Beach-goers swarm popular seaside getaways all year long looking for everything from rest and relaxation to action and adventure. Last year alone the Travel Industry Association reported that 105 million people headed to the beach, prompting a key question for vacationers: Where can solitude-seekers find their moment in the sun among the crowds?

Travelocity's editors have selected the top 10 lesser-known beach retreats that might have slipped through most travelers' radars. From local U.S. shores to more exotic Caribbean waters and beyond, this coastal collection features hidden sands that are ripe for discovery. "Each year beach vacations rank among the most popular leisure getaways for travelers throughout the country,"; said Travelocity editor-at-large Amy Ziff. "Vacationers seeking a final summer escape this Labor Day or planning a sunny getaway for this winter will find that these lesser-known coastal retreats offer beauty and charm without the crowds of the more touristy spots.

7. Belize - Southwater Caye: This simply charming island off the coast of the culture-rich fishing village of Dangriga offers little to be desired and much to be admired. Stand on the sandy white beaches of Southwater Caye, and gaze at nothing but clear blue waters. With its vast sea grass beds, shallow coral reefs and abundance of marine habitats, it's no wonder this island serves as the hub of Southwater Caye Marine Park, a protected area of the Belize barrier reef. In fact, visitors get so close to the barrier reef, they can actually swim right out to it.