Florida’s Gulf Coast attracts travelers with its large number of seashells that wash up on the beach. The island is also home to more than 6,000 residents, but don’t expect any stoplights here. Locals are fiercely protective of the island; more than half the island is composed of wildlife refuges.

Island attractions: Shell collecting (peak season May to September)."/> Sanibel Island - Best Southern US Islands - Travel Channel Florida’s Gulf Coast attracts travelers with its large number of seashells that wash up on the beach. The island is also home to more than 6,000 residents, but don’t expect any stoplights here. Locals are fiercely protective of the island; more than half the island is composed of wildlife refuges.

Island attractions: Shell collecting (peak season May to September)."/>

Beaches

Best Southern US Islands

From North Carolina to Texas, America’s coastline is home to hundreds of islands. Pack your sunscreen and your swimsuit -- we’ve tallied a list of the best islands for a tropical island getaway.

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Galveston Island, Pleasure Pier
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Photography by Katie Haugland, flickr

Galveston Island

Look, Forrest, it’s Bubba Gump Shrimp! Load up the kids and head an hour’s drive from Houston to Galveston Island. The island is just 27 miles long and 3 miles wide, but big on family entertainment. At Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier, enjoy rollercoaster rides, carnival games and Bubba Gump Shrimp’s first-ever Texas location.

Island attractions: Also, Moody Gardens, Seawolf Park, Stewart Park, Schlitterbahn.

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Harbour Island, Bahamas

Harbour Island's quiet charms seem countless, but none are more alluring than the tiny island's wondrous stretch of pink-sand beach.

Fly to Exclusive Island Resort

Head to the W Resort in Vieques to see Paradise Cove and the Wow Suite.

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