that the Azores will probably be less expensive than Hawaii.
Lake of Fire in the Azores Portugal
- Getting There : Direct flights from Newark and JFK
The international airport serving the islands is Ponta Delgada – Joao Paulo II Airport and, although most flights are to Europe, there are direct flights to New York. The Azores are one of the best island alternatives to Hawaii for those living on the east coast of the United States.
