Remote Islands

[Charlie]

I think that there are many of us here on CF that would like to visit remote islands. If anyone is willing to share the names or locations of islands that most people have never hear of I'd be very interested in seeing if these islands are on my charting software (CM93)

Here is a quick google search of an arbitrary list of the 10 most remote islands in the world. Of these I knew of 7 of the 10. Does anyone have islands that they would like to add to this list?
World’s Top 10 Remote Islands

September 2, 2008 — cheapoair

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Planning to escape from the hustle-bustle of the city with your beloved? Check out the list of Top 10 remote islands that are distant from civilization. Visit the untouched white beaches, tropical palms and miles upon miles of shimmering water.
1. Xisha Islands: Located in the South China Sea, 205 miles from China’s Hainan Province, the islands are known for their tropical beauty and are home to some of the world’s rarest birds, many of which are not seen anywhere else on earth. With crystal-clear seawater, tropical plants and a climate to strip off and frolic naked for, this is exactly why island people are so damn chilled out.
2. Falklands Islands: East of Argentina, about 300 miles, are the Falkland Islands, known best for the two-month battle that took place in 1982 between Argentina and British forces. Comprising two main islands, East Falkland and West Falkland, like Vietnam the Falklands have become an increasingly popular tourist spot since Britain claimed victory.
3. Cocos Islands: Slap dab in the middle of the Indian Ocean, 559 miles from Christmas Island, its closest neighbor, the Cocos Islands, are as desolate as the islands explored by Crusoe. Unlike other vacation-worthy islands, the Cocos Islands do not have huge resorts, sprawling shopping malls or rows of restaurants to entertain guests. Here it’s all about entertaining yourself with simplistic pursuits such as exploring its shores by day and lying in a hammock by night.
4. Galapagos Islands: An archipelago of over 60 islands, of which only five are inhabited, the Galapagos Islands are scattered around the equator, 604 miles from Ecuador. Populated by 40,000 residences, the Hispanic islands are the perfect place for those looking for a little peace and quiet away from the daily grind. Here visitors can moor up in their private yachts and enjoy a leisurely stroll across its untouched sands.
5. Attu Island: Attu Island is at the Western end of the Aleutian Islands in Alaska and is the easternmost point of the United States. Boasting a difficult-to-maneuver landscape of volcanoes and valleys, and a volatile climate of year-round fog and storms, Attu is not only one of the most remote islands on earth, but it’s also one of the most forbidding. While visitors may not want to stay on the island for a week-long vacation (after all, there are no Western-style hotels here), it’s worth seeing as a stop-off on a cruise of the Bering Sea.
6. Saint Helena: Saint Helena is one of the most isolated places in the South Atlantic Ocean. Famed as being the place where Napoleon Bonaparte was sent in exile (among others), the island claims to be Britain’s second-oldest colony and is a stunning emerald jewel. With a sub-tropical climate, diamond-blue waters, lush vegetation, and an abundant wildlife, it truly is one of the last remaining paradises on earth.
7. Easter Island: Known for the large stone heads that are perched ominously on the edges of its cliffs, Easter Island has become the most famous desert island. Despite being miles away from Chile, however, Easter Island isn’t all that difficult to reach, with regular flights to and from its small airstrip courtesy of LAN Chile Airlines. The biggest draw to Easter Island is, of course, the large stone Moai statues, ancient ruins and petroglyphs, but those who aren’t into culture can also enjoy al fresco sporting activities such as horseback riding across its chiseled landscape or surfing on its warm Pacific waves.
8. Pitcairn Islands: Four volcanic masses that rise ominously out of the Pacific make up the little-known Pitcairn Islands; 1,300 miles from Tahiti, you’re practically guaranteed no fighting over sun beds on its beaches. As Britain’s most isolated dependency, only the largest island of Pitcairn is inhabited, and with no port or natural harbor, supplies are rowed in on old longboats from larger ships stationed offshore. With awesome cliffs and a rugged, unmanicured coastline, it’s the type of place you can imagine being shipwrecked on and never wanting to be found again.
9. Kiribati: The world’s most eastern point (at least on land), Kiribati is an island nation that teeters dangerously close to the equator. Lying 1,650 miles southwest of Hawaii, the archipelago comprises 21 inhabited islands and 13 more that lie desolate. While there may not be a hell of a lot to do in Kiribati other than crisp on its pristine white-sand beaches, there are enough services to ensure you’re fed, watered and that there’s a suitably stylish roof over your head.
10. Tristan da Cunha: Located midway between South Africa and Argentina in the Atlantic Ocean, Tristan da Cunha is the world’s most remote island. Made up of six separate volcanic islands, and with such natural beauty it would be a shame to deny its existence. The islands are now inhabited by the world’s most isolated community after once being an important trading route between Europe and the Indian Ocean. Surviving on basic industries such as farming and fishing, the population has become one of the most extraordinary in the world thanks to living in such desolate, limited conditions.

