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The Ultimate Caribbean

ST. JOHN
BEST FOR UNSPOILED NATURE

The least populated and least developed of the U.S. Virgin Islands sits just east of St. Thomas (a 20-to-45- minute ferry ride away). Two-thirds of St. John is protected from development as part of the Virgin Islands National Park-the legacy of Laurance Rockefeller, who donated the first 5,000 acres to the federal government in 1956.

WORTH THE SPLURGE
Another of Rockefeller's legacies is Caneel Bay. One of the first-ever eco-resorts, its low-lying buildings were designed in 1956 to blend in to the surrounding environment; to this day wild donkeys share the grounds with guests. The resort also has seven beaches, five restaurants, and the Self Centre, for meditation and yoga.

SECRET BEACH
Because Honeymoon Beach can only be reached by hiking from Caneel Bay or Cruz Bay, it's rarely crowded.

VIRGIN GORDA
BEST FOR PEACE AND QUIET

The eastermost of the British Virgin Islands, Virgin Gorda is at once laid-back and empty; like St. John, much of the island is protected parkland. It isn't especially easy to reach--you'll have to take a puddle-jumper or ferry from either St. Thomas or Tortola.

WORTH THE SPLURGE
A sister resort of St. John's Caneel Bay, Little Dix Bay was also built by Laurance Rockefeller. Recently renovated rooms line the wide bay with one of the island's best beaches, and the open-air pavilion is a center of activity from breakfast through afternoon tea, and well into the night at its candlelit bar.

TOP BEACH
The most famous beach is The Baths. A series of small coves, its many granite boulders look like marbles tossed into the blue bay.

HARBOUR ISLAND
BEST FOR SHOPPING

One of the oldest settlements in the Bahamas, this 3-1/2 mile-long stretch of land is a five-minute water taxi ride from North Eleuthera. Colorful cottages line the harbor; beyond them are palatial houses owned by monied locals and the fashion crowd that "discovered" the island's pink beaches in the 1960's.

WORTH  THE SPLURGE
Though Island Records founder Chris Blackwell sold Pink Sands this year to the neighboring Coral Sands resort, little has changed a this sophisticated very funky enclave, with its 25 bohemian Morocco-meets-Bali cottages.

TOP BEACH
Pink Sands Beach stretches nearly the length of the island. Protect ed by the third-longest barrier reef in the world, it has some of the gentlest surf in the Bahamas.

SABA
BEST FOR ADVENTURE

A verdant, five-square-mile dormant volcano crisscrossed by a thin, winding road, Dutch controlled Sabo (pronounced say-ba) is one of the best preserved islands in the Caribbean. Despite the fact that it is virtually sand-free, the abundant wildlife, 14 easy hiking trails, lush rain forest, and protected reefs lure thrill-seekers and nature lovers. And since it's only a 1f2-minute flight or a 90-minute ferry from St. Martin, many visitors are day-trippers.

WORTH THE SPLURGE
The 12 spacious suites at the Queens' Gardens Resort are furnished with antiques from Indonesia and the West Indies- it's the mos luxurious place to stay.

DIVING ADVICE
Here, the real thrills are found below sea level. Saba Marine Park is one of the Caribbeans top scuba spots: octopus and hawksbill turtles populate the 28 dive sites.

NEVIS
BEST FOR AN AUTHENTIC CARIBBEAN EXPERIENCE

This leeward island has a flat coastline that soars up to the rain forest-enshrouded 3,200=foot Mount Nevis. It feels intimate, in part because it's tiny (population 11,000), but also becausedevelopment has been tightly controlled; no high-rise hotels, and not a singe traffic light.

WORTH THE SPLURGE
The Four Seasons Resort Nevis is the top hotel on the island and, some might argue, in the Caribbean. It has aprime location on Pinney's Beach, elegant rooms (mahogany furniture, marble bathroos), a decadent spa (try a salt-mango scrub), an activity-paprogram and flawless service.

SECRET BEACH
The miles-long Pinney's is Nevis's best-knonw, but locals head instead to the beach's northermost edge; the secluded and palm-line Paradise Beach. Bring your own towels and food; there are no services here.

ANGUILLA
BEST FOR BEACHES

Almost in the shadow of nearby St. Martin, with St. Bart's visible on clear days, Anguilla is flat and sandy and remains relatively undeveloped compared with its neighbors--but it's still home to some of the most luxurious resorts and villas in the region.

WORTH THE SPLURGE
Haveing recently celebrated its 20th anniversary, the Mediterrancean-style Malliouhana Hotel & Spa is still strong.

TOP BEACH
On the Caribbean side, the best way to experience scenic Rendezous Bay, with its view of St. Martin, is by staying at the CuisinArt Resort.


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