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:
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!).
How to get to it - When book a boat trip to Antarctica, there's a chance you will visit Cuverville. It will totally depend on the weather conditions, and the decisions of the captain and the crew as they decide on the landings. If not, your Antarctica trip may include other islands that I didn't visit. And I'm so sure that they will capture the same sort of magical spirit as Cuverville!
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 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, 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's position is often disputed. Is it a country? Well it could be, but it could also be part of the UK. Sark has its own stamps and incredibly once fielded its own international football team (they scored 0 goals and conceded 70 in the 4 matches they played. You will arrive on Sark by boat (from St. Peter Port, Guernsey) and a tractor will take you up the steep hill to the town centre. Fantastic views, old style buildings, a main street which is old fashioned to the core. The capital is called La Seigneurie. Hiring a bicycle is an option and cyle all over the island. You can visit the adjoining island of Little Sark. This is a brilliant place.
How to get there - I went by boat on the Bon Marin de Serk, which leaves from St. Peter Port in Guernsey. This is by far and away the best, cheapest and most obvious route to Sark. There is no airport in Sark, although a landing strip and helipad have been used before. Private boat is also 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 there - Tai O can be reached by bus from near the Tung Chung MTR station. Or you can get a bus from Mui Wo (which has a direct ferry to Hong Kong Central).
5. CHILE: Cape Horn/Cabo De Hornos:
It would just feel ridiculous to leave the magic of Cape Horn off this list! Cape Horn is pretty much the southernmost point of the civilised world and the marker point for the start of the Drake Passage. All that remains further south is Antarctica, which makes Cape Horn feel like the end of the world. OK, so I didn't actually set foot on Cape Horn (that was a bit beyond my budget!), but our ship sailed right up close to it, so we could get a glimpse of 'the horn'. Just to note there is actually a set of islands further south called the Diego Ramirez Islands but nobody lives there. Cape Horn is the end of the world.
How to get there - If you want to actually step on Cape Horn then you'll have to contact the Chilean naval authorities, as there is a 13 kilometre rule for boats approaching it (our boat managed to get within a few kilometres of Cape Horn luckily as the sea was calmer than normal). If not you can book boat tours from southern Chile and Argentina which will take you round the Horn. Or do what I did and pop over to view it, on the way home from Antarctica!
Happy travelling and don't stop living!
1. Cuverville Island in 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!).
How to get to it - When book a boat trip to Antarctica, there's a chance you will visit Cuverville. It will totally depend on the weather conditions, and the decisions of the captain and the crew as they decide on the landings. If not, your Antarctica trip may include other islands that I didn't visit. And I'm so sure that they will capture the same sort of magical spirit as Cuverville!
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 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, 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's position is often disputed. Is it a country? Well it could be, but it could also be part of the UK. Sark has its own stamps and incredibly once fielded its own international football team (they scored 0 goals and conceded 70 in the 4 matches they played. You will arrive on Sark by boat (from St. Peter Port, Guernsey) and a tractor will take you up the steep hill to the town centre. Fantastic views, old style buildings, a main street which is old fashioned to the core. The capital is called La Seigneurie. Hiring a bicycle is an option and cyle all over the island. You can visit the adjoining island of Little Sark. This is a brilliant place.
How to get there - I went by boat on the Bon Marin de Serk, which leaves from St. Peter Port in Guernsey. This is by far and away the best, cheapest and most obvious route to Sark. There is no airport in Sark, although a landing strip and helipad have been used before. Private boat is also 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 there - Tai O can be reached by bus from near the Tung Chung MTR station. Or you can get a bus from Mui Wo (which has a direct ferry to Hong Kong Central).
5. CHILE: Cape Horn/Cabo De Hornos:
It would just feel ridiculous to leave the magic of Cape Horn off this list! Cape Horn is pretty much the southernmost point of the civilised world and the marker point for the start of the Drake Passage. All that remains further south is Antarctica, which makes Cape Horn feel like the end of the world. OK, so I didn't actually set foot on Cape Horn (that was a bit beyond my budget!), but our ship sailed right up close to it, so we could get a glimpse of 'the horn'. Just to note there is actually a set of islands further south called the Diego Ramirez Islands but nobody lives there. Cape Horn is the end of the world.
How to get there - If you want to actually step on Cape Horn then you'll have to contact the Chilean naval authorities, as there is a 13 kilometre rule for boats approaching it (our boat managed to get within a few kilometres of Cape Horn luckily as the sea was calmer than normal). If not you can book boat tours from southern Chile and Argentina which will take you round the Horn. Or do what I did and pop over to view it, on the way home from Antarctica!
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 extensive endless travel, work and lifestyle website called Dont Stop Living .
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