One of the most haunted places in North Carolina, Ocracoke Island is supposedly where notorious pirate Blackbeard finally met his demise. Ryan MacDonaldīlackbeard’s final resting place is loaded with pirate lore (but not tourists) ![]() When the darkness swallows you whole, the madness of SoCal's 101 will seem like a distant memory. Kayakers should head into the Painted Cave, an enormous opening that plunges deep into the side of the island. With scuba gear (or a snorkel), dive into the kelp forests that surround the nearby shores. There are day hikes and established campgrounds at Scorpion Canyon, but the real exploring comes underwater. Once there, be on the lookout for bald eagle chicks or scrub jays, a small blue bird found nowhere else on Earth. Somehow flying under the radar of beach-obsessed Angelenos despite being less than 90 miles away, this eight-island archipelago is often considered " the Galapagos of the North.” To get to this stunning habitat for rare plant and wildlife (including one of the smallest fox species on the planet), board a ferry in Ventura (an excellent home base for an extended stay), then sit back and enjoy the hour-long journey to Santa Cruz Island, the most user-friendly of the bunch. Under the sea, one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world Talk about history! - Allison RamirezĬhannel Islands, California | Getty Images L: Danita Delimont/Gallo Images R: Richard Ross/The Image Bank As if that weren’t enough: The first-ever Days Inn is here, too. Tybee also has its own wild Mardi Gras, an Irish Heritage Celebration, and a Sand Art Festival (all of which are also set to return in 2022). ![]() In the 1500s, pirates hid here since 2005, the island hosts an annual Pirate Fest (which will hopefully return in October 2022) with a parade, a market, live music, and booze. Head to the diviest bar (there are many!), grab a beer, and, chances are a local will talk your ear off about the town and nearby Fort Pulaski, a Civil War monument still open for self-guided tours. What truly sets Tybee Island apart, though, is its long, funky history. The usual roster of Atlantic island joys are here: Grab an ice cream or an old-fashioned malt and head to the pier at sundown, keeping watch for sea turtles and their nests May through October. Dying to dip your toes in the water and your ass in the sand? The last place you’d probably think to visit is the easternmost point of Georgia, but just an 18-mile drive from historic downtown Savannah you’ll find a barrier island with wide, sandy beaches and that small-town-with-a-hint-of-carnival-nostalgia vibe.
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