Are There Any Truly Deserted Tropical Islands Left ?

[nautical62]

When I cruise the Bahamas, I have an uninhabited island or at least a bay to myself half of the time. Most see yachties sometimes, so it's hit and miss. My Bahamas cruises are all north of the tropics, but still it amazes me that one can find an uninhabited island to one self within 150 miles of the U.S.

[perchance]

Do "rocks awash" count?

[Unicorn Dreams]

700 islands in the Bahamas, over 600 deserted. Actually, they are 's sub-tropical. Deserted islands everywhere..

[avb3]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

Yep - Redonda! So close at hand, so tropical, so deserted!

b.

And SO hard to land on! Besides, The King of Redonda might object

[Piney]

Wow! excllent info here. Thanks for sharing..

[daddle]

Here's a nice deserted tropical island just a day's sail from Singapore ...

[tropicalescape]

Try Palmira I dont think anyone is there..not for long anyway and then theres Bikini Atoll and that other place where the coconuts glow in the dark... should be easy to find just look for the mushroom cloud...Just kidding but there are lots of Islands in and around Palau and Ponapa,Yap,Chuuk,and the ones in Palau are like giant mushrooms, as they are being eaten away by some kind of seabug that attacks the base of the rock islands. Some have water and are lush and green..watch out for the "Farmers" they take there islands very serious and they were some of the last known cannibles.."Yum Yum eatum up" as uncle George would say...

[holmek]

There are 1000's of uninhabited islands around the world.ALL belong to somebody and they do not want Robinson Crusoe yachties squatting on them. That is the reason that we all are obliged to get cruising permits in each country. Sail around the world and have fun, but don't make a nuisance of yourself,- you will make it bad for those coming behind you. Read between the lines of Tom Neale's story and you'll see that even he was VERY pleased to have visitors from time to time,- the true hermit is a very rare animal. A little time alone and then move on is more than enough for most of us.

[jacob30]

How about Isla Aves. It is disputed who owns it. Maybe setup a hermit shack and settle the matter

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by goboatingnow

If you forsake tropical. Lots of uninhabited islands round Ireland and Scotland. Fresh water or wind power in abundance !
Dave

I think Scotland has a nice one, called Gruinard Island or something.

Pete

[holmek]

Ilas Aves in the Caribbean is right in the hurricane path. The Venezuelans had a military/coast guard base there in the 80'S. It is about 2 acres in extent and pure sand so not a place you'd be able to subsist on.
For an interesting read on a long term family living the island "dream", try to get hold of ; "Faraway", by Lucy Irvine. Also by the same author, her own experiences, ; " Castaway."

[Doodles]

Originally Posted by holmek

Ilas Aves in the Caribbean is right in the hurricane path. The Venezuelans had a military/coast guard base there in the 80'S. It is about 2 acres in extent and pure sand so not a place you'd be able to subsist on.
For an interesting read on a long term family living the island "dream", try to get hold of ; "Faraway", by Lucy Irvine. Also by the same author, her own experiences, ; " Castaway."

Yes, I thought the Castaway (her first) book was better than Faraway at least in terms of living alone on an island. You can get it at Amazon ...Amazon.com: Castaway (9780394535425): Lucy Irvine: Books

Tom Neal is still the best.

[mrohr]

Make your boat your island,then you can enjoy them all, gotta do this anyway just to get to one.

[osirissail]

Originally Posted by mrohr

Make your boat your island,then you can enjoy them all, gotta do this anyway just to get to one.

Actually, that is probably the best idea for a "deserted island" lifestyle. Everything you need is in the boat and you can move it from isolated anchorage to isolated anchorage when the scenery gets too familiar or boring. And no sand fleas or aggressive iguanas to deal with.
- - One of the joys of long term cruising on a good boat is exactly that "isolated island" feeling you have living in/on your boat. I always wondered why some cruisers spend days inside their boats barely poking their heads above decks except to quickly dive over the side for a swim and bath.

[John A]

Originally Posted by osirissail

I always wondered why some cruisers spend days inside their boats barely poking their heads above decks except to quickly dive over the side for a swim and bath.

So true. I've gone over to other boats in remote anchorages to visit only to be told that they have all the hatchs closed because they have the AC on or are on the computer watching DVD's, playing games' or on the Cruisers Forum.