15 Remote Islands That Have Never Been Inhabited

In a world where humans have explored and settled even the most remote corners of the Earth, some places remain untouched by our presence. Hidden away in vast oceans, these remote islands stand as nature’s last strongholds, free from human interference. These pristine lands offer a glimpse into a world unshaped by human hands, where nature reigns supreme, and ecosystems thrive in perfect balance. Join me on a journey to discover 15 remote islands that humans have never inhabited.

Bouvet Island

Image Credit: “Bouvet island” by 1447 is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/?ref=openverse.

Bouvet Island is a remote volcanic island in the South Atlantic Ocean. It’s almost entirely covered by glaciers, making it difficult for plants and animals to thrive. The island is known for its harsh weather conditions and rugged terrain. Despite its inhospitable nature, it serves as an important nesting site for several seabird species.

Clipperton Island

Image Credit: “Clipperton Island Sentinel-2 20190111” by Svetlov Artem is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/?ref=openverse.

Clipperton Island is a small coral atoll in the eastern Pacific Ocean. It’s named after an English pirate who supposedly used it as a base. The island is home to a large population of seabirds and land crabs. Its isolation and unique ecosystem make it an important site for scientific research.

Antipodes Islands

Image Credit: “Archway Island, Antipodes Islands” by kimberley_collins is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/?ref=openverse.

The Antipodes Islands are a group of volcanic islands southeast of New Zealand. They are known for their harsh climate and unique plant and animal life. The islands are home to several endemic species of birds and plants. Their remote location has helped preserve their pristine ecological state.

Heard Island

Image Credit: “Heard Island (cropped)” by Tristannew (original) Derivative: SHB2000 (cropped) is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Heard Island is an Australian external territory in the southern Indian Ocean. It’s dominated by Big Ben, an active volcano that’s also Australia’s highest mountain. The island is home to large colonies of penguins and seals. Its unique position makes it an important site for studying climate change.

Baker Island

Image Credit: “Baker Island Coastline” by Joann94024 at English Wikipedia is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Baker Island is an uninhabited atoll in the central Pacific Ocean. It’s part of the United States Minor Outlying Islands. The island is a wildlife refuge, protecting seabirds and marine life. Its beaches are important nesting grounds for sea turtles.

Howland Island

Image Credit: “Earhart Day Beacon at Howland Island NWR” by USFWS Pacific is marked with Public Domain Mark 1.0.

Howland Island is a small island in the central Pacific Ocean. It’s famous as the intended destination of Amelia Earhart’s last flight. The island is now a wildlife refuge, home to various seabird species. Its surrounding waters are rich in marine life.

Jarvis Island

Image Credit: “Coral at Jarvis Island NWR” by USFWS Headquarters is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Jarvis Island is an uninhabited coral island in the South Pacific Ocean. It’s part of the Line Islands and is an unorganized, unincorporated territory of the United States. The island is an important seabird nesting site. Its waters are protected as part of the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument.

Macquarie Island

Image Credit: “Colony of 60,000 Royal Penguins on MacQuarie Island” by Kimberley Collins is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Macquarie Island is an Australian island in the southwest Pacific Ocean. It’s known for its unique geology, being the only place on Earth where rocks from the Earth’s mantle are actively exposed above sea level. The island is home to large colonies of penguins and seals. It’s also an important breeding ground for many bird species.

Navassa Island

Image Credit: “Pseudophoenix sargentii 1a” by Scott Zona is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0.

Navassa Island is a small, uninhabited island in the Caribbean Sea. It’s claimed by both the United States and Haiti. The island is home to several endemic plant and animal species. Its surrounding waters are rich in marine life, including coral reefs.

Palmyra Atoll

Image Credit: “Coral gardens at Palmyra Atoll NWR. Photo credit: Kydd Pollock/The Nature Conservancy” by USFWS Pacific is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0.

Palmyra Atoll is a remote island in the Pacific Ocean. It’s part of the Northern Line Islands and is an incorporated territory of the United States. The atoll is known for its lush vegetation and diverse marine life. It’s an important research site for studying climate change and coral reef ecosystems.

Phoenix Islands

Image Credit: “Fairy basslet fish dart among blooms of lettuce coral near the Phoenix Islands, Kiribati, Micronesia” by Szecska is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/?ref=openverse.

The Phoenix Islands are a group of coral atolls in the central Pacific Ocean. They’re part of the Republic of Kiribati. The islands are known for their pristine coral reefs and abundant marine life. They form one of the world’s largest marine protected areas.

Rockall

Image Credit: “Rockall” by Óglaigh na hÉireann is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Rockall is a tiny, uninhabited granite islet in the North Atlantic Ocean. It’s claimed by the United Kingdom but also disputed by Ireland, Iceland, and Denmark. The islet is home to a variety of seabirds. Its surrounding waters are rich in fish, making it a point of interest for fishing rights.

Sable Island

Image Credit: “cape sable island” by rambling shorebird is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.

Sable Island is a small island off the coast of Nova Scotia, Canada. It’s famous for its wild horses and long stretches of sandy beaches. The island is home to the world’s largest breeding colony of grey seals. It’s also known for its numerous shipwrecks, earning it the nickname “Graveyard of the Atlantic.”

South Sandwich Islands

Image Credit: “South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands DPL00039 Elephant seal weaners in front of the Hamberg glacier Credit – Vicki Foster Insta @vicki.foster” by Biodiversity Challenge Funds is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.

The South Sandwich Islands are a chain of uninhabited volcanic islands in the southern Atlantic Ocean. They’re known for their extreme weather conditions and active volcanoes. The islands are home to large colonies of penguins and seals. Their remote location makes them an important site for studying undisturbed ecosystems.

Tetepare Island

Image Credit: “Solomons nightjar Peter Rabenstein 2019” by Peter Rabenstein is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Tetepare Island is the largest uninhabited island in the South Pacific. It’s part of the Solomon Islands and is known for its pristine rainforests and coral reefs. The island is home to many rare and endangered species. It’s protected as a conservation area, managed by the descendants of its last inhabitants.

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Victoria Omololu

Victoria Omololu is a fashionista exploring the world on a budget. She co-founded Only Earthlings in 2023 to show her travels in North America, Europe, Africa, and everywhere else. Victoria loves writing about travel tips, itineraries, packing guides, and taking photography from all over the world.

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