22 Abandoned Islands Around the World With Fascinating Histories
Abandoned islands are like stepping into a forgotten world. Once full of life, now they stand in silence.
Each one holds a story waiting to be uncovered. From old settlements to secret military bases, their histories are full of mystery.
Ready to explore 22 lost islands? Let’s dive into their hidden tales.
1. Hashima Island, Japan
How does an island go from being the most densely populated place in the world to a ghost town? Hashima, or Battleship Island, was once a bustling coal mining hub.
At its peak, the island was home to thousands of miners, their families, and workers. But when the coal reserves ran dry in 1974, the population fled, leaving behind crumbling concrete buildings.
Today, it’s an unsettling place to visit, with the ruins standing as evidence to industrial decline.
2. Poveglia Island, Italy
Ever wondered where the most haunted island is? Poveglia, located in the Venetian Lagoon, has a dark and tragic past.
It was used as a quarantine station during plague outbreaks and later turned into a mental asylum.
Stories of suffering and despair fill its history, and though off-limits to tourists, the island’s chilling reputation keeps it on the radar of the curious and brave.
3. North Brother Island, USA
What happens when an island that once served as a quarantine hospital becomes a forgotten ruin? North Brother Island in New York City is where Typhoid Mary was once isolated.
After the hospital closed in the 1960s, nature reclaimed the island, and now, it’s a protected bird sanctuary.
Though no one can visit, the eerie remnants of the hospital stand as a powerful reminder of a time when disease and isolation dominated the island’s history.
4. Antipodes Island, New Zealand
Could there be an island more remote than Antipodes?
Located in the subantarctic region, this uninhabited island is a haven for unique wildlife. While it has no human history, its isolation is one of its defining features.
The harsh weather conditions made it unsuitable for settlement, but today, its ecological importance continues to draw researchers eager to study its unspoiled environment.
5. Kopachi, Ukraine
Did you know a village was buried to contain radiation? Kopachi, near Chernobyl, was abandoned after the 1986 disaster.
The village, once home to workers from the nuclear plant, was bulldozed and buried to prevent contamination from spreading.
Today, only a few remnants of buildings remain, offering a haunting glimpse into the devastation caused by the explosion.
6. Isla de las Muñecas, Mexico
Ever heard of an island filled with creepy dolls? Isla de las Muñecas, or the Island of the Dolls, in Mexico’s Xochimilco canals is a place that unnerves most visitors.
Its caretaker, Don Julián Santana, started hanging dolls after discovering a drowned girl, believing the dolls would appease her spirit.
Over the years, the dolls have decayed, their eerie presence adding to the island’s unsettling atmosphere.
7. Deception Island, Antarctica
If you think of Antarctica, abounding ice comes to mind, not volcanoes. Yet, Deception Island is an exception. It’s a volcanic caldera, providing one of the safest harbors in the Antarctic.
Once bustling with whalers and sealers, it’s now deserted except for a few researchers. The island’s history is steeped in maritime enterprise and scientific exploration. Whaling stations and research bases lie in ruins, half-buried in snow.
If icy mysteries intrigue you, Deception Island’s past will surely captivate. Despite its isolation, the stories of exploration and industry continue to echo here.
8. Gunkanjima (Battleship Island), Japan
What makes an island resemble a battleship? Gunkanjima, also known as Hashima, gets its name because its silhouette looks like a warship.
Once home to thousands of coal miners, it became a symbol of industrialization in Japan.
But when the coal ran out, the population left, and today, the island is a decaying reminder of Japan’s rapid industrial past.
9. Ross Island, Antarctica
Ever wanted to step into the past of polar exploration? Ross Island in Antarctica is home to the preserved huts of legendary explorers like Ernest Shackleton and Robert Falcon Scott.
These relics, left behind by some of history’s most daring adventurers, stand frozen in time, offering a glimpse into their brave and often tragic expeditions.
10. Spinalonga, Greece
What happens when a community is cast aside due to a disease? Spinalonga, a small island off Crete, served as a leper colony from 1903 to 1957.
The island’s residents built a tight-knit community despite their isolation. Today, the ruins of homes, schools, and shops still stand, offering visitors a glimpse into the resilience of those who lived there.
11. Heimaey, Iceland
How can a volcanic eruption change an entire island? Heimaey, the largest island in Iceland’s Vestmannaeyjar archipelago, was nearly destroyed by a volcanic eruption in 1973.
The eruption buried parts of the town and forced an evacuation, but miraculously, the island’s harbor was saved.
Heimaey’s volcanic past is still evident today, adding a unique layer to the island’s history.
12. Clipperton Island, France
What makes Clipperton Island so lonely? This tiny French coral atoll has a history of political disputes, misfortune, and isolation.
Once a guano mining outpost, the island was abandoned in the early 1900s, and today, it remains uninhabited, visited only by researchers and military personnel.
The island’s solitude and the historical battles for control make it a fascinating, if forgotten, place.
