I've been to a lot of islands on my travels and really felt like doing a list of my top 5 tranquil islands - really remote places to visit! It was quite hard to narrow it down to just 5 but here I go. These are places you can get head out to for relaxing, where you will meet very few other people. These lists are only made up from places I've actually visited by the way, so that will explain the random places on it (I would actually love to include the remote Rathlin Island in Northern Ireland on my list, except I haven't actually been there as yet). These are in no particular order by the way...
1. Cuverville Island, ANTARCTICA:
OK so I start with the magic of Cuverville! Where? I hear you say. This remote and tranquil island is white. It's in Antarctica. It's cold and you can hike to the top for some awesome views. It's hard to put into words exactly how spectacular Cuverville is. It's a small island. It just has immense views. Views over a harbour of snow, ice, water, penguins and the ship you arrived by. If you get on an Antarctica cruise check if Cuverville is included on the itinerary (if not, you'll probably find another tranquil island just as amazing!).
Where Is It? - Somewhere off the Gerlache Strait in Antarctica. When you book your Antarctica trip you can check the itinerary but ultimately whether you land there or not will depend on weather conditions and the captain and crews decisions. Don't fret if you don't land on Cuverville, you will go to a different island just as magical - there are lots of islands in Antarctica!
2. AUSTRALIA: Bruny Island, Tasmania:
Bruny is so remote you will love it. Tasmania itself is fairly isolated nevermind this wee island off the south east corner. Here you can see penguins and white wallabies - a rare breed. You can also pop into Australia's southernmost pub for a beer. And head to "The Neck" for an awesome sunset view. The rural charm of Tassie is on display here, you'd be a fool to miss it's disconnected tranquility.
How to get to it - Board a ferry in Kettering in South East Tasmania which heads across on a daily basis. If you do miss the last one you will have to stay the night though! Which may not be a bad thing...
3. Sark in the CHANNEL ISLANDS:
The island of Sark is amazing. It's as tranquil, isolated and old fashioned as they come. There are no cars here. It was Europe's last feudal state. It has its own parliament and prison. The population is around 6,000. Once you step onto the island of Sark, you are stepping back in time. You can grab a beer, enjoy the views or just cycle around this island. I was lucky enough to see all the Channel Islands while working on the Cross Channel ferries.
Sark might well be a country, it might also be part of the UK. It has its own postage stamps and can you believe it once fielded a proper international football team (well they didn't score any goals and conceded 70 in their only 4 international matches). You'll arrive by boat and then a tractor arrives and you hop on and head up the hill to the main street. Highlights are the amazing view, the old fashioned main street, the odd capital of La Seigneurie and Little Sark - a small adjoining island where bikes are even banned! Hire a bike to get to the entrance though. You have to love Sark!
Where Is It? - It's near an island called Brecqhou in the Channel Islands. Your best bet to get there is hop on the Bon Marin de Serk mini ferry which leaves from Guernsey's St. Peter Port. Aeroplane isn't an option though there is a small landing strip and a helipad in case of emergency. Private boat could be an option.
4. HONG KONG: Tai O, Lantau Island:
Asia just had to be represented on this list and so I've gone for a place in Hong Kong. OK so ignore the fact that Lantau Island also houses one of the world's busiest airports on it and head over to the west corner at a remote fishing village called Tai O. Here you can really relax. To the point where you lose track of time, and momentarily even forget you're in Hong Kong. There is no commercial aspect to daily life here. Lots of hikes, surprise waterfalls, boat trip option and superb seafood. Walking around the traditional fishing village on stilts is another great thing to do. Tai O is fabulous!
How to get to it - Go by bus from a bus stop near Tung Chung MTR station. Alternatively you can catch a bus from Mui Wo , which has a direct ferry to Hong Kong Island.
5. CHILE: Cape Horn/Cabo De Hornos:
I simply cannot leave Cape Horn off this list despite the fact I didn't actually step on it. My budget wouldn't stretch that far. Our ship however sailed right up close to it. Cape Horn, is basically the end of the world! It's the southernmost liveable part of the planet on the south tip of Tierra del Fuego in Chile. In reality the islands further south are Diego Ramirez Islands, but nobody lives there. You can actually get onto Cape Horn, as travellers such as Michael Palin have done. I was just passing by to say hello. As remote and tranquil as they come. Except for the rock boat ride...
Where Is It? Tierra del Fuego, Chile.It's pretty much hard to get to as it's the furthest south point of liveable land on the planet. There's a rule that ships cannot go within 13 kilometres of it on stormy days. We went within a few kilometres as we were lucky and got to see the horn up close. If you have the money you can contact the Chilean Naval authorities and probably organise a landing, but I have no idea of the cost. Your trip to Antarctica might pass by it like mine. If not you can get a boat trip from the south of Argentina or Chile and check if they can include a trip up close to Cape Horn in the itinerary. I feel happy that I was able to see it that close.
