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 in ANTARCTICA:
Well I had to include at least one island from the white continent, given that it's the most peaceful continent on the planet. I've gone for Cuverville Island, as it was a hike to the top through gorgeous snow and was just an amazing adventure. When we reached the top of Cuverville we feasted our eager eyes on the totally magical wonderland of Antarctica. One of life's better days. One of the best islands you could land on.
How to get there - If you are booked on a boat trip to Antarctica, there is a chance you will visit Cuverville. It will really depend on the weather conditions, and whether the captain and crew decide to land there. If not, your Antarctica trip may include other islands that I didn't visit. No doubt, they will be just as magical!
2. Bruny Island, Tasmania, AUSTRALIA:
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 there - Get the ferry across from Kettering in South East Tasmania. Ferries are daily, but if you miss the last one, you'll have to stay overnight (there are hotels and campsites on Bruny!).
3. Sark in the CHANNEL ISLANDS:
Sark is inspiring. It is one of the Channel Islands, and was Europe's last feudal state, it actually has its own parliament, and a population of around 600. While working on the cross channel ferries, I was able to see all these remote Channel Islands and i love them. A great place to relax and get away. It will feel like you've been timewarped.
Sark is just north of the French coast, and I don't class it as part of the UK, though it's position is often debated. They have their own stamps and even once fielded an international football team (scoring 0 goals and conceding 70 in their only 4 matches: Sark International Football Team. Arrival is by boat and then a tractor takes you up the steep hill to the main village centre. There are some outstanding views, vintage buildings and pretty gardens. The capital is La Seigneurie. On my visit, I hired a bike and cycled all over the island, including crossing a bridge to an adjoining island, known as Little Sark. I recommend heading to Sark!
How to get to it - Get a boat called Bon Marin de Serk - it leaves from St. Peter Port in Guernsey. This is easily the cheapest, best and most popular way to get to Sark. There ain't no airport here - though a helipad for emergencies and a landing strip. If you own a private boat, that is also an option.
4. Tai O on Lantau Island, HONG KONG:
I kind of wanted an Asian representative in this short list, and living in Hong Kong made me favour the wonderful Lantau Island in the west part of Hong Kong. If you can forget the fact that part of the island has a busy international airport on it, then get away to the very west corner at Tai O, where you can really relax. So much so that you will lose track of time, and even forget you're in Hong Kong. There is no commercial element here. Plenty of hikes, even waterfalls, boat cruises and the highlight is the seafood and walking around the traditional fishing village on stilts. An amazing place!
Where is it? - Tai O is on the west side of Lantau Island and you can get there by bus from close to the Tung Chung MTR station. There's also a bus from Mui Wo which in turn has a direct ferry to Hong Kong Central.
5. Cape Horn/Cabo De Hornos, CHILE:
It would just feel crazy to leave the marvellous Cape Horn off this list! Cape Horn quite simply is the southernmost point of the civilised world and the marker for the dreaded Drake Passage. All that lies south is Antarctica, making Cape Horn feel like the end of the world. Though I didn't actually set foot on Cape Horn (that would come at a high cost believe me!), we sailed eloquently past it, stopping by to glimpse at this famous spot. Just breathtaking.For the record there are actually islands further south called Diego Ramirez Islands, which we also passed, but the famous one is Cape Horn.
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 in ANTARCTICA:
Well I had to include at least one island from the white continent, given that it's the most peaceful continent on the planet. I've gone for Cuverville Island, as it was a hike to the top through gorgeous snow and was just an amazing adventure. When we reached the top of Cuverville we feasted our eager eyes on the totally magical wonderland of Antarctica. One of life's better days. One of the best islands you could land on.
How to get there - If you are booked on a boat trip to Antarctica, there is a chance you will visit Cuverville. It will really depend on the weather conditions, and whether the captain and crew decide to land there. If not, your Antarctica trip may include other islands that I didn't visit. No doubt, they will be just as magical!
2. Bruny Island, Tasmania, AUSTRALIA:
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 there - Get the ferry across from Kettering in South East Tasmania. Ferries are daily, but if you miss the last one, you'll have to stay overnight (there are hotels and campsites on Bruny!).
3. Sark in the CHANNEL ISLANDS:
Sark is inspiring. It is one of the Channel Islands, and was Europe's last feudal state, it actually has its own parliament, and a population of around 600. While working on the cross channel ferries, I was able to see all these remote Channel Islands and i love them. A great place to relax and get away. It will feel like you've been timewarped.
Sark is just north of the French coast, and I don't class it as part of the UK, though it's position is often debated. They have their own stamps and even once fielded an international football team (scoring 0 goals and conceding 70 in their only 4 matches: Sark International Football Team. Arrival is by boat and then a tractor takes you up the steep hill to the main village centre. There are some outstanding views, vintage buildings and pretty gardens. The capital is La Seigneurie. On my visit, I hired a bike and cycled all over the island, including crossing a bridge to an adjoining island, known as Little Sark. I recommend heading to Sark!
How to get to it - Get a boat called Bon Marin de Serk - it leaves from St. Peter Port in Guernsey. This is easily the cheapest, best and most popular way to get to Sark. There ain't no airport here - though a helipad for emergencies and a landing strip. If you own a private boat, that is also an option.
4. Tai O on Lantau Island, HONG KONG:
I kind of wanted an Asian representative in this short list, and living in Hong Kong made me favour the wonderful Lantau Island in the west part of Hong Kong. If you can forget the fact that part of the island has a busy international airport on it, then get away to the very west corner at Tai O, where you can really relax. So much so that you will lose track of time, and even forget you're in Hong Kong. There is no commercial element here. Plenty of hikes, even waterfalls, boat cruises and the highlight is the seafood and walking around the traditional fishing village on stilts. An amazing place!
Where is it? - Tai O is on the west side of Lantau Island and you can get there by bus from close to the Tung Chung MTR station. There's also a bus from Mui Wo which in turn has a direct ferry to Hong Kong Central.
5. Cape Horn/Cabo De Hornos, CHILE:
It would just feel crazy to leave the marvellous Cape Horn off this list! Cape Horn quite simply is the southernmost point of the civilised world and the marker for the dreaded Drake Passage. All that lies south is Antarctica, making Cape Horn feel like the end of the world. Though I didn't actually set foot on Cape Horn (that would come at a high cost believe me!), we sailed eloquently past it, stopping by to glimpse at this famous spot. Just breathtaking.For the record there are actually islands further south called Diego Ramirez Islands, which we also passed, but the famous one is Cape Horn.
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!
About the Author:
To find more reports similar to 5 amazing tranquil islands check out Jonny Blair's massive endless travel, work and lifestyle website called Dont Stop Living .
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