Madonna has La Isla Bonita, but the rest of us have La Isla Chiquita, a nickname for this little island just east of Puerto Rico's mainland whose coat of arms features a scepter and a snake. With its miles of sandy beaches, – some evocatively peppered with disused American military hardware – Culebra is a mighty pleasant isle to run off to. This onetime pirate’s lair is now the domain of nesting green sea turtles, brown boobies, and savvy visitors who know that it’s just an easy ferry ride from Fajardo (on Puerto Rico) that transports them to this Caribbean dream.

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It may be located just over three miles from Quebec City, but Ile d’Orleans is without question a treasure island. Peaceful and green, Ile d’Orleans is like a microcosm of the Quebecois countryside. French colonial history runs deep here, in spots like Le Manoir Mauvide-Genest, built-in 1734 and now a heritage museum. Drive along the meandering roads and stop to buy some of the sweetest strawberries you’ll find anywhere. From one point you can see the Montmorency Falls. Get to the island via the Ile d’Orleans Bridge from the mainland.

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Overshadowed in popularity by neighbors Tahiti, Bora Bora, and Moorea, Fakarava is a pristine Polynesian island enveloped by a coral reef and blue lagoon waters. It's part of a UNESCO nature reserve and rich in natural fauna, offers pink-sand beaches, and is rife with rare aquatic life that includes loach, Meru, and barracuda – not to mention hammerhead and tiger sharks. Not surprisingly, scuba diving is this island’s top draw, but other attractions include the ancient village of Tetamanu, where you’ll find a Catholic church made of coral that dates back to 1874, and pearl farms, where rare black pearls are shelled.

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Ponza is the largest of the Pontine Islands, a stunning volcanic archipelago just off the western coast of Lazio, midway between Rome and Naples. But it’s still pretty small, just 5.5 miles long by 1.5 miles wide (at the widest). Foreign visitors remain something of a rarity, but many Italians are known spend warm lazy days at pristine beaches such as Chiaia di Luna (Half Moon Beach), and scuba dive to discover such underwater treasures as sunken ships and coral beds. 

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The Surin Islands are located some 43 miles offshore from Thailand’s Phang Nga province, which is centered on the mainland’s Andaman Sea coast. The Surin archipelago, which numbers five islands, takes unspoiled and exotic to the next level: the whole chain is a national park, famous for its pristine coral reefs. One of the best scuba spots in these parts (or anywhere, for that matter) is Richelieu Rock, a reef with a wealth of purple corals discovered by Jacques Cousteau. Here the likes of parrotfish, rainbow wrasse, and whale sharks, the so-called “kind giants of the sea,” abound. For those who prefer to stick to the shore, the islands offer plenty of bleach-white sandy beaches and other placid charms. You can take a nature hike on the largest of the Surins, Ko Surin Nuea, but look out for flying lemurs. 

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Kenya’s oldest living settlement, Lamu boasts golden sands fronting the Indian Ocean, tiny villages, and a breezy, slow-moving pace of life. It offers a glimpse into the past – a place where donkeys are the main mode of transportation and residents still keep their arms and legs covered out of respect while out in town (it is strictly Islamic). The rich atmosphere and history alone make Lamu worth the trek, but so do its beaches: Shela Beach offers the best swimming, while excursions to ruins and coral reefs could have you snorkeling alongside frolicking dolphins.

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Though artists have sought out this remote, car-free destination for over a century, Monhegan largely remains an undiscovered island. Full-time residents number around 75, whose main occupation is fishing or lobstering supplemented by an artists’ colony and tourism. Visitors who make the hour-long ferry ride from the Maine mainland can discover firsthand the beauty and simplicity of the village and surrounding landscape. Lobster Cove, in particular, draws nature lovers for its bird-watching and coastal views. Don’t miss the Monhegan Museum, housed in what was once a lighthouse and residence – it showcases the history of the community and boasts an extensive collection of local artwork. There are a handful of quaint inns and cottage rentals to choose from, though note that some accommodations are only open May through October. 

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Les Saintes, a spectacular cluster of eight undiscovered islands situated just off the coast of Guadeloupe and accessible only by ferry or private yacht, is the very essence of French West Indies life – without the crowds, to boot. Terre-de-Haut is the most appealing of them all, with its attractive beaches, mouth-watering Creole cuisine, and laid-back French-speaking locals; it also has the most options for overnight accommodations of Les Saintes' islands. Beach bums will love the powdery white sands of the palm-lined Plage de Pompierre, while the spectacular underwater world of colorful reefs and exotic fish (attracting divers as renowned as Jacques Cousteau) makes scuba diving and snorkeling another huge draw. 

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Water Island is located a stone’s throw from Charlotte Amalie – the capital of the U.S. Virgin Islands located on the island of Saint Thomas – but in some respects, it’s a world away. With fewer than 500 acres, Water Island is the smallest of the USVI. Historically, its freshwater ponds – a rarity in these parts – made the island a popular spot for pirates. These days, you can indulge your buccaneer spirit with a swim at Honeymoon Beach or a ramble among the ruins of old cotton plantations. The spectacular underwater world of colorful reefs and exotic fish (attracting divers like Jacques Cousteau) makes scuba diving and snorkeling another huge draw. Rent a golf cart to get around (you won't find much in the way of cars here) and zip around to a different beach at dawn, midday, and dusk.

Read more: Which U.S. Virgin Island Is for You?
 

Part of a remote tropical archipelago in the midst of the Pacific, Yap is the most intriguing destination in the island nation of Micronesia. The island's traditional way of life remains both authentic and distinct: Legends are portrayed in colorful dances; village women dress in grass skirts, the men in brightly colored loincloths; and ancient stone money discs are still used as local tender (though the U.S. dollar is the official currency). Spend your days hiking among the island's rolling green hills, mangrove forests, and antiquated stone paths or, go off and explore the ocean’s coral reefs and swim with dolphins and magnificent manta rays.

Read more: The World’s Best Secluded Beaches