13 beach escapes that won’t bust the bank

6. Cat Island, Bahamas
On most tropical islands, "rake and scrape" is what you do in the bottom of your purse after you get hit by hotel surcharges and overpriced rum drinks. On Cat Island, it's a type of Bahamian music you'll hear among the beach bars, as accessible as the coral-colored sands that fringe the island. Among the few accommodations on 46-mile long, fishhook-shaped Cat is Sammy T's resort, where seven redwood villas each have one or two bedrooms, air-conditioning, and a kitchenette. It sits on a pale pink beach known for its own distinct Bahamian sound: the pop of icy Kalik beers at noon.

Fly buy: Check JetBlue for cheap flights to Nassau (800-538-2583; www.jetblue.com). Fly from Nassau to one of Cat Island's two airports for as little as $156 roundtrip on Bahamasair (242-377-5505; www.bahamasair.com).

Sammy T's Beach Resort
Tel: 242 354 6009
One-bedroom villas for two from $145

7. Samaná Peninsula, Dominican Republic
Air carriers such as JetBlue are making the Dominican Republic a hot zone with so many cheap flights. But we suggest flying into Santiago and then taking the short flight (or a three-hour drive) to the Samaná Peninsula. From January to March, it is prime whale-watching territory. Smart guests unpack in one of the 23 garden villas at Las Palmas and begin toasting themselves at the eight-mile-long Las Terrenas beach across the street. After relaxing, they have the chance to explore the rest of the 500-square-mile waterfall- and sand-strewn Samaná Peninsula. Skip the $85 guided trip to Cayo Levantado—too touristy—and instead cough up $10 for the boat ride from the nearby town of Las Galeras to Playa Rincón. The eight-mile talcum-powder-soft beach belongs only to the coconut trees and the fish shacks, where two bucks buys you a fried seafood lunch.

Fly buy: Fare still too high to Santiago? Check JetBlue's Travel Deals for even cheaper flights to the D.R. (800-538-2583; www.jetblue.com/traveldeals). To fly to the Samaná Peninsula from Santiago, try Air Santo Domingo, for $80 each way (809-683-8020).

Las Palmas
Tel: 809 240 6436
Two-bedroom villas for four from $36

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8. Anegada, British Virgin Islands
More than 300 shipwrecks surround pancake-flat Anegada, but there's no need to dive for their booty when staying on this nine-mile-long British Virgin Island. That's because rooms at Neptune's Treasure have rock-bottom rates of $95 in the low season (April to December) and a whopping $15 more in the winter months. The nine color-splashed rooms are just 150 feet from the beach—one of many that attract sailors and BVI aficionados to this island, along with beaches named Loblolly Bay, Cow Wreck Bay, and Flash of Beauty. While you're busy visiting those, or snapping photos of the flamingos on a nearby pond, or just soaking in the sun, Neptune's staff is out catching fresh fish for dinner served—where else?—on the beach.

Fly buy: It's awful pretty here, but not so easy to get to: We suggest Anegada for longer trips, as you'll have to fly from San Juan, Puerto Rico, to Tortola (flight fares start at $190 on Air Sunshine; 800-327-8900; www.airsunshine.com), and then catch the ferry to Anegada. It takes one hour and is $55 round-trip (340-775-7292; www.smithsferry.com).

Neptune's Treasure
Tel: 284 495 9439
Double rooms from $95

9. Ko Phi Phi, Thailand
True, Southwest doesn't fly to Thailand—yet. But if you find a reasonable fare across the Pacific to Thailand, head to the Phi Phi islands: It's kind of like shopping at a dollar store and finding it stocked with Gucci. Clear green seas lap against golden shores where a massage, a cocktail, a plate of spicy noodles, and just about everything seems to only cost a few bucks. The hotels and restaurants are on Phi Phi Don island, whose two mountains are connected by a curving, palm-studded strip of sand. A sleek beachfront room at the island's Paradise Resort starts at $42!—you'll look out over Phi Phi Leh, site of "The Beach" and still uninhabited and unspoiled. A wooden long-tail boat will ferry you across for a few dollars; a good tip will probably even lead you to your own secret beach, but you'll have to bring your own Leo or Virginie Ledoyen.

Fly buy: Through Thai Air's Discover Thailand fare, you can fly to three different cities for just $169 above the international fare—including Krabi or Phuket, gateways to the Phi Phi islands (800-426-5204; www.thaiairways.com).

Paradise Resort
Tel: 66 1968 3989
Double rooms from $42

10. Kauai, Hawaii
Those Hawaiian surfing fantasies? They can come true without having to live on Spam during your time on the islands. Kauai is much less developed than Maui or Oahu, and its laid-back vibe extends to beach bum–friendly prices. Many surfers make for the southern shore and the prime summer breaks at Poipu Beach Park. Soft boards (best for beginners) rent for just $5 an hour, while a fiberglass board goes for a mere $80 a week. You'll find them at Nukumoi Surf Company, which also offers $75 lessons. Stay at Poipu Plantation, which has garden suites with air-conditioning and cheery tropical decor, for as low as $115 a night for two, including a breakfast of macadamia nut pancakes and guava French toast—and not a speck of Spam.

Fly buy: Spring travel specials on Aloha Airlines include flights from Orange County to Kauai for $199 each way (800-367-5250; www.alohaairlines.com).

Poipu Plantation
Tel: 800 634 0263
Double rooms, including breakfast from $125

Nukumoi Surf Company
Tel: 808 742 8019

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