7 Places in the U.S. Reachable Only by Boat or Plane

From the glacial waters of Alaska to an island teeming with marine life off the coast of Florida, there are some breathtaking locations in the U.S. that you simply can’t drive to. But that only makes the adventure more thrilling. So, hop on a ferry or book a cruise or a seaplane to reach these seven stunning remote U.S. getaways.

Juneau, Alaska

Juneau is the lone U.S. state capital not accessible by car — you can reach it only by boat or plane. Due to Juneau’s remote location, most out-of-towners fly into the port city, but some make the long journey by cruise or ferry from Bellingham, Washington; Prince Rupert, British Columbia; or other smaller Alaskan ports. 

Home of the famous Mendenhall Glacier (the only glacier in southeast Alaska accessible by road), Juneau is coveted for its remarkable natural landmarks. Other highlights include Nugget Falls, the Tracy Arm Fjord, and Tongass National Forest, the latter of which is home to brown and black bears, spawning Pacific salmon, humpback and killer whales, Steller sea lions, harbor seals, sea otters, and Dall’s porpoises. Attractions on land include the Goldbelt Tram up Mount Roberts, the Alaska State Museum, and the DIPAC Macaulay Salmon Hatchery.

Block Island – Rhode Island

With dramatic clay cliffs and two picturesque lighthouses — the 19th-century red-brick Southeast Lighthouse and granite-and-iron North Lighthouse — Block Island sits just 13 miles off the coast of Rhode Island. One of New England’s top boating destinations, the hamlet is accessible in warmer summer months with daily ferries departing from Point Judith and Newport, Rhode Island; New London, Connecticut; and Montauk and Orient Point, New York. You can also fly via New England Airlines from Westerly, Rhode Island. 

Block Island’s main town, New Shoreham, is the smallest town in America’s smallest state. Though it’s home to just over 1,000 full-time residents, in summer, the population swells up to 20,000 vacationers.

San Juan Islands – Washington

An archipelago consisting of 176 named islands and reefs off the northern coast of Washington state, the San Juan Islands are an adventurer’s paradise. They’re home to old-growth forests, Mount Constitution (the second-highest mountain on an ocean island in the contiguous 48 states), weathered lighthouses, rocky coves perfect for sea kayaking, and whale-watching lookout points. 

The four main islands — San Juan Island, Orcas Island, Lopez Island, and Shaw Island — are accessible by ferry from the port city of Anacortes and by seaplane from Bellingham and Seattle. Each island is home to fewer than 10,000 full-time residents, but it’s easy to see the appeal of visiting. The sun casting shadows across the deep blue sound with snow-capped peaks in the distance is a remarkable scene you won’t find anywhere else in the U.S. 

Catalina Island – California

Many Angelenos take the hour-long ferry ride from Long Beach or fly via seaplane for a quick getaway to sunny Catalina Island, located just 22 miles off the coast of Southern California. No personal vehicles are allowed on the island, which is home to approximately 4,000 full-time residents. 

Catalina’s idyllic resort community of Avalon looks like it belongs in the Mediterranean, with colorful fishing boats, the red-roofed casino perched over the rocky coastline, and the white Spanish-style bell tower built in 1925. With beachside restaurants and bars, an art and history museum, a botanical garden, galleries, and shops, the island has something for everyone — and it feels worlds away from the sprawling city across the water. 

Dry Tortugas National Park – Florida

One of the 10 least-visited national parks in the United States, Dry Tortugas is a remote reserve 70 miles west of Key West, covering 100 square miles of mostly open water, plus seven small islands. Accessible only by boat or seaplane, the national park is home to the 19th-century Fort Jefferson — the largest brick masonry structure in the Americas — and is teeming with marine life swimming in the protected coral reefs. To see the park in all its glory, many visitors embark on scuba-diving, snorkeling, or boating tours. Or you could simply take a swim and relax at campsites on lush Garden Key, the only island with amenities for tourists. 

Rock Island – Wisconsin

This forested isle located at the mouth of Green Bay in Wisconsin’s Door County is another secluded spot that’s only reachable by ferry. To visit Rock Island, hop on the seasonal ferry (which operates from Memorial Day weekend through early October) from adjacent Washington Island, which itself is also reachable only via ferry from the mainland.

Once you reach the shores of Rock Island, you can explore Rock Island State Park, which features the Pottawatomie Lighthouse as well as stone buildings built by an inventor who owned the island between 1910 and 1964. Visitors can also explore the island’s rugged beauty along 10 miles of hiking trails and go camping, swimming, and fishing. 

Governors Island – New York

Governors Island is a mere 400 yards from Brooklyn and 800 yards south of Manhattan. Covering only 172 acres, the island took its current name in 1699, when British colonists used it for royal governors. Later, it was home to the U.S. Army from 1794 to 1966 and the U.S. Coast Guard from 1966 to 1996. 

Today, the tiny island features public art installations, parks with epic views of the New York skyline, biking trails, historic sites including Castle Williams and Fort Jay, restaurants, and the popular Hammock Grove, a relaxing spot featuring 50 red hammocks anyone can lounge in. The island is accessible by a short eight-minute ferry from either the Battery Maritime Building in Lower Manhattan or Pier 6 in Brooklyn.