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Maybe you thought that an occasional trip to the Caribbean would satisfy you. But the truth is even if you lived in the Caribbean, you'd still want to vacation there, exploring its many coves and thousands of islands, each supplying a unique beat to the laid-back, optimistic rhythm of life in paradise.

Popularity has not ruined the Caribbean, but led to the discovery of areas unmarred by heavy commercialism and tourist crowds. Such places exist beside the busy ports of favored Caribbean destinations.

"The thing that people are looking for now, and what everyone is doing, is going green. So they are looking for sea and grass, and by grass I mean golf," says Linda A.C. Williams, the director of sales at Apes Hill Club in Barbados. "People used to judge quality by marble and granite, but now they look at ecology, greenery and service. People want excellent service and nature around them.

PUERTO RICO
Take a look at Vieques on the eastern coast of Puerto Rico. Masked from the public for decades as a Navy bombing range, the tiny island missed the boom years of Caribbean tourism. About five years ago the Navy withdrew, leaving plush forests and untouched white beaches. A W hotel has been planned for the area, close to where the bioluminescent waters of Mosquito Bay glow when night swimmers send electric blue currents through the water.

Across the water on mainland Puerto Rico, Bahia Beach Resort and Golf Club offers exclusive living. The first homes, recently completed, are located on the resort's private island as part of the St. Regis Las Estancias Residences. With direct ocean, golf and lake views, the homesites take full advantage of the isle's location.

Puerto Rico has plenty of divine locations and Palmas del Mar sits on one. The seaside community rests above the dramatically-tiered coastline. Layers of sea, sand and craggy cliffs topped by lush green vegetation spill onto the shore below. Within Palmas del Mar are two new luxury projects worth consideration, Solarea and The Yacht Club.

On Punta Candelero beach, Solarea offers 74 condominiums with a choice of five models ranging from 1,692- to 3,470-square feet. A blend of Caribbean and Mediterranean architecture distinguishes these unique residences. For those spending more time on the water, The Yacht Club provides docking for 162 yachts, with 40 megayacht berths. The club has on-site formal and casual dining, and access to the facilities of Palmas del Mar, which include two 18-hole championship golf courses and 20 tennis courts.

BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
Puerto Rico isn't the only island in the Caribbean to emerge with new developments. Virgin Gorda of the British Virgin Islands has Oil Nut Bay. The community, which is accessible only by boat or helicopter, stretches along 300 acres of rich tropical landscape that will be enjoyed by 88 homeowners. Ushered in at the arrival dock, you stand awestruck by the realization you've entered heaven on earth. And in heaven you play. You can sail or fish, dive or snorkel, hike or swim. One of the best sailing destinations, Sir Francis Drake channel, connects to Oil Nut Bay's deep inlet formed by a large reef.

Come fall you'll have another port to dock at. Just as pirates "scrubbed" their ships in the islands coves, Scrub Island is the perfect getaway. The golf cart-dependent island will have no more than 200 residents after full development. But those 200 individuals have options of suites, villas or luxury residences with prices starting at $2.2 million.

ST. MAARTEN
This Caribbean island distinguishes itself from other islands with a dual-identity: both the French and the Dutch have claims. On the beach of Simpson Bay, The Pelican Resort Marina Residences is one of few Caribbean destinations offering fractional ownership. There are 83 two-bedroom villas and plenty of amenities to enjoy. You can swim and snorkel in the sheltered bay or water ski, kayak, windsurf or sail on available equipment and yachts.

GRAND CAYMAN
The Residences at Beach Bay is on the southern coast between Pedro St. James and Bodden Town. From this great location, you can reach Seven Mile Beach, Rum Point and the airport in minutes, or enjoy the solitude of Beach Bay. Only 45 residences are planned to occupy the lush six-acre property.

Staying on Seven Mile Beach at the Ritz Grand Carlton can be a treat too. With great tennis courts and the Greg Norman designed Blue Tip golf course you won't lack for things to do on land. You can also take a day to meet the underwater creatures. A short boat trip will get you to Stingray City where you can feed the graceful fish. After years of throwing fish scraps overboard, fisherman noticed the stingrays were drawn to the area. The stingrays now swim near the boat ready to be fed by hand.

JAMAICA
Of course, it's hard not to think about Jamaica when looking at the Caribbean, especially the twin bays of Port Antonio. The banana port has risen as a tourist destination, favored by movie stars drawn to the sensual setting like a woman drawn to the polished 007 agent. While James Bond spent time on the island tracking Dr. No, Ian Fleming spent time at his Jamaican home Goldeneye. And it's Chris Blackwell who digested the legend and history and launched his own project Goldeneye. Planned are cottages tucked in coves or on the island "eye" of the resort. This luxury bohemian community ranges in price from $700,000 to $3.5 million.

BARBADOS
Everything about the island of Barbados seems sweet, from its sunny days and miles of sandy beaches to its lush palms, exotic flowers and sugar cane fields. Largely influenced by its English motherland, the island holds many traces of that ancestry; the national sport of cricket, polo fields and manicured golf courses. In fact the English ties run so thick that the exclusive Wentworth Club, of the Surrey heathlands outside London, joined Sir Charles Williams and the Landmark Land Company in developing the Apes Hill Club. The community is set on a former plantation overlooking the coast. While playing on the fairways and through a coral rock quarry, golfers have views of both the Caribbean and the Atlantic from this elevated location. Click to View Related Video

"A lot of the islands (in the Caribbean) depend on tourism, so we want to have quality service. Many of the islands build golf courses to then become a golf destination," remarks Linda Williams.

The Sandy Lane Resort contributes three courses, the Old Nine, The Green Monkey and The Country Club—host of the 2006 World Cup of Golf. As the name implies the Old Nine course has been around for years, an intimate and enjoyable course. The newer courses, both designed by Tom Fazio, offer challenging holes with gorgeous views. The elevated carved rock faces contrast with the green fairways of The Green Monkey.

But it may be the Canouan Island of St. Vincent in the Grenadines that trumps tropical golf courses. Accessible from Barbados, the quiet island is home to Raffles Resort and its centerpiece,the Trump International Golf Cub. The course has holes along the Atlantic and climbs to 500 feet elevation for views of the island and ocean that seem to repeat until the sky meets the water.

"Typically people look at St. Andrews as one of the best golf courses and they look at the Trump International golf course as the best of the Caribbean," remarks Simon Blanshard, director of golf at Trump International Golf Club at Raffles Resort. "People are paying $4 to $5 million for their homes and want quality work. You have to have the best supplies and ingredients possible to make the best possible resort." Phase one, which includes the golf villas, is nearly completed of the new residential development.

Nearby, the Royal Westmoreland sits on a ridge overlooking the Platinum Coast. The exclusive community spans 500 acres with luxury homes and villas emerging from the tropical landscape. The new Royal Apartments offer one- to three-bedroom suites and penthouses.

Whether you want to live richly in Barbados (the island was voted as a number one destination for the rich and famous), or more secluded in Vieques, the Caribbean has plenty of isles to enjoy.