In 1989, Italian schoolteacher Mauro Morandi was sailing between Corsica and Sardinia when the engine of his catamaran gave up. He washed up on the shores of Budelli—an island that had gone from hosting thousands of tourists a day to being placed under environmental protection.
When Morandi showed up, the only inhabitant was the island’s caretaker who was preparing to retire. Morandi took the job and has been living the hermit life on pink-sand Budelli ever since.
Also, Morandi made headlines—not only for being in one of the last corners of Italy that’s coronavirus-free… but for being an expert in self-isolation. Living in a former World War II shelter, he spends his days clearing the shores of washed-up plastic, maintaining the pathways, and collecting driftwood that he crafts into sculptures and furniture which he sells to visitors. (That’s way more than I’ve managed to achieve in any of my lockdown days.) Reading and meditation are part of Morandi’s daily life… as is a little time on Instagram where he shares images of his natural surroundings with more than 45,000 followers.
Although it does hold some appeal, most of us probably wouldn’t want to live the hermit life full time. The islands we’ll look at today offer an escape from the fast pace of modern life… but with neighbors and entertainment in easy reach…
In some of these places, you’d be close enough to a big city that it would be easy to stay full time and enjoy a comfortable, active life. Others make for an ideal investment property or vacation escape.
Of course, if you’re an artist or writer, the full-time hermit life is always an option…
Faial Island, Portugal
Nine islands make up the Azores archipelago—an autonomous part of Portugal that lies in the Atlantic Ocean. Faial Island, with a population of 15,000, has a dramatic volcanic landscape, sandy beaches, and is a popular yachting destination. Faial is considered to have the best beaches in Azores.
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Isla Taboga, Panama
Only 20 kilometers offshore from Panama City, Taboga could almost qualify as one of its neighborhoods. It’s close enough that you can enjoy the conveniences of the capital, but far away enough that you’re removed from its chaos. Taboga is home to about 1,300 inhabitants: Native Taboganos of mixed origin, Panamanians from the mainland, and about 300 expats (mostly made up of British, Canadians, and Americans).
Caye Caulker, Belize
“Go slow. We have two cemeteries and no hospital” reads a sign on Caye Caulker—the second largest of the Belizean cayes. The island lies 21 miles northeast of Belize City and 11 miles south of better-known Ambergris Caye.
Caulker has retained more of the traditional island flavor than Ambergris. Development is slower here and seems to attract a more laid-back type of tourist and resident.
Isla Mujeres, Mexico
Just 13 kilometeres off the coast of Cancún lies the Caribbean island of Isla Mujeres. The best beaches are in the north—the rest of the island shores are mostly rocky, though popular with surfers, snorkelers, and divers. That said, at just over 4 square kilometres, the island is small enough that you’re never too far from anything. At the southern tip, you’ll find a lighthouse, the ruins of a Mayan temple, and a sea turtle sanctuary. Isla Mujeres is easily accessible from Cancún via high-speed ferry.
Itamaracá, Brazil
A laid-back island off the coast of Pernambuco in northeast Brazil, Itamaracá boasts miles of sandy beaches, a small, attractive colonial town, and stunning turquoise waters.
The beaches are soft-sand, and the waters are warm and calm thanks to a nearby offshore reef that protects the island from the open sea. Covering just under 70 square kilometers, Itamaracá is a popular weekend and vacation destination for mainlanders.
Santorini, Greece
One of the most romantic destinations in Europe—if not the world—Santorini is a draw for couples of all ages and a favorite wedding location. Santorini is made up of a group of five islands, all of which are part of an active volcano. What the islands lack in powder sand (beaches here are a mix of volcanic sand and pebbles), they make up for in their stunning volcanic landscapes surrounded by the clear waters of the Aegean.
Hvar, Croatia
Out of Croatia’s 1,200 islands, Hvar is known to locals as the country’s “premier island.” But it receives plenty of outside praise, too—both Condé Nast and Forbes ranked Hvar on their respective lists of the top 10 most beautiful islands in the world. Its natural beauty is undeniable—pristine sea (some say the cleanest in Europe), dramatic slopes of vineyard terraces, pre-historic caves, narrow stone streets, historic churches, castles, ruins, a UNESCO site—all in a setting of grapes, olives, lavender, and breathtaking hills and coastline.
Koh Lanta, Thailand
Renowned for its diving and snorkeling, the island of Koh Lanta is located just off the coast of Krabi in southwest Thailand. It has a long coastline with more than a dozen powder-sand beaches, so there’s plenty of room on the sand even in high season.
The cosmopolitan area of Long Beach has a 5-kilometer beach and choice of bars, restaurants, and shops.
Menorca, Spain
Worldwide, it’s the lesser known of the three main Balearic Islands. But little Menorca sees its fair share of European visitors—the United Kingdom and Spain making up the bulk of the numbers. Declared a Unesco Biosphere Reserve in 1993, it’s a natural paradise… and boasts both prehistoric formations and Roman archaeological sites.
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