16 Remote Islands Around the World Where People Still Call Home

For centuries, remote islands have had a particular allure for the adventurers and travelers of the time. These are isolated patches of land in the vast oceans, a more straightforward, slower, quieter way of life. A 2023 travel report by CNN states that the demand for people to visit remote destinations is on the rise by 40 percent as they prefer to enjoy solitude and experience undiscovered cultural life.  

These remote islands, where people still live, have a special place in history, culture, and nature. If you want to travel, explore the unexplored, or find interest in living away from the mainland, these stories will never bore you.

Tristan da Cunha

Tristan da Cunha is situated in the South Atlantic Ocean and is described as the most remote island in the world. It is just over 1,750 miles from South Africa and 2,000 miles from South America. However, the orders were not obeyed at the tiny settlement of Edinburgh of the Seven Seas, populated by around 250 British people.

Tristan da Cunha is so isolated that there is no airport, and the only way to reach it is by a six-day boat trip from Cape Town. Farming and fishing are the mainstays of the community; lobster is a leading export. The BBC feature refers to the islanders living a self-sufficient and sustainable life, preserving traditions that are rarely experienced otherwise. It was a serene, close-knit society if you knew everyone.

Pitcairn Islands  

One of the least populated places on Earth has fewer than 50 residents — the Pitcairn Islands, eight small islands in the South Pacific Ocean. Descendants of the HMS Bounty mutineers make up most of the population on the island, and much historical intrigue can be added to the fact.  

Pitcairn is accessible only by boat, which takes about 30 hours from French Polynesia. It offers rugged cliffs and unspoiled waters, which have contributed to its untouched natural beauty. National Geographic says the local government provides land incentives to attract more people to the town.  

Easter Island  

Easter Island (or Rapa Nui), 2,182 miles from mainland Chile, is famous for its moai statues. With an approximate population of 7,000 people, this remote Pacific island attracts travelers worldwide who come to see the island’s ancient cultural heritage.  

Although popular, Easter Island is an exceptional instance of remoteness. Scientists study the island’s archaeology and ecology as the local people keep their ancestral traditions. As such, it is an isolated civilization, and its UNESCO World Heritage status ensures it will be preserved.  

North Sentinel Island  

North Sentinel, largely part of India’s Andaman and Nicobar Islands, is one of the most remote places on Earth. It is home to the indigenous Sentinelese tribe, which is estimated to have a population of around 300. The tribe has lived here for thousands of years and has avoided contact with the outside world.  

The Indian government officially protects North Sentinel Island, and visitors are forbidden. The Guardian reported that hostility to outsiders has upheld the tribe’s life in this way, saving them from modernism.  

St. Helena  

Like most Britons, St. Helena’s 4,500 inhabitants live 1,200 miles from the mainland, in the uninhabitable Tristan da Cunha archipelago. The archipelago became famous as the place where Napoleon Bonaparte was exiled and is still very tied to its history.  

Although the price of travel to St. Helena became easier after the airport opened in 2017, the island’s charm remains intact. Its breathtaking landscapes and old-world character attract eco-tourists and history buffs like Tristan da Cunha.  

Niue  

One of the smallest nations in the world to have self-government, Niue is situated in the South Pacific Ocean, approximately 1,500 miles away from New Zealand. For its limestone cliffs and marine caves, Niue is known as ‘The Rock of Polynesia’.  

Niue has alluring coral reef ecosystems, one of the country’s most important industries. Locals happily go out of their way to welcome visitors, weaving in sustainable practices to maintain the ocean, sky, and the rest of their fragile island.  

Kerguelen Islands  

Roughly 2,051 miles southeast of Madagascar in the southern Indian Ocean, lying in the Kerguelen archipelago, it is nicknamed “The Desolation Islands.” Although no permanent residents live there, research scientists have increased the population to 45 –100 yearly.  

Life here is harsh weather and rugged landscapes. Although the Kerguelen Islands are one of the loneliest places on Earth, say French researchers, their isolation has given rise to a fantastic array of truly unique plants and animals.  

Île Amsterdam  

The other French island in the Indian Ocean, Île Amsterdam, sleeps about 30 researchers at any given time. The Atol is 1,500 miles away from Mauritius, making it an outpost for environmental and biological research.  

The island’s rich seabird and marine life greatly enhance its rugged beauty. It is heaven for the scientists who try to establish the delicate links between human and natural ecosystems.  

Cocos (Keeling) Islands  

Australian in name, this territory in the southern Indian Ocean consists of 27 tiny islands, 1,709 miles from Perth and populated by just under 600. It is known for its sandy beaches and crystal-clear lagoons, making it a getaway for those desiring peace and tranquility.  

Living on the Cocos Islands is a slow-paced, relaxed life centered around living in the community: the residents fish, sail, or snorkel. Tourists are beginning to learn of this remote gem, and tourism, if anything, continues to grow.  

Foula  

Just 30 permanent residents reside in Foula, one of Scotland’s Shetland Islands. Britain’s most remote inhabited island is accessible only by a ferry service that operates only a few times a week, when weather conditions allow.  

However small, with a tiny population, Foula still provides sweeping views and rugged coastal beauty. BBC Travel says its inhabitants have lived a life of resilience, relying heavily on farming and fisheries to keep going.  

Norfolk Island  

An outside region of Australia, Norfolk Island is situated 800 miles from New Zealand. Its population is approximately 1,748, and it is famed for its subtropical climate, history, and Norfolk pine trees.  

Norfolk Island’s combination of convict ruins, Polynesian heritage, and pristine beaches makes it a rare fusion of history and 21st-century tranquility.  

Macquarie Island  

Macquarie Island is an Australian territory over 660 miles southeast of New Zealand. The nation’s scientists and staff are part of a revolving population of around 40, making it one of the ultimate places to explore untouched wilderness.  

It is renowned as a UNESCO World Heritage site for its unique geology. Wildlife enthusiasts will also find it a fascinating stop, as millions of penguins call it their home.  

Tromelin  

Tromelin, a French island near Mauritius, is a stark reminder of history’s complexities. The island was once the site of a notorious shipwreck but is now a scientific base. However peaceful its use is today for meteorological observation, it has a history.  

Bear Island  

Bear Island has no full-time residents but is a meteorological station. It is an island in the Arctic Ocean, part of the Svalbard archipelago, located 247 miles from mainland Norway. It is uniquely mesmerizing for its barren beauty and Arctic wildlife.  

Floreana Island  

Floreana Island, known as part of the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, is home to about 100 people. Although it has a relatively small population, it is essential to the ecological history of the Galapagos and provides excellent snorkeling and wildlife viewing opportunities.  

Bouvet Island  

Bouvet is located 1,000 miles north of Antarctica and is considered the most remote island on Earth. It is a nature reserve and, like the Norwegian administration, entirely uninhabited. The cold environment humblingly reminds one of nature’s power and beauty.

Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information. It is not intended to be professional advice.

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