Island of secret exoticism? (5)
I believe the answer is:
crete
'island' is the definition.
(Crete is an example)
'of secret exoticism?' is the wordplay.
'of' indicates a hidden word.
'CRETE' is hidden within 'secret exoticism'.
(Other definitions for crete that I've seen before include "Large island south of Greece, once ruled by Minoans" , "Mediterranean island, capital Heraklion" , "Major island south of Greece" , "Herakleion its big port" , "Knossos island" .)