Virgin Islands, US

There is a beach for every mood in this laid-back Caribbean paradise. Visitors flock to Magens Bay — consistently rated as one of the world’s top beaches — for the tranquil waters and lively social scene. Part of a protected area called Smith Bay Park, Lindquist Beach boasts powdery sands, tide pools and a more secluded feel. The island’s crystal-clear waters teeming with exotic fish offer excellent visibility for underwater adventures, and there are ferries and charters that whisk visitors to hidden coves and nearby islands, including Water Island and St. John.

The largest and least-visited of the U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Croix enchants travelers with its unspoiled white-sand beaches, coral reefs, lush tropical landscapes, protected parks and organic farms. Its two relaxed main towns showcase the island’s unique Danish heritage. On the west coast you’ll find Fredriksted, a tiny, tidy grid of a town with a seafront that stretches between an 18th century fort and a wildlife refuge at Sandy Point.

The smallest of the three main U.S. Virgin Islands, St. John was an early pioneer in Caribbean eco-tourism. More than half of its 20 square miles are undeveloped — and will stay that way — as they constitute Virgin Islands National Park, created in 1956 from holdings donated by U.S. philanthropist and conservationist Laurance Rockefeller. Much of St. John’s glorious white-sand beaches, coastline and surrounding seas are also protected, either through the park or the Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument.