U.S. Virgin Islands

Concierge.com's insider take:

With well-preserved reefs and easy points of access, St. Croix's beaches have long been popular for snorkeling. Many of the best spots are near hotels, so gear is often available for rent at beachside sport shacks. Here are some of our favorite sandy spots.

Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge
www.fws.gov/Caribbean
Boasting the longest and most pristine stretch of sand on St. Croix, Sandy Point is the island's best beach for good reason: The site is a federally protected national wildlife refuge, and is open only on weekends. It's home to more than 100 species of birds and is a nesting site for leatherback turtles. It's not the easiest place to find, but once you get there you'll be rewarded with two miles of powdery sand and some of the clearest water in the Caribbean. Head west on Melvin Evans Highway and continue straight at the turnoff for Frederiksted. Drive past the sign for Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge and follow the dirt road for about two miles to the end. Be sure to bring plenty of water and a picnic, since there are no concessions anywhere near the beach.

Open Saturdays and Sundays 10 am to 4 pm.

Cane Bay
Cane Bay, on the north shore about 20 minutes west of Christiansted, is a shady family-friendly beach. It's also popular with divers, who come here for the Wall, a massive coral shelf that drops to depths of 3,200 feet a mere 100 yards from the shoreline. Book a dive at nearby Cane Bay Dive Shop; the experienced outfit takes beginners and experts to more than a dozen sites along the Wall and beyond (North Shore Road, 800-338-3843; canebayscuba.com). When you're back on land, grab a cool drink at Off the Wall, a super-casual beach bar that lives by the slogan, "No shirt, no shoes, no problem!" (North Shore Road, 340-778-4771).