I was thinking about all the islands I've visited and trying to narrow it down to the best ones, but I just couldn't so I'll compile a few different lists to sum them up in categories. First of all these are my 5 top tranquil islands. Places you can get away to for relaxing, with very few other people about. These lists are only compiled from places I've actually been to by the way, hence the peculiarity of it (I would love to include Rathlin Island in Northern Ireland on this list, but I haven't been there yet!). They are in no particular order...
1. ANTARCTICA: Cuverville Island:
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!).
Where Is It? - Somewhere off the Gerlache Strait in Antarctica. When you book your Antarctica trip you can check the itinerary but ultimately whether you land there or not will depend on weather conditions and the captain and crews decisions. Don't fret if you don't land on Cuverville, you will go to a different island just as magical - there are lots of islands in Antarctica!
2. Bruny Island in 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.
Where Is It? - South East tip of Tasmania. To get there head to Kettering and get the ferry across. They sail during the daytime only so if you miss the last one you'll be stuck on Bruny. That won't be a bad thing - I spent a night there and loved it.
3. CHANNEL ISLANDS: Sark
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 might well be a country, it might also be part of the UK. It has its own postage stamps and can you believe it once fielded a proper international football team (well they didn't score any goals and conceded 70 in their only 4 international matches). You'll arrive by boat and then a tractor arrives and you hop on and head up the hill to the main street. Highlights are the amazing view, the old fashioned main street, the odd capital of La Seigneurie and Little Sark - a small adjoining island where bikes are even banned! Hire a bike to get to the entrance though. You have to love Sark!
Where Is It? - It's near an island called Brecqhou in the Channel Islands. Your best bet to get there is hop on the Bon Marin de Serk mini ferry which leaves from Guernsey's St. Peter Port. Aeroplane isn't an option though there is a small landing strip and a helipad in case of emergency. Private boat could be 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!
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. Cape Horn/Cabo De Hornos in 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.
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. ANTARCTICA: Cuverville Island:
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!).
Where Is It? - Somewhere off the Gerlache Strait in Antarctica. When you book your Antarctica trip you can check the itinerary but ultimately whether you land there or not will depend on weather conditions and the captain and crews decisions. Don't fret if you don't land on Cuverville, you will go to a different island just as magical - there are lots of islands in Antarctica!
2. Bruny Island in 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.
Where Is It? - South East tip of Tasmania. To get there head to Kettering and get the ferry across. They sail during the daytime only so if you miss the last one you'll be stuck on Bruny. That won't be a bad thing - I spent a night there and loved it.
3. CHANNEL ISLANDS: Sark
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 might well be a country, it might also be part of the UK. It has its own postage stamps and can you believe it once fielded a proper international football team (well they didn't score any goals and conceded 70 in their only 4 international matches). You'll arrive by boat and then a tractor arrives and you hop on and head up the hill to the main street. Highlights are the amazing view, the old fashioned main street, the odd capital of La Seigneurie and Little Sark - a small adjoining island where bikes are even banned! Hire a bike to get to the entrance though. You have to love Sark!
Where Is It? - It's near an island called Brecqhou in the Channel Islands. Your best bet to get there is hop on the Bon Marin de Serk mini ferry which leaves from Guernsey's St. Peter Port. Aeroplane isn't an option though there is a small landing strip and a helipad in case of emergency. Private boat could be 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!
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. Cape Horn/Cabo De Hornos in 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.
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 read more reports similar to 5 amazing tranquil islands check out Jonny Blair's massive endless travel, work and lifestyle website called Dont Stop Living .. Unique version for reprint here: 5 Quiet Islands Not to Miss!!.
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