Strange islands of the world. The most unusual islands in the world
Traveling around the world, according to creative people, is the most effective source of inspiration. And only when moving from place to place, you feel alive, and in spite of everything, full of strength, open to new ones. Today we will present you a selection of the most interesting islands in the world.
1. Margarita Island in Venezuela- the second name of this amazing place is "Orchid Island", and no wonder, because there are thousands of them. But not only for the sake of some orchids, travelers come to this paradise of Venezuela, but also because the sun shines here all three hundred and sixty-five days a year, and the white-sand beaches, framed by beautiful palm trees, invite you to relax on them, swim in warm blue water, so that later, on cold winter days, in snow, to remember the blissful hours of your amazing vacation on the other side of the earth. Margarita Island is famous for its huge national parks, home to rare species of birds. But there are also interesting historical monuments of architecture here: ancient castles, powerful forts, ancient fortresses, beautiful cathedrals. In recent years, cruise ships have increasingly visited this island, bringing thousands of adventure-hungry tourists.
2. Micholska Prevlaka Island in Montenegro- has a second name - "Island of Flowers". It is located a couple of kilometers from the popular Montenegrin resort of Tivat. Despite its small size, the island is famous throughout the country for its excellent fine-sand beaches, consisting of dozens of small ones, which, passing from one to another, go around it along the perimeter, and have a total length of one thousand two hundred meters. The island of Miholska Prevlaka is a place where the amazing variety of fauna that grows on this land is concentrated. In addition, there are a number of historical sights, the most interesting of which is the magnificent ancient monastery of the Archangel Michael.
3. Moomin Island in Finland- is located near the famous Finnish resort of Naantali, which is in the vicinity of the ancient port city of Turku. This island is a real fairy tale, which absolutely all children and many adults dream of visiting. Moomin Island represents a fictional country, from the fascinating works of Tove Jansson about Moomin, which we all read in childhood. But it is here that you can get to know these book characters personally, visit their cozy house, take a walk through the magical forest.
4. Bartolome Island in Ecuador- this island belongs to the archipelago of the Galapagos Islands, and is a tiny patch of land of volcanic origin, it is here that the most stunning landscapes in the region are located, and interesting animals live. But the main magnet of this island for tourists are the amazing beaches. In general, the island can be divided into two parts, on one of them there is the Pinnacle peak, from where stunning views of the surroundings and the sea surface open up. Resting in another part of the island, tourists have the opportunity to relax on the beach, go in for exciting scuba diving, surrounded by numerous sea lions, penguins, and rare green turtles that live here.
5. Atiu Island in the Cook Islands- This is a small island of volcanic origin, known to everyone as the site of the first landing of Captain James Cook, which happened here, back in 1777. Here you can enjoy an amazing beach holiday in the bosom of magnificent nature, wander through the endless lush forests, visit the majestic halls of the Cancer Cave, collect shells on the beautiful Oneroa Beach, snorkel in the Coral Garden lagoon, dive into the mysterious underwater caves. Atiu Island is often called the "Island of Birds", because thanks to the excellent local climate, many species of avifauna feel great here: terns, frigatebirds, alceons, mallards, musky ducks. Most of the winged inhabitants of the island live in the dense forest of Makatea.
6. Koh Kai in Thailand- This is a small island off the coast of Krabi province. No one lives here and there is not a single building, but during the day you can see a lot of boats and boats that bring tourists, relax on one of the most beautiful beaches in Thailand - the beach of Koh Kai, with magnificent white quartz sand. The water here is completely transparent, so visibility is excellent and all small underwater animals can be seen for many meters. A little further from the boat mooring, there are completely deserted areas of the beach, where you can really feel like a real Robinson Crusoe.
7. Spice Island in Grenada– Spice Island or Spice Island has an absolutely stunning and unlike anything atmosphere: its air is filled with amazing aromas of exotic spices: nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon, tropical fruits and fantastic flowers. The island is occupied by lush tropical forests, and in the local waters there are magnificent coral reefs, with colorful fish living in them. There are absolutely magnificent beaches, to relax on which is a pleasure. If you come here in January, you will enter the fishing tournaments, the prize for winning which is a huge cash reward. These tournaments attract desperate amateur anglers from North and South America, countries and islands of the Caribbean region.
