10 Most Unique and Remote Vacation Retreats

Many times, when people go away on vacation, one of the goals is to be as far removed from civilization as possible. Seeking out secluded getaways can result in the discovery of some very exotic destinations that often feature resorts geared toward the adventurous tourist and make the most of the unusual locale. From fjord hotels to volcano apartments, these are 10 of the most unique and remote vacation retreats.

Related: Top 10 Most Instagrammable Locations in People’s Vacation Pictures

10 Lord Howe Island

Lord Howe Island, Australia, can definitely be described as small and remote, set 370 miles (596 km) east of New South Wales. This seven-mile-long (11.3-km-long) volcanic remnant was created over 6,600 ft (2,000 m) under the ocean. Located in the Tasman Sea, there is plenty of water-based fun, like snorkeling, diving, and visiting the southernmost coral reef in the world. But the island also offers mountain hiking, including climbing volcanic rocks on the way to a thick primeval forest.

No more than 400 tourists are allowed to be on this isolated retreat at a time. Crowds are not likely to be a problem for those looking for a peaceful getaway, but 70% of the island is protected by a park reserve, leaving little room for accommodations. As a result, the lodgings are concentrated on the northern tip of the island.^[1]

9 Ushuaia, Argentina

Some vacationers are so eager for seclusion that they would go to the ends of the earth for it, something that is actually available, in a manner of speaking, to travelers who really want to get away. The Argentinian town of Ushuaia is the southernmost city on planet Earth.

This former penal colony features an interesting history as well as uniquely picturesque scenery and a ride on the legendary End of the World Train, which travels “an old path used by the inmates of the Ushuaia prison more than 70 years ago, when they collected firewood for the town,” according to the Tierra del Fuego Tourism Board. Passengers are provided with individual audio guides, and there is a wide range of sites to see, including forests of lengas and ñires, peat bogs, and the Macarena waterfall.

Besides the former prison train, there are plenty of other ways for visitors to experience this exotic and untamed area, including hiking through the forest along trails in the Tierra del Fuego National Park or viewing breathtaking fjords by boat.^[2]

8 Manshausen Island

Vacationers can’t get much more secluded than a troll’s cave in the Arctic Circle, which is just one of many attractions for visitors of Northern Norway’s Manshausen Island. It is set off from the mainland village of Nordskot and is as remote as it is geographically awe-inspiring. The former fish trading post is located among wondrous fjords, majestic mountains, and the deep, dark Resshola Cave, fittingly called Troll’s Cave. However, one of the most interesting things is man-made. The award-winning architecture of the distinctive cabins, constructed largely of glass and perched on stilts above the rocky shore, provides a unique view that could make you forget you’re on land at all.

The activities include fishing, kayaking, mountain climbing, sheep watching, and, of course, the Scandinavian tradition of visiting the sauna. In this case, it is a wooden structure that sits beside a natural body of water. Even dining at the resort’s restaurant is an adventure with a menu featuring plenty of exotic cuisine.^[3]

7 The Pitcairn Islands

One indication that a location is remote is when it is not easily accessible to tourists. Few places fit this description better than the British overseas territory of the Pitcairn Islands, which takes 4 to 11 days to reach via a freight ship departing from Mangareva in French Polynesia. For such an isolated retreat, the volcanic islands in the southern Pacific Ocean have a famous past, highlighted by the classic film Mutiny on the Bounty. This place was where the mutineers of the HMS Bounty settled.

Visitors can rent space in one of the few houses for 4, 11, or 18 days. However, it’s not just those looking for serious seclusion who are attracted to this faraway spot; astronomy enthusiasts are drawn to Pitcairn because of the magnificent view of the cosmos in dark skies, free from light pollution, which have been designated an International Sky Sanctuary.

The Henderson, Ducie, and Oeno islands have notably pristine environments, partly because Pitcarirn is so protective of its ecological system through efforts to keep out non-native plant seeds and animals.^[4]

6 Kastellorizo

Greek islands are always a popular vacation destination. The most remote of these is Kastellorizo, the smallest by size and population. It is among the three Dodecanese islands and is the nearest one to Turkey. Located in the far east of the country, it is a 22-hour ferry ride from Athens. It’s hard to believe that Kastellorizo once had a population of 9,000.

Following WWII evacuations and an earthquake, the island now has less than 300 inhabitants. There isn’t much to do here, but that seems part of the low-key island’s charm. With few residents and a light influx of tourists, Kastellorizo has become a hideaway for celebrities. The fashionable and aesthetically stimulating island is also popular with artists and sophisticated travelers.

The few activities there range from simple, laid-back pleasures like turtle-watching and swimming to unique pastimes like visiting a puzzle museum or a history museum featuring an eclectic assortment of items housed in a mosque. You can also climb 400 odd hillside steps to a fortified monastic complex where you may be able to visit the secret crypt underneath the church. The building is usually locked, but the island’s only taxi driver can open the door for you.

