Great Escapes
by Michael Verdon
August 1, 2007
All you have to do is look at a map of the United States, and you can see that it's blessed with
more diverse cruising grounds than anywhere else in the world. That's doubly true when you look at
the more remote locations - the many islands in the center and far-flung corners of the country.
Here are 10 of the best U.S. island destinations - each one different in flavor from the mainland
and worlds apart from the other. The best part is they're accessible only by boat.
01
Catalina Island, California
Located just
22 miles off the mainland, Catalina Island is Southern California's most popular cruising
destination, with a moderate Mediterranean climate (average 75 degrees in the summer, 65 in the
winter), and 267 days of sunshine per year. The main port of Avalon, with a population of 3,500
that swells to 10,000 on weekends, is a tourist hot spot, with more than 30 distinct restaurants,
shops and bars. Nearly 90 percent of the island is owned by The Santa Catalina Island Conservancy,
so visitors can explore pristine beaches, cliffs and peaks by bike, foot or Jeep. Eagles, bison and
Catalina Island foxes roam the island's chaparrals. By water, there's ocean kayaking, scuba diving
and offshore fishing. The Avalon Harbor Department rents out the island's 360-plus moorings to
transients when owners aren't using them - but it's best to come mid-week so you don't get turned
away. There are also anchorage areas. For moorings, contact Avalon Harbor Department at (310)
510-0535 or www.cityofavalon.com, or visit
www.catalinaisland.com for general
island information.
02
Monhegan Island, Maine
This rugged, 600-acre
island located 12 miles off the coast of Maine has less than 100 full-time inhabitants, but its
impact on the art world has been tremendous. Jamie Wyeth and hundreds of other painters have put
the extensive birdlife and rocky terrain of the island on canvas, and you're likely to come across
an artist at work while walking the 17 miles of bluffs and trails. The island has two large hotels,
a few bed and breakfasts, and a handful of gift shops. Many of the locals are lobstermen, so
you can get a fresh lobster from the town docks. Monhegan's rough, rocky terrain is like visiting
an island in the West of Ireland - there are even "fairy houses" built by the locals that are
located in the woods. A lighthouse in the center of the island offers incredible views of the
Atlantic. There's also an adjoining museum. If you make the crossing in calm weather, it's well
worth the trip. The town harbormaster should be able to find some guest moorings, but it's best to
call ahead. Visit
www.monheganwelcome.com for more
information.
03
Dry Tortugas, Florida
Getting to Dry
Tortugas National Park - located 70 miles west of Key West - takes some advanced planning, but it's
well worth the trip. Named by Ponce De Leon in 1513 after the abundance of sea turtles, the park
encompasses 100 square nautical miles around a group of seven islands. The islands are populated
with coral reefs, exotic tropical fish, giant groupers, rare birds and, of course, turtles,
including loggerhead green, hawksbill, and leatherback sea turtles. Garden Key, the largest island
in the group, holds historic Fort Jefferson. Developed in 1846 to protect the Gulf of Mexico, it
was never actually finished. But its 16 million bricks make it the largest masonry structure in the
Western Hemisphere. There's a small pier for loading and unloading supplies, some primitive
campsites, and a visitor center, but boaters have to anchor overnight. Don't expect to find gas,
food or even fresh water in the Dry Tortugas. (305) 242-7700,
www.nps.gov/drto.
04
Put-in-Bay, Ohio
Located just
three miles off the Ohio mainland on Lake Erie, Put-in-Bay on South Bass Island offers extensive
bird watching and great boating facilities. This Victorian-flavored town is also well known for its
many festivals. The Chamber of Commerce has been working overtime on art, wine and food festivals,
the annual Put-in-Bay Pooch Parade, Fourth of July fireworks, Oktoberfest, a clambake, an annual
celebration to Queen Victoria, and even a ribs cook-off with players from the local Cleveland
Browns. There are scores of attractions, including the Lake Erie Islands Historical Society Museum,
Perry's Cave and Crystal Cave, the Put-in-Bay Butterfly House at Perry's Cave, the Alaskan
Birdhouse Wildlife Museum, and numerous others. Perry's Monument - a 352-foot Doric column to honor
naval hero Oliver Hazard Perry - towers over everything. Slip spaces are plentiful and can be found
at three large public marinas downtown, Oak Point State Park, and private marinas. (419) 285-2832,
www.put-in-bay.com.
05
South Manitou Island, Michigan
Once a stopover
for commercial ships running in Lake Michigan, the North and South Manitou Islands are now part of
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park. Both are beautiful, unpopulated islands, but the smaller South
island gets three times more boaters than the North island because it has a larger anchorage and
more historic attractions, like the 1872 lighthouse that offers excellent views of the waters. The
5,000-acre South Manitou Island is a compilation of beaches, dunes, white-cedar forests and
buildings like a Victorian schoolhouse, general store, and an old farmhouse. There are about 10
miles of hiking trails and three campgrounds. Given its simple, natural beauty, the island makes an
ideal day trip for a retreat up the Michigan shoreline between Frankfort and Leland. (231)
326-5134,
www.nps.gov/slbe.
