Most of us have visited an island, perhaps Maui, Nantucket or even Long Island. Each has its own unique characteristics that make them fun to visit. They are heavily populated with a variety of structures. With all the activity, you wonder what it would have been like to be the first to explore one of them. To see them in their natural state. What if you could visit an uninhabited island today? Where you could disconnect from your devices and really let your imagination run wild? You could have fun exploring the island at your pace, and not worry about a tour guide. It can be a romantic getaway or a fun family vacation where everyone could be pirates for a day. Think they don’t exist? Think again. There are a number of islands around the world that offer access to tourists. Below are just a few to explore.
Owen Island, Cayman Islands — You’ll have to work to get to it, since it’s only reachable by kayak or rowboat from Little Cayman Island. It’s perfect for a day trip during your stay at Little Cayman. You can have a picnic while relaxing on your “private” beach or explore the fauna and flora.
Cocos Island, Costa Rica — Located off the coast of Costa Rica, Cocos Island is a scuba diver’s dream. Thought to once have been a hideout for pirates with buried treasure, this island is part of the National Park of Costa Rica and listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Those who visit enjoy the pelagic ocean life consisting of 30 types of coral, 60 types of crustaceans, 600 types of mollusks and over 300 types of fish. Jacques Cousteau visited the island in 1994, calling it the“most beautiful island in the world.” If you love nature, you won’t be disappointed. The island offers tropical wet forests that provide habitat for unique flora and fauna, including 74 species of ferns and 90 types of birds. Whether you want to explore the water or land, you’ll find something special.
Isle Royale, Michigan — It’s hard to imagine a deserted island in Michigan, but there is. It’s in Lake Superior as part of the U.S. National Park system. The Isle Royale National Park was established in 1931. The isle was used for commercial fishing and mining, and many of the fisheries were already built before the U.S. National Park Service took over the isle. The federal government was able to buy the properties at a low price by granting the fisherman life leases. When you visit, you can explore the mining sites, digging sites, and the old railroad. There are trails all over the isle, which were built to connect the mining locations. The island is closed to the public from November 1st through April 15th.
