7 Hidden Islands So Isolated They’re Not on Most Maps

Sometimes, the best kind of escape isn’t a luxury resort or a famous beach; it’s a quiet, untouched speck of land where time slows down. These remote islands aren’t easy to reach, but that’s exactly what makes them feel like another world.

Kerguelen Islands, French Southern and Antarctic Lands

Nicknamed the "Desolation Islands," the Kerguelen archipelago lies in the southern Indian Ocean, over 2,050 miles (3,300 km) from Madagascar. France maintains a permanent presence of 45 to 100 personnel, including scientists and support staff, at Port-aux-Français. The islands are accessible only by ship and experience harsh, chilly climates with frequent high winds throughout the year.

Spitsbergen, Svalbard, Norway

Spitsbergen is the largest island in the Svalbard archipelago, situated about 650 miles (1,050 km) from the North Pole. It hosts the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, a secure facility preserving seeds from around the world. The island's main settlement, Longyearbyen, is one of the world's northernmost inhabited areas.

Pitcairn Island, British Overseas Territory

Pitcairn Island is home to about 42 residents, many of whom are descendants of the HMS Bounty mutineers. The island is accessible only by boat, with supply ships visiting a few times a year. In 2015, the surrounding waters were designated as one of the world's largest marine reserves, covering 322,138 square miles (834,334 square km).

Novaya Zemlya, Russia

This Russian archipelago in the Arctic Ocean comprises two main islands, Severny and Yuzhny, separated by the Matochkin Strait. Between 1955 and 1990, Novaya Zemlya was a major site for Soviet nuclear testing, including the detonation of the Tsar Bomba, the most powerful nuclear weapon ever tested.

Tristan da Cunha, British Overseas Territory

Tristan da Cunha is considered the most remote inhabited island, located over 1,500 miles (2,400 km) from the nearest land. The island's population of around 246 resides in the settlement of Edinburgh of the Seven Seas. Access is limited to a few ship visits per year, and the island lacks an airport.

Easter Island (Rapa Nui), Chile

Easter Island, known for its nearly 900 moai statues, is one of the world's most isolated inhabited islands, located over 2,200 miles (3,500 km) from mainland Chile. The island's population is around 7,750, with a significant portion identifying as Rapa Nui.

South Georgia Island, British Overseas Territory

South Georgia Island is a remote and rugged landmass known for its wildlife, including penguins and seals. It was the final resting place of explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton, who is buried at Grytviken, a former whaling station now serving as a research base.

Diego Garcia, British Indian Ocean Territory

Diego Garcia is an atoll in the Indian Ocean that hosts a significant U.S. military base. In May 2025, the UK signed an agreement transferring sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius while retaining control over Diego Garcia through a 99-year lease. The island remains off-limits to the displaced Chagossian people who were removed in the 1970s.

Iriomote Island, Okinawa, Japan

Iriomote is the second-largest island in Okinawa Prefecture, covered mostly by dense jungle and mangrove forests. It's home to the critically endangered Iriomote cat, a wild feline species found only on the island. With a population of around 2,400, the island is accessible only by ferry.

Little Andaman Island, India

Part of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Little Andaman is home to the indigenous Onge people, one of the oldest tribes in the region. The island features tropical rainforests, waterfalls, and beaches, and is accessible by a 6- to 8-hour ferry ride from Port Blair.

Saint Helena, British Overseas Territory

Saint Helena is known as the place where Napoleon Bonaparte was exiled and passed. The island is also home to Jonathan, a Seychelles giant tortoise estimated to be around 192 years old.

Floreana Island, Galápagos, Ecuador

Floreana Island is one of the Galápagos Islands, known for its unique wildlife and historical significance. It features the famous Post Office Bay, where sailors historically left mail in a barrel for others to deliver. The island is also part of conservation efforts to reintroduce native species like the pink iguana.

Adak Island, Alaska, USA

Adak Island, part of the Aleutian Islands, is the southernmost city in Alaska and one of the westernmost municipalities in the United States. Once home to a significant U.S. naval base during the Cold War, its population has declined to around 151 residents as of 2025.

Bouvet Island, Norway

Bouvet Island is an uninhabited subantarctic volcanic island in the South Atlantic Ocean, considered one of the most remote islands on Earth. It is a nature reserve under Norwegian dependency, with no permanent human inhabitants and limited access due to harsh weather conditions.

Macquarie Island, Australia

Macquarie Island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its unique geology and as a breeding ground for large populations of penguins and seals. The island hosts a permanent Australian research station and is accessible only by sea.