Aloha Dude, Kauai, Hawaiian Islands
Harbouring thoughts of a radical sabbatical? You could do worse than quit the nine-to-five job and follow in the footsteps of surf dudes Mike and Jeff. They rediscovered their roots on the lushest Hawaiian island, Kauai. When they aren't catching waves beside the sleepy town of Kapaa, they rent out two of the coolest beach huts, adjoining their internet cafe (the website alone, alohadude.net, is pure escapism).
The retro-style two-bedroom Aloha Dude cottage - just 50 steps from Baby's Bath beach - has vaulted beamed ceilings and skylights with an oceanfront veranda. Inside, think South Pacific with a little bamboo thrown in for good measure. Kitchen kit includes enough pots and pans for six; plus fruit, coffee and juices. The bathroom has big fluffy towels and those vital beach towels.
Alternatively, hang loose in the simpler one-bedroom Surf Dude, with kitchenette. It is reached via a jungle-like path through bananas and papaya trees. The private garden and deck fenced off with bamboo is the perfect place to enjoy an evening Mai Tai.
Getting there: American Airlines (0845 7789789, americanairlines.co.uk) offers the widest seat pitch. Fly from London to Lihue, Kauai, via Los Angeles. Fares start at £852.10, including taxes
Where to book: Aloha Dude, $170 per night; Surf Dude, $90 per night. Tel: 00 1 808 822 3833, alohadude.net.
When to go: Any time of year; less rain in summer months.
Ricardo's Beach Huts, Bluefield Range Islands, Belize
On an empty sandy beach, these traditional-style wooden huts are part of the lobster fishing camp belong ing to Ricardo Castillo, in the heart of one of the world's most pristine reef systems. Don't expect luxuries, however, and be prepared for the outdoor latrine scenario.
Your week's package kicks off with a welcome dinner - the city slicker's guide to Belize culture. Thus, from day one everyone is primed to go native in a mangrove forest, followed by an afternoon of snorkelling in waters teeming with marine life.
Veteran kayak guides Kim and Margaret are on call, leading daily safaris in and out of tropical cayes - strings of islands little more than sand bars rarely visited by other humans. Evenings are spent swapping stories around the campfire.
Getting there: Fly to Belize International airport via Miami, then a short motor boat transfer. £604 with Trailfinders (020-7938 3939, trailfinders.com) between May 1 and June 14.
Where to book: One-week kayak safari through Kayak Connection (kayakconnection.com) based at Ricardo's costs $1,200 and includes accommodation, all meals, local transfers, equipment hire and guide services (excludes airfare).
Best time to go: April and May (dry season).
Cobourg Peninsula, Australia
This cluster of solar-powered rustic huts is located on the Northern Territory's Cobourg Peninsula, one of Australia's last frontiers.
Poke your head outside and see stark red cliffs jutting out into the clear tropical Arafura sea and Port Essington. Steps away are empty white sandy beaches, dotted with unusual sandstone rocks.
Early booking is essential - fishing addicts from all over head to this marine park where fins outnumber people. Some 250 game species, such as barracuda and queenfish, inhabit the surrounding waters. Otherwise, dolphins, sea turtles, crocodiles (naturally) and dugong are protected. Only local tribespeople are allowed to hunt via methods used since the dawn of time. Other distractions include wetland walks and dinghy hire.
Getting there: Fly to Darwin with Qantas or British Airways via Singapore. £694 with Travelbag (0870 8901456, travelbag.co.uk) on departures between April 20 and June 30.
Where to book: Here's the hard bit: Aboriginal custodians restrict entry permits to just a handful per year. Send a written request (four weeks prior to trip) to: Northern Land Council, PO Box 42921, Casuarina, NT 0811 Australia. $140-$160 per double cabin per night (approx £59) See cobourg.gurig.com.au.
Best time to go: Mid-May to September is dry season.
Baan Panburi, Thailand
The only sound you'll hear among the palms is the thudding of knees as men propose. Located in a secluded bay in the southern gulf of Siam, Baan Panburi is a simple settlement of around 100 grass huts, bures and bungalows scattered along a 300m stretch of beach.
But it's not just romance addicts who have all the fun. Nearby Koh Phangan is renowned for its full moon party, held every month on Haad Rin beach, and attracts thousands of partygoers.
Other assets of this 170 sq km tropical beach paradise are the islets, such as Koh Tao and Koh Tae Nok, which, surrounded by coral reefs and rich marine life, are a snorkeller's paradise.
