Crowd-free Vacation Ideas

Chumbe Island in Zanzibar

If you're really looking to get away from it all (and avoid the crowds), and you don't mind a long flight to do it, check out Chumbe Island off the coast of the island nation of Zanzibar (yup, that's in Africa, folks).  The secluded vacation destination made the top of the Travel Channel's of places to truly escape civilization.  They describe it as a "lush coral gem featuring a pristine jungle, an old, unmanned 60-foot lighthouse (a great place to watch the sunset) and often not another soul on the island apart from yourself and a ranger."

Don't look for too much luxury if you're going to stay on Chumbe Island though, as most of the fancy accommodations are back on the main island, but there's plenty of things to do and see.  Chumbe Island features some of the best snorkeling on the west African coast, the low tides expose the exotic coral, and there's plenty of interesting beach to wander along as well.

http://www.chumbeisland.com/

Molokai = Hawaii Without the Crowds

Sure, there are lots of tropical beaches in the world, but getting to them can involve a long plane flight with multiple layovers.  It's hard to beat Hawaii for pure convenience, especially if you live on the West Coast of the United States.  Hawaii is packed with crowds all year around though, right?

Not... necessarily.

Most people think of Oahu and Honolulu when they think of Hawaii, and it is pretty crowded there, but there are several other islands you can visit. 

If you're looking for pristine beaches without the crowds, you might try the island of Molokai.  Known as the quietest and least commercial of the Hawaiian islands, Molokai features long white beaches and lush green valleys inland.  You can hike through uninhabited stretches of wilderness, go kayaking or fishing, or try riding a mule down some of the highest cliffs in the world (not for the faint of heart).

It's true that it'll take you a little longer to get to Molokai (you can't get a flight straight to the island from the mainland), but it might be worth it to truly relax in a setting with no traffic lights, no McDonald's, and no buildings "higher than a palm tree."