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Tahiti is famous for its black-sand beaches and also for inventing surfing. The most legendary wave, Teahupoo, is a reef break located on the island’s southern tip, home to the Billabong Pro surf competition each year. But there are also less intense waves to ride, and some beautiful black-sand beaches to sunbathe on. The sand gets its dark hue from lava, and the contrast in colors is spectacular at sunset.

Climb high to find the best views of the San Francisco Bay at one of these great vistas.

A miniature volcanic archipelago made up of seven idyllic islands, only two of which are inhabited, Îles des Saintes (commonly known as Les Saintes) is one of Guadeloupe’s crown jewels. This reef-hugged set of isles offers French sophistication mixed with a funky, laid-back Caribbean lifestyle. Take a day-trip via daily ferry to Terre-de-Haut, the archipelago’s main island, and enjoy the white-sand beaches, sailing, and snorkeling in the bay or head up to Fort Napoleon on foot or by rental scooter for panoramic views. Make sure to dine at one of the French and Creole bistros along the water, and to try a local tourment d’amour—a crusty-edged, soft-centered tart flavored with guava, pineapple, or coconut.

AFAR chose a destination at random—by literally spinning a globe—and sent comedian Jorma Taccone on a spontaneous journey to Nairobi, Kenya.

Nantucket is a perennial favorite summer destination, with Atlantic Ocean beaches, picturesque harbors, and iconic lighthouses. Accommodations on the island range from cozy bed-and-breakfast rooms to marina-side cottages to penthouse loft apartments. Water views and beach shuttles are in-demand amenities, and most hotels can arrange boat rides and lobster bakes for a quintessential New England vacation.

Abu Dhabi’s hotel bars and lounges are hot spots for expatriates and tourists who seek libations after spending a day at work or under the desert sun. For tourists, the only place to legally consume alcohol is at a hotel or resort. From beachside cabanas to smoky lounges and a sports bar near the Yas Marina, there is plenty of wine, beer, and liquor to go around. Some live music too.

Rebecca Walker embarks on a spontaneous journey to Bulgaria, guided by locals she connected with both virtually and in real life.

St. Vincent is home to several volcanic beaches, with dark, sometimes black, sand that’s especially striking against the pounding Atlantic surf on the island’s east coast. The Grenadines, on the other hand, have soft, white-sand beaches, surrounded by aquamarine, turquoise, and deep-blue waters.

On a trip with a young traveler in tow, a writer reflects on her first Venice adventure—and how it changed her life.

Chris Colin experiences a Caribbean paradise from both sides of a resort’s walls.

It’s time to experience island time at your own pace, with your toes in the sand and a cocktail in hand. Sip a happy-hour rum concoction at a beach bar, watch the sun go down with a glass of wine at an open-air bar, or sip a cold local beer while dancing the night away to live music—in the sand.

St. John is the least developed and most sparsely populated of the three main islands in the U.S. Virgin Islands. That’s not surprising, since more than half its land is protected as a U.S. National Park. Most visitors reach St. John by ferry from St. Thomas, landing at the dock in Cruz Bay, St. John’s main settlement. A village with only a few thousand residents, Cruz Bay has gained a reputation as an upscale retreat for movie stars and other high-profile people looking for a secluded getaway.

It all started back in 1956, when businessman and conservationist Laurance Rockefeller, who had bought extensive land holdings on St. John, opened the low-key but luxurious Caneel Bay Resort. It’s still going strong, and visitors can stop in for lunch and a swim in the beautiful bay. Rockefeller later donated much of his estate to the national park.

Snorkelers should make time for an underwater tour in Trunk Bay, where the National Park Service maintains a submarine snorkeling trail. And no sightseeing drive around the island is complete without a stop to see the fabulous panoramic view from the Bordeaux Mountain Overlook. Back in the town, the boutiques at Mongoose Junction offer one-of-a-kind souvenirs, while Cruz Bay Landing is a perfect spot to grab lunch and drinks.

Jamaica’s best beaches are as varied as the island is beautiful. Many of these beaches are famous and grace the glossy pages of brochures, whereas others require more work, rewarding travelers willing to search for that quiet, postcard-perfect stretch of sand. Here are our favorites, popular ones as well as insider finds, spread all across Jamaica, from the white sand of the west coast to the tranquil black shores of the south and the secluded coves of the east.

Big baggy aloha shirts—that could double as canoe sails—goodbye. Instead head to this Chinatown boutique, featuring the sharp, tapered designs of the eponymous Roberta Oaks. She draws on her hippie, farmhouse childhood and mid-century modern Hawai‘ian flair to create prints, which she then combines with a more fitted and form-flattering modern silhouette. These fabrics also take a star turn on graceful day dresses and even doggie bandanas. Open since 2009, this alluring boutique goes beyond attire, selling jewelry, candles, surf photography, and scents like Sándalo (a moody meditation on the islands’ vulcanism with ash, patchouli, and Royal Hawai‘ian sandalwood).

With 800 miles of coastline, the Dominican Republic boasts more than 200 beaches, from remote stretches of sand with limestone cliffs and no crowds, to soft shores with calm waters. On this varied island, you’ll also find populated beaches lined with all-inclusive resorts and restaurants; coves that are difficult to reach but worth it for the privacy; and shores backed by coconut palm groves and towering sand dunes. Whether you want to swim in tranquil water, surf major waves, or simply relax and do nothing, you’ll find a place for that here, along with standout beauty.