[Chattcatdaddy]

Good post.....I need to hurry up and get out there and sail to one of these last pieces of paradise.

[Talbot]

Your post talks about the top ten remote islands, It misses South Georgia (sp) but does include the Falklands. It also mises Kerguelen which must be one of the most remote and unvisited anywhere.

[Kanani]

Well.....I've been to the Falklands, Cocos Keeling, Galapagos, St Helena and the Kiribati Islands (Christmas Island) on your list.

Most of the islands that you mention are populated islands.

The most fascinating islands that I've visited are unpopulated.

I would add to your list, Palmyra Island, Suvarov Island and some of the Pacific reefs that actually have no land but have the best sea-life and good anchorages like Middleton Reef (300 mile ESE of Brisbane, Aust) and a reef at 23.39S 178.54W. I can't remember the name right now but I'm sure that others will.

One more fascinating island that I visited was Raoul Island in the Kermidecks (between NZ and Tonga).

Man.....when I start thinking about it, the list of islands in the SoPac is endless.

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by Talbot

Kerguelen which must be one of the most remote and unvisited anywhere.

I was having a look at this place a few years agoon Google Earth. Some of its history isremarkable.

If you can handle a bit of cold and your boat can make the trip the harbour is totally enclosed, not many other cruisers to anchor too close, the bay ain't been fished out. The seals on the beach don't stink that bad....


Mark

[shadow]

GREAT thread!!! I am always wondering which islands and where to visit when I finally get my boat. Of course, I hope that by the time I get around, it isn't totally screwed by the usual greedy fools that don't know any better!!

Thanks again for everyone's list and I'm looking forward to reading and hearing about more!!

[Charlie]

The list I found was just to prime the pumps. I was reading a Clive Custter novel and read about a place called Cliperton Island. I didn't know if it was real or not. I found it in my charting software 10 18.03N by 109 12.83W and then did a google on it. It is governed by the French even though it only looks to be less than 600 nm from Manzanillo Mexico. Here is a link to info on the island.

Clipperton Island - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Kanani nice to hear from you again. Sounds like you have been to many of the places that I would like to go.

[Agur's Wish]

If you want a hilarious read about Kiribati you should try "The Sex Lives of Cannibals" by J. Marten Troost.

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by Charlie

I was reading a Clive Custter novel and .

Poor old Dirk! I was swapped with a newish Cussler novel and Dirk Pitt was so battered, injured, crippled etc he hobbled through all 1,000 pages and now needs quite a long rest on the worlds most remote island!!!

Which, by the way, should include "South Sandwich Islands". This includes South Georigia (see post earlier). Discovered by Cook, he thought them "not worth the discovery". I think though cold he would have preferred them! LOLOLOL

Another nice (cold) island is Macquarrie Island and the others in the Australian Antartic Terriftory.

[TAREUA]

It's interesting that some of the islands really are not far from the regular cruising routes. I've sailed fairly near several of them, without stopping. Cocos is the only one I stopped at, and from there went to Chagos which seemed more remote. I would guess a number of the Tuamoto's almost never see a yacht for the same reason as others on the list, just a bit out of they way, or no anchorage. A few Seychelles islands would qualify that way too.

[Kanani]

One quick story about one of the most fascinating populated remote islands that I visited.

We were in Mauritius Island for about 2 months in 1995. We were leaving for Madagascar then off to So Africa. When we left Mauritius, I noticed a small (very mountainous) island on the chart that I simply hadn't taken time to notice before or even heard of. (Any French people reading this thread can sign-off now). It was Reunion Island, located just SW of Mauritius and is actually the same size as Mauritius.

