These Are 12 of the Most Dangerous Islands in the World—Perfect for the Brave (or Just the Curious)

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To many people, island hopping is a dream come true. It usually promises sunny skies, soft sand beaches, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and plenty of fun. However, what would you say if we told you that some idyllic-looking islands hide secrets that make them deadly to visitors?

That’s precisely what we’re going to talk about today. While many of the world’s islands offer paradise, others offer danger and death. To learn more, we’ve compiled a list of the 12 most dangerous islands in the world.

Expect life-threatening natural disasters, deadly uncontacted tribes, frightening wildlife, and much more. Stick around to learn more.

Ilha da Queimada, Brazil

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Let’s start with Ilha da Queimada, more famously known as Snake Island. It sits approximately 21 miles (33 kilometers) off the coast of São Paulo, mainland Brazil, in the Atlantic Ocean. Despite covering only 106 acres (43 hectares), the island is famed for its large population of venomous snakes.

Legend states that between 2,000 and 4,000 highly venomous Golden Lancehead Vipers live on the isle. The Golden Lancehead Viper is one of the world’s most venomous snakes, making Ilha da Queimada one of the world’s most deadly islands. As such, the Brazilian Navy has banned all civilians from visiting, and only a few researchers are granted entry.

Komodo Island, Indonesia

For the most part, Indonesia’s islands are tropical paradises with long sandy beaches, turquoise waters, and breathtaking 5-star resorts. However, some islands are home to severe dangers, none more so than Komodo. Komodo, part of the Lesser Sunda chain of Indonesian Islands, is home to over 4,000 Komodo dragons.

The fierce Komodo dragon is the world’s largest and most aggressive lizard. Despite growing to lengths of 10 feet (3 meters) and weighing up to 200 lbs (91kg), it’s also surprisingly agile.

Worse yet, it has razor-sharp teeth and venomous saliva. While uncommon, Komodo dragons have been known to attack humans, so it’s best to give them distance if you visit Komodo.

North Sentinel Island, India

North Sentinel Island, one of the Andaman Islands in the Bay of Bengal, is one of the world’s most dangerous isles for a different reason. It is home to the native Sentinelese people, an uncontacted tribe who remain uninfluenced by the modern world. Yep, believe it or not, some people live without Facebook and X.

Very little is known about life on the island, but we know how much the Sentinelese hate visitors. They are known to attack visitors with spears and arrows if they dare come too close.

Furthermore, the Sentinelese are more vulnerable to disease due to the lack of modern medicine. Therefore, nobody can travel within five nautical miles (9.3 kilometers) of the island.

Whakaari, New Zealand

Whakaari, or White Island in English, is a volcanic island in the Bay of Plenty, approximately 30 miles (48 kilometers) from the east coast of North Island in New Zealand. It spans roughly 803 acres (325 hectares) of rugged volcanic terrain, with rugged cliffs rising more than 1,000 feet (304 meters) from the sea.

As you approach, you’ll be greeted by an impressive rugged landscape and smoke billowing out of the center. You can see the peak of an enormous stratovolcano that is mostly submerged. For obvious reasons, the main danger here is a volcanic eruption. Sadly, one such eruption in 2019 killed 22 tourists.

Farallon Islands, United States

The Farallon Islands, also called Farollone, are a group of rocky islesand sea stacks in the Gulf of Farallones, 30 miles (48 kilometers) off the coast of San Francisco, California, in the United States. These remote isles are dangerous for multiple reasons. Firstly, they are nicknamed the “Devil’s Teeth Islands” due to their treacherous underwater shoals, which are renowned for sinking ships.

Secondly, between 1946 and 1970, the sea around the Farallon Islands was a dumping ground for radioactive waste. Finally, the waters around them are also home to a large population of Great White Shark.

With that in mind, it’s probably best not to go for a swim. Tourists can’t set foot on the isles but can visit on a boat tour.

Miyake-Jima, Japan

The next island on our list is Miyake-Jima, a volcanic island in the Izu archipelago approximately 111 miles (180 kilometers) southeast of Tokyo, the Japanese capital, in the Philippine Sea. The volcano frequently releases dangerous levels of sulphuric gas into the air, making it one of the world’s most dangerous isles.

