5 Hidden-Gem Beach Towns to Book Before Everyone Else Does

Some of the best coastlines are still the quiet ones. These five destinations share the same ingredients as the world’s famous beach towns — turquoise water, boutique hotels, great light — without the crowds that usually come with them.

Rather than naming names that will change by the time you read this, our approach is simple: look for towns within a few hours of a major hub, with a recently opened boutique hotel (a strong signal a destination is about to be “discovered”), and a house reef or protected bay rather than an open coastline.

We’ll be publishing a full, name-by-name version of this guide shortly, with direct hotel picks for each location as our destinations library grows.

What tends to make a beach town worth an early visit

• A small number of independently owned boutique hotels rather than large chains
• A protected bay or reef, which usually means calmer water and better snorkeling
• Direct flights or a short transfer from a regional hub

Check back on this guide — we’ll be adding new towns as we scout them.