8. Mljet Island in Croatia- This small island is located in the southern part of the country. It is thirty-seven kilometers long and three kilometers wide. The western part of the island of Mljet is the location of the National Park, famous for its stunning landscapes, two salt lakes, one of which even has its own "island on the island", called the island of St. Mary. On the island of Mljet there is an absolutely magnificent Benedictine monastery, dating back to the twelfth century. Every year, thousands of tourists come here. Local residents on the island of Mljet are only about a thousand people.
9. Campeche Island in Brazil- a picturesque island, washed on all sides by the clear blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean, with rich flora and fauna. There are primeval dense forests here, but there are also modern trends - huge solar panels that allow you to use the solar heat so generous here. While relaxing on this island, you can, under the guidance of experienced instructors, scuba dive to see the richest underwater world, which is very friendly to guests, and even tries to get to know them. Interesting tourist routes have been developed on the island, along which the best guides, who are in love with their work and this island, will lead you. There are wonderful restaurants and cafes in which you will have a great meal after a walk full of impressions.
10. Comino Island in Malta- a small island, which is part of the Maltese archipelago, it is washed by the Mediterranean Sea. Comino is located between the islands of Gozo and Malta, and in terms of area it occupies only three and a half square kilometers. There are even local residents, however, in the amount of three people. The island is very picturesque, with magnificent nature: the coast is heavily indented, there are many mysterious caves and mysterious grottoes. Previously, they were used by pirates, and there are legends that somewhere there, they hid their untold riches. The island has always attracted with its solitude and desertedness, a lot of very interesting personalities, for example, in the thirteenth century, the Jewish cabalist Abraham Abulafia lived here, who wrote numerous philosophical works on Comino. Now the island is quite a popular place to visit among tourists who come to rest in Malta, which, as you know, cannot boast of excellent beaches, but here they are very good. For example, the local Blue Lagoon beach is magnificent. But there are also interesting historical sights here: the Tower of St. Mary, the Roman Catholic chapel, built in the seventeenth century, the strengthening of the batteries of St. Mary. And yet, on Comino there is a Nature Reserve for the Protection of Birds.
11. Flower Island Mainau in Germany- this island is located in Baden-Württemberg, it is famous for its unusual for Germany, subtropical climate, which is why a variety of flowers and shrubs grow here almost all year round, and rare species of butterflies live. Mainau Island is hilly, it occupies forty-five hectares of area. Every year, about two million tourists come here, and no wonder: after all, there is a real paradise, fragrant with tulips, rhododendrons, roses, dahlias and other flowers of various varieties, shades and shapes that completely cover this island. There is a "Rose Garden", "Palm Park", "Dahlia Garden", "Garden of Exotic Trees". And yet, it is here that you can get acquainted with the largest collection of butterflies in Germany. This island has a beautiful baroque castle with beautiful towers and a majestic castle church. You can get to the island of Mainau by ship from the ancient German city of Meersburg.
12. Island fortress of Spinalonga in Greece- this island, located next to the island of Crete, is the remnant of land on the water surface after a strong earthquake that flooded the ancient city of Olous. Archaeological excavations, which took place here in the sixtieth year of the twentieth century, made it possible to find traces of a highly developed ancient civilization, here they found the building of an early Christian basilica, windmills. From the middle of the fifteenth century, on an island empty after a natural cataclysm, the Venetians erected a powerful fortress that was supposed to protect Crete from pirate raids. But already at the beginning of the seventeenth century, the island was captured by the Turks, who set up their settlement here. When it was declared independent, the island of Spinalonga was turned into a leper colony, people with leprosy were brought to it, and they remained here until the end of their lives. This was the case until 1955. And today, tourists are brought to this island for interesting excursions to the local historical places.
