Caribbean beaches that aren’t crowded with hotels and condos are rare. Fortunately, the little-known island chain of St. Vincent and the Grenadines is—at least for now—laid back, conservation minded, and lightly developed.

ISLAND St. Vincent

Outside bustling Kingstown, this volcanic island is a scenic paradise of lush rainforests, deep bays, and dramatic waterfalls—all reasons St. Vincent was the film location for Pirates of the Caribbean.

Petit Byahaut Eco-Resort
No roads, no phones, no TVs, no walls: What does solar-powered Petit Byahaut have? A gorgeous black-sand beach, friendly folks, ­outdoorsy tropical atmosphere, and gourmet meals.

Swiss Family Robinson: This getaway for nature lovers has just five accommodations: roofed, open-air wooden platforms with screened bedrooms (no bugs, tree-frog lullabies) tucked into forest gardens.

Responsible tourism: Low-impact operations, solar electricity and hot water, local staff, rainwater storage, artesian well.

Fun in the sun: Sea kayak to bat caves; snorkel or dive just off the beach; hike the rainforest or La Soufriere volcano; grab binoculars to spot bananaquits, doves, sandpipers, and the endangered St. Vincent parrot. Accompany the chef to the local market for fresh ­produce and seafood.

Info: Pronounce it “Puh-tee Bye-ah-hah”; PetitByahaut.com

ISLAND Bequia

The beaches are beautiful on Bequia (“Beck-way”), the most colorful and artsy of the Grenadines with its pastel, gingerbread-trimmed buildings and model boat-making cottage industry. Don’t miss the Old Hegg Turtle Sanctuary run by Orton “Brother” King, an old salt who raises hawksbill hatchlings on Park Beach and releases them as three year olds when they have a better chance of surviving to full adulthood.