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
Indonesia’s largest (undivided) island seems even bigger than it is but that’s because roads (and buses) are often in poor condition. Heading north from the city of Bandar Lampung, passengers undergo a buttock-numbing 30-hour journey to Bukittinggi, a hilly market town surrounded by volcanoes that sightseers climb at their own risk (Mount Marapi last erupted in 2004). Another bone-shaking bus ride, this time across the equator, transports travellers to Lake Toba in about 17 hours, on a good day.
Exhausted tourists usually end up staying longer at the Hong Kong-sized lake than they intended as the prospect of boarding another bus fills them with dread. The deep blue waters have a hypnotic charm and while there are wilderness hiking options aplenty, some visitors settle for lakeside strolls and boat rides.
No trip to Sumatra is complete without an orangutan encounter. The Bohorok Rehabilitation Centre, in the village of Bukit Lawang, has closed but guided jungle hikes provide an opportunity to see the orange primates in their natural habitat.
Sakhalin, Russia
Closer to Hong Kong than to Moscow, and only 40km north of Hokkaido, Japan, the largest island in the world’s largest country was fought over for centuries until Soviet troops finally drove out the Japanese in 1945. Today, an oil and gas boom is bringing riches for some as well as environmental protests. Sakhalin is beginning to unlock its potential as a tourist destination and, as with the other far-flung outposts in this list, booking a tour with a local operator is more cost-effective and less stressful than going it alone on public transport.
Skiing and rafting provide rushes of adrenaline, as does hiking; Sakhalin’s forests are inhabited by brown bears. Pay a call on the reindeer-herding Nivkh indigenous people, who inhabit the northern half of the 1,000km-long island, or sign up for seabird and whale-watching trips run by conservation NGOs. Sakhalin boasts more than 16,000 lakes and 65,000 rivers – bring a pair of ice skates if you plan to visit in winter.
Tasmania, Australia
Freycinet National Park offers bushwalking and beachcombing par excellence and if Wineglass Bay were in Sydney, it would be busier than Bondi. Challenge yourself with a Cradle Mountain summit hike and snorkel at stunning Binalong Bay. And while we’re talking wine glasses, round off a day exploring the beautiful Bay of Fires by returning to civilisation, choosing a waterfront restaurant and pairing something fishy with a local sauvignon blanc.
Baffin Island, Canada
Straddling the Arctic Circle in Canada’s far north, Baffin Island is a dramatic, unpredictable land where glaciers advance and recede and streams of snowmelt constantly carve new paths. The sun doesn’t set during the summer months; instead it lingers low on the horizon for hours before recommencing its upwards trajectory. This enables adventurers (there are no package tourists here) to heli-ski, base jump or sail along the fjord-indented east coast in the middle of the night, if they so wish.
Getting to grips with Canada’s largest island requires thorough planning, specialised equipment, excellent physical fitness and experience of extreme conditions. Even then, the services of local guides are nearly always essential. Hypothermia and frostbite are real risks, as are encounters with polar bears.
Iqaluit, which means “many fish” in the Inuktitut language, is Baffin Island’s principal settlement. There are no roads in or out and airfares are eye-wateringly pricey – as is food. Expect to pay about US$22 for a bunch of seedless grapes and US$14 for a bottle of tomato ketchup. And you thought Hong Kong supermarkets were expensive!
