Five remote islands you’ve probably never heard of but will want to visit

YEARNING to journey where few travellers set foot? These locations may be just what you’re looking for.

Luxury yacht Meta IV is one way to explore the Mergui Islands in Myanmar.

IF your idea of a holiday is getting away from it all, or going where few have gone before, then these spectacular islands need to be on your bucket list.

These remote destinations are so far from the rat race that getting there is an adventure in itself.

Some are uninhabited, some sparsely populated, and all filled with their own unique brand of breathtaking beauty.

National Geographic Traveler’s digital explorer Andrew Evans on his visit to Tristan da C

Tristan da Cunha

It’s definitely the world’s remotest island – it must be, because it has a sign that says so.

This South Atlantic island is 2805km from Cape Town, 3353km from Rio de Janeiro, and the nearest land mass is Saint Helena, 2429km away.

Less than 300 people live on the active volcanic island, which is a British territory and has area of 98sq km – a little smaller than Victoria’s Phillip Island. Surrounding the main island are several smaller uninhabited islands, an inaccessible island and the Nightingale Islands.

There’s no airstrip – and no hotels, restaurants or safe sea swimming.

Fishing vessels visit several times a year from Cape Town, and can accommodate some passengers on the five or six day journey. Cruise ships visit occasionally and book up quickly.

Tristan da Cunha is a highlight of a March 2015 itinerary on boutique cruise company Silversea’s Silver Explorer.

For more information about visiting Tristan da Cunha and visiting ships, visit tristandc.com

Exploring the Linapacan Islands of Palawan in the Philippines. Picture: Scott Sporleder /

Linapacan Islands

Between El Nido and Coron in the Philippines province of Palawan, there are hundreds of islands, many uninhabited, ready for exploration.

An island-hopping day trip from El Nido or Coron is one option, or you can take a speedboat journey between the two ports.

The $550 four-night trip offered by Tao Philippines takes travellers to more deserted islands, beaches and snorkelling spots, with no set route, spending each night at a different island location with accommodation in simple beach huts.

The Tao Philippines experience isn’t without little luxuries though – such as delicious fresh seafood and occasional massages on the beach by residents of the islands.

For details about Tao Philippines expeditions visit taophilippines.com

For more information about travel in Palawan visit lonelyplanet.com/philippines/palawan

The Mergui Islands of Myanmar have begun to attract a steady stream of tourists.

Mergui Islands

Boasting more than 800 islands in the Andaman Sea, this remote archipelago receives an estimated 1700 visitors a year, but as interest in Myanmar grows, it may be only a matter of time before these islands follow in the footsteps of the Thailand’s popular tourist resorts to the south.

Several charter boats and small touring vessels operate through the region, including luxury yacht Meta IV, which accommodates a maximum of eight passengers.

The six-day, round-trip cruise takes in white, deserted beaches lined with palm trees, dense jungles filled with wildlife and colourful coral reefs.

Leaving from the southern Myanmar port of Kawthaung, there are 23 departures planned between October 2014 and April 2015.

Priced from $2658 a person, twin share, it includes all on-board meals, welcome drinks, sunset drinks each day, shore excursions and sea kayaking.

For details, visit activetravel.com.au

The stunning coral-coloured water and picturesque islands of Raja Ampat, Indonesia.

Raja Ampat

Its name means “Four Kings” and this area of 1600 mostly uninhabited islands in Indonesia’s West Papua province certainly boasts a diving paradise fit for royalty.

Home to more than 1500 species of fish, Raja Ampat is believed to have the highest level of marine diversity on Earth.

The pristine wilderness region is accessible only by sea, and according to Lonely Planet, “it’s like swimming in a tropical aquarium”.

For divers, a number of resorts and tour companies offer liveaboard trips through the region. Among the comfort options are the luxury Tiger Blue phinisi sailing boat, which runs charters and some set-date tours of Raja Ampat, priced from $7240 for seven nights in a twin cabin. For details visit tigerblue.info

Coral Princess Cruises has several itineraries that explore Raja Ampat, including a 12-night cruise from Biak to Darwin on the Oceanic Discoverer in October from $10,790. Activities include snorkelling, glass-bottom bottom boat tours and kayaking, with scuba diving optional.

For details, visit coralprincess.com.au

A polar bear at home on Russia’s Wrangel Island. Picture: Ewen Bell

Wrangel Island

This Russian island, in the harsh Arctic environment north of Siberia, has a human population of less than 200 but what it lacks in people it makes up for in animals.

There are more polar bears than people by a factor of 10, plus walruses, snow geese, artic foxes and reindeer. The last known habitat of the woolly mammoth, Wrangel Island’s diverse wildlife has seen it described as “the Galapagos of the far north”.

The island took on mythical proportions as many failed expeditions sought to verify its existence. Only in 1881 did the first group of international explorers finally set foot on the island.

Today, the 4660sq km island is a World Heritage site and visits are limited, with permits required.

Heritage Expeditions runs expedition cruises from Anadyr featuring Wrangel Island, with a 14-night tour priced from $10,400.

For details, visit heritage-expeditions.com