We were sailing close to the island anyway so I decided to go right up next to the island, to see what I could see. I didn't have a chart of the island and fully expected it to be uninhabited. As we came close to the island, I slowly started noticing cars (way off in the distance from us). The cars seemed to be on some sort of road but I fully expected it to be a small dirt road and old cars.

I saw more and more cars as we approached closer. Now, my curiosity is peaked. I figured, with all these cars (and trucks....big trucks), there must be a port. Without approaching too closely, I sailed along the coast, which was obviously very steep-to with a high mountain that fell sharply into the sea. This indicated that it was an old volcanic island that probaby had little to no off-shore obstructions.

Suddenly, I saw a fishing boat (what looked like) coming out of the side of the mountain (about 3 miles ahead).....AH-HA!!!!. Knowing that boats can drive out of mountains, I figured that must be the port. I traced the fishing boats track on my radar and used that track to navigate into the port.

As I drew closer, the entry was extremely well marked. There was a sharp turn to SB going into the harbor but the view of the harbor was obstructed by a sea wall until I got to a certain point. Once we reached that point, it became obvious that this was a fairly largish harbor.

I pulled along side a dock where there were several private yachts hauled out. I quickly found out that this was a French speaking island but I was able to find someone that was willing to lower himself to speaking English (tongue in cheek). He told me where to find the Harbor master and accompanied me to his office. I found out that there is no customs or immigration at that port and I had to go to the airport about 20 miles away.

The gentleman that escorted me to the office handed me the keys to his brand new BMW and told me how to get to the airport. He said, "I'll be here working on my boat for a few days, use the car all you want". I thought, "What....are you nuts???? You don't know me from Adam". He said...."What.......am I supposed to be worried about you stealing my car???. Where would you go on this small island?".

I took the car and followed his carefully mapped instructions. Remember the road that I saw from out at sea?. I thought it must be an old dirt road.........It was a freaking 6-lane super highway that looked like the most modern highway in the US or Europe. I was shocked but the best was yet to come.

Remember, this island is very steep mountain terrain. I could not see the town from the port but as I drove down the highway, I began to see these big beautiful homes, nestled in the trees and side of the mountains. Then....I rounded a bend in the road and there was this huge, modern city with high rise buildings and crowded streets. It was like I entered the Twilight Zone and was instantly transported to Paris, France. That had to be the biggest culture shock that I have ever had.

It ends up that Reunion Island is actually a suburb (of sorts) of Paris. I don't know any other way of explaining it. All I can tell you is that these are the most friendly, outgoing French people that I have ever met. People were dragging us into their homes and struggling to understand our language to hear stories of how we got there.

I'll never forget that small island in the middle of the Indian Ocean. What an incredible experience. I only wish that we could have stayed longer.

[Stillraining]

Originally Posted by Kanani

One quick story about one of the most fascinating populated remote islands that I visited.

We were in Mauritius Island for about 2 months in 1995. We were leaving for Madagascar then off to So Africa. When we left Mauritius, I noticed a small (very mountainous) island on the chart that I simply hadn't taken time to notice before or even heard of. (Any French people reading this thread can sign-off now). It was Reunion Island, located just SW of Mauritius and is actually the same size as Mauritius.

We were sailing close to the island anyway so I decided to go right up next to the island, to see what I could see. I didn't have a chart of the island and fully expected it to be uninhabited. As we came close to the island, I slowly started noticing cars (way off in the distance from us). The cars seemed to be on some sort of road but I fully expected it to be a small dirt road and old cars.

I saw more and more cars as we approached closer. Now, my curiosity is peaked. I figured, with all these cars (and trucks....big trucks), there must be a port. Without approaching too closely, I sailed along the coast, which was obviously very steep-to with a high mountain that fell sharply into the sea. This indicated that it was an old volcanic island that probaby had little to no off-shore obstructions.

Suddenly, I saw a fishing boat (what looked like) coming out of the side of the mountain (about 3 miles ahead).....AH-HA!!!!. Knowing that boats can drive out of mountains, I figured that must be the port. I traced the fishing boats track on my radar and used that track to navigate into the port.