13. Koh Si Chang in Thailand- it is located in the Gulf of Thailand, so tourists often come here for a few days, vacationing in the famous Thai resort of Pattaya. On Ko Si Chang, you can both have a great rest on the magnificent sandy beaches with soft white sand, ride motorbikes, and spend a rich, from a cultural and educational point of view, vacation. The island has many very interesting sights that are definitely worth a visit. Be sure to take an excursion to the Chinese temple in the mountain caves, in one of them there is a figure of the Monkey King made of gold, in the other - the figure of the Spirit of the Cave, giving everyone who saw it good luck in their work. If you are used to outdoor activities, then conquer the three hundred steps leading to the "feet of the Buddha" - the golden imprint of the Buddha's foot at the top. In addition, there is a nunnery on the island, partly located in caves, the second part of the monastery is located in the houses on the mountain, and from there there are stunning views of this wonderful island. Ko Si Chang has a stunning Royal Park where you can enjoy leisurely walks in the fragrant Thai nature.
14. Island of San Giorgio Maggiore in Italy- an island of architecture and philosophy in the middle. You will not find bars, restaurants, souvenir shops here, on this, the most famous island of the Venetian lagoon, there is the Cathedral of the seventeenth century - San Giorgio Maggiore, which was built from 1566 to 1610, under the guidance of the architect Andrea Palladio, but, unfortunately, he died , never seeing his great brainchild. The white-stone cathedral is not only the main building of the island, but also a symbol of the lagoon at the Doge's Palace, which is depicted on many souvenirs sold in Venice. The temple inside is very bright, which visually expands its space. It is decorated with magnificent paintings of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, there is an absolutely magnificent wooden crucifix, beautifully carved benches of the sixteenth and a lot of other works of art.
15. Pharaoh's Island in Jordan- This is a beautiful coral island in the Gulf of Aqaba, in ancient times converted by the famous king-commander Saladdin into a border fortress. In the twelfth century, a powerful citadel appeared on the Pharaoh, against which all the plans of the Crusade, led by the English king Richard the Lionheart, crashed. The fortress is in perfect condition even today. An interesting museum is located on its territory. From the tower of the citadel, you can not only admire the sea surface, but also see three countries at once: Saudi Arabia and. This island is a favorite place for visiting tourists who come to rest in Jordan. Pharaoh Island is surrounded by beautiful coral reefs, among which divers love to swim, watching the magnificent underwater beauties of the Red Sea. The water here is clean and clear, a pleasant turquoise color.
We talked about the most interesting, in our opinion, the islands of the world, which are famous not only for amazing beaches and natural attractions, but also for historical buildings - castles, fortresses, cathedrals and monasteries, as well as man-made parks and gardens.
This is a selection of islands that are somehow unusual and famous. The list is in no particular order, as each island is unique in its own way. So this one really looks more like a grocery list than a “countdown from ten to one” list. The listed islands were also chosen because of their low profile, which explains why, for example, Easter Island is not on the list - everyone has already heard of it! So, the most unusual islands are waiting for you...
Niihau Island
The westernmost of the eight main Hawaiian islands, Niihau (pronounced "Nii-i-how") differs from the other seven in that it is privately owned. Purchased by Elizabeth Sinclair of the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1864, this is one of the most unusual islands in the world. Visitors are rarely allowed to visit Niihau, which is why it is also called the “Forbidden Island”. Although, in recent years, the island has begun to receive a very limited flow of tourists participating in safari. Niihau's population hovers around 130 people who speak their native Hawaiian language.
Attu Island
Once again the westernmost island, but this time the westernmost in the Aleutian Island chain in Alaska. Although Attu Island is western, it is actually in the eastern hemisphere. The island has a population of only twenty people who live and work at the United States Coast Guard Station Attu LORAN. It is also the outermost island in the 1,900 km long Aleutian Islands chain. The island is unusual in that it is the location of the only ground conflict on American soil during the entirety of World War II.
Monuriki Island
Monuriki is a small, uninhabited island in the Mamanuca group of islands in Fiji. It wouldn't be notable for any particular reason if it didn't get into the spotlight as the main filming location for Tom Hanks' movie Cast Away. The film is about a plane crash survivor who lived on the island for four years. In the movies, the island is completely isolated, although in reality there are several other islands within a few miles, including Tavua with a population of approximately 2,400. Monuriki has now become a popular tourist destination as one of the world's most isolated islands.
