Forbidden Islands You'll Never Be Allowed to Visit

🏝️ 10 Forbidden Islands You’re Not Allowed to Visit – And Why

Some islands are more than just remote—they're completely off-limits. Whether they're sacred, secret, dangerous, or home to isolated communities, these forbidden islands are protected by law, nature, or culture. Get ready to explore the stories behind 10 islands you’ll likely never be allowed to set foot on.

1. 🐍 Snake Island, Brazil

Ilha da Queimada Grande

About 21 miles off the coast of São Paulo lies an island overrun with golden lancehead vipers, some of the deadliest snakes on Earth. With roughly one snake per 11 square feet, this lush island is a real-life nightmare.

The Brazilian Navy strictly prohibits visitors from stepping ashore. Scientists sometimes go—under special permit—but for everyone else, Snake Island remains a deadly no-go zone. You don't want your tropical getaway to turn venomous.

2. 🌋 Surtsey Island, Iceland

Formed by a volcanic eruption in 1963, Surtsey is a natural laboratory used to study how ecosystems evolve from scratch. Over the decades, scientists have documented the island’s slow transformation—from barren lava rock to a thriving biosphere.

To preserve its pristine, untouched environment, Surtsey is entirely off-limits to the public. No tourists, no guided hikes—just science in isolation.

3. 🏹 North Sentinel Island, India

Part of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, North Sentinel is home to the Sentinelese, one of the last uncontacted tribes on Earth. They’ve violently resisted any attempt at outside contact and are protected under Indian law.

The island is surrounded by a 5-mile exclusion zone patrolled by the Indian Navy. Past encounters have ended in tragedy, including the death of a missionary in 2018. This island isn’t just forbidden—it’s a matter of survival for both the Sentinelese and potential visitors.

4. 🌴 Niʻihau, Hawaii, USA

Just 17 miles from Kauai, Niʻihau is often called the “Forbidden Island.” Privately owned by the Robinson family since 1864, it’s home to a tight-knit community that lives off-grid—no roads, internet, or outside interference.

Only invited guests, government officials, or military personnel are allowed to visit. With a population of under 200, the island remains a rare snapshot of traditional Hawaiian life, fiercely protected from tourism.

5. 🧟‍♀️ Poveglia Island, Italy

This abandoned island in the Venetian Lagoon once served as a plague quarantine zone and later, a mental asylum. Thousands reportedly died here, and it’s considered one of the most haunted places in Europe.

Italy has banned all public access due to both safety concerns and the potential presence of historical pathogens in the soil. Even ghost hunters have to keep their distance.

6. 🐵 Morgan Island, USA (Monkey Island)

Off the coast of South Carolina, Morgan Island is inhabited by over 3,500 Rhesus monkeys, relocated from Puerto Rico in the late 1970s due to disease control issues.

Today, the island serves as a biomedical research colony operated by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. No public access is allowed, and even researchers must follow strict quarantine procedures. No monkey selfies here—this is strictly science.

7. ❄️ Heard Island, Australia

Situated in the remote Indian Ocean, Heard Island is one of the most isolated and inhospitable islands on Earth. It features active volcanoes, massive glaciers, and zero permanent human presence.

The island is legally protected by Australia, and access is granted only to scientific expeditions. With fierce winds, sub-Antarctic temperatures, and a fragile ecosystem, Heard Island is as untouchable as it is wild.

8. 💀 Pluto's Gate Island Theory, Turkey

While Pluto’s Gate itself is located on mainland Turkey, some ancient accounts suggest nearby coastal islands may have also been used in deadly rituals dedicated to Pluto, the god of the underworld.

These locations are now closed off—not for mythology’s sake, but because of real danger. Carbon dioxide emissions from underground fissures create a lethal atmosphere. Whether sacred or scientific, these spaces remain off-limits.

9. 💘 Heart Reef, Australia

This iconic heart-shaped coral formation lies within Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. Once a bucket-list snorkeling destination, it was closed to the public to prevent irreversible damage from tourism.

Today, the only way to see Heart Reef is from the sky—by helicopter or small aircraft. Diving or swimming near it is strictly prohibited, a reminder that love for nature sometimes means leaving it alone.

10. 🔥 Pagan Island, Northern Mariana Islands (U.S. Territory)

An honorable mention: Pagan Island, one of the Northern Mariana Islands, has been abandoned since a volcanic eruption in 1981, yet remains officially part of U.S. territory.

The island is not legally off-limits, but due to frequent volcanic activity, visiting is strongly discouraged and usually requires government permission. The U.S. military has proposed converting it into a live-fire training zone, which would permanently ban public access.

🌺 Still Dreaming of Forbidden Paradise?

From sacred tribal sanctuaries and toxic volcanic cradles to snake-infested shores and haunted ruins, these islands are locked away for a reason. Whether it's to protect nature, preserve culture, or prevent disaster, these forbidden islands remain untouched—and perhaps that’s exactly how it should be.

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