Diving equipment is in good supply, too. Use it to explore spectacular areas such as Koh Tai Nai. When you feel like coming back to dry land, water taxis are on hand to shuttle explorers to the outer reaches of Ao Thong Sala and the Chom Thong waterfall.
Getting there: Fly to Koh Samui via Bangkok, then 50-minute water ferry. Thai Airways (0870 6060911, thaiair.com) offers return flights from London to Bangkok from £633 until April 24. Return flights from Bangkok to Koh Samui with Bangkok Airways (01293 596626) cost from £107.
Where to book: Huts start from around £10 per day; bures cost more. More information on baanpanburi.bigstep.com.
Best time to go: January through to May; avoid October to December.
Cozy Cabins, Everglades, Florida
This is the Ernest Hemingway fantasy escape with a touch of good old American hospitality thrown in for good measure. The Cozy Cabins in Everglades City are designed like an "old Florida fishing village", just minutes from the Gulf of Mexico. Cabins are modern two-storey affairs, constructed on stilts from wood and glass, and comfortably equipped with free cable TV - just a stone's throw from the marina, a bait and tackle store, full-scale deli and off-licence.
All manner of rented craft and organised excursions head from here into the labyrinth of mangroves - around 10,000 islands created from roots arching above the water. Take a guide, as even those who are familiar often get lost.
Should anyone return empty handed, Fat Lenny's Chickee Raw bar serves up seafood treats such as fresh oysters, stonecrabs and blue crabs (as well as sunset cocktails). Otherwise, dine in high style at the Oyster House overlooking the wetlands.
Getting there: Fly to Miami, then a 60-mile drive via US 41 to Highway 29 to Everglades City. Virgin Atlantic (01293 747747, virgin.com) fares cost from £373 until March 31.
Where to book: Between $50 and £90 per night. Call for seasonal rates: 00 1 239 695 2746, gladeshaven.com.
Best time to go: January to May.
Satuiatua Beach Resort, Samoa
Satuiatua is near the famous Taga blowholes, on the most remote part of Savaii island. It boasts the best surf spots, lava tube caves and the longest rainforest walk on the island.
A row of small grass huts have the skimpiest of walls - all the better to enjoy the soft breeze that wafts in across the facing lagoon. They sit under the shade of the tallest pulu trees and, of course, plenty of palm trees, too. Mamate and Tutogi Schuster, who run this slice of paradise on an all-inclusive basis, are so confident in their product that they advertise a money-back guarantee if not fully satisfied (although the price is hardly worth quibbling over).
They aim to teach guests all about the real Samoan way of life. This means spending lots of time at sunset point, stargazing on their "mound" and eating food straight from the sea (or fetching it from the plantation).
Don't expect a telephone, fax, email, or shops or restaurants (all meals are included in the rental price); or other tourists, either.
Getting there: Fly to Apia via LA with Air New Zealand through Trailfinders (020-7938 3939, trailfinders.com), for £719, April 16-June 30. Try to hitch a ride with Eco-Tour Samoa on Main Beach Road in Apia. Alternatively, catch a ferry to Savaii, head west along the south coast to the villages of Falealupo-Tai and Tufutafoe, and ask around.
Where to book: An unbeatable $20 per night, including all meals. More information on home.pi.se/~orbit/samoa/29bch.html.
Best time to go: April to October is dry season.
The Boathouse, Opua, New Zealand
Kiwis take their beach life pretty seriously: come Friday night, everyone migrates to their favourite stretch of coastline.
Slightly more upmarket than the rest of the offerings, the Boathouse is located near the town of Russell in the Bay of Islands, North Island, on a peninsula littered with sandy beaches. Sporty types will already know that this is the number one destination for water-based activities, not to mention the prestigious America's Cup. For the rest of us, it's the epitome of the great outdoors.
This luxurious two-storey beach apartment (or bach, as the locals call them) is rare, as it has been newly constructed on stilts, right over the sea, with two balconies. The interior decor has a stylish nautical theme and includes all the necessary comforts for landlubbers, such as TV and entertainment systems.
With an enviable position overlooking the Veronica Channel, next to the Opua car ferry, all those adrenalin fantasies of surfing, kayaking or bungee-jumping may well diminish in favour of simply resting up and watching the world go by.
Getting there: Air New Zealand (0800 0284149, airnewzealand.co.uk) flies to Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch from £667 plus taxes (from £33 if flying direct with no stopovers). Until March 31, the fare starts at £656 plus taxes.
Where to book: A three-night flight and hut package with newly launched Turquoise Holidays (01494 678400, turquoiseholidays.co.uk), costs £799 departing November 1, including four-day car hire.
Best time to go: November through to January.
