Hidden gem island destinations that lack crowds but still have things to do (A Carrie commentary)

In our recent Ask Us Anything, someone asked about “virtually undiscovered islands”. That word “undiscovered” tripped us up a bit, but the questioner’s qualifications were much more approachable. What they really wanted to know was which island destinations we would recommend that “lack the crowds but still have things to do”. They offered Koh Kood as an example. I haven’t been to Koh Kood, but a few islands came to mind that might check these boxes.

My island recommendations

Here are some islands I came up with, some I’ve visited and some I learned about from others.

1. Yap and Palau (Federated States of Micronesia)
   

   

   In high school, I wrote a paper about the giant, stone wheel money system (called Rai Stones) used in Micronesia (mostly in Yap). While I got to visit Guam and Saipan in my 20’s, I did not take advantage of United’s island hopper flights to see any other islands within the Federated States of Micronesia. While in Guam, a resident there recommended Yap and Palau as some of the Micronesian islands most worthwile for visitors. Yap is still on my radar for viewing the Rai Stones, and while Palau is primarily a diving destination, it looks plenty beautiful for non-divers as well.

   Guam and Saipan are both worthy spots too, with interesting World War 2 sites, beaches, and snorkeling spots, but the US influence makes it feel a little less exotic than other destinations might. You’ll see plenty of American fast food joints and stores, for example.

2. Rarotonga (Cook Islands)In my first year of travel, I got to spend several weeks in the Cook Islands, on Rarotonga specifically. As I recall, at the time there was a developed half of the island and then a less-developed half. Looking at the map of hostels and Airbnbs now, though, it seems the whole island may have become more developed. The island is reminiscent of places like French Polynesia in terms of the tropical mountain scenery. The highlight for me was the cross-island hike, which gives an excellent view of the Te Rua Manga (The Needle).
3. Guadeloupe or Martinique (Caribbean)
   
   Guadeloupe definitely doesn’t qualify as “undiscovered,” but it’s also fairly uncrowded for how interesting it is and how much there is to see there. Orient yourself on the northwestern half, close to the Plage de la Perle if you can to be near the most beautiful beaches, but there’s also plenty of interesting hiking with volcanic terrain like the La Grande Soufrière as well as waterfall hikes like the Cascade du Saut d’Acomat. If that seems too “known” of a spot for you, I’ve had friends say that Martinique is like a less-discovered version, though one of our Ask Us Anything viewers commented the following about Martinique: “The water wasn’t very pretty in Martinique; the sand is gray and wasn’t clear. I even took a boat out to a little island, and it wasn’t any better.”
4. Roatán (Honduras)
   Roatán is another popular diving destination, but I enjoyed it as a non-diver as well for all your standard beach hangout activities. We even bought some fish in a local market and prepared it at our Airbnb. This spot is another one that’s not exactly undeveloped, as there are plenty of beachside bars and tourist shops, but it’s not necessarily crowded either.
5. Gili and Lombok (Indonesia)
   I’ve spent considerable time in Bali, but somehow never made it to Gili and Lombok. From what I hear from others, though, it sounds like a wonderful way to get the Bali experience without as many Australian tourists in their “Sama Sama” shirts buying carved phallic statues to show their buddies back home. (And if you don’t get as far as Gili and Lombok, at least leave the Kuta / Denpasar region.)
6. Vieques or Culebra (Puerto Rico)
   I’ve also spent considerable time in Puerto Rico, yet haven’t made it to Vieques or Culebra yet. Vieques is known for its Mosquito Bay, which holds the Guinness record for the brightest bioluminescent display in the world.

Reader recommendations

During our Ask Us Anything discussion, listeners added these few other recommendations in the comments.

1. Chuuk Lagoon (Federated States of Micronesia)
2. Ambergris Caye (Belize)
3. Bonaire (Caribbean)

Now it’s your turn! Please comment below with any island destinations you think are worthy of adding to this list! Remember, the goal here is any island destination that’s uncrowded, but still worth seeing.

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