Score Great Travel Deals with These Domestic Island Getaways

Island vacations can be costly, particularly during prime travel season. Fortunately for island lovers, the long East and West Coasts are dotted with dozens of small island destinations. By choosing an island close to shore, travelers can save airline tickets by paying regular state to state fares. Check out these smaller islands with less crowding and unique claims to fame that travelers can't find at larger tourist hot spots:

Sanibel Island, Florida

Sanibel Island offers beach lovers soft white sand and crystal blue waters Florida is famous for. One of the highlights is this island's unusual abundance of seashells. Shell collectors should plan to bring a bucket--if not two! Visitors can also walk, kayak, or drive through the J. N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge, home to rare birds, mammals, and reptiles. Enjoy dining and shopping along Periwinkle Way, and the check out the local museum, lighthouse, and more. Hotels cost $125-150 a night.

Getting there:  Fly into the Southwest Florida International Airport, drive 45 minutes, and take the toll bridge to cross the Sanibel Causeway onto the island at $6 per car.

Tangier Island, Virginia

Isolated in the Chesapeake Bay, Tangier Island is made up of several small islands connected by wooden bridges. For this reason, there are very few cars on the island, so residents and tourist get around on bicycles and golf carts. Nights are quiet, as no alcohol is sold on the island--though visitors are permitted to bring it--and restaurants close around 6 pm. The area's claim to fame is the abundance of huge, delicious softshell crab. Of interest to researchers is the English dialect spoken by settlers of the island in 1686--as well as contemporary residents. (See if you can understand this chat between locals with a Tangier Island accent.) Hotels cost $80-$120.

Getting there:  Fly into Richmond, VA or Washington DC, and drive 2-2.5 hours to Reedville, Virginia. From there, take the ferry at $25-$30 each way.

Tybee Island, Georgia

Parts of this small beach town are so quiet and uncrowded, it feels more like an isolated mountain village than a beach town. This is a great vacation for anyone who loves uncrowded, clean sandy beaches and awesome seafood. Visitors will enjoy the Fort Screven historic district and Tybee Museum, the lighthouse at Tybee Island Light Station, a walk along the Pier and Pavilion and, of course, the short drive to Savannah, Georgia should the nightlife at Tybee seem a little too quiet. Seaside room $100-125.

Getting there: Fly into the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport. Tybee Island is a 20 minute drive from Savannah, Georgia.

Catalina Island, California

While living on Catalina Island is costly due to limited housing, visiting for a vacation is very affordable considering the excellent selection of activities and upscale beauty of the surroundings. Favorite tourist activities include whale and dolphin watching excursions and glass bottom boat tours. Also popular are snorkeling and surfing, shopping, and island wildlife tours. The island also offers an 18-hole golf course, large mini golf course, camping and fishing. The cost of a hotel typically runs $115-150 nightly.

Getting there:  Fly into Los Angeles or Long Beach, and take the ferry for about $65 round-trip. This cost varies by season.

Orcas Island, Washington

The quaint small towns and awe-inspiring natural beauty of Orcas Islands draws tourists to this rural, quiet island. Visitors can climb Mount Constitution for views from its 2,409-foot summit, and then visit Moran State park to see breathtaking waterfalls and several lakes. Plus, enjoy horseback riding, biplane rides, camping, fishing, hiking, or kayaking in the Puget Sound. Around the island, spot orca whales, sea lions, dolphins, and other wildlife in their natural habitat. In the center of things, Eastsound village offers small shops and excellent dining.

Getting there: Fly into Seattle, Washington, and travel about 1.5 hours to Washington State Ferries Anacortes Terminal in Anacortes, Washington. A round trip ferry to Orcas Island will run you about $35 with a vehicle (recommended as many sites are not accessible on foot).

Do you prefer the hottest tourist spots, or out of the way places? What is your favorite US island? Please let us know in the comments below.