06
Lopez Island, Washington
The San Juan Islands
are indisputably the Northwest's finest cruising grounds, and one of its undiscovered gems is Lopez
Island. The 29.5-square-mile island with a population of 2,200 blends a laid-back lifestyle with
woods and pastoral farmland. Its coast has a number of small coves, and the local waters also offer
some of the most dramatic marine life in North America. Orcas, seals and otters appear regularly,
while bald eagles and great blue heron soar through the skies. Salmon, lingcod and cabezon are the
local fish. Lopez Island is crisscrossed by small, rural roads, making even the distant corners
accessible on a rented bike. Known for its artistic community, the island boasts an abundance of
galleries and studios. There are also eclectic cafes as well as bakeries in the main port of Lopez
Village, and the Lopez Island Vineyards and Winery is open to guests during much of the year.
Transient slips are available at the Lopez Islander Resort Marina and Spencer's Landing Marina.
(877) 433-2789,
www.lopezisland.com.
07
Tangier Island, Virginia
This rustic island
in the middle of Chesa-peake Bay feels like something that time truly has forgotten. Much of it is
flat and undeveloped wetland, with a beautiful and isolated beach thrown in the mix. Many islanders
make their living from crabbing, so you see boats and floats everywhere - the real deal. The local
dialect is said to be almost un-changed since early colonial times. Tangier is actually a group of
smaller islands connected by wooden bridges, with colorful names like Hog Ridge, Black Dye and Meat
Soup. The local charm continues in the several gift shops, three bed and breakfasts, and a handful
of restaurants with names like Spanky's ice cream shop, Fisherman's Corner and Hilda Crockett's
Chesapeake House. The island holds the Tangier Festival each August and will be celebrating its
400th year next summer. Bring cash, because there are no ATMs or banks on the island. The local
crab dishes are to die for. For general information, go to
www.tangierisland-va.com. For slip
spaces, call Parks Marina at (757) 891-2567.
08
Cayo Costa, Florida
With nine miles of
empty beaches and acres of pine forests, mangrove swamps and oak-palm hammocks, Cayo Costa State
Park is one of the most popular boating destinations in Southwest Florida. Located just northwest
of Fort Myers, the unpopulated island has been left in its natural state, except for some barbecue
and camping sites. There are no marinas, gas or food facilities. Depending on the time of year, you
might see manatees or pods of dolphins swimming the local waters. Or, you can observe wildlife
while exploring the island's five miles of trails by foot or mountain bike. The area is also rich
in gamefish: Snook, redfish, spotted seatrout and tarpon are all Southwest Florida's signature
species. Shelling is also a big draw on Cayo Costa's South shore. The park has docks for day or
overnight boaters ($18 if you sleep on the boat), and campsites ($18) and rough cabins ($30) for
those who want to sleep ashore. Another benefit to this area is that many of the other barrier
islands are only accessible by boat. (941) 964-0375,
www.floridastateparks.org/cayocosta.
09
Block Island, Rhode Island
This gem of an
island, situated 12 miles from Rhode Island's mainland and 12 miles off the tip of Long Island, is
a frequent stopover for Long Island boaters cruising to Cape Cod or locals wanting to get some
island time for the weekend. The 12-square-mile island has 800 full-year residents, but the
population swells to 12,000 in the summer. Block Island can handle the numbers: The island has 17
miles of beaches, over 1,000 mooring spaces (and a great natural harbor in the Great Salt Pond),
plus a 30-mile Greenway trail network. There are also hundreds of mopeds for rental for easy access
to the island's distant corners, such as the lighthouse on the 250-feet-high Mohegan
Bluffs, which offer breathtaking views of the Atlantic. There are also 365 freshwater "ponds" on
the island for bass or perch fishing, and of course, saltwater fishing for blues or stripers is
legendary. Clams are the favored shellfish among the local eateries. The New Harbor has three large
marinas, 90 town moorings and anchorage for 1,000 yachts. (401) 466-3204,
www.blockislandinfo.com.
10
Ocracoke Island, North Carolina
Ocracoke is probably
the most accessible island by car on this list, but it still remains the pride of the Outer Banks.
Its 16 miles of beaches are part of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, offering great
sunning and surf fishing. Other worthwhile visits include the Ocracoke Preservation Society
Museum, Ocracoke Pony Pens (which hold the wild horses of the island), wetlands hikes and a jaunt
around the British Cemetery. If you want to wander by boat, head across the inlet to Portsmouth
Island. It's now overseen by the park service and is uninhabited, though the ghost town of
Portsmouth Village remains intact. The church, schoolhouse and post office have all been restored.
Back on bustling Ocracoke, seafood is king among the many down-home restaurants (there are no
chains here). If you don't want to stay on board overnight, there are also charming bed and
breakfasts, and hotels. (252) 928-6661,
www.ocracokevillage.com.
