What Would You Bring to a Deserted Island?

What to Pack for a Deserted Island: Survey of 500 Travelers

We asked 500 island dreamers, survivalists, and armchair adventurers one of the most famous travel hypotheticals:

“You’re going to a deserted island, no internet, no electricity. You can only take three things. What would you bring?”

The answers poured in — practical, luxurious, hilarious, and sometimes completely outrageous. From machetes and water filters to yachts and celebrity crushes, the responses revealed just how differently people imagine island life.

We sorted through them all and discovered four clear personality types: The Survival Purists, The Clever Escape Artists, The Comfort-First Camp, and The Comedians. Here’s how the island packing list breaks down.

The Survival Purists (46%)

These are the people who’d rather craft a spear than sip champagne. Their focus: staying alive with the bare necessities.

Top picks in this group:

• Cutting tool (machete/knife/tomahawk) – chosen by 42% of all respondents.
• Fire starter (ferro rod, matches, lighter) – 38%.
• Water purification (filter, pot for boiling, solar still) – 31%.

The Clever Escape Artists (22%)

For these respondents, the island is a temporary inconvenience — their priority is getting back to civilization fast.

Most common items in this group:

• Satellite phone or emergency beacon – 19%.
• Boat, raft, or yacht – 15%.
• Navigation gear (GPS, compass, maps) – 12%.

The Comfort-First Camp (20%)

This group took the “deserted” part lightly. If they’re stuck, they might as well enjoy it.

Popular indulgences:

• Hammocks & luxury tents – 14%.
• Entertainment (books, sketchpads, guitars) – 12%.
• Food & drink treats (fried chicken, fine wine) – 10%.

The Comedians (12%)

Whether or not they survive is questionable, but they’ll have a good laugh trying.

Some responses were less about survival and more about making the question fun.

• The King – One person said they’d bring King Charles (at the time), knowing the world would launch a massive search party — and find them too.
• A Genie with Unlimited Wishes – Technically breaking the rules, but undeniably effective.
• Taylor Swift – No explanation offered.
• Monopoly – I will always win playing against myself.

‍Survey Insights

• Survival gear dominated the list — 68% of all items mentioned fell under tools, water, or fire-making equipment.
• Escape-focused picks were less common but tended to be high-tech or high-cost.
• Comfort seekers often mixed practical items with one “luxury” — a tarp plus a hammock, or a tent plus a coffee supply.
• Humor was its own survival strategy — because sometimes, laughter is as important as clean water.

The Balanced Packing List (Survey-Inspired)

If we had to create the ultimate deserted island kit based on our 500-person survey, it would look like this:

1. A versatile cutting tool (knife or machete)
2. A reliable fire starter
3. A water purification system

And if there’s room for a bonus? A hammock, because even survivalists deserve a nap in the shade.

Whether you’d pack a machete, a yacht, or a celebrity crush, this survey proves there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to island survival. But one thing’s certain — with the right mix of gear, grit, and maybe a little humor, you might just make those three months feel like the adventure of a lifetime.