TOP 10 SECRET TROPICAL DESTINATIONS

Miles of sand, warm sun, women in bikinis… a tropical vacation always sounds good. Tried-and-true vacation spots like Jamaica and the Bahamas are still great picks, but what about the new, the remote or the one of a kind? There are dozens of tropical paradises around the world just waiting for your visit -- and not where you might expect.

Keeping your vacation interests in mind, below are locales that not only offer breathtaking scenery and blissfully warm weather, but also feature adventure sports, a haven from crowds or once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Whether you’re looking to hike an extinct volcano, dive with the fishes or stretch out on thebeach, these tropical destinations will have you booking your flight ASAP.

NUMBER 10

Saba, Netherlands Antilles

The “unspoiled queen of the Caribbean” is a little island with a lot to offer. Saba is the smallest island in the Dutch-governed Netherlands Antilles, but its history is crammed with gleaming loot: A pirate haven in the 1600s, its very own scallywag Hiram Breakes uttered the eternal words, “Dead men tell no tales.” These days, Saba not only pulls in visitors for its steep, breathtaking mountain views, rock climbing and rain forest trails, but also for what lies beneath: The island boasts some of the Caribbean’s best scuba diving with unspoiled reefs and impressive underwater mountains. The island is a relative newbie to tourism -- the industry only kicked off in the ‘70s -- so expect personalized charm and carefree seclusion from this Caribbean jewel.

NUMBER 9

Jeju Island, South Korea

South Korea might sound like an unlikely spot for a tropical getaway, but one glance at Jeju Island’s emerald ocean views, lush greenery, rare and unique waterfalls, and not-too-hot climate make it an obvious pick for a paradise vacation. Extinct volcano Mount Halla dominates the middle of the island, and Jeju is peppered with the results of its wrath; dozens of unique rock formations and hundreds of inactive craters make for sights you won’t see anywhere else. Want a sunrise to seal the deal with a gorgeous traveling companion? Try the view from the rim of a 9,000 square-meter volcanic crater. And if you’re scouring the world for interesting women, check out Jeju’s famed female divers, who dive for fish sans scuba gear.

NUMBER 8

Dunk Island, Australia

If you’re looking to unwind with more than your usual game of golf, check out Dunk Island on the Great Barrier Reef, home to Australia’s only island golf course. Originally dubbed the Island of Peace and Plenty by its inhabitants, the island offers a relaxing getaway smack in the middle of Australian tropical rain forest. The island’s exclusive resort offers horseback riding, kayaking, snorkeling, scuba diving, and more, plus a stunning trail that runs along the beach, cuts through rain forest and climbs up Mount Kootaloo for a gorgeous view of neighboring islands. And if you really want to relax -- and you don’t mind getting a little metrosexual -- the Spa of Peace and Plenty offers treatments for men that are sure to eliminate those rush-hour nerves.

NUMBER 7

Tonga

Map out four island groups, include unspoiled beaches, rain forests, and deep channels for sailing, sprinkle in coral islands and cover every activity a vacationer could want, and you’ve got the Kingdom of Tonga. Billed as the “home of the friendly islanders,” Tonga advertises a calm, relaxed approach to life, but knows how to rev it up if you’re after holiday thrills. If relaxation is on your agenda, take your pick of the white sands at Tonga’s dozens of stunning island resorts; for a taste of adventure, strap into a rugged kart for an island safari or trek alongside waterfalls and chasms at ‘Eua National Park; do some sailing, fishing, surfing or kayaking for your water-sport fix. If your girlfriend says you “need culture,” marvel at the massive Ha'amonga 'a Maui, the Stonehenge of the South Pacific built around 1000 AD, or join in a kava ceremony (an herbal brew said to ease all stress) for an authentic Tongan welcome.

NUMBER 6

Jumby Bay Island, West Indies

Vacation spots don’t get much more luxurious, private or breathtakingly beautiful than Jumby Bay Island, a private resort off the coast of Antigua that hosts the vacation homes of a handful of celebrities, including luxury’s own connoisseur Robin Leach. From the moment you arrive at the island resort by private catamaran, look forward to beck-and-call service, gorgeous accommodations, and stunning white-sand beaches, arguably some of the most beautiful in the West Indies. Any and every water sport you could want is on offer, including waterskiing, windsurfing and deep-sea fishing, or take a speedboat to explore nearby uninhabited islands. And if you just want to relax, lie out on renowned Pasture Beach or Jumby Bay Beach. Spot one of the island’s endangered birds or lizards in the process, and you have an icebreaker that’ll make you sound exotic and interesting.

