Miles of sand, warm sun, women in bikinis… a tropical vacation always sounds good. Tried-and-true vacation spots like Jamaica and the Bahamas are still great picks, but what about the new, the remote or the one of a kind? There are dozens of tropical paradises around the world just waiting for your visit -- and not where you might expect.

Keeping your vacation interests in mind, below are locales that not only offer breathtaking scenery and blissfully warm weather, but also feature adventure sports, a haven from crowds or once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Whether you’re looking to hike an extinct volcano, dive with the fishes or stretch out on the beach, these tropical destinations will have you booking your flight ASAP.

Number 10 Saba, Netherlands Antilles
The “unspoiled queen of the Caribbean” is a little island with a lot to offer. Saba is the smallest island in the Dutch-governed Netherlands Antilles, but its history is crammed with gleaming loot: A pirate haven in the 1600s, its very own scallywag Hiram Breakes uttered the eternal words, “Dead men tell no tales.” These days, Saba not only pulls in visitors for its steep, breathtaking mountain views, rock climbing and rain forest trails, but also for what lies beneath: The island boasts some of the Caribbean’s best scuba diving with unspoiled reefs and impressive underwater mountains. The island is a relative newbie to tourism -- the industry only kicked off in the ‘70s -- so expect personalized charm and carefree seclusion from this Caribbean jewel.

Number 9 Jeju Island, South Korea
South Korea might sound like an unlikely spot for a tropical getaway, but one glance at Jeju Island’s emerald ocean views, lush greenery, rare and unique waterfalls, and not-too-hot climate make it an obvious pick for a paradise vacation. Extinct volcano Mount Halla dominates the middle of the island, and Jeju is peppered with the results of its wrath; dozens of unique rock formations and hundreds of inactive craters make for sights you won’t see anywhere else. Want a sunrise to seal the deal with a gorgeous traveling companion? Try the view from the rim of a 9,000 square-meter volcanic crater. And if you’re scouring the world for interesting women, check out Jeju’s famed female divers, who dive for fish sans scuba gear.

Number 8 Dunk Island, Australia
If you’re looking to unwind with more than your usual game of golf, check out Dunk Island on the Great Barrier Reef, home to Australia’s only island golf course. Originally dubbed the Island of Peace and Plenty by its inhabitants, the island offers a relaxing getaway smack in the middle of Australian tropical rain forest. The island’s exclusive resort offers horseback riding, kayaking, snorkeling, scuba diving, and more, plus a stunning trail that runs along the beach, cuts through rain forest and climbs up Mount Kootaloo for a gorgeous view of neighboring islands. And if you really want to relax -- and you don’t mind getting a little metrosexual -- the Spa of Peace and Plenty offers treatments for men that are sure to eliminate those rush-hour nerves.

Number 7Tonga
Map out four island groups, include unspoiled beaches, rain forests, and deep channels for sailing, sprinkle in coral islands and cover every activity a vacationer could want, and you’ve got the Kingdom of Tonga. Billed as the “home of the friendly islanders,” Tonga advertises a calm, relaxed approach to life, but knows how to rev it up if you’re after holiday thrills. If relaxation is on your agenda, take your pick of the white sands at Tonga’s dozens of stunning island resorts; for a taste of adventure, strap into a rugged kart for an island safari or trek alongside waterfalls and chasms at ‘Eua National Park; do some sailing, fishing, surfing or kayaking for your water-sport fix. If your girlfriend says you “need culture,” marvel at the massive Ha'amonga 'a Maui, the Stonehenge of the South Pacific built around 1000 AD, or join in a kava ceremony (an herbal brew said to ease all stress) for an authentic Tongan welcome.

Number 6 Jumby Bay Island, West Indies
Vacation spots don’t get much more luxurious, private or breathtakingly beautiful than Jumby Bay Island, a private resort off the coast of Antigua that hosts the vacation homes of a handful of celebrities, including luxury’s own connoisseur Robin Leach. From the moment you arrive at the island resort by private catamaran, look forward to beck-and-call service, gorgeous accommodations, and stunning white-sand beaches, arguably some of the most beautiful in the West Indies. Any and every water sport you could want is on offer, including waterskiing, windsurfing and deep-sea fishing, or take a speedboat to explore nearby uninhabited islands. And if you just want to relax, lie out on renowned Pasture Beach or Jumby Bay Beach. Spot one of the island’s endangered birds or lizards in the process, and you have an icebreaker that’ll make you sound exotic and interesting.

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