The 10 Best Islands in New England

It’s common for vacationers to picture tropical islands when considering visiting U.S. island sites. However, islands off the coast of New England are just as beautiful as the Virgin Islands or Hawaii. These offer enthralling vistas, outdoor adventure, windswept beaches, and centuries-old architecture.

There is no better place to see the natural beauty of New England than on these intriguing and seductive islands. Make your JetBlue booking today and hop on to begin the journey of a lifetime.

Here are the top islands that you must visit for the ideal coastal vacation in New England.

Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts

Politicians and celebrities have fallen in love with “the Vineyard”. This is because of the island’s magnificent sea cliffs and restored 19th-century residences and structures. Nonetheless, you will also find an abundance of culinary treasures and simple pleasures.

There are unspoiled beaches all across the island. One of them is Katama Beach, a three-mile public free beach that admits cars with permits on designated routes. Moreover, biking is also a terrific way to go about the island or to the beach.

Mount Desert Island, Maine

A majority of Acadia National Park’s 47,000 acres are housed on Mount Desert Island, which is the biggest island in the country. Only Long Island in New York is bigger than Mount Desert Island in Maine. Mount Desert Island is the largest island on the whole Eastern Seaboard. You will be able to visit a unique combination of sandy coasts, ocean-smoothed rocks, towering cliffs, pine forests, and granite peaks.

The park offers nearly infinite chances for sightseeing and leisure activities throughout the year. But the tourist-made town of Bar Harbor on Mount Desert Island offers far more to enjoy. The nicest hotels, inns, and restaurants on the island are located here. You can also go whale watching, learn about the local native population, and indulge in some lobster ice cream.

Aquidneck Island, Rhode Island

Portsmouth, Middletown, and the famed City of Newport are located on Aquidneck Island, the biggest island in the renowned Narragansett Bay. Your JetBlue representative will assist you every step of the way, starting from the flight booking process, right down to you landing at your destination. The smallest state in the nation, Newport draws tourists throughout the year with its storied maritime past and Gilded Age mansions. It has the best-preserved collection of colonial homes and buildings in the country.

You can find three beloved beaches in Middletown. This town neighbors Newport to the north, and includes Sachuest Beach. Every season sees wave riders go to the “Surfer’s End” section of the beach in the north. Newport Vineyards, a vineyard like Napa with live music, fire pits, and culinary events honoring regional taste, is also located in Middletown.

Nantucket, Massachusetts

It’s difficult to picture a trip to an island in New England without Nantucket at the top of the list. Confirm your booking today and reach this lovely island in Massachusetts, nicknamed as the Gray Lady for its heavy, rolling fog and gray saltbox cottages.

There are no big-box stores on the island, and driving is not necessary to get here. Leaving your car at home will save you time and money. The downtown area of Nantucket is simple to navigate on foot and is full of charming stores and independently owned restaurants. Hire a bike to explore the hidden gems in the middle of the island, such as Bartlett’s Farm, where you can pack a picnic or grab lunch. The farm is close to Nantucket Vineyard and the famous Cisco Brewers, a community that welcomes children, dogs, and guests from all walks of life.

Thimble Islands, Connecticut

The best way to view and enjoy this cluster of rocky islands is from the water, and there are several excursions that leave from Stoney Creek. This is a little coastal town on the mainland not far from the more well-known New Haven.

The surrounding waterways are perfect for sailing, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and other enjoyable sports like water skiing. You can find spectacular and elaborate summer homes from the Victorian era on several of the islands.

Boston Harbor Islands, Massachusetts

Without ever leaving Boston, you have the opportunity to take a relaxing island vacation. You may board the ferry boats operated by Boston Harbor Cruises that leave from Long Wharf in the summer. Let yourself fall in love with the 34 islands and peninsulas that make up the Boston Harbor Islands National Park. Afterwards, you can visit Spectacle Island, a former landfill that has cleaned up its act to become a popular destination. You can indulge in swimming, picnics, and hiking, especially because it is just a 20-minute drive.

The Isles of Shoals, New Hampshire

The Isles of Shoals are some of the most intriguing islands in New England. The islands have unique and interesting names, like Appledore, Cedar, Duck, Lunging, Smuttynose, and White. The archipelago, which is shared between New Hampshire and Maine, is roughly 10 miles offshore. Furthermore, Star Island intrigues history enthusiasts and even enchants those who would rather just sit and enjoy a lobster roll. Particularly, this is because it is home to Oceanic, the sole intact Victorian-era hotel on the islands.

Lake Champlain Islands, Vermont

You’ll discover beaches, bikeways, state parks, apple orchards, and a few significant sites in this charming and little-known Vermont location south of the Canada border. Moreover, the Hero’s Welcome general store and the Chazy Fossil Reef are noteworthy destinations. Any stay on these islands is by definition private. Upscale accommodations like the Ruthcliffe Lodge & Restaurant and the North Hero House provide water vistas in addition to on-site dining.

Monhegan Island, Maine

Monhegan Island in Maine, a whale-shaped island that is just 1 square mile in size. Secondly, it is a favorite vacation spot for painters who are drawn to its light and distinctly New England themes.

Use JetBlue book a flight service and visit this island’s small community of inns, shops, restaurants and beaches. Furthermore, there are also about 12 miles of hiking trails to explore. It has everything you need for a stress-free getaway. You won’t like swimming in this area’s water, but you’ll enjoy looking for sea glass.

Block Island, Rhode Island

Block Island in Rhode Island, also known as New Shoreham, is a jewel in the shape of a pork chop that is situated about 9 miles inland. Furthermore, it is only 6 miles long and 3.5 miles broad, with seas that are Caribbean blue and teeming with fish.

Don’t forget to head across to the opposite side of the island, where Southeast Light sits perched on the fabled Mohegan Bluffs. The neighboring wooden steps down to a stunning stretch of uninhabited beach. It contrasts sharply with the lively atmosphere at Ballard’s Beach. There, you can order beverages to be brought directly to your rented lounge chair and enjoy live music every day.