13. Rapa Iti, French Polynesia
Rapa Iti is an island that invites you to reflect on the past.
Once a thriving Polynesian society, it holds ancient stone fortresses and settlements tucked away in its mountains. These remnants speak of a people who mastered defense and survival.
European contact in the 19th century brought changes, causing a sharp decline in population. Today, only a small community remains, keeping their traditions alive.
If you’re curious about the Polynesian way of life, this place is a remarkable destination to witness resilience and cultural survival.
14. Montserrat, Caribbean
Have you ever seen a modern Pompeii? Montserrat in the Caribbean experienced a catastrophic volcanic eruption in the 1990s. The eruption buried the capital city, Plymouth, under layers of ash and mud.
Evacuations left a ghost town, with homes and buildings frozen in time. The southern part of the island remains uninhabitable, while life continues in the north. If you visit Montserrat, the contrast between the hills and the devastation is striking.
It’s a powerful reminder of nature’s unpredictable force and the resilience required to start anew. The island’s recovery is an ongoing journey.
15. Sable Island, Canada
What would life be like on a remote island with wild horses? Sable Island, off Canada’s coast, is known for its free-roaming wild horses. Despite numerous shipwrecks and failed attempts at settlement, the island remained largely untouched.
Now a protected national park, Sable Island’s unique ecosystem remains intact. The horses here have adapted to the harsh environment, embodying the island’s wild, independent spirit.
If you’re drawn to nature’s raw beauty, Sable Island offers an unforgettable experience.
16. Bikini Atoll, Marshall Islands
Can an island ever be a symbol of destruction and beauty? Bikini Atoll tells a powerful story of nuclear testing in the mid-20th century.
After the tests, the island was left uninhabited, and the environment contaminated. Now, Bikini Atoll is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and divers visit to explore its underwater relics.
The stark contrast between tropical beauty and the shadow of its past is a poignant reminder of human impact on the environment. If you’re interested in history and diving, Bikini Atoll offers a truly unique experience.
17. San Telmo Island, Spain
What secrets lie in forgotten monasteries? San Telmo Island, near Mallorca, is home to the ruins of a 13th-century monastery.
Once a retreat for monks, the island’s isolation made it the perfect place for contemplation. Over time, the monastery fell into disrepair as the monks left, leaving only stone ruins behind.
Today, it offers an escape into history and reflection. If you’re visiting the Balearic Islands, the quiet of San Telmo invites you to step back in time.
18. Vozrozhdeniya Island, Uzbekistan/Kazakhstan
What remains after a Cold War secret is revealed? Vozrozhdeniya Island, once a Soviet bioweapons testing site, has a dark history. Hidden laboratories and experiments on deadly pathogens left behind toxic remnants.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the island became a ghost town, but the landscape remains eerie and desolate. Today, it stands as a reminder of a time when secrecy and experimentation defined the Cold War.
If you’re fascinated by hidden histories, Vozrozhdeniya Island offers a chilling look into the past.
19. Stroma, Scotland
It’s not every day you hear of a deserted island in Scotland. Stroma, off the northern coast of Scotland, was once a thriving crofting community. The island’s harsh climate and economic challenges led to its abandonment in the mid-20th century.
Today, the empty crofts and ruins remain as echoes of its past. If you’re traveling through the Scottish Highlands, a glimpse of Stroma offers a melancholy yet captivating view.
The island’s story is one of resilience and adaptation to the unforgiving elements. Its history lives on through the windswept landscape and enduring ruins.
20. Alderney, Channel Islands
Did you know Alderney was evacuated during World War II? Part of the Channel Islands, it was evacuated as German forces occupied the islands. The residents left, and the island was fortified with bunkers and defenses.
After the war, the islanders returned, but the remnants of wartime fortifications remain. Today, Alderney is inhabited, with its history visible through the bunkers. If you’re interested in World War II history, Alderney offers an intriguing exploration.
The island’s story is one of resilience, as a community rebuilt amid reminders of conflict. Its landscapes mix history with natural beauty.
21. St. Kilda, Scotland
What does it take to live in one of the most isolated places on Earth? St. Kilda, off Scotland’s coast, was home to a community for thousands of years until it was evacuated in 1930.
The islanders faced harsh conditions, living with isolation and extreme weather. Today, the abandoned stone houses stand as evidence to their endurance.
If you’re interested in the human side of remote living, St. Kilda offers an eye-opening look at resilience. Its cliffs and empty homes tell stories of survival against all odds.
22. Isola di San Michele, Italy
Isola di San Michele, near Venice, Italy, is known as the “Island of the Dead.” It has served as the city’s cemetery since the early 19th century.
Visitors come to admire its architectural beauty and pay respects to notable figures buried there, including Igor Stravinsky. Its peaceful environment offers moments of reflection amidst the historical gravestones.
Though no longer accepting new burials, Isola di San Michele remains a poignant place, preserving Venice’s heritage, a proof to life and death intertwined.