Can there be such things as “secret islands” of the Caribbean? Sure, word is out on much of the Caribbean Isles, but there are still a few corners of the salty sea where the mood is laid-back and the culture authentic — places where the Robinson Crusoe dream is alive and well.

Anegada, British Virgin Islands

Anegada, British Virgin Islands (Wikimedia Commons)

The long-forgotten British Virgin Island of Anegada is a 75-minute ferry ride from the capital Tortola, but it feels a world away. The 15-square-mile outpost is the only inhabited Virgin Island formed by coral and limestone (rather than a volcano). Yet, to call it inhabited is a bit of a stretch. Just 200 people live on Anegada, and almost all reside in the main town, The Settlement. Outside The Settlement, Anegada’s famed white sand beaches stretch indefinitely. Beyond the shore, the Horseshoe Reef extends for some 18 miles, making it the largest barrier coral reef in the Caribbean and the fourth-largest in the world.

Where to Stay: Anegada Reef Hotel (Rates start at $135 per night)

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les des Saintes (Islands of the Saints), French Antilles

Iles des Saintes (Islands of the Saints), French Antilles (Wikimedia Commons)

The les des Saintes is a dependency of Guadeloupe, which in turn is an overseas department and Region of France. Confused? Don’t be. All you need to know is that this splendid archipelago boasts superb beaches, exceptional snorkeling, and a fascinating history to boot. Too small for sugar plantations and the attendant slavery, this patchwork of volcanic dots is home to the blue-eyed descendants of impoverished Breton colonists — and the history of Les Saintes is as rich as its cuisine.

Where to Stay: Auberge Les Petits Saints, Terre de Haut (Rates start at $140 per night)

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