by Joanna Lewis
While the popular bluewater havens of the Mediterranean and Caribbean have long been popular with yacht owners and charterers, many yacht enthusiasts now seek to discover some of the most deserted places on earth. These remote destinations offer intrepid explorers the opportunity to enjoy unrivalled peace, solitude, and unspoiled wilderness far from the madding crowds. If you’re looking to unplug from the rest of the world, check out our guide to five of the most isolated places to visit during a luxury crewed yacht charter.
The five most isolated places to visit
1 – Tristan da Cunha
This group of volcanic islands lie in the South Atlantic Ocean. Tristan da Cunha’s location, some 1,5000 miles off the coast of Cape Town, South Africa, and a little over 2,100 miles off the coast of the Falkland Islands makes it the most remote inhabited archipelago in the world and one of the most isolated places to visit.
A British Overseas Territory, the archipelago is home to around 250 inhabitants who reside in Edinburgh of the Seven Seas, Tristan Da Cunha’s only settlement. With no airstrip, the only way to access Tristan da Cunha is by the sea. An expedition yacht is the ideal vessel for doing so, purposefully built for exploring some of the world’s most remote destinations whilst still offering all the amenities found onboard the world’s most elegant superyachts.
Due to its low-density development, the archipelago boasts verdant flora and fauna. Other attractions at Tristan da Cunha include the Thatched House Museum, and the Volcanic Park. But, perhaps the best attraction of all is the peace and solitude that Tristan da Cunha offers its few visitors.
2 – Easter Island
Located in the south-eastern Pacific Ocean, Easter Island is one of the world’s most isolated places to visit, located some 1,3000 miles away from Pitcairn Island, which is the nearest inhabited island.
Easter Island is best known for its extant monumental statues, or moai. There are more than 800 of these stone-faced statues, believed to have been created by the Rapa Nui people around 1,200 to 1,600 A.D. While the island does have an airstrip, naturally the most convenient and luxurious way to travel to this remote destination is by yacht. Cruise around the island’s stunning coastline, or hike in-land and discover magnificent flora and fauna, stunning views, and magnificent volcanoes.
While Grand Cayman in the Cayman Islands is a regular destination with the world’s wealthiest, few take the time to travel to Little Cayman, an island gem measuring just 10-miles long and 1-mile wide. Native Rock Iguana’s easily outnumber the 200 or so year-round residents, and they even have the right of way on the few roads that crisscross this paradisical idyll, making Little Cayman feel like one of the most deserted places on earth.
The azure blue waters of Little Cayman and year-round sunshine make it the ideal destination to enjoy your yacht’s tender and toys. For divers, Little Cayman is home to the Bloody Bay Wall, acclaimed as one of the world’s best dive spots. On land, the island is a bird-watchers paradise, home to the largest colony of red footed boobies in the Western Hemisphere as well as a breeding colony of magnificent frigate birds. For a day at the beach, head to Point O’ Sand, where you will likely have the whole stretch to yourself. Alternatively visit the uninhabited Owen Island, a strikingly beautiful isolated place to visit located just off Little Cayman’s shore.
4 – Barra Island
Boating beautiful windswept beaches, striking moors, rugged hills, and a rich culture and heritage, Barra Island often feels like one of the world’s most isolated places to visit. Just 14-miles in circumference, Barra Island is the most southerly inhabited island in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland. It is the ideal yacht destination for those seeking to reconnect with nature and enjoy peace and quiet far from the crowds. Some of the island’s attractions include Kisimul Castle, which was first built by the MacNeil clan in the 11th century, and the Barra Heritage Centre, an excellent destination for learning about the history of the island.
Of course, a trip to Barra Island offers the ideal opportunity for exploring the many other islands of the Outer Hebrides by yacht, including North Uist, and Lewis and Harris. The sea around the Outer Hebrides offers excellent cruising ground and the long summer days make for pleasant sailing.
5 – Palmerston, Cook Islands
This tiny Pacific island is one of the world’s most isolated places to visit, with its remote location deterring all but the most intrepid of travellers. With no airstrip, almost all visitors arrive by private yacht.
Palmerston is part of the Cook Islands, a chain of 15 islands scattered across a vast area, many uninhabited. The island is home to around 70 residents, almost all of which are descendants of William Marsters, the island’s first permanent inhabitant some 150 years ago. Today the island’s residents live a simple life, with a supply ship visiting just a couple of times a year, rainwater collected for drinking water, and a single telephone providing the only link to the outside world.
For many the allure of visiting Palmerston, one of the most deserted places on earth, is the peace and tranquillity the island offers its visitors. The crystal-clear blue waters are ideal for enjoying a host of water sports, while the miles of white sand beaches are perfect for soaking up the warm sun.
What other isolated places to visit would you add to our guide?