In our era of expeditious living, there’s something supremely tempting about escaping to a faraway island. Cast adrift from reality and surrounded by ocean, the pace of life is slower and the ‘to-do’ list consists of little more than lounging on a beach. Even more inviting is the idea of having this island all to yourself. Yet, with a growing number of travellers cottoning onto our steadfast favourites, finding an empty strip of sand is an ever-increasing challenge. With this in mind, our travel experts have gone digging for some unspoilt island utopias, hidden far from the tourist crowds (it’s a tough job…). Forgo the much-admired Greek archipelago, bypass the beloved Balearic Islands and skip the prized isles of Indonesia, in favour of one of the world’s best-kept secret islands.
- Yaeyama Islands, Japan
- Robinson Crusoe Island, Chile
- Ssese Islands, Uganda
- Egadi Islands, Italy
- Torres Strait Islands, Australia
- Šolta, Croatia
Yaeyama Islands, Japan
A constellation of almost 7,000 islands (421 of which are inhabited), it’s no wonder that the island nation of Japan possesses a few secret ones. Occupying the emptiest edges of the country, the Yaeyama Islands are an archipelago of 23 isles peppered across the southwest of the Okinawa region. While the Maldives are touted as the pin-up of paradisaical islands, Yaeyama’s crystalline waters and caster-sugar sand closely resemble these quintessential idylls (and have the added benefit of being much less frequented). The distinct personality of each can be discovered during island-hopping boat trips, with plentiful ferry services making this an easy task.
Robinson Crusoe Island, Chile
The name ‘Robinson Crusoe’ is synonymous with island seclusion, and it was 18th-century Scottish sailor Alexander Selkirk’s stint as a castaway on this remote Chilean island which inspired Daniel Defoe’s iconic novel. Marooned in the South Pacific, the volcanic islet is part of the rugged Juan Fernández Archipelago and was renamed Robinson Crusoe Island in 1966. Today, travellers can take an hour-long flight from Santiago to uncover some of the secret island’s gems for themselves (rumours of actual buried treasure here still prevail). Discover rich marine life, trek time-worn trails and savour fresh seafood dishes, including the island’s famed lobster (which is thought to have been Selkirk’s main food source while stranded here).
Ssese Islands, Uganda
Landlocked by Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda is the last place you would expect to find a chain of islands. Yet, thanks to Lake Victoria, the country can claim a spot on our list of the world’s best-kept secret islands (it boasts 84, to be exact). Dotted along the lake’s north-western shore, the majority are undeveloped but you’ll find a few resorts located on Banda, Bukasa and Buggala. Sadly, swimming in the lake isn’t advised, but there are plenty of other ways to unwind, and the golden sand invites beach-bound days. A stay in this lesser-trodden spot combines beautifully with gorilla and chimpanzee trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest or Kibale National Park.
Egadi Islands, Italy
Secret islands become harder to find the closer to home you get, and the likes of Mykonos, Sicily and Ibiza can hardly claim to have a low profile. The Egadi Islands, on the other hand, exude a low-key vibe and their lesser-known nature makes them suitably ‘secret’. Comprised of three main islands – Favignana, Levanzo and Marettimo – the archipelago is wilder and more rugged than the refined Italian isles of Capri and Sardinia, yet this untamed character only adds to their charm. Ramble across wind-swept mountain paths in search of shrouded coves, where the electric blue Tyrrhenian sea lashes at rough-cut cliffs, and marvel at archaic souvenirs left by the archipelago’s original settlers in Grotta dei Genovese on Levanzo. The tempting trifecta is a favourite among Italian holiday-makers, proving the islands’ provenance as a far-flung slice of Italy.
Torres Strait Islands, Australia
Australia’s Torres Strait Islands are a cluster of 274 dinky islets scattered across the waterway which divides the Cape York Peninsula and the island of New Guinea. The archipelago sits at a cultural crossroads, with elements of Australian, Papuan and Austronesian heritage creating a unique cultural blend which is rich in distinct tribal customs and practices. Thursday Island (Waibene) and Horn Island (Ngurupai) are the two most visited of the group and with the Great Barrier Reef just next door, the region is heaven for divers. Travel any further than this northern frontier and you’ll be in danger of dropping off the map.
Šolta, Croatia
Croatia’s islands have a reputation for being hedonistic hotspots, with Hvar and Pag claiming the party host crowns. However, if you’re after an away-from-it-all experience and rustic countryside is more your scene, Šolta offers a tranquil taste of Croatian culture, cuisine and history. Christened Solentia (The Sun) by the Romans, the island’s sun-dappled bays and foam-flecked coves make it worthy of this name, while petite villages throughout the island’s interior play host to family-run eateries and maritime traditions.
Written by Luisa Watts