by KIKE CALVO
When we think of islands, sandy beaches and palm trees often come to mind. But scattered across the globe are islands that defy expectations—places defined not by tourism brochures, but by remoteness, eccentric history, or rare wildlife. These unusual islands invite us to look beyond the familiar and explore corners of the Earth where nature and human stories intertwine in unexpected ways.
Staten Island, Argentina (Isla de los Estados)
At the eastern tip of Tierra del Fuego lies Argentina’s Staten Island (Isla de los Estados), a windswept land of raw wilderness. Long off-limits to visitors, the island is a designated nature reserve and home to rugged cliffs, southern beech forests, and thriving wildlife such as sea lions, fur seals, Magellanic penguins, and blue-eyed shags.
Its mystique was immortalized by Jules Verne in The Lighthouse at the End of the World, inspired by the lonely San Juan del Salvamento lighthouse that still stands watch. Today, carefully regulated expeditions allow a handful of travelers to step onto this remote island, experiencing what feels like the very edge of the world.
I had the privilege of traveling to Staten Island years ago with National Geographic Expeditions, an experience that left such a profound impression that it inspired me to write my book Staten Island. The book captures not just the island’s dramatic landscapes and rich biodiversity, but also its layered history and the enduring aura of mystery that surrounds it.
Pine Island, Australia
Far from the icy seas of the south, Pine Island in Australia offers a very different kind of unusual. Located in the Murrumbidgee River corridor near Canberra, Pine Island isn’t a tropical isle surrounded by ocean, but rather a striking river island and recreation reserve.
What makes it unusual is how it blends wilderness and community use. The island is a popular spot for swimming, fishing, and riverside walks, yet it also sits within a larger conservation area that protects native woodlands and river habitats. Floodwaters occasionally transform its sandy banks and access points, reminding visitors of nature’s power even so close to an urban center.
Unlike most islands you imagine on a world map, Pine Island feels both wild and accessible—a natural escape where kangaroos graze nearby and the Murrumbidgee carves its timeless course.
Staats Island, Falkland Islands
Little-known Staats Island, part of the Falklands’ Beaver Island Group, has no permanent inhabitants but an intriguing ecological story. In the 20th century, Patagonian foxes and guanacos were introduced, disrupting the fragile ecosystem by overgrazing and threatening native bird species.
Today, conservationists are working to restore balance, turning this remote island into a living case study of the challenges of human intervention in isolated habitats.
Inaccessible Island, South Atlantic
The name says it all: Inaccessible Island, part of the Tristan da Cunha archipelago, is almost impossible to reach. Its steep cliffs and stormy seas keep most visitors away, yet its isolation has given rise to extraordinary biodiversity.
The island is the sole home of the world’s smallest flightless bird, the Inaccessible Island rail, and supports millions of seabirds, from shearwaters to penguins. Declared part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this island proves that sometimes, inaccessibility is what preserves nature’s rarest treasures.
Muckle Flugga, Scotland
Jutting out of the North Sea in the Shetland Islands, Muckle Flugga is a dramatic rocky outcrop with a legendary past. Once the northernmost inhabited spot in Britain—thanks to its lighthouse keepers—it now stands uninhabited, battered by waves and seabirds.
Folklore tells of two giants who fought for the love of a maiden, throwing boulders at each other until only this lonely island remained. Whether you believe the legend or not, Muckle Flugga embodies the wild spirit of Scotland’s far north.
Pheasant Island (France–Spain)
Measuring just 200 meters long, Pheasant Island in the Bidasoa River between France and Spain might be tiny, but it has one of the world’s strangest political arrangements. Sovereignty over the island alternates between the two countries every six months, a practice dating back to the 1659 Treaty of the Pyrenees.
Though off-limits to visitors most of the year, the island opens during special European Heritage Days, offering a rare glimpse at this living symbol of diplomacy and compromise.
Socotra, Yemen
Nicknamed the “Galápagos of the Indian Ocean,” Socotra is one of the world’s most biologically unique islands. Nearly a third of its plant life is found nowhere else on Earth, including the otherworldly Dragon’s Blood tree with its umbrella-like canopy and red sap. Its surreal landscapes feel almost alien, making Socotra a bucket-list destination for nature lovers and adventurers alike.
Surtsey, Iceland
Unlike most islands shaped over millennia, Surtsey was born in living memory. It erupted from the sea off Iceland’s southern coast in 1963, creating a brand-new landmass. Since then, it has been strictly protected as a natural laboratory, allowing scientists to study how ecosystems emerge from bare volcanic rock. Access is forbidden to the public, making it one of the most exclusive—and unusual—places on Earth.
Hashima Island, Japan
Also known as Gunkanjima or “Battleship Island,” Hashima was once a bustling coal mining hub. After its closure in 1974, the island was abandoned, leaving behind eerie rows of concrete apartment blocks that resemble a ghost city. Today, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a haunting reminder of industrial history—so unusual that it even featured as a villain’s lair in a James Bond film.
Why We Love the Unusual
From Staten Island’s windswept remoteness to Pine Island’s riverside charm, and from volcanic newborns like Surtsey to ghost towns like Hashima, these places remind us that islands are more than holiday escapes. They are living laboratories of history, ecology, and imagination.
Next time you dream of an island getaway, consider looking past the postcard-perfect and into the unusual—where adventure, mystery, and wonder still thrive.