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Exploring the world's most remote islands is an adventure of a lifetime. From Madagascar's exotic wildlife to Easter Island's ancient ruins, the world's most remote islands offer some of the most unique and awe-inspiring experiences you can find. These islands are often untouched by modern development, and they offer a chance to immerse yourself in a different culture, observe unique wildlife, and explore wild nature.
Whether you're searching for a peaceful getaway or a thrilling adventure, this travel guide will help you find the perfect remote island for your next vacation. These destinations will provide a different experience, unlike the usual activities that you do, such as malling, gambling, and dining during your tour.
Remote Islands to Visit
If you're looking for a tropical island getaway, look no further than the Maldives. With more than 1,000 islands to choose from, there's bound to be one that fits your needs. But with so many destinations out there, how do you know which one is right for you? Well, we've got your back! Here are some tips on where to go and when:
1. Isla del Sol, Bolivia
Isla del Sol is a remote island in the Bolivian Amazon and the second largest island in South America, after Great Britain's Anglesey Island. The island has been home to various wildlife, such as monkeys, birds, jaguars, and tapirs.
Isla del Sol has one main town on it called Puerto Suarez, where you can find hotels, restaurants, and other services if you need them while visiting this area of Bolivia.
It is also possible to set camp on the island, which is a great way to get away from it all and enjoy nature at its best. There are many options to do in Isla del Sol, with hiking, swimming, and kayaking being just some of them, which makes it one of the best remote islands you can visit.
2. Lord Howe Island, Australia
Lord Howe Island also belongs to our list of remote islands to visit, and it is a small island in the South Pacific. It's become a popular destination for scuba diving, snorkeling, and other water sports thanks to its excellent dive sites and beautiful beaches.
The island has no permanent inhabitants, but several hundred people live there for part of the year as part of their work in the island's tourism industry.
Howe Island is part of the Tokelau chain, a New Zealand territory. The island only measures one square kilometre in size, but it's home to a diverse number of plant and animal species.
3. Socotra, Yemen
Socotra is a Yemeni island in the Indian Ocean. The island has unique flora and fauna, including the Socotra cormorant (a species of seabird), which is endangered. It's also home to some of Yemen's best beaches, as well as coral reefs that attract divers looking for their underwater adventures.
Socotra was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986 due to its rich biodiversity, making it one of Yemen's remote islands. It is the most visited destination by tourists who come here just because they want to go somewhere different than other parts of the country.
4. Haida Gwaii, Canada
The Haida Gwaii archipelago is in the Queen Charlotte Islands of British Columbia, Canada. It consists of several islands and surrounding rocks and reefs, making it one of the most beautiful remote islands in the world. The islands are part of the Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.
The Haida people have lived on these islands for more than 3,000 years. However, due to their isolation from major population centers and their unique culture (including basketry), they were never well known outside their community until recently, when tourism began to develop here in earnest after being introduced by European settlers during colonial times.
5. Sable Island, Canada
Sable Island is a small island off the coast of Nova Scotia, and it belongs to the world's unique remote islands that you can visit. It's also home to a lighthouse and weather station, which makes it one of the most popular destinations for birdwatchers in all of Canada. Humans had inhabited the island since pre-colonial times when it was used as pasture land by local tribespeople.
Today it's home to around 100 people who live on or near its shore. They come from all over North America, and many moved there from other parts of Canada because no jobs were left back home after the decline in mining operations during those years following World War II (this decline made room for tourism).
6. Orkney Islands, Scotland
The Orkney Islands are a group of 70 islands in the North Sea, one of the most beautiful remote islands you can find. Home to about 20,000 people, they're known for their Neolithic monuments and rich bird life. The islands also have some of Scotland's best beaches—including Stromness on Mainland, which has been voted one of Britain's top 10 beaches.
7. Deception Island, Antarctica
Deception Island is a caldera on the Antarctic Peninsula. A massive volcanic eruption formed this island approximately 2 million years ago. It has been the site of human activity since then—one of the most incredible remote islands that can be challenging to reach.
Deception Island is one of the few places in Antarctica where you can land by boat, so it's popular with tourists who want to experience what it feels like to be on an island in such extreme conditions.
8. Santo Antão, Cape Verde
Santo Antão is one of the Cape Verde islands, which is a group of islands in the Atlantic Ocean. As one of the most outstanding remote islands you can find in the world, Santo Antão has a population of around 70,000 people, and it's home to unique culture and history.
Santo Antão is also known as Santa Maria dos Dourados. It was discovered by Portuguese sailors who named it after St Mary (“Santa Maria”) during their travels to other seaside towns across Africa and Asia. However, this name was later changed when more people began settling on land surrounding what today we know as Santo António Domingos (Santo Antonio).
9. Ni'ihau, Hawaii
Ni'ihau is a privately owned Hawaiian island accessible only by boat. The island is only 5 miles long and 2 miles wide, so it's not very big. It has no roads or buildings on the entire island—there are just five houses on this tiny piece of land!
Ni'ihau does have one airport: Kauai International Airport (KLI). If you're flying into Kauai for your trip to Ni'ihau, then KLI will be your best choice because most flights from Hawaii or California take off there. Ni'ihau is one of the world's must-visit remote islands of the world, no matter how difficult it is to go there.
10. Rarotonga and the Cook Islands, New Zealand
Rarotonga is a small South Pacific island located about a two-hour flight from New Zealand. The Cook Islands are a group of remote islands in the South Pacific Ocean that include Aitutaki and Mangaia. They're part of New Zealand's Realm and make up a third of its landmass—and you may have heard about them because they're where Captain James Cook landed on his historic journey to Australia in 1769.
Travelling to remote islands can be a rewarding adventure.
Remote islands are often less crowded and have a more relaxed atmosphere than their mainland counterparts. People live on these islands, but they aren't necessarily tourists. You can see wildlife that is not found on the mainland, such as sea turtles or dolphins; learn about the culture of an island and its history; learn about geology by visiting some of these remote destinations.
Before You Start Traveling to Remote Islands
If you are planning on travelling to any of these remote islands, make sure you are prepared to avoid any unwanted disturbances. You must have the correct information about the place you are going to, its people, and its culture. You know your destination will help you how to communicate appropriately with the locals.
It would be best if you also informed your relatives and friends where you are going in case something terrible happens to you. Always carry your set of ids and other personal documents indicating if you have medical conditions that need special attention in case you have attacks. You must also remember your medications if you are taking them already.
Before you start travelling to remote islands, you must set itineraries and follow your schedule strictly. Make sure that you bring extra money in case you have unforeseen expenditures.
Conclusion
If you're looking for a vacation, we hope this list of remote islands will help you find the perfect destination. We know it can be hard to narrow down all of your choices, but remember that the most critical factor is finding one that fits within your budget and schedule. After all, no matter where you visit—whether it's an exotic locale like Ni'ihau or Haida Gwaii or even an island closer in proximity such as Sable Island or Lord Howe Island—travelling alone can be a lot of fun!