World's sexiest islands 2008

6. Caye Caulker, Belize

Perfect for: Laid-back lovers who want to live in their swimsuits (or less).

The scene: This tiny spray of an island ten miles off the coast of Belize will bring to mind the music and ultra–easygoing spirit of another island—Jamaica. Most locals speak Creole-accented English peppered with "hey, mon," and the sounds of reggae often float in the air. The vibe is totally appropriate: The pace is molasses-slow, and a pleasant breeze continually blows through the brightly painted stilt houses. There are no cars on Caye Caulker, just golf carts and bicycles, and it doesn't take long to hoof it anywhere. Which leaves the rest of the day open for drinking Belikin beers under a coconut tree next to the pebbly shore. Time slows waaay down. Bohemian, easy, and very sexy.

Don't miss: Belize's barrier reef, one of the largest in the world. It's a very short boat ride from Caye Caulker to Shark Ray Alley and its thickets of colorful fish and friendly manta rays. Snorkeling trips are dirt cheap, and guests gather conch shells as they dive. The captain of the boat will pry out the delicious meat and prepare it right on the boat for a sumptuous—and crazily fresh—lunch.

Between the sheets: Saying that Caye Caulker's accommodations are modest is pure understatement, but the lack of pretension is one of the island's greatest charms. The Tree Tops Guesthouse, just off the water, has rooms outfitted in wood furniture, clean white sheets, and ceiling fans. The two suites (which start at under $100 a night) have private balconies with views to the ocean.

7. Manhattan, New York

Perfect for: Anyone looking for great food, endless drinks, and millions of singles to share them with.

The scene: It's easy to forget that Manhattan is an island, too, at least until you have to take a traffic-clogged bridge or tunnel to get there. New York City is special because of all the striving, hot young singles who have left their own uncool towns to make it here. The upshot, even if you're just visiting Manhattan, is the chance to eat, drink, dance, and potentially hook up with them in a relatively confined space. (Despite their reputation, New Yorkers are very easy to chat up in a bar—just don't try it on the street or subway.) As for where to see those fast-walking studs and beauties, well, they're everywhere. Take a stroll in Union Square, in Nolita, along Fifth Avenue. Then follow the best-looking ones into that restaurant/pub/gallery/boutique they're headed into.

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Don't miss: Happy hour, which runs from the time when everyone empties out of their offices and goes out for "just one drink" until 4 am. For a good look at the latest/greatest spots, see our updated New York nightlife guide. The sexiest bars are those behind Manhattan's cocktail renaissance, with hand-chipped ice, fresh-squeezed mixers, and innovative concoctions. At places like Death & Co. and the Pegu Club, the drinks are good, but the eclectic, smart, and hot-looking clientele is even better.

Between the sheets: Midtown is not so sexy, Wall Street less so (especially these days). You want to hang where the actors, artists, models, and other beautiful people actually live. So book a night at Robert De Niro's new Greenwich Hotel in Tribeca. It's warm and friendly, with decent-size rooms, and the bar and restaurant, Ago, is hopping with hotties, even if the food's only so-so.

8. Ischia, Italy

Perfect for: Frazzled lovers who need some R & R away from the daily grind.

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The scene: Capri may shine in the limelight, but nearby Ischia is ideal if you're looking to drown out the hubbub. Only 20 miles from the madness of Naples, this volcanic isle is freckled with geothermal pools. It's a green, sun-spoiled place where the major pursuit is lounging on the rocks between dips in the hot springs and spa sessions. It's perfect for quieting those aching BlackBerry thumbs. And if you want to get a little dirty, there's plenty of volcanic mud in the offing.

Don't miss: Doing as the Italians do: Rent one of the many small boats from the port town of Ischia Porto and circumnavigate the small island. Make time to stop at the many beaches and coves accessible by sea. Waters are usually calm and the locals good seamen, so even a dinghy will do.

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Between the sheets: Talk about drama. The très chic Mezzatorre Resort sits on a rugged cliff overlooking the sea. Located on the northwest point of the isle among ample greenery, it feels remote but is actually only three and a half miles from town. There's a large pool, and you can swim in the bay below. Opt for an "open plan" suite, which has a living room, private garden, and plunge pool with Jacuzzi.

9. Vieques, Puerto Rico

Perfect for: Nighttime romps on the beach under the stars.

