The Pacific Ocean holds countless secrets beneath its vast expanse, but perhaps
none are more intriguing than its abandoned islands. These forgotten patches of
paradise tell stories of wartime operations, failed colonies, and nature’s fierce
reclamation of human settlements.
For the intrepid explorer seeking something truly off the beaten path, these 20
remarkable abandoned islands offer adventure, mystery, and unparalleled
opportunities for discovery.
Hashima Island, Japan
Located 9 miles off the coast of Nagasaki, this former coal mining facility once
housed over 5,000 residents in its concrete jungle of apartment blocks and industrial
facilities. The island’s distinctive battleship-like silhouette earned it the nickname
‘Gunkanjima’ (Battleship Island).
Since its abandonment in 1974, the urban ruins have been a haunting testament to Japan’s rapid industrialization.
Palmyra Atoll, USA
This remote U.S. territory, located 1,000 miles south of Hawaii, has a dark history of
mysterious deaths and failed colonization attempts. The atoll’s dense vegetation now
covers the remnants of a WWII naval base, while its surrounding waters teem with
some of the most pristine coral reefs in the world.
Today, only a handful of scientists occasionally visit this eerie paradise.
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Kiska Island, Alaska
This windswept Aleutian island bears the scars of WWII, with Japanese bunkers and
artillery pieces slowly rusting into the tundra. Located 1,200 miles from Anchorage,
Kiska’s abandoned military installations provide a stark reminder of the war’s reach
into the North Pacific.
The island’s harsh climate and remote location have preserved these historical remains in remarkable detail.
Corregidor Island, Philippines
Though not completely abandoned, large sections of this fortress island have
remained untouched since WWII. The island’s extensive network of tunnels, gun
batteries, and crumbling barracks spans nearly 2 square miles.
Nature has reclaimed much of the infrastructure, creating an atmospheric blend of military history and jungle growth.
Banaba Island, Kiribati
Once a thriving phosphate mining center, this raised coral island now stands largely
deserted. The mining operations left behind a moonscape of limestone pinnacles
and abandoned industrial equipment.
Despite its remote location 185 miles from the nearest inhabited island, many residents maintain a tenuous presence among the ruins.
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Baker Island, USA
This uninhabited atoll halfway between Hawaii and Australia holds the remnants of
failed American colonization attempts from the 1930s. The 1.4 square mile island
features the ruins of a WWII-era airfield and a defunct weather station.
Its isolation and lack of fresh water have thwarted all attempts at permanent settlement.
Marcus Island, Japan
Known locally as Minami-Tori-Shima, this isolated volcanic island contains
abandoned military installations from WWII. The island’s former runway and
defensive positions lie slowly decaying under tropical vegetation.
Although Tokyo technically administers the island, it remains uninhabited except for occasional weather station staff.
Wake Island, USA
This strategic atoll’s abandoned airfields and bunkers tell the story of multiple military
conflicts. The island’s critical location led to its development as a trans-Pacific
aviation facility, though it maintains only a minimal military presence today.
Most of its war-era structures stand empty, slowly succumbing to the elements.
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Howland Island, USA
Famous as Amelia Earhart’s intended refueling stop, this tiny coral island is 1.5 miles
long and bears the ruins of attempted settlements and a never-completed airstrip. It
remains one of the most isolated spots in the Pacific, with crumbling structures from
the 1930s colonial period still visible among the bird colonies.
Urup Island, Russia
This rugged member of the Kuril chain contains abandoned Soviet-era military
installations and weather stations. The 75-mile-long island’s harsh climate and
remote location have preserved its Ghost town-like settlements.
Volcanic activity and challenging weather conditions have prevented any attempts at resettlement.
Johnston Atoll, USA
Once a bustling military base and chemical weapons storage facility, this remote atoll
now stands largely abandoned. The remains of Cold War-era structures dot the
landscape, while former runways slowly crack under tropical vegetation.
Despite environmental cleanup efforts, much of the infrastructure remains in place.
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Roi-Namur, Marshall Islands
Part of Kwajalein Atoll, this former Japanese stronghold contains extensive WWII
fortifications among modern missile testing facilities. Many original bunkers and gun
positions have remained untouched since the war.
The island’s strategic location continues to influence its limited development and restricted access.
Aguijan Island, Northern Mariana Islands
This small limestone island holds the deteriorating remnants of Japanese sugarcane
plantations and military positions. The 7-square-mile island’s cliffs and lack of safe
harbors have prevented rehabilitation since WWII.
Native forest has reclaimed most of the agricultural areas and military installations.
Nauru Island, Republic of Nauru
While not entirely abandoned, large sections of this former phosphate mining center
lie deserted. The island’s interior resembles a lunar landscape of limestone spires
and abandoned industrial equipment.
Despite its current inhabitants, much of the 8- square-mile island remains an industrial ghost town.
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Bikini Atoll, Marshall Islands
Site of numerous nuclear tests, this former paradise remains uninhabited mainly due
to lingering radiation concerns. The atoll’s lagoon contains multiple shipwrecks from
Operation Crossroads, while abandoned monitoring stations dot the islands.
Limited tourism allows visitors to explore its atomic legacy safely.
Ebeye Island, Marshall Islands
Adjacent to the active Kwajalein military base, portions of this densely populated
island contain abandoned WWII installations. Japanese bunkers and gun positions
lie hidden among modern developments.
The island’s complex history of military occupation has left numerous historical sites in varying states of decay.
Agrihan Island, Northern Mariana Islands
This volcanic island’s abandoned villages and agricultural terraces tell the story of
multiple evacuations. The 33-square-mile island’s active volcano has repeatedly
forced residents to relocate.
Nature has reclaimed most human structures, though some maintained trails allow adventurous visitors to explore.
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Teraina Island, Kiribati
Once known as Washington Island, this remote coral atoll is located 1,000 miles
south of Hawaii in the Line Islands chain. The island’s failed coconut plantations and
abandoned copra processing facilities testify to colonial agricultural ambitions.
Despite occasional research visits, its former settlements remain largely untouched
since their abandonment in the 1970s.
Malden Island, Kiribati
Located in the remote Central Pacific, this uninhabited atoll contains mysterious
ancient ruins alongside remnants of British nuclear testing facilities. The island’s
prehistoric stone structures suggest a once-thriving Polynesian settlement, while
abandoned buildings from the 1950s nuclear testing era decay in the tropical sun.
Its 11 square miles of land remain untouched except for occasional scientific
expeditions.
Jarvis Island, USA
This unincorporated U.S. territory sits along the equator, holding the ruins of failed
guano mining operations and abandoned military outposts. The island’s former
airstrip and weather station, constructed in the 1930s, lie buried beneath decades of
bird droppings and salt spray.
Despite its protected status as a wildlife refuge, remnants of human habitation still dot this 1.6-square-mile coral island.
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Pacific Exploration
These abandoned Pacific islands offer invaluable glimpses into humanity’s attempts
to tame remote ocean outposts. While each tells its unique story of abandonment,
they share common themes of isolation, strategic importance, and nature’s persistent
reclamation of human spaces.
For those willing to venture far from traditional tourist destinations, these forgotten
islands provide unparalleled opportunities to explore history in its rawest form.
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