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Jameyson72 · 03-11-2015, 08:24

How difficult would it be to find a deserted tropical island that is actually inhabitable? Not much information on this that I can tell. I'd definitely be interested in visiting one or two, maybe spending a few months roughing it in any event.

nautical62 · 03-11-2015, 08:30

Lots of them in the Bahamas. Even when chartering there we once had an anchorage to ourselves every single one of 9 nights anchored out, sometimes an entire island. Nothing like grilling freshly caught lobster over a fire on the beach on an island all to yourself.....

travellerw · 03-11-2015, 08:43

They do not exist... If the island can support a population (no matter how small), it will have people living on it. This will mean the island has CLEAN water, food, ect.

There are some islands in the south pacific (Federated States of Micronesia) I have read about that might work for you. Technically, they are inhabited, but used more as nomadic camps. Actually there was a documentary done by a fellow where he lived on one when he was 16-17. It took a lot of paper work for the government of Micronesia to allow it though.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qSXyz3he3M

mohave_steve · 03-11-2015, 09:25

You kicked my imagination into gear with that question...

Bahamas, shallow draft boat, watermaker, solar, dive gear and loaded to the brim with provisions.

Find a truly deserted island and set up a "beach camp" for a couple of weeks or a month.

sailormed · 03-11-2015, 09:38

Hy Steve, in that case I guess you are more a camper type then a sailing type?

mohave_steve · 03-11-2015, 09:51

Not really. If I had to pick one over the other it would be sailing.

Fortunately, I don't have to pick. I can do both.

I like the idea of hammocks, a bonfire and near complete relaxation. My wife gets cranky when I try to build a bonfire on the boat...

denverd0n · 03-11-2015, 10:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jameyson72

How difficult would it be to find a deserted tropical island that is actually inhabitable?

Depends entirely on what you mean by "inhabitable."

Islands where you can find fresh water, grow food, etc...? Sort of like Gilligan's Island? Not a chance. They simply do not exist.

Small spits of sand with maybe one or two trees, where you could live if you brought all your own food and water with you? Sure, those exist.

So, the real question is, what exactly are you looking for?

Ribbit · 03-11-2015, 12:09

Plenty have been abandoned and the inhabitants have moved to cities in search of work, due to the collapse in the copra trade.

There's some that then attempt to attribute them moving, to 'rising sea levels'. *laughs*

With many though, you have to watch at night, unless you have good mosquito nets ashore. Best to be anchored a ways offshore at night and let them starve.

Captain Bill · 03-11-2015, 12:56

The problem is that if an island has fresh water it probably has enough blood sucking insects to drain you dry in a couple of days. Also horse flies that you will swear hit bone on that last bite.

Wind River · 03-11-2015, 13:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by mohave_steve

My wife gets cranky when I try to build a bonfire on the boat...

Not mine, she got me this! "Campfire In A Can"
Not quite a bonfire, but it will do.

(Sorry for the thread drift)

Vasco · 03-11-2015, 13:17

Cleaning fish on my own deserted island. I can point you towards it for a small fee.

tomfl · 03-11-2015, 13:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by mohave_steve

You kicked my imagination into gear with that question...

Bahamas, shallow draft boat, watermaker, solar, dive gear and loaded to the brim with provisions.

Find a truly deserted island and set up a "beach camp" for a couple of weeks or a month.

It is illegal to camp on beaches in the Bahamas, but that is not to say some locals don't do it. Also keep in mind many places in the Bahamas are isolated enough that no one would know if you set up a tent on a beach and camped there.

There are also a lot of isolated islands in the back country of the Florida Keys where you would seldom see anyone. Same for the Ten Thousand Islands and Everglades. You need some sort of permit in Federal parks but while enforcement is not as lax as in the Bahamas it is possible to not see another person for weeks at a time.

tomfl · 03-11-2015, 13:46

camping link

Not sure why the link seems to lead to a download but here is a copy and paste of the page:

Camping

Camping in the Bahamas

Camping is generally prohibited for tourists in the Bahamas — as the government would prefer it that you stay in a hotel; though locals camp out all the time — typically on the beach with a bonfire.