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The scene: Funny how years of U.S. Navy target practice discourages depressing overdevelopment. The military stopped dropping practice bombs on Vieques years ago, but the island has still managed to resist ugly megaresorts and soulless strip malls (you can't always say that about the rest of Puerto Rico). What you will find: long stretches of empty beaches and a relaxing quietude. You'll be hard-pressed to find such a quintessentially Caribbean yet still unspoiled island so close to home.

Don't miss: The glowing nighttime waters of Mosquito Bay. You may have heard of the bioluminescent critters that make the waters glow, but imagine floating with your lover in gentle swells as both the sky above and the waters around sparkle with light.

Between the sheets: Vieques is no longer a beach-shack type of place since openings like the so-hip-it-stings Bravo Beach Hotel, with its minimalist furniture. But for the pitch-perfect spot for lovers, we recommend the Inn on the Blue Horizon. With only a handful of rooms, done up with ceiling fans and four-poster beds, it's a flashback to the romantic Caribbean, where you won't be bothered unless you want to be. There's a 50-foot pool or a short walk to the beach, and the open-air Blue Moon Bar is the kind of place where you can make easy friends.

10. Miami Beach, Florida

Perfect for: Sun-starved singles ready to make sexy time.

The scene: You're looking for a year-round party place that's easy to get to, always warm, and where bare skin conquers all? Let's be honest: Miami Beach is still it. It's undeniable that the barrier island spits in the face of good taste—where else do you see zebra thongs and anabolic biceps proudly shown off with zero sense of irony? (South Beach's patron saint, after all, is still Gianni Versace.) Best to simply embrace it. Stay at the latest overpriced beach hotel (currently, that would be the Gansevoort South), spring for bottle service at the hot club of the moment (Set, same owners as Mansion), and go skin-tastically wild. Just bring enough dough to throw around, and as many of your good-looking, single friends as you can fit on the plane.

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Don't miss: The beach itself. Yes, it sounds obvious, but too many visitors get caught up in their hotel's poolside scene to appreciate the beauty and extraordinary width of Miami Beach's excellent strand, which runs nearly uninterrupted for the length of the island. The water's warm, the sand is clean, and the local are an eyeful. If you lean toward Latin love, you'll find South Americans south, near 2nd and 3rd streets. The hard-bodied gay scene is centered around 12th Street. But, really, just pick a spot, rent a chair, and do as the locals do: Eat, drink, swim, and flirt.

Between the sheets: The Gansevoort has huge rooms, an outpost of New York's Philippe Chow restaurant, and a shark-filled tank in the lobby. Throw the bucks you save on airfare into bottles of Champagne at the expansive 18th-floor roof pool and bar (adults only, mind you).

11. Tasmania, Australia

Perfect for: The been-there, done-that crowd looking for an off-the-grid utopia.

The scene: Few places are as edge-of-the-world as Tasmania, Australia's smallest state, located beneath the continent's southeast coast; beyond lies only turbulent ocean for thousands of miles. Australians long dismissed Taz as a backwater, leaving islanders to their own devices. The result is a bunch of independent types who'd eat Crocodile Dundee for breakfast. But despite that sexy swagger, they're friendly, fun, and always up for a drink. And yes, quite a few look like "Transformers" actress Rachael Taylor, who hails from here. The place is awash in Eden-like abundance, from dense old forests squawking with birds, wallabies, and Tasmanian devils to pristine waters filled with crabs, oysters, and fish. The Mediterranean climate also means great wines. Share one with a local.

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Don't miss: A hike along the Bay of Fires, the most pristine and sun-stunned coast imaginable. A guide picks you up from the Mount William National Park and takes you along the utterly deserted, numbingly gorgeous coastline, which has no roads. You end up at the strikingly modern Bay of Fires eco-lodge. It's a four-day trip, but you've come all this way, so make time for the once-in-your-life experience.

Between the sheets: Tasmania has more than 26,000 square miles filled with wildly diverse topography, so it's worth spending time both on the coast and in the interior. Inland, try the Lodge at Tarraleah, a luxury property abutting the forested highlands. The fireplaces, spa, and massive wine cellar are perfect foils for the roughly beautiful countryside. When you're ready for some beach time, opt for the less blustery eastern coast. The Avalon Coastal Retreat is a stunning glass-and-steel rectangular building with an enormous patio that opens onto the sea. If you can't make it happen here. ...

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