These are the most compelling chapters of maritime history. The remote islands
have silently witnessed them over centuries. Forgotten specks of land scatter across
the world’s oceans, preserving remarkable stories of shipwrecks, wartime tragedy,
and occasional piracy as documented.
From the Caribbean to the South Pacific, these 20 islands have histories that are so
fascinating they should not be forgotten.
Cocos Island, Costa Rica
This uninhabited island is 340 miles off Costa Rica’s Pacific coast and is home to the
documented history of the ‘Treasure of Lima.’ In 1821, Captain Bennett Graham
absconded with a huge collection of gold and jewels from Peru, allegedly burying it
on the island.
Cocos has been responsible for more than 20 verified shipwrecks around its treacherous reefs, adding to its historical significance.
Norman Island, British Virgin Islands
This Caribbean island inspired Robert Louis Stevenson’s ‘Treasure Island.’ Historical
records confirm that privateers used the island’s caves during the colonial period.
The waters around Norman Island contain several documented shipwrecks from the
18th and 19th centuries.
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Palmyra Atoll, Northern Pacific Ocean
A thousand miles south of Hawaii lies this remote atoll with a well-documented
history of maritime incidents. Several military vessels were lost on its treacherous
reefs during World War II.
The island gained notoriety in 1974 when sailors Malcolm and Eleanor Graham disappeared near its shores, a case that remains unsolved.
Île Saint Paul, Southern Indian Ocean
This volcanic island between Madagascar and Australia has witnessed numerous
recorded maritime tragedies. The 1853 wreck of the merchant vessel Meridian left
survivors stranded for months, and ship logs and rescue records document this
event.
The island’s abandoned fishing station and cemetery provide tangible evidence of its isolated history.
Saba Island, Caribbean Netherlands
Rising dramatically from the Caribbean Sea, this Dutch island earned the nickname
‘Unspoiled Queen.’ Historical records from the colonial period document numerous
shipwrecks along its challenging coastline.
The island’s maritime museum preserves artifacts from these verified accidents.
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Pitcairn Island, South Pacific
This isolated British territory, home to descendants of the HMS Bounty mutineers,
has a well-documented maritime history. The 1875 wreck of the HMS Cornwallis is
among several verified shipwrecks around the island.
Archaeological evidence confirms early Polynesian settlement and seafaring activity.
Monuriki Island, Fiji
This pristine Pacific island gained fame as the filming location for ‘Cast Away.’ The
surrounding waters contain multiple documented World War II wrecks, including a
verified Japanese submarine.
Archaeological studies have revealed evidence of early Polynesian settlement.
Isla de la Juventud, Cuba
Formerly known as the Isle of Pines, this Cuban island has a documented history of
colonial maritime activity. The infamous Presidio Modelo prison later housed Fidel
Castro.
Marine archaeology has identified several Spanish colonial-era shipwrecks in surrounding waters.
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Kokomo Island, Philippines
This strategic island in the Sulu Sea has a verified role in World War II. Japanese
forces built a submarine base here, and their military installations were documented.
Wartime wrecks have been found in surrounding waters through marine surveys.
Hashima Island, Japan
This abandoned industrial island off the coast of Nagasaki has a verified story of
Japan’s industrial age. Official records exist that detail its history as a coal mining
community that peaked in population at 5,259 people in 1959.
The waters around the island are confirmed to have wartime shipwrecks from World War II. The island was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2015 as a testament to Japan’s Meiji era industrialization.
Tromelin Island, Indian Ocean
This tiny French territory preserves the documented tragedy of the slave ship
L’Utile’s 1761 wreck. Historical records confirm survivors lived on the island for 15
years before rescue.
Archaeological excavations continue to uncover artifacts from this period.
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San Blas Islands, Panama
This archipelago of 365 islands is historically significant along Spanish trade routes.
The Indigenous Kuna people maintain documented oral histories of colonial
encounters, and marine archaeology has identified numerous colonial-era
shipwrecks in local waters.
Isle Royale, Michigan
More than 25 shipwrecks have been documented in the icy waters of this remote
Lake Superior island. Other records include the operation of copper mines and
lighthouses.
Such extreme conditions preserved these wrecks, making them valuable for maritime research.
Flores Island, Indonesia
This island holds much historical importance in ancient maritime trading routes.
Historical documents exist that record the struggle of Dutch traders and local
kingdoms.
Marine surveys found many historically important shipwrecks. In 2003, fossils of Homo floresiensis were found, and this gives another layer of historical importance to this amazing island.
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Antipodes Islands, New Zealand
These subantarctic islands have a verified history of maritime disasters. The 1893
wreck of the Spirit of Dawn is thoroughly documented, including accounts of
survivors’ months-long ordeal.
Weather records explain the islands’ continuing navigational challenges.
Île aux Marins, Saint Pierre and Miquelon
This French island off Newfoundland preserves documented fishing industry
tragedies. The maritime museum houses verified artifacts and records from centuries
of North Atlantic seafaring, and official records detail numerous historical shipwrecks.
Socotra Island, Yemen
This unique island appears in ancient Greek trading records as a source of
frankincense and dragon’s blood resin. Archaeological evidence confirms centuries
of maritime trade activity, and historical documents detail its role in Indian Ocean
commerce.
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Coiba Island, Panama
This massive Pacific island was a documented penal colony from 1919 to 2004,
housing Panama’s most dangerous criminals. Archaeological studies have
uncovered evidence of pre-colonial settlement dating back over 2,000 years, and
marine surveys have identified multiple shipwrecks from various historical periods.
The island’s isolation helped preserve one of the largest Pacific Mesoamerican coral
reefs, leading to its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2005.
Deal Island, Tasmania
Australian maritime records document numerous shipwrecks around this remote
island. The historic lighthouse, established in 1848, maintains detailed records of
rescue operations.
Marine archaeology confirms the presence of multiple colonial- era shipwrecks.
Bell Island, Newfoundland
This Canadian island’s waters contain verified evidence of World War II naval
warfare. Official records document German U-boat attacks on iron ore ships,
resulting in several known wrecks.
The unique underwater landscape includes submerged mine shafts.
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Maritime Mysteries Await Further Study
These islands are tangible representations of maritime history, from documented
shipwrecks to war activities. Although research is continually being done and new
details are discovered about their past, these distant places provide humanity with
valuable information about their relationship to the sea.
Modern archaeological techniques and historical research reveal additional chapters in their fascinating maritime histories.
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