Overshadowed in popularity by neighbors Tahiti, Bora Bora, and Moorea, Fakarava, a pristine Polynesian island enveloped by a coral reef and blue lagoon waters, is so remote, it’s not even found on most maps. Yet, it’s part of a UNESCO nature reserve and rich in natural fauna, offers pink-sand beaches, and is rife with rare aquatic life that includes loach, meru, and barracuda—not to mention hammerheads and tiger sharks. Not surprisingly, scuba diving is the island’s top draw, but other attractions include the ancient village of Tetamanu, where you’ll find a Catholic church made of coral that dates back to 1874, and pearl farms, where rare black pearls are shelled.