Last Updated on June 22, 2020 by Amanda Stancati

Choose from the most remote places on earth for your next vacation

Travelling to the hot spots of the world is definitely a great way to experience sand, sun and fun, and those R&R vacations are always a popular choice. But sometimes you just want something different — a chance to venture off the beaten path and get away from the touristy destinations like Cuba, Mexico and Jamaica. Sometimes, the real adventure of a vacation begins when you reach out to the most remote places on earth, like these …

Cape York Peninsula, Australia

At the northern tip of Australia, covering a 200,000-sq-km triangular space, Cape York is a narrow, untamed, primeval peninsula with a population of just 18,000. To the east is the Coral Sea, to the west are the Arafura Sea and Gulf of Carpentaria, and to the north is the Torres Strait.

Perfect for the adventure traveller, Cape York is a unique travel destination. Considered by many to be one of the best 4-wheel-drive routes on the entire continent, there are tons of great excursions and national parks to be explored in this rugged mountain-side town. You’ll also find eucalyptus, rain forests, woodlands, grasslands, swamps and raging rivers.

Svalbard, Norway

Svalbard translates into “cold coasts.” The Svalbard Islands occupy approximately 63,000 sq kms of the Arctic Ocean, between Norway and the North Pole. You’ll find plenty of untouched arctic wilderness here, especially polar bears.

Nearly 65% of Svalbard is protected by conservation, including three nature reserves, six national parks and 15 bird sanctuaries. Also on Svlabard is Norway’s largest glacier, Austfonna, which is the third-largest icecap in the entire world, following the Antarctic and Greenland.

Alert, Nunavut, Canada

Located about 10km west of Cape Sheridan, Alert is the northernmost city in the world that is inhabited. If you want to stay along the shore of ice-covered Lincoln Sea, Alert lies just 817 kms from the North Pole.

Framed by a rugged terrain of rolling hills and deep valleys, Alert’s shore is made primarily of slate and shale, and the sea is ice-covered year round. If you’re travelling between March and September, you’ll want to bring an eye mask to sleep through the 24-hour daylight. And if you’re a night person, you’ll want to visit between October and February when the sun does not rise above the horizon and there is 24-hour darkness.

Pitcairn Island, NZ

The British Overseas Territory is comprised of the islands of Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie and Oeno. Pitcairn, the only one that is inhabited, is a small volcanic outcrop located in the South Pacific southeast of Tahiti.

I use the term “inhabited” very loosely, though, as there are currently only about 50 people living on this tiny island spanning just over 3 km long and 1.5 km wide.

Deception Island, Antarctica

This is truly one of the most spectacular islands on the planet. Deception Island is an active volcano in the South Shetland Islands, off the Antarctic Peninsula. You’ll be captivated by barren volcanic slopes, ash-layered glaciers and steaming beaches.

Approximately 10,000 years ago, a massive eruption destroyed about 30 km³ of molten rock, collapsing the volcano’s summit and creating the Port Foster caldera. Shaped like a horse-shoe, it is one of the only places in the world where vessels can sail directly into the centre of a restless volcano crater.

Saint Helena, Africa

Saint Helena is situated in islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, between Africa and South America. Uninhabited when discovered by the Portuguese in 1502, Saint Helena now has a population of approximately 7,700.

Saint Helena offers unique heritage and breathtaking views of nature from the highest peaks of the mountains overlooking the waters of the Atlantic. This island is one of the most remote inhabited islands in the world. It is truly a sub-tropical paradise.

Now we want to hear from you! What are some of the most remote places on earth that you’ve travelled to on vacation? Share with us below 🙂