U.S. Virgin Islands

Concierge.com's insider take:

It's hard not to find a quiet cove to call your own on idyllic St. John. A drive along North Shore Road will take you past dozens of secluded spots, all with crystal-clear water, sugar-white sand, and shady coconut palms. Here are three of our favorites.

Trunk Bay
Mainly due to its proximity to Cruz Bay—it's only a five-minute drive from the port town—Trunk Bay is St. John's most popular beach. But much credit should also be given to the powdery white sand, luxuriant palms, and well-marked snorkel trail that's great for beginners (underwater signs teach you about the marine life you'll spot along the way). In addition to lifeguards, you'll find picnic tables, a snack bar, bathrooms, showers, and snorkeling gear rentals—well worth the $4 admission fee (it's free after 4 pm).

Caneel Bay Beach
Even if you're not staying at Caneel Bay resort, you can still laze on its fabulous namesake beach. You'll have to bring your own towels, and steer clear of the guest-only chaise longues, but you'll have access to the open-air restaurant for a quiet beachside lunch as well as to one of the prettiest little coves on St. John. Adventurous snorkelers can hop in the water (BYO gear, too) and paddle to secluded Honeymoon Beach. It'll take strong swimmers about 30 minutes to get there, but once ashore you'll be rewarded with a slice of sand all your own. If you're not exhausted yet, explore the headland between Honeymoon Beach and Solomon Beach—the next bay over—for a closer look at the reef fish that hug the coast.

Cinnamon Bay
Best known for its affordable beachside camping (campsites from $30 per night; 340 776 6330; www.cinnamonbay.com), Cinnamon Bay offers lots more than rustic screened-in cottages. Featuring the longest beach within the Virgin Islands National Park and strong afternoon breezes, the bay is a popular spot for windsurfing. Get a two-hour introductory lesson from Wind 'n' Surfing Adventures, located right on Cinnamon Bay beach (340-626-4769; $125; windnsurfingadventures.com). If balancing on a board is not your style, rent a kayak and paddle out to one of the bay's five premier snorkeling sites; hop in the water and tow your kayak on a lanyard attached to your ankle for an up-close glimpse of giant brain and elkhorn coral plus plenty of flounder, parrot fish, barracuda, and other exotic fish.