Netherlands Antilles

Saba

This mountainous 5-square mile island with a population of less than 2,000 does not have much in the way of tourist glitz or beaches. But the diving is great, and the scenery is magnificent. Official language: Dutch, but everyone speaks English.

St. Eustatius

This tiny island, often called Statia, was a powerhouse of commerce in the 18th century when it was an important trading stop. More recently, it has become a haven for divers and hikers. The black and gray sand beaches are generally unspoiled, though water may be too rough for swimming on the Atlantic side. There are more than 30 dive sites in Saba Marine Park. Especially popular are Barracuda Reef, and Double Wreck, which contains the remains of two 18th-century ships. The 2,000-foot-high Quill is an extinct volcano in Quill National Park. The trip to the rain forest in its crater is a popular one with hikers. Official language: Dutch, but everyone speaks English.

St. Maarten/St. Martin

This 37-square-mile island is French in the north (St. Martin) and Dutch in the south (St. Maarten). The island is a friendly place, well-developed for tourists, with accommodations to match every budget. There are plenty of opportunities for windsurfing, waterskiing, snorkeling, golf, and tennis. The French beaches tend to be better than those on the Dutch side. Topless sunbathing is common on the French beaches. A popular spot for divers is Proselyte Reef, named for the ship that sank here in 1801. The vessel is covered almost completely with coral. On land, visitors may enjoy a tour of the Butterfly Farm, where as many as 40 species of butterfly may be fluttering around an enclosed area. St. Maarten's official language is Dutch, and St. Martin's official language is French. Most people speak English, and Papiamento is also spoken.