The country's total land area of just 26 sq km is formed by a curving chain stretching 676 km in length; it's the gateway to tranquil reef diving, uninhabited beaches and paradisiacal weather (except during hurricane season).

When we originally settled on Kauai as our destination, we'd been seduced by photographs of completely uninhabited beaches, presumably perfect for long, secluded walks.

For those in pursuit of perfect white sand, untouched coral and uninhabited beaches, the area around Casiguran should prove rewarding.

It has long uninhabited beaches, fringed by coconut palms.

But tread carefully: with its unspoiled coastlines and uninhabited beaches, the archipelago may sound inviting, but it also shields a fragile ecosystem; you'll be sharing space with many species of animal unique to the cape.

Admirers of the British colony talk of its many miles of uninhabited beaches, pure white or gold, and the tremendous visibilty under water.

From Kuching along Borneo's north coast to Kota Kinabalu, the state capital of Sabah, uninhabited, untouched white beaches promise other places to explore.

It's no wonder - with endless and uninhabited beaches, whales spouting in the distance, trees full of magical spirits, and nesting sea turtles on the beach, it's not too far from eco-traveller heaven.