The 6 Best Secluded Islands in the World

Everyone knows that the human population is now bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s only going to get bigger. In light of this seemingly irreversible fact of history, many people assume that there aren’t many places left in the world where one can find some privacy and seclusion. But this is simply not true. Fortunately, the planet is big enough to fit all these people with plenty of open, unexplored spaces to spare. Some of the best spots in the world are islands that are not just beautiful and secluded but relatively easy for travelers to get access to. Here are some of the best ones.

Saba, Netherlands Antilles: Just 100 miles west of Puerto Rico in the Caribbean Sea, Saba is beautiful, hilly island whose tourism industry is new enough not to be overwhelming to the island’s laid-back feel. Saba is not known for its swimming, but it is an excellent destination for scuba divers and anyone interested in unique wildlife and natural landscapes.

Petit St. Vincent: Part of the island nation of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Petit St. Vincent is a tiny island about half a mile across. The island contains a single resort of about two dozen cottages, plus beautiful beaches and gorgeous forest that provides a perfect backdrop for a relaxing, private vacation. Considering that there are rarely more than 50 people on the island at a given time, Petit St. Vincent’s two full miles of beach provide plenty of room for seclusion.

Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, Brazil: The Fernando de Noronha islands, about 200 miles off the coat of Brazil, have a population of about 3,000 people widely scattered among untrammeled natural territory and gorgeous beaches. The set of islands contains three of the top beaches in Brazil, but the fact that only 460 visitors are allowed at a time ensures that the beaches stay sparsely populated and highly secluded. The water is clear, and the sunsets are among the most beautiful in the world.

Porto Santo, Portugal: This sparsely populated island, part of the Portugal-owned Madeira islands, contains five full miles of uninterrupted beach along its southern side. But in addition to its beaches, the island also contains abundant forests, mountains, and grasslands that provide visitors with surprisingly abundant hiking options. There’s also the quaint and hospitable town of Vila Beleira, which has restaurants and modern hotels.

Dunk Island, Australia: Off the coast of Queensland in northeastern Australia, is an incredible rain-forested island that is part of the Family Islands National Park. The northern side contains a mile-long beach for visitors to enjoy, and the inland portion of the island has extensive parklands for adventurous travelers to take rugged hikes.

Block Island, Rhode Island: Accessible by boat or plane, Block Island is a sparsely populated island that has been largely set aside as a nature preserve. The island has many hiking options, plus some nice beaches that make great swimming in the warm-weather months, and some charming B&B’s that make perfect destinations for romantic getaways.  Caterina Christakos