Navassa Island
Navassa is an uninhabited Caribbean island about thirty miles west of Haiti, and ninety miles south of Guantanamo Bay in Cuba. Its coastline is made up of steep cliffs, making it impossible to land by boat. The United States occupied the island in 1857 and spent the next few decades mining its vast guano deposits. The island is now classified as a nature reserve, which requires United States government permission (which is rarely granted) to visit. Navassa is also one of several disputed territories in the United States that is also claimed by Haiti.
Svalbard
Svalbard is the largest of the islands in the Svalbard archipelago, north of Scandinavia. Norwegian territory is home to the city of Longyearbyen, one of the largest permanent settlements in the north. Also, Svalbard contains a lot of "northernmost" things - the northernmost church, the northernmost airport, and much more. Due to the danger of polar bears, when traveling in Svalbard outside of Longyearbyen, it is required to take a rifle with you every time. Svalbard has also been chosen as the location of the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, where the seeds of all plants are stored for safekeeping. This is necessary to preserve biodiversity in the event of any large-scale disaster.
Palmyra Atoll
Palmyra is a collection of small islands located about halfway between Hawaii and Samoa. The largest island, Cooper Island, is privately owned and managed by the Nature Conservancy. The rest is owned by the United States federal government and managed by its Fish and Wildlife Service. Palmyra is staffed by a small team of government scientists and Nature Conservancy volunteers to conserve and explore the island. In 1974, Palmyra was the location of a double homicide, later detailed in Vincent Bugliosi's best-selling detective story "And the Sea Shall Reveal the Mystery".
Howland Island
Howland Island lies halfway between Hawaii and Australia, about fifty miles north of the equator. Like most small Pacific islands, it was used by the United States for guano mining. There was also an attempt at colonization, interrupted by World War II when Howland was attacked by Japanese terrorists. It happened the day after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. All attempts at colonization ceased immediately after the war. Howland is now a nature reserve, best known for being the stopping point for Amelia Earhart's round-the-world flight. Her plane disappeared somewhere near the island, and the details of the disappearance have not been disclosed to this day.
Pitcairn Island
Pitcairn is the only inhabited island of the four in the Pitcairn group. It is the last British overseas territory in the Pacific. The island, with approximately fifty inhabitants, is the least populous and most remote jurisdiction in the world (approximately 2,100 kilometers west of Chile). All its inhabitants are descendants of the rebels in the ranks of the armed forces of Great Britain, as well as the Polynesians who accompanied them. The island is famous for the best honey in the world, that even the Queen praised its merits. You can buy honey through the website, but be prepared for a long wait. Pitcairn does not have an airport, it is rarely visited, so postal deliveries can take months.
Bouvet Island
Bouvet is a 19 square mile volcanic island in the South Atlantic Ocean, about 2500 kilometers south-southwest of South Africa. The island is almost completely covered in ice. Much of the coastline is made up of very steep cliffs, making landing almost impossible. Bouvet was originally a British territory, but Britain relinquished its hold and ceded the island to Norway, which maintains it today as a nature reserve. Bouvet has never been inhabited and will almost certainly never be inhabited, but it has its own top-level domain name, .bv, which is not in use. The reason for Bouvet's fame is that it is the most remote island in the world. The closest landmass, Dronning Maud Land in Antarctica, is about 1,750 kilometers to the south. Fans of extreme travel and radio lovers really like to come here.
North Sentinel Island
North Sentinel Island is located approximately 32 kilometers west of Smith Island in the Bay of Bengal. It is approximately 72 square kilometers entirely forested except for the thin strips of beach surrounding it. In general, the island is quite ordinary, except that it is inhabited by one of the few remaining completely isolated peoples in the world. The Sentinelese xenophobically resist virtually all attempts at contact, often firing arrows at boats and helicopters that come too close to the island (sometimes even killing the "intruders"). Due to their active isolationism and the difficulty of observing the island from the air, almost nothing is known about the Sentinelese. - Their language, culture, and even an accurate estimate of their numbers is still unknown.North Sentinel Island is technically part of the Union Territory of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, but in practice the local government has stated that they intend to leave the island to its inhabitants, making it a de facto Sentinel closes the list of the most unusual islands in the world.
