Most of us don't think twice about booking a flight to our next holiday destination. But what happens when there's no airport to fly into? Scattered across the world's oceans are islands where commercial flights simply aren't an option. Some are home to small communities, others are protected wildlife sanctuaries and a few are so remote that only a handful of visitors make it there each year. The interesting part? You don't necessarily need your own yacht to visit. Some of these places appear on cruise itineraries, giving you the chance to see a side of the world that's still surprisingly difficult to reach.
Pitcairn Island, South Pacific
You might recognise Pitcairn from the story of the HMS Bounty mutiny. What you might not know is that descendants of the mutineers and their Polynesian companions still live there today. With only a few dozen residents and no airport, Pitcairn isn't somewhere you can visit on a whim. Getting there involves a long journey across the Pacific, followed by a boat transfer if the sea is calm enough, Azamara Onward is scheduled to visit on 29 January 2028 as part of its World Cruise, with a shorter voyage available from Lima to Tahiti.
Tristan da Cunha, South Atlantic
There's remote and then there's Tristan da Cunha. Sitting in the middle of the South Atlantic, this volcanic island is home to fewer than 300 people. The nearest inhabited island is more than 2,000 kilometres away. Ships are a lifeline here, bringing everything from groceries to building supplies. Silver Endeavour is scheduled to visit Tristan da Cunha during a 25-day expedition from Puerto Williams to Tema, departing 06 March 2028. With no conventional cruise terminal and unpredictable seas, getting ashore isn't always possible. It's a fascinating place, particularly when you consider how different everyday life must be when the next ship could be weeks away.
Aldabra Atoll, Seychelles
When someone mentions the Seychelles, it's usually white-sand beaches and luxury resorts that come to mind. Aldabra is nothing like that. Located more than 1,000 kilometres from Mahé, this enormous coral atoll is a UNESCO World Heritage site and home to around 100,000 giant tortoises. There are no resorts, no airport and very few visitors. Strict conservation rules protect its wildlife, including seabirds, marine turtles and the Aldabra rail, a flightless bird found only on the atoll.
Jan Mayen, Arctic Ocean
Jan Mayen probably isn't a name you've come across when planning a holiday. This Norwegian island sits in the Arctic Ocean, roughly between Greenland and mainland Norway. It's dominated by Beerenberg, an active volcano rising more than 2,000 metres above sea level. There are no permanent civilian residents, although a small Norwegian team works on the island. HX Expeditions' MS Spitsbergen is scheduled to attempt a landing at Jan Mayen on its Arctic island-hopping voyage departing 16 May 2027. On a clear day, the sight of a snow-covered volcano rising straight out of the ocean is quite something.
South Georgia, South Atlantic
If you've ever wanted to see penguins in the wild, South Georgia takes things to another level. This mountainous island is home to enormous king penguin colonies, elephant seals, fur seals and countless seabirds. But wildlife isn't the island's only claim to fame. South Georgia also played an important role in the story of Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton. His grave is in Grytviken, a former whaling station that visitors can explore when conditions allow. Silver Endeavour includes South Georgia on its March 2028 expedition, alongside Tristan da Cunha and other remote South Atlantic islands.
Enderby Island, New Zealand
You don't have to travel halfway around the world to find an island without an airport. Enderby Island lies south of mainland New Zealand, in the Auckland Islands group. It's a protected nature reserve with no permanent residents and some rather unusual inhabitants. New Zealand sea lions rest on the beaches, while rare birds, including yellow-eyed penguins, live among the island's coastal vegetation. It's a very different picture of New Zealand from the one most know.
If you'd like to explore somewhere a little less familiar, your local Travellers Choice travel agent can help you find cruise itineraries that go well beyond the usual ports of call.
