Undiscovered Islands

Posted on 21. Aug, 2009 by Kerry Banks in Destinations

A friend of mine used to fly south each winter to Montserrat. The lush tropical island is one of the least known of the many Caribbean getaways. There are a few hotels and some nightlife, but the place is pretty much off the radar for most tourists. My friend knew virtually nothing about Montserrat before he went, other than the fact that George Martin, the Beatles’ producer, had built a recording studio there at which Dire Straits laid down the tracks for their “Brothers in Arms” album and the Police recorded “Synchronicity.” But he was instantly charmed by the atmosphere. Unfortunately, Montserrat fell victim to two natural disasters, Hurricane Hugo in 1989, and the eruption of the Soufriere volcano in 1995, which buried the capital, Plymouth, under 15 metres of mud. My friend died of a heart attack before he could find another idyllic retreat to replace Montserrat, but there are other unspoiled islands out there waiting to be discovered. Here are seven to dream about.

Yap: Part of a remote tropical archipelago in the midst of the Pacific, Yap is the most intriguing destination in the island nation of Micronesia. Having managed to escape most outside influences, such as colonization and mass tourism, the island’s traditional way of life remains both authentic and distinct. Legends are portrayed in colourful dances, village women dress in grass skirts and go topless, while the men wear loincloths, and ancient stone money discs are still used as local tender. You can spend your days hiking among the island’s rolling green hills, mangrove forests and antiquated stone paths or go off and explore the ocean’s coral reefs and swim with dolphins and manta rays.

Boa Vista: One of the lesser-developed isles in the volcanic Cape Verde chain, Boa Vista is mainly suited to those whose interests lie in water sports and sun worship. With pristine sand dunes, magnificent, bone-white beaches, emerald-green seas and relaxed atmosphere, you can lounge all day in complete peace, absorbing the sunshine and spectacular panoramas. Or choose from a readily available range of activities, such as snorkelling, scuba diving, windsurfing, kayaking, game fishing, horse-riding, quad bikes and jeep treks. Boa Vista is the third most important loggerhead turtle nesting site in the world. See them nesting from June to September. At night, you can sample the traditional seafood restaurants and lively music bars in the capital of Sal Rei and its unique blend of African, Portuguese and Brazilian cultures.

courtesy flickr.com

Fakarava: Enveloped by a coral reef and blue lagoon waters, this gorgeous Polynesian atoll is so remote it is not found on most maps. Fakarava’s environment is so pure that the isle has been designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve for the preservation of rare species. Rich in natural fauna, it offers pink-sand beaches and is rife with rare aquatic life that includes loach, meru, and barracuda–not to mention hammerheads and tiger sharks. Not surprisingly, scuba diving is the island’s top draw, but other attractions include the ancient village of Tetamanu, where there is a Catholic church made of coral that dates back to 1874, and pearl farms, where rare black pearls are shelled.

Terre-de-Haut: Les Saintes, a spectacular cluster of eight islands situated just off the coast of Guadeloupe and accessible only by ferry or private yacht, is the very essence of French West Indies life-–without the crowds. Terre-de-Haut is the most appealing of all, with its attractive beaches, delicious Creole cuisine and laid-back French-speaking locals. It’s also the only Les Saintes island with overnight accommodations. Beachcombers will love the powdery white sands of the palm-lined Plage de Pompierre, while the spectacular underwater world of colourful reefs and exotic fish makes scuba diving and snorkelling another huge draw. Rent a golf cart to get around and visit a different beach at dawn, midday and dusk. Outside the village centre, a steep trail leads to 18th century Fort Napoleon, a fortress with barracks and prison cells, model ships and a botanical garden. There is also a nearby beach that attracts divers and nude sunbathers.

Lamu: The oldest living town in Kenya, Lamu was one of the original Swahili settlements along coastal East Africa. The port has existed for at least a thousand years. Lamu was on the main Arabian trading routes, and as a result, the population is largely Muslim. Due to the narrowness of the streets, automobiles are not allowed–the city is easily explored by foot, bicycle, or, as many locals favour, donkey. The island boasts golden sands fronting the Indian Ocean, tiny villages and a breezy, slow-moving pace of life. The rich atmosphere and history alone makes Lamu worth the trek, but so do its beaches and waters: Shela Beach offers the best swimming, while excursions to ruins and coral reefs could have you snorkelling alongside frolicking dolphins.

courtesy drewmeyerinsights.com

Cat Ba Island: The largest islet in Vietnam’s Cat Ba Archipelago, a series of 350 craggy limestone outcrops adjacent to scenic Halong Bay, Cat Ba Island is an undiscovered oasis. Starting from the Halong Bay Wharf, it takes four hours to reach the island by boat, with stopovers for swimming and eating fresh seafood. With an area of 356 square kilometres, Cat Ba encompasses forested zones, coastal mangroves, freshwater swamps, beaches, caves and cascading waterfalls. In 1986, the northeast side of the island was designated a National Park and includes a protected marine zone. The best way to see it is by motorbike. Cat Ba Island supports a population of over 20,000 inhabitants most of whom live off fishing or farming in and around Cat Ba Town. The town is small and ancient, with clusters of fishing boats. It’s a short hike from the through a tunnel to Cat Co Beach where mountains form a throne-like frame around a stunning sandy coast.

Vis: Aside from intrepid travellers, wealthy yachties and Croatians in the know, Vis remains relatively undiscovered by tourists. While the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Slavs, Venetians, Austrians, French and British have all taken turns occupying the strategically positioned island, Vis has now reverted back to something of a Mediterranean hidden gem. With its secluded beaches, crystal-blue waters strewn with sunken shipwrecks, vineyard-covered mountains, historic ruins and some of the best fish restaurants in the Adriatic, it’s no wonder Conde Nast Traveller has billed Vis as “Capri before the tourists.” The island also offers some great hiking opportunities and from the top of Mount Hum (587 metres) it is possible to see Italy.

Lead image courtesy fabuloussavers.com