As I drew closer, the entry was extremely well marked. There was a sharp turn to SB going into the harbor but the view of the harbor was obstructed by a sea wall until I got to a certain point. Once we reached that point, it became obvious that this was a fairly largish harbor.

I pulled along side a dock where there were several private yachts hauled out. I quickly found out that this was a French speaking island but I was able to find someone that was willing to lower himself to speaking English (tongue in cheek). He told me where to find the Harbor master and accompanied me to his office. I found out that there is no customs or immigration at that port and I had to go to the airport about 20 miles away.

The gentleman that escorted me to the office handed me the keys to his brand new BMW and told me how to get to the airport. He said, "I'll be here working on my boat for a few days, use the car all you want". I thought, "What....are you nuts???? You don't know me from Adam". He said...."What.......am I supposed to be worried about you stealing my car???. Where would you go on this small island?".

I took the car and followed his carefully mapped instructions. Remember the road that I saw from out at sea?. I thought it must be an old dirt road.........It was a freaking 6-lane super highway that looked like the most modern highway in the US or Europe. I was shocked but the best was yet to come.

Remember, this island is very steep mountain terrain. I could not see the town from the port but as I drove down the highway, I began to see these big beautiful homes, nestled in the trees and side of the mountains. Then....I rounded a bend in the road and there was this huge, modern city with high rise buildings and crowded streets. It was like I entered the Twilight Zone and was instantly transported to Paris, France. That had to be the biggest culture shock that I have ever had.

It ends up that Reunion Island is actually a suburb (of sorts) of Paris. I don't know any other way of explaining it. All I can tell you is that these are the most friendly, outgoing French people that I have ever met. People were dragging us into their homes and struggling to understand our language to hear stories of how we got there.

I'll never forget that small island in the middle of the Indian Ocean. What an incredible experience. I only wish that we could have stayed longer.

Kanani...Im still waiting for the punch line...

Great story

[Kanani]

Originally Posted by Stillraining

Kanani...Im still waiting for the punch line...

Great story

I just thought of another cute story......I'm telling this because Cocos Isl was on that 1st list.

Cocos is a group of islands. Most of the islands are uninhabitied. At the far southern end of the group is a small, uninhabited island (I don't remember the name). That's where most of the cruising yachts hang out. No one bothers you. (BTW.....there is spectacular snorkeling and diving there).

We entered the anchorage and there were no other vessels there yet. There were a few vessels enroute and one was planning on entering at night (THAT'S CRAZY BTW). Brian Caldwell (19 yr-old single-hander) was the one. He was tired and wanted to get in. I went out in my dingy and wrote down way-points from my GPS that would take him through safe water. The next morning, I woke up and he was at anchor. That kid sure had guts......did I mention that he is just a little "crazy" too.

Anyway.....that had nothing to do with my story........When we got there, we got in the dinghy and went ashore to do some exploring. There was a beautiful pure white sandy beach then the island was heavily covered with coconut tress (what I shock ). We noticed that there was an opening in the trees so we headed for it to see what we could find. Right in front of us, on this deserted island, was a phone booth. I couldn't believe it. I thought it was a joke. I picked up the phone and I could hear ringing on the phone. I waited a minute and some answered, "Operator". Now....I'm ROFLMAO..... I asked if I could call the US..she said, "Certainly, what # would you like?" I gave her my father-in-laws # and one minute later we were talking to him on the phone for nearly 30 minutes.....at no cost.......To this day, I ROFLMAO..... every time that I think of that experience.

Oh!!!! wait a minute.....I forgot the punch line again....

[Soft Air]

San Blas Islands (377 islands) at the Kuna Nation still classified as remote ones.


San Blas Islands - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The San Blas Islands of Panama is an archipelago of 365 islands off the north coast of the Isthmus, east of the Panama Canal. Home to the Kuna Indians, they are a part of the comarca Kuna Yala along the Caribbean coast of Panama.

[Charlie]

Wow this thread isreallygetting fun. When I first posted it I got no response and it fell off the home page. Now it seems to be alive. The San Blas Islands are a place that I want to check out. I wouls like to spend some time there but that will depend on when I get the boat to Panama.

Lets keep the islands coming.