There is also The Blue Grotto, a surreal sea cave with an opening so small you must lie flat to enter. “Swimming through the cave is akin to an out-of-body experience,” according to Condé Nast Traveler. As small and mellow as Kastellorizo may be, it has still managed to make a mark on pop culture, serving as a filming location for Mediterraneo and the island-inspired song by Pink Floyd’s Dave Gilmour.^[5]

5 Moloka’i

While the Hawaiian island of Moloka’i no longer houses a leper colony, the isolated and rustic atmosphere remains very much a part of this under-explored getaway. One difference between Moloka’i and many other remote destinations is that it is much easier to find accommodations here, but the island is far from being taken over by tourists. In fact, native Hawaiians who reside here are adamant about protecting their land and cultural traditions. There aren’t even any traffic lights. The rural lifestyle the local population insists on maintaining is a definite draw to the traveler who craves simplicity, seclusion, and a break from the modern world.

With the impressive natural attractions, such as the vast white sand Pāpōhaku Beach, the longest continuous fringing reef in the country, and the world’s tallest sea cliffs, there’s little need for artificial diversions. However, Moloka’i is not without its share of entertainment, including lots of luaus, and, as the birthplace of hula, the island hosts a hula-centric festival every May.^[6]

4 Rio Bec

There are multiple reasons why the ruins of the Maya city of Rio Bec at the base of Yucatan, Mexico, are such a secluded attraction. The most obvious explanation is that the structures are hidden deep in the jungle, but in addition to this, they are even more challenging to reach than the other popular Maya ruins, which are also located in the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve. The density of this part of the jungle actually concealed one section of the structures when the site was first uncovered in the early 1900s, leaving it undiscovered until six decades later.

There is also plenty of formidable animal life in this area, including jaguars, wild pigs, and howler monkeys. Another little inconvenience is the absence of any roads leading to the site, which means that visitors who are too adventurous to be put off by the thick, scary jungle still have to navigate approximately 10 miles (16 km) of rough trails. The reward for those who make it there includes fascinating pre-columbian architecture remnants. Visitors can even climb the steps of some surprisingly well-preserved, 50-foot (15-m) stone pyramids.

Luckily, there is a service that takes small groups to Rio Bec via motorcycles and ATVs. Even archeologists have been reluctant to explore the site, but that’s quickly changing, leading to some exciting discoveries about this lost civilization which inhabited the area between the 7th and 9th century AD.^[7]

3 Ittoqqortoormiit

Locations in Greenland are considered some of the world’s most secluded vacation destinations, including Ittoqqortoormiit, described by BBC as “the most remote inhabited community in the western hemisphere.”

Though this hunting and fishing village of less than 400 is tiny and obscure, it features some impressive landmarks, including the Northeast Greenland National Park, the largest National Park in the world, and the largest fjord system. This is the kind of place that appeals to a reclusive vacationer who really loves being in the rugged outdoors, especially in winter.

There are many popular activities to choose from, such as dog sledding and hunting, but the seasons for some pastimes are very short, like hiking and sailing from July to August. There are also some stunning visuals, from the northern lights to gigantic icebergs where seabirds nest, prehistoric-looking musk oxen, and even an occasional polar bear.

While there are several options for getting to and from Ittoqqortoormiit, including snowmobile, helicopter, a limited number of plane flights, and, during the summer, a boat trip, once you are within the town limits, walking is the only mode of transportation available.^[8]

2 Ni’ihau, the Forbidden Island

One thing that can increase the desirability of a remote location is limited access to the destination. For more than a century, tourism was not allowed on the Hawaiian island of Ni’ihau, known as the Forbidden Island. Now, its longtime owners, the Robinson family, allow very restricted visits, including private half-day tours of Ni’ihau or hunting safaris. However, there are strict rules about visiting this extremely rural locale. An article in Travel Noire says, “Visitors aren’t allowed contact with the village…”

Sparsely inhabited by a few dozen Hawaiian families, the isolated island, which has no roads, indoor plumbing, running water, internet, or phone but has electricity powered by solar panels, is largely shrouded in mystery. We do know that descendants of Elizabeth Sinclair, the Scottish woman who bought Ni’ihau from King Kamehameha IV in the early 1860s, have continued to honor the agreement that the culture and traditions would be preserved.

Those who do make it there can enjoy a few hours on a pristine beach, sightings of Polynesian boar, hybrid sheep, eland and oryx, and other natural wonders.^[9]

1 Tristan da Cunha

Known as the most remote island in the world and the home of the most isolated human population, the British territory of Tristan da Cunha, lying in the South Atlantic Ocean about midway between South Africa and South America, was a dangerous temptation for explorers and would-be settlers, for hundreds of years. Most of the 250 individuals who now inhabit the island are farmers.

The far-flung spot is still difficult to reach, only accessible via a six-day boat trip from South Africa. Hikers enjoy climbing a cone-shaped volcano rising 6,765 feet (2,062 m) above sea level, known as Queen Mary’s Peak. They can take a dip in the melted ice, which forms a lake in the central crater during summer. According to Live Science, this destination “is also a wildlife watcher’s paradise, with seals, albatrosses, and northern rockhopper penguins (Eudyptes moseleyi) breeding on its shores.”^[10]