For many years, Miyake-Jima was called “Gas Mask Island” because the residents were required to carry gas masks around at all times. When the levels of sulphuric gas reached toxic levels, a siren would blast across the isle, informing residents to put their masks on. Unsurprisingly, only a few thousand people still live on the island.

Poveglia Island, Italy

When most people think about Venice, they picture breathtaking pastel-colored architecture, picturesque canals, and romantic boat trips. However, just a short boat ride away from the city in the Venetian Lagoon lies an isle with a dark and dangerous past. From 1776, Poveglia Island was used as a quarantine station to treat plague victims.

Later, it was also used as an asylum, where it’s believed thousands of patients were tortured and treated with experimental methods, such as lobotomy. It’s reported up to 160,000 people died on the island. Rather, unsurprisingly, many people believe the it is haunted. After falling into decay and ruin, it also poses physical dangers to anyone who dares visit.

Saba Island, Caribbean

Saba Island is a municipality of the Netherlands in the Caribbean’s Lesser Antilles chain. Measuring just five square miles (13 square kilometers), it’s renowned for its welcoming community, stunning scenery, and exceptional diving spots. However, its position in the hurricane belt also makes it a dangerous place to live. Admittedly, severe storms are uncommon, but they do occur occasionally.

When the isle is hit with a devastating storm, the lives of residents and visitors are put at risk. In 2017, it was struck by two hurricanes in quick succession. Winds up to 156 mph (251 kph) caused catastrophic damage. Houses were torn apart, sections of rainforest fell, and landslides destroyed parts of the landscape.

Bikini Atoll, Marshall Islands

Bikini Atoll, also known as Eschscholtz Atoll, is a vast coral reef in the Marshall Islands consisting of 23 islands and a 229-square-mile (594-square-kilometer) central lagoon. Despite the outstanding natural beauty, Bikini Atoll is among the world’s most dangerous. The area is famed for being the site of over 20 nuclear tests.

The United States conducted these tests between 1946 and 1958. In 1954, it became one of the only places worldwide where a nuclear bomb was detonated.

Quite terrifyingly, the nuclear bomb was a thousand times more powerful than the atomic bombs dropped in Nagasaki and Hiroshima during World War II. As a result, the isle remains uninhabitable due to high radiation levels.

Anak Krakatau, Indonesia

When the world-famous Krakatau volcano erupted in 1883, explosions were heard 2,800 miles (4,506 kilometers) away in Australia. The aftermath saw ash plumes projected 50 miles (80 kilometers) into the air, a change in global temperatures, and the triggering of tsunamis. The explosive eruption also saw the emergence of a new caldera called Anak Krakatoa.

Anak Krakatoa is an incredibly volcanic island with the potential to cause severe damage. It’s only approximately 100 miles (161 kilometers) from Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, where over 11 million people live. Tourists can visit and hike up the volcano’s slopes despite the potential dangers.

Bougainville Island, Papua New Guinea

Bougainville Island is only small, but it’s experienced its fair share of trouble. Situated in the Solomon Islands archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, it has a long history of war and violence. Over many years, various countries, including Germany, Japan, and Australia, have occupied the isle. Today, it is part of Papua New Guinea.

A civil war broke out in 1988 despite the island fighting for independence. As a result, thousands of civilians and soldiers lost their lives. In 2001, a peace agreement was signed, but tensions are still high. Therefore, tourists from across the globe are advised not to travel to the isle due to the risk of further civil unrest.

Réunion Island, France

12 Most Dangerous Islands in the World Réunion Island, France — © Balate Dorin / Adobe Stock

Réunion Island is a French-owned island in the Indian Ocean. This picturesque isle is well-known for its lush rainforest, rugged volcanic landscape, pristine beaches, and magnificent coral reefs. However, it’s not where you want to plan a reunion with your friends, especially if you want to go swimming.

In the last decade, the shark population has risen dramatically. As a result, the number of shark attacks started to climb. In 2013, a ban on all open-water swimming and surfing was implemented to prevent further attacks. Now, people can only swim and surf in certain supervised areas. If you break the rules, you’ll be subject to a fine.