Six unspoilt islands for the traveller with a sense of adventure
- From Russia’s Sakhalin island to Sumatra, the world still holds plenty of surprises for adventure seekers in search of sun, solitude and scenery
It’s the end of tourism as we know it. The locals don’t want us around, sightseeing attractions are swamped and there’s barely any room left on the beach. “Overtourism” is the travel industry buzzword of the moment but fear not, there are still plenty of awe-inspiring destinations suffering from undertourism. Overuse of “last frontier” to describe hard-to-reach wilderness areas is devaluing the term but for stupendous scenery, a slice of solitude and a sense of adventure, the following six islands take some beating.
Greenland
Iceberg-dodging excursions along the fjord-lined coastline offer the chance to observe polar bears, whales and walruses at close quarters but if the churning Arctic Ocean leaves you feeling queasy, get off the beaten track with a cross-country skiing expedition. And if that sounds too much like hard work, there’s always dog sledding and snowmobiling, followed by a soothing soak in natural hot springs. Visit in summer to experience the midnight sun, or from September to April to see the Northern Lights.
Madagascar
Situated off the east coast of Africa, the fourth-largest island on the planet is something of a mystery, even to seasoned travellers, due to its inaccessibility. In fact, children are more likely to be familiar with Madagascar than their parents, thanks to the popular series of computer-animated films of the same name. Eco-tourism is the name of the game – an estimated 80 per cent of all flora and fauna exists nowhere else, and Madagascar is classed as one of the world’s 17 megadiverse countries.
Getting around is a challenge – the island is the size of France but with only half a dozen main roads. Covering vast distances on public transport is costly and time-consuming, so sign up for an organised tour or, for more flexibility, strike a deal with a 4x4 driver who will help design an itinerary that incorporates reefs and rainforests, giant baobab trees and endemic birds – not forgetting those screensaver-style Indian Ocean beaches.
Sumatra, Indonesia
