From Hawaii to the Caribbean, we've rounded up the magnificent seven

By Stephanie Gregory

Secret Beach
Kauai, Hawaii
PICTURE THIS: The name says it all: Backed by 150-foot cliffs, this remote, two-mile stretch of yellow sand (also known as Kilauea Beach) is reached via a dirt road and a five-minute hike through the jungle, so casual visitors never even know it's there. To the west is a volcanic rock wall slammed by breakers, and the Kilauea lighthouse watches over everything from the east.

BEYOND THE BEACH TOWEL: In summer you can swim, bodysurf, and snorkel, but from October to May, swells can be deadly.

PRIVACY QUOTIENT: The two entrances are well disguised, steep, and rough, so you'll have the beach mostly to yourself, except for a few wandering Rastafarian types.

SHORE BET: Try the Hale Makai Beach Cottages spread out over one acre just steps from the snorkeling at Tunnels Beach in Haena, 13 miles away. The cottages (three of them have one bedroom, the other has two) cost $145–$195 per night. Contact 800-487-9833; www.hanalei-vacations.com.

Rendezvous Bay
Anguilla
PICTURE THIS: Even on an island that's famous for its beaches, this two-and-a-half-mile crescent stands out. The water is so intensely aquamarine that it almost looks chemically treated, and you can wander out for what seems like miles before it reaches chest-high.

BEYOND THE BEACH TOWEL: Rendezvous Bay Beach connects to Cove Beach, which continues all the way to Maunday's Bay for a total walkable (or runnable) distance of five and a half miles one way.

PRIVACY QUOTIENT: There are no beach vendors and only three low-key hotels along a two-and-a-half-mile stretch of sand.

SHORE BET: Mykonos meets the Caribbean at CuisinArt Resort and Spa, a whitewashed Mediterranean-inspired hotel that opened in December 1999. Snorkeling, windsurfing, waterskiing, and sailing are close at hand. Doubles cost $250–$800 per night, including breakfast and use of watersports equipment. Call 800-937-9356; www.cuisinartresort.com.

Pink Sands Beach
Harbour Island, Bahamas
PICTURE THIS: No need for rose-colored glasses here—the sand really is pink on this three-and-a-half-mile beach extending the entire length of the island. Clapboard houses painted in pastel colors give the place the feel of a tropical Cape Cod.

BEYOND THE BEACH TOWEL: Snorkel, fish for wahoo, canter through the surf on horseback, practice your butterfly in the waveless azure water, or build a pink sand castle.

PRIVACY QUOTIENT: For maximum privacy, keep to the north end, where you'll be interrupted only by a stray dog or two.

SHORE BET: The decor of the 25 cottages at the oceanfront Pink Sands Hotel can best be classified as Caribbean funk. One-bedroom cottages cost $475–$725, including breakfast and dinner. Call 800-688-7678; www.islandoutpost.com.

Punta Uva
Costa Rica
PICTURE THIS: Six miles from the 250-acre Samasati Biological Reserve, Punta Uva's five-mile stretch of white sand is lined with coconut palms, backed by mountains, and fronted by a coral reef that extends two miles from shore.

BEYOND THE BEACH TOWEL: Kayak along the mangrove- tangled shores of the Punta Uva River; search for howler monkeys, sloths, and iguanas hiding out in the nature preserve; or snorkel the rainbow-colored reef.

PRIVACY QUOTIENT: Nothing but you and a few howler monkeys, crashing through the trees.

SHORE BET: Samasati Nature Retreat, in the reserve, has nine bungalows that occupy a jungly hilltop with Caribbean views. In addition to yoga and meditation workshops, the resort offers sea kayaking, horseback riding, surfing, and scuba diving. Doubles, $45–$71 per person per day, including all meals. Call 800-563-9643; www.samasati.com.

Kawakiu Molokai
Hawaii
PICTURE THIS: Sandwiched between expanses of lava rock, Kawakiu is almost as wide as it is long, with a half-mile of sand the color of a surfer's sun-bleached hair. Low-lying kiawe trees rim the inland edge, while varying shades of blue give away the coral maze underneath the water's surface.

BEYOND THE BEACH TOWEL: Cast for barracuda and red goatfish, snorkel the reef, or scramble over the lava to find smaller white-sand coves nearby. The surf is mellow by Hawaiian standards, but waves can still get monstrous in the late fall and early winter.

PRIVACY QUOTIENT: Kawakiu is hard to find and thus one of the least-visited beaches on Molokai—and the locals want it to stay that way, so keep a low profile.

SHORE BET: Kaluakoi Villas, 30 minutes away, makes up in convenience what it lacks in personality; its 27 studio-style rooms have kitchenettes and are reasonably priced. Doubles cost $128–$154 per night. Call 800-525-1470; www.castleresorts.com.

Loblolly Bay
Anegada, British Virgin Islands
PICTURE THIS: Snorkel in the shallows parallel to this three-mile-long, wind-scrubbed beach to watch bonefish, triggerfish, stingrays, and crabs. The water is so Brita-filter clear that if it weren't for the salt, you wouldn't even need a mask.

BEYOND THE BEACH TOWEL: Swim among needlefish and mantis shrimp or dive the tunnels, drops, and caves where you'll find reef-cruising mackerel, tarpon, and nurse sharks. On land, be sure to check out the flamingos.

PRIVACY QUOTIENT: Last time anybody counted, the island had fewer than 150 inhabitants. Plus, wicked-sharp reefs keep the cruise ships from landing here.

SHORE BET: The 20-room Anegada Reef Hotel, eight miles from the beach on the island's southern coast, offers fishing charters and kayak and bike rentals. Doubles cost $215–$275 per night, including all meals. Call 284-495-8002; www.anegadareef.com.

Playa Rincón
Las Galeras, Dominican Republic
PICTURE THIS: At the base of the 3,000-foot-high Cabo Cabrón cliffs, this three-mile expanse of ivory sand occupies a gorgeous palm-ringed cove.

BEYOND THE BEACH TOWEL: The beach is accessible only by four-wheel-drive roads, which also work as good mountain-bike and horseback riding trails. Snorkel to see purple fan corals.

PRIVACY QUOTIENT: You'll share the beach with few others save the Dominican family who sells fresh lobster, crab, and octopus out of a palm-thatched hut.

SHORE BET: Villa Serena, in Las Galeras, has 21 rooms all facing the ocean. There's snorkeling and scuba diving, humpback whale–watching tours, bike rides through the jungle, and horse pack trips into El Limón National Park. Doubles cost $100–$110 including breakfast. Call 809-538-0000; www.villaserena.com.