Happy travelling and don't stop living!
1. Cuverville Island, ANTARCTICA:
OK so I start with the magic of Cuverville! Where? I hear you say. This remote and tranquil island is white. It's in Antarctica. It's cold and you can hike to the top for some awesome views. It's hard to put into words exactly how spectacular Cuverville is. It's a small island. It just has immense views. Views over a harbour of snow, ice, water, penguins and the ship you arrived by. If you get on an Antarctica cruise check if Cuverville is included on the itinerary (if not, you'll probably find another tranquil island just as amazing!).
Where Is It? - Somewhere off the Gerlache Strait in Antarctica. When you book your Antarctica trip you can check the itinerary but ultimately whether you land there or not will depend on weather conditions and the captain and crews decisions. Don't fret if you don't land on Cuverville, you will go to a different island just as magical - there are lots of islands in Antarctica!
2. AUSTRALIA: Bruny Island, Tasmania:
Bruny is so remote you will love it. Tasmania itself is fairly isolated nevermind this wee island off the south east corner. Here you can see penguins and white wallabies - a rare breed. You can also pop into Australia's southernmost pub for a beer. And head to "The Neck" for an awesome sunset view. The rural charm of Tassie is on display here, you'd be a fool to miss it's disconnected tranquility.
How to get to it - Board a ferry in Kettering in South East Tasmania which heads across on a daily basis. If you do miss the last one you will have to stay the night though! Which may not be a bad thing...
3. Sark in the CHANNEL ISLANDS:
The island of Sark is amazing. It's as tranquil, isolated and old fashioned as they come. There are no cars here. It was Europe's last feudal state. It has its own parliament and prison. The population is around 6,000. Once you step onto the island of Sark, you are stepping back in time. You can grab a beer, enjoy the views or just cycle around this island. I was lucky enough to see all the Channel Islands while working on the Cross Channel ferries.
Sark might well be a country, it might also be part of the UK. It has its own postage stamps and can you believe it once fielded a proper international football team (well they didn't score any goals and conceded 70 in their only 4 international matches). You'll arrive by boat and then a tractor arrives and you hop on and head up the hill to the main street. Highlights are the amazing view, the old fashioned main street, the odd capital of La Seigneurie and Little Sark - a small adjoining island where bikes are even banned! Hire a bike to get to the entrance though. You have to love Sark!
Where Is It? - It's near an island called Brecqhou in the Channel Islands. Your best bet to get there is hop on the Bon Marin de Serk mini ferry which leaves from Guernsey's St. Peter Port. Aeroplane isn't an option though there is a small landing strip and a helipad in case of emergency. Private boat could be an option.
4. HONG KONG: Tai O, Lantau Island:
Asia just had to be represented on this list and so I've gone for a place in Hong Kong. OK so ignore the fact that Lantau Island also houses one of the world's busiest airports on it and head over to the west corner at a remote fishing village called Tai O. Here you can really relax. To the point where you lose track of time, and momentarily even forget you're in Hong Kong. There is no commercial aspect to daily life here. Lots of hikes, surprise waterfalls, boat trip option and superb seafood. Walking around the traditional fishing village on stilts is another great thing to do. Tai O is fabulous!
How to get to it - Go by bus from a bus stop near Tung Chung MTR station. Alternatively you can catch a bus from Mui Wo , which has a direct ferry to Hong Kong Island.
5. CHILE: Cape Horn/Cabo De Hornos:
I simply cannot leave Cape Horn off this list despite the fact I didn't actually step on it. My budget wouldn't stretch that far. Our ship however sailed right up close to it. Cape Horn, is basically the end of the world! It's the southernmost liveable part of the planet on the south tip of Tierra del Fuego in Chile. In reality the islands further south are Diego Ramirez Islands, but nobody lives there. You can actually get onto Cape Horn, as travellers such as Michael Palin have done. I was just passing by to say hello. As remote and tranquil as they come. Except for the rock boat ride...
Where Is It? Tierra del Fuego, Chile.It's pretty much hard to get to as it's the furthest south point of liveable land on the planet. There's a rule that ships cannot go within 13 kilometres of it on stormy days. We went within a few kilometres as we were lucky and got to see the horn up close. If you have the money you can contact the Chilean Naval authorities and probably organise a landing, but I have no idea of the cost. Your trip to Antarctica might pass by it like mine. If not you can get a boat trip from the south of Argentina or Chile and check if they can include a trip up close to Cape Horn in the itinerary. I feel happy that I was able to see it that close.
Happy travelling and don't stop living!
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