The Seychelles attract with their pristine nature. Very often from tourists you can hear the opinion that the Seychelles is an earthly paradise. This "earthly paradise" is located in tropical latitudes and washed by the clear azure waves of the Indian Ocean. The rich underwater world of the Seychelles attracts a huge number of divers, while luxurious white beaches and comfortable hotels surrounded by colorful vegetation attract those who seek to relax from the bustle of the city and find spiritual harmony with nature.
The Seychelles are magnificent not only for their rich outlandish vegetation and vibrant underwater world, but also for a large number of birds. The famous giant tortoises also live here. Once upon a time, pirates found refuge here, and today it is a favorite place for lovers of exotic holidays. At the same time, the beauty of a holiday in the Seychelles is that here you can completely get away from the world and the bustle, because even with great popularity, the Seychelles did not become a victim of mass tourism. 
The weather in the Seychelles is rather tropical, mild. This means that good, sunny weather reigns here almost all year round, with a light breeze. December and January are considered rainy seasons, although it rains very little. The best time for a holiday in the Seychelles is the month of May and October-December.
Choosing a vacation in the Seychelles, tourists can stay in both bungalows and low-rise hotels that do not have an official star rating. Usually, the tour operators themselves assign star rating to them, and at the same time, hotels in the Seychelles are able to provide complete comfort and coziness to any tourist. Almost all hotels are located on the first coastline. Umbrellas and sun loungers are provided free of charge. 
There are almost no historical sights in the Seychelles. The only attractions of the Seychelles are nature reserves, magnificent natural beaches (pale pink in places), rich flora and fauna. As such, there is also no entertainment in the Seychelles. Exceptions are the casino at the Plantation Club on Mahe Island, the Berjaya Beau Vallon Casino, the Lovant Club in the capital of Victoria, and a few smaller fun establishments. Instead of a vibrant nightlife on the islands, events such as many festivals (for example, the festival of Creole culture) that take place throughout the year.
The Seychelles also host various sporting events, such as the Grand Regatta. You can also surf in the Seychelles, the most convenient islands for this are Mahe and Praslin. The Seychelles do not leave indifferent and lovers of fishing. And for shopaholics on the island of Mahe, there are large shopping centers and various shops. On small islands, there are mostly small trading shops with smiling sellers. 
Citizens of Russia and the CIS do not need a visa for the Seychelles, provided that the vacationers stay in the country for no more than 30 days. A visa is issued on the spot upon arrival at the international airport "Pointe Larue" (on the island of Mahe). You must have a passport, a return ticket and a hotel reservation with you.
Almost all types of transport run on the islands. Buses and taxis operate on the island of Mahe. You can travel between the 115 islands of the archipelago using regular Air Seychelles flights or numerous ferries and schooners. 
The islands are wonderful! And in this article you will get acquainted with some of the most interesting and unusual of them.
Socotra is an isolated island in the Indian Ocean that belongs to the country of Yemen. Located about 240 kilometers east of the Horn of Africa and 380 kilometers south of the Arabian Peninsula, the island is one of the most isolated landforms in continental (i.e. non-volcanic) origin.
The island has been described as "the most alien-looking place on earth", and due to its isolation and warm, dry climate, a third of its plant life is found nowhere else on earth.
North Sentinel Island
North Sentinel Island is an island in the Andaman Islands archipelago belonging to India.
This island is notable for the indigenous people who live on it, the Sentinelese, who are among the last remaining people untouched by modern civilization. Sentinelese actively reject contact with other peoples, and in some cases have been openly hostile and aggressive towards outsiders.
After the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, Indian government helicopters flew over the island to watch for people who responded by throwing spears and rocks in an apparent attempt to drive the car away. In 2006, two fishermen were killed by the Sentinelese after their fishing boat was taken to the area of the island and they ran aground on a coral reef.
