Tropical Island Honeymoons With No Passport Required

Romantic Island Honeymoon Destinations With No Passport Required

Planning your once-in-a-lifetime wedding and honeymoon can be filled with stress.  There are always lots of small details to keep track of and plan for in advance.  Applying for passports in time for your romantic honeymoon adventure can prove to be a major worry.  Luckily, there are some wonderful tropical island honeymoon destinations that do not require a passport for US citizens.  Here’s a look at the top romantic island honeymoon destinations where no passports are required for US citizens.

Before you begin searching for your dream honeymoon destination, it’s good to consider some of the latest stats for 2020.  HoneymoonGoals.com has surveyed recent honeymooners and found that 60% stayed in the United States, with the Caribbean and Mexico following in popularity.  55% stayed in all-inclusive resorts with most traveling within one week of their wedding ceremony.  The most popular length of the honeymoon was 7 days.  So let’s take a look at tropical island honeymoon destinations where passports for US citizens are not required.

Hawaii

Since the dawn of commercial air travel, Hawaii has emerged as a top iconic tropical honeymoon destination and for good reason. From the moment you land and glimpse the lush beauty of these islands, you will realize that Hawaii is much more than a great beach destination.  Hawaii’s distinctive Polynesian heritage and dramatic landscapes set this destination apart from all other honeymoon destinations in America.  Whether you choose the urban scene of Oahu, iconic beaches of Maui, dramatic cliffs of Kauai, volcanic landscape of the Big Island or quiet solitude of Molokai, you will find first-class honeymoon resorts in abundance.

The US Virgin Islands

The United States has a number of Unincorporated US Territories and the US Virgin Islands are among the most beautiful islands in the Caribbean.  If you have your heart set on a Caribbean island honeymoon, look no further than one of these enchanting islands that each have a distinct personality to match your dreams:

St. Thomas – St. Thomas enjoys excellent air service from major US hubs and is the capital of the US Virgin Islands.  The island attracts vacationers and cruise ships to its famed harbor, Charlotte Amalie.  The island has beautiful beaches, first-class resorts, historic architecture, sensational shopping and lots of fun activities.

St. John – This is the smallest island in the USVI, and more than half of the island enjoys national park status, guaranteeing a lush, uncrowded, eco-friendly environment.  Stunning bays and beaches await, as well as miles of scenic hiking trails and excellent diving and snorkeling areas.  Most travelers reach St. John via the ferry from St. Thomas.

St. Croix – With a rich history of sugar plantations and Danish influence, St. Croix is the largest of the US Virgin Islands.  Most resorts are located on the north shore and the island is protected by 3 National Parks.  Divers come to St. Croix to dive “The Wall”, or you might want to kayak in the paths originally explored by Columbus in 1493.

Puerto Rico – If your heart pulses to a Salsa beat, this is the island for you.  Puerto Rico is where old world Caribbean pirate and Spanish Colonial history meets present-day Latin exuberance.  While the island is still recovering from recent hurricane damage, major luxury resorts are operating again.  Puerto Rico offers beautiful beaches, verdant rainforests, hiking and biking trails, top-shelf golf and renowned resorts.

Florida Offshore Islands

The Keys

Stretching for 120 miles south from Miami, the Florida Keys are the most southern islands in the United States.  Driving along  US Highway 1, you will encounter 43 inhabited islands connected by bridges.  What makes The Keys so fascinating, is that each key has its own distinct personality.  While they are all worthy of your attention, several islands stand out as a once-in-a-lifetime honeymoon destination.

Key Largo, closest to Miami has both sleepy casual hotels and several ultra-luxury resorts.  In the middle Keys you’ll find Little Torch Key and the incomparable Little Palm Island which is about as close to being in Tahiti as you can get in the USA.  They are just about to reopen after rebuilding from hurricane damage.  A bit further down you should definitely visit Bahia Honda Key which is a state park and has the most beautiful beaches in the Keys.  And the most popular of them all is, of course, Key West.  Key West rocks from sunrise on the Atlantic Ocean to sunset on the Gulf, and in fact, all night long.  For a very special honeymoon experience, consider staying at Sunset Key, a lovely private island just offshore.

Sanibel and Captiva Islands – Located on Florida’s Gulf Coast, the islands of Sanibel and Captiva are easily accessed via the causeway bridge from Ft. Myers.  These islands are famed for having the best shelling in the United States.  Miles of soft sand beaches are sprinkled with delicate seashells for as far as the eye can see.  In addition, more than half of Sanibel Island is dedicated to a National Wildlife Refuge.  The rest of the islands are populated with charming small resorts, delightful boutiques, and excellent restaurants.

Amelia Island – Stretching offshore from Jacksonville on the Atlantic coast, this “enchanted” island offers an experience to suit every taste.  The island is known for its lovely beaches, fascinating history, and a wide range of activities.  Not far from Jacksonville, the Amelia Island Plantation area which is known for several oceanfront luxury resorts.  In mid-island you will find more budget-friendly hotels and a beach party vibe.  At the tip of the island you will find the Fernandina Beach area, a charming fishing village with well preserved Victorian architecture, and a fascinating history.  The downtown area is full of wonderful shops, restaurants and delightful Victorian bed and breakfast inns.  You can catch a ferry to a nearby coastal island to see wild horses, go fishing, play golf, enjoy kayaking through the marshes or simply relax at the beach.

South Padre Island, Texas

If Tex-Mex and lots of nightlife is your style and warm gulf waters your desire, South Padre Island off Brownsville Texas may be a perfect choice.  Located offshore in southern Texas, South Padre is known as a Spring Break mecca, but at other times of the year is a far calmer tropical place to escape.  You can sunbathe at the shore or perhaps a bit of jet skiing, horseback riding on the beach, offshore fishing or parasailing will suit your fancy.  Its also know for the birding center which studies migratory birds and a dolphin research facility.  One thing is for sure, you will not be bored in South Padre Island.

Santa Catalina Island, California

Since the 40’s when big bands came to play in the art-deco casino building, and the 50’s when the Four Preps swooned that “22 miles across the sea, Santa Catalina is waiting for me”, tourists have taken the one-hour ferry ride from Long Beach to explore this delightful island.  Part Mediterranean styled harbor, part marine reserve, and part lush green forest where wild buffalo roam; Catalina Island is a delight.  The island is just big enough to explore end to end in a week and the quaint hotels and inns with romantic views out to sea are sure to charm you.

So if you want to travel to a tropical island on your honeymoon without the hassle of getting passports, decide on your honeymoon goals, and research some of these great options for a romantic honeymoon in a US destination.