15 Secret Islands

Quebec's Les Îles de la Madeleine, or Magdalen Islands, are an adventurer's paradise. Located in the Gulf of St. Lawrence northeast of Prince Edward Island, the group of twelve islands offer extensive opportunities for outdoor recreational sports including kayaking, cycling, cross-country skiing, and scuba diving. The easiest and most popular way to reach Les Îles de la Madeleine is via ferry from Prince Edward Island.

If you're looking to sample some fresh seafood, head to the Pacific Northwest and hop on the ferry to Lummi Island. This quiet, 9-square mile island is located on Puget Sound off the coast of Washington. While it doesn't offer sun-soaked tropical beaches, Lummi Island does offer plenty for those travelers searching for picturesque seascapes, quaint bed and breakfasts, and great local fare.

This group of twenty volcanic islands off the South Pacific are mostly uninhabited - especially those seven islands that disappear into the ocean at high tide. If you truly want that "cast-away" sort of experience, be sure to visit Monuriki Island where the 2000 hit movie was filmed - and keep an eye out for Wilson.

Night-owls may not appreciate Flatey's nearly 21 hours of daylight in the summer months, but if you're looking for a low-key northern getaway, this is your kind of place. The small rocky Icelandic island only measures a little over one square mile, and features a stunning Scandinavian landscape punctuated by brightly-colored timber houses. 

Classic adventure-seekers and literature junkies will swoon over Robinson Crusoe Island. Roughly 400 miles off the coast of Chile, the island was the setting for the 18th-century literary classic of the same name. To reach the island is an adventure in itself - you'll need to take a two-hour flight from Santiago, followed by a half-hour speed boat ride. Or, you could opt for the more exciting option and just get shipwrecked.

Experience the charm and simple beauty of New England's coastline without the hustle and bustle of the busier tourist towns.  Southport Island offers all the best of Maine - including the unbeatable seafood and cozy accommodations - without the flocks of tourists typically found among the region's more popular vacation destinations.

It's hard to find someone who isn't familiar with French Polynesia's most popular tropical destinations of Bora Bora and Tahiti - but Fakarava? Good luck even finding it on a map. Though unknown to much of the world, this remote island is definitely a member of the South Pacific island group, as evidenced by the distinctive pink sands, lush greenery, and exotic marine life.

Croatia's Dalmatian coast has gained serious popularity in recent years, so it's only a matter of time before a gorgeous, sun-soaked island like Vis becomes the new favorite vacation spot on the Adriatic. Aside from pristine beaches, visitors will discover top-quality restaurants showcasing regional cuisine, and architecture that recalls the several centuries during which the island was under Venetian rule.

The 11-square mile island of Culebra lies just 17 miles east of Puerto Rico, but seems almost untouched compared to its better-known and more developed neighbors. The island's shallow harbors prevent it from being a stop for passing cruise ships, so its relatively few visitors arrive via small boat or domestic flights from the mainland. Dramatic cliffs, coral beaches, and mangrove forests combine to create a stunning coastline.

The Great Barrier Reef attracts thousands upon thousands of visitors each year - and while not many know the name, the Whitsunday Island group is one of the best spots to experience all the reef has to offer. The island group actually consists of several islands located off the coast of Queensland, and most islands offer a variety of camping accommodations that cater to boaters and divers.