NUMBER 5

Peter Island, British Virgin Islands

If hanging with the crowds on a public beach isn’t your thing, ditch the masses on Peter Island, a private resort island perfect for revving up the romance in your life. Walks along secluded beaches, private yachttrips, gourmet dining, a stay in a hilltop villa with breathtaking ocean views… Peter Island is all about luxury. And if you’re stuck hauling your kids along for the ride, don’t give up on getting action just yet -- the resort is family friendly, with lots of ways to amuse your tribe of “mini-mes.” Between strolls along Deadman’s Bay (rated one of the world’s 10 most romantic beaches) or Honeymoon Beach (with just enough room for two beach chairs and a thatched hut), get adventurous with sea kayaking, snorkeling, diving, windsurfing, and mountain bike trails. And if that’s not enough to do, check out nearby Dead Chest Island, reported to be where Blackbeard actually dumped 15 men and a bottle of rum.

NUMBER 4

St. Vincent, St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Looking for adventure, relaxation and vibrant culture? Hiking a volcano, swimming a waterfall, taking off on a Jeep Safari tour, and getting down to calypso are just some of the ways you can explore the lively island of St. Vincent. The head honcho of the Grenadine Islands, this Caribbean gem boasts dozens of bays and black and white sand beaches, and offers snorkeling, yachting, and stunning dive sites. For something more inland, check out the French and British forts and other historic sites left over from the island’s tumultuous history, or hit one of the island festivals, including the Blues & Rhythms Festival, the Vincy Mas Carnival (think women in glittering outfits) and a whole month devoted to everything fishing. But that’s not all: St. Vincent has a vibrant music scene (Kevin Lyttle’s club hit “Turn Me On” was recorded there), featuring everything from steel pan players to drummers to dancehall.

NUMBER 3

Yasawa Island, Fiji

Looking for a remote paradise where not even televisions are allowed? Set your sights on Yasawa Island, a remote getaway in a group of Fijian islands by the same name. One of the Fijian language’s 15 words for heaven is “Yasawa,” and it’s not hard to see why: lush greenery, pristine white sands, and only one resort on the entire island offering a luxurious stay in a handful of bures (thatched-roof luxury accommodations meaning “sanctuary” in Fijian). When you’re not visiting the local villages, game fishing, diving in the turquoise waters to explore one of the world’s most unspoiled reefs or sailing around in a catamaran, try exploring the nearby caves and coves -- you might recognize them from the Brooke Shields classic The Blue Lagoon. And while a half-naked Brooke probably won’t be waiting for you on the beach, Yasawa is ripe for romance, with the resort offering fine dining to the tune of freshly caught seafood and 11 deserted beaches to explore.

NUMBER 2

Huahine Island, French Polynesia

If you want to experience Tahiti without the crowds, Huahine Island is the place to go. In reality two islands connected by a bridge, Huahine boasts long stretches of white sand, crystal blue bays and lush, green mountains -- there’s so much tropical foliage, in fact, that it’s sometimes called the Garden Island. But this paradise is far from your grandmother’s flower bed; if you want an adrenaline rush, Huahine is a prime spot for diving, sailing, jet skiing, kite surfing, and even shark feeding -- if you don’t mind a hook hand as a vacation souvenir. If you’re into a slower pace, try the gorgeous walking trails, lagoon tours, horseback riding, or a bird’s-eye view by helicopter. And for a once-in-a-lifetime dinner date, book yourself a motupicnic, and travel by boat to your own sand-white island where they drop anchor and set up your table right there in the sparkling blue. There’s no way her ex-boyfriend ever topped that.

NUMBER 1

Republic of Maldives

One thousand, one hundred and ninety islands, spread over 26 coral rings like pearls in the sea… the Republic of Maldives is breathtaking even from the sky. But the Maldives is more than just an island chain, it’s a nation steeped in sea-faring tradition, made up of people with African, Arab and South Asian roots. Translation: beautiful women and some of the world’s best diving. With 87 resort islands to choose from, you won’t come up short on idyllic beaches, spectacular dive sites and sights to see: from the wreck of the ship Maldive Victory to the sharks, barracuda and scores of fish at Banana Reef, and from the sea fans, black corals and reef sharks at the world-famous Fish Head diving site to the mysterious mounds on the island of Kudahuvadhoo, the Maldives has all the pieces of a once-in-a-lifetime vacation.

SECRET ISLANDS

It’s clear that whatever your vacation pleasure -- from white sand relaxation to rain forest hikes and wild water sports -- there’s a tropical destination out there waiting for you. No doubt you’ll have to shell out a little more to sunbathe on your own private patch of Antigua or fly to an island halfway around the world, but if you’re looking for a vacation that’s nothing short of spectacular, it’s worth the bucks. After all, who else at the office can say they spent their hard-earned two weeks vacay in the Maldives? Bon voyage!