Sustainable Tourism: How to Travel Responsibly in 2024
However, with the growing awareness of environmental issues and the impact of tourism on local communities, sustainable tourism has become a significant trend.
Every adventurer undoubtedly has a list of the most stunning Islands they'd like to visit in the future. At first glance, the majority of islands appear to be lovely places. However, appearances can be misleading. There could be a great deal of danger hidden behind the stunning surroundings and peaceful atmosphere. You definitely don't want to be washed ashore or left stranded on these hazardous islands because they are home to a variety of deadly snakes, poisonous gases in the air, infectious diseases, hungry crocodiles, and various degrees of nature's worst horrors.
This article will examine the most dangerous islands in the world, places you should definitely avoid or perhaps pray you never end up visiting.
The island of Ilha da Queimada is referred to as "Snake Island" because it is home to the greatest number of poisonous snakes in the entire world. The deadly golden lancehead pit viper, Bothrops insularis, which has between 2,000 and 4,000 species, can only be found on Ilha da Queimada! The venom of these vipers can instantly kill a victim by melting human flesh. Ilha da Queimada is off-limits to the general public due to its danger. According to legend, the last lighthouse keeper who lived on the island with his family perished when snakes entered his home through the windows. This terrifying tale should deter anyone from visiting Ilha da Queimada ever again.
It is forbidden to go to the island of Poveglia, which is situated in the Venetian Lagoon between Venice and Lido. Visitors from outside the area are not allowed, either. Why is the island of Poveglia so dangerous?
It is referred to as the world's most haunted location. According to legend, the island served as a quarantine facility during the Black Death, where infected individuals were left to die, thousands of years ago. Additionally, it served as a mental hospital where shady medical professionals subjected patients to a variety of heinous experiments. The island has been deserted since the hospital's closure in 1968. According to reports, a visit to this haunted island of spooky terror will have you pissing your pants because it reeks of ghosts, death, and everything evil.
A UNESCO World Heritage site, Bikini Atoll is situated in the Marshall Islands in the Pacific Ocean. Twenty-three nuclear tests—equivalent to 7,000 times the force of the Hiroshima bomb—were conducted on the island by the United States between 1946 and 1958. The environment of the island and the health of those exposed to radiation suffered significant effects as a result, with many developing serious radiation illnesses. Consuming contaminated locally grown foods like coconut, papaya, limes, and breadfruit exposes people to the most risk. Pigs, chickens, and ducks—animals raised on the island—also pose significant risks. The dangerous nature of the Bikini Atoll island is not solely due to nuclear radiation.
The smallest Dutch island, Saba, is referred to as the Caribbean's "Unspoiled Queen." Scuba diving, hiking, and exploring its diverse ecosystem are popular activities for tourists. Despite this, the tiny island of Saba is regarded as dangerous due to numerous instances of powerful hurricanes. Saba Island has experienced more hurricanes than any other island on earth over the past 150 years, according to the Caribbean Hurricane Network. Only travel to Saba in the winter if you ever want to. You don't want to get caught in the hot springs on Saba Island when they are very hot.
Gruinard Island, which is regarded as Great Britain's wildest and least populous corner, is situated in Gruinard Bay about halfway between Gairloch and Ullapool. The British government conducted anthrax bacterium experiments on the tiny, oval-shaped island, making it dangerous. During World War II, it served as a testing ground for biological weapons, which resulted in the island's deadly pollution. The government was forced to quarantine the island after many sheep contracted anthrax and died. Gruinard Island was decontaminated in the 1980s, but it has remained uninhabited and the soil still contains anthrax spores.
India's Bay of Bengal is home to the North Sentinel Island, one of the Andaman Islands.
The Sentinelese, an indigenous people group who have been hostile to outsiders for the past 60,000 years, live on North Sentinel Island. Because of how dangerous this island is, even the Indian government has made it forbidden for its citizens to travel within three miles of it. Visitors are viciously attacked by the Sentinelese with deadly spears and arrows. In fact, archers killed two fishermen who strayed onto the North Sentinel island in 2006. It's unclear why the Sentinelese aggressively refuse to interact with visitors who try to land on the island. However, the fact remains that they desire solitude.
Southeast of Tokyo, Japan, in the Philippine Sea is the volcanic island of Miyake-Jima. Volcanic emissions constantly pose a threat to its natural habitats. Mount Oyama, the mountain with the highest elevation on the island, is an active volcano that has occasionally erupted in the past. The most recent volcanic eruptions produced a continuous flow of poisonous sulphur vapours on the island for four years.
Every time there is a risky rise in the amount of toxic sulfuric gas in the air, alarms sound throughout the island. You will be required to carry a gas mask at all times if you are visiting this island. Miyake-Jima, also known as "the gas mask island," can suddenly become toxic, making it dangerous to visit.
Off the coast of San Francisco, California, the Farallon Islands are a collection of islands. The largest seabird colony, as well as numerous seal and whale species, large sharks, and other wildlife, can be found on the Farallon Islands. Its great white shark population is among the highest in the world, earning it the moniker "Devil's Teeth Islands." However, the Farallon Islands once supported human habitation in addition to seabirds and sharks. Approximately 48,000 drums of low-level radioactive waste were dumped in the sea surrounding the islands between 1946 and 1970, according to the US Geological Survey. Only a few conservation scientists had access to the Farallon, which was made completely inaccessible to the general public.
East of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean, Reunion is a small island with a diverse range of ecosystems. There are numerous bird species and a wide variety of marine life on this island. The Island is hazardous, though, because it is home to dangerous sharks. Numerous shark species, including whale sharks, blue sharks, bull sharks, tiger sharks, coral sharks, and many more, call it home. Nine tourists have died as a result of shark attacks on Reunion Island between 2010 and 2017. Swimming and surfing are not permitted near the Island because of this.
Ramree Island in Myanmar is home to the largest population of saltwater crocodiles, the largest reptiles in the world. The deadliest crocodile attack in recorded history happened on Ramree Island towards the end of World War II. Hundreds of Japanese soldiers who survived the battle met their doom when they chose to escape through the marshes that surrounded the island, where they were unfortunately killed in the crocodile-infested waters. According to the Guinness Book of Records, this was the Greatest Disaster Suffered by humans from animals. Ramree Islands is not the typical vacation spot you’re used to seeing…it is an absolute nightmare!
However, with the growing awareness of environmental issues and the impact of tourism on local communities, sustainable tourism has become a significant trend.
Join me as we delve into some of the most breathtaking and lesser-known destinations that should be on every adventurer's bucket list.