An Australian territory, in the Indian Ocean, Christmas Island has become famous for the migration of red crabs from the land to the sea. Each year, following the first rainfall of the wet season (October/November) millions of the large crabs emerge from the forest interior of the island and make their way to the ocean to breed.
Initially an offshore military fortification, Alcatraz became widely known for being the ultimate maximum security prison, it’s most notorious “guest” the gangster Al Capone.
Closed as a prison in 1963, Alcatraz is now a tourist attraction with boats departing regularly from Pier 33 in San Francisco. As well as the prison, it is possible to see rare flowers and plants, roosting seabirds and Civil War-era buildings.
Although often thought of as one large tropical island, Zanzibar is actually an archipelago of more than 40 separate islands, around 20 miles off the shore of mainland Tanzania.
As well as gorgeous white sandy beaches fringed with shady palm trees, the old quarter of the capital, Stone Town, has ben designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Amongst the maze of cobbled streets, you will find markets, bazaars, a large catholic church, colonial-style houses and authentic Persian baths.
Baffin Island is not only Canada’s largest island, it is also the fifth largest island in the world! The island has a vast and wild landscape that is home to the world’s highest vertical cliffs at 1250 metres.
Sirmilik National Park on Baffin Island has become known as the “Yosemite of the North”, and is a good location for spotting polar bears, snowy owls and the unique narwhal.
Surrounded by water, Australia is often referred to as an island continent. However, there are thousands of fringing islands dotted about the Indian, Pacific and Southern Oceans, and the Coral and Timor Seas. Many are no more than islets, though others are over 1,000 square miles in size.
Australia’s three largest islands are Tasmania, Melville Island in the Northern Territory, and Kangaroo Island just off the coast of South Australia.
As Koh is Thai for island, it would be wrong to refer to “Koh Samui Island”. In fact locals often refer to the island as just “Samui”, on its own.
As well as beautiful beaches, Koh Samui has several ornate temples, including Wat Phra Yai, more commonly known as the Big Buddha Temple, that is home to a stunning 12 metre tall golden Buddha.
Encompassing more than 140 subtropical islands, New Zealand’s Bay of Islands, is known for its stunning beauty and cultural significance. For those that love untouched beaches and activities on the water it’s a ‘must-visit’.
Around a three hour drive (or a short flight) north of Auckland, the Bay of Islands offers a great opportunity to spot an abundance of wildlife, including dolphins, penguins, marlin and whales.
Although a transit point for trade between Africa and Asia, the islands of the Seychelles were largely uninhabited for most of recorded history; although it is thought they may have been used as a staging post by pirates.
Today’s residents of the Seychelles (Seychellois) are descendants of immigrants, creating a fusion of cultures, including African, Asian and European.
The Seychelles is an archipelago of 115 different islands in the Indian Ocean, fringed by golden sandy beaches and colourful coral reefs.
As well as several coral atolls and numerous small islets, Hawaii is made up of eight different major islands in the North Pacific, called Maui, Hawaii (Big Island), O’ahu, Kauai, Molokai, Lanai, Ni’ihau and Kaho’olawe.
Although not the largest island (that is Hawaii) the island of O’ahu is home to the most people and well known places, including Honolulu, Waikiki Beach and Pearl Harbour.
A rugged and lush forested island in the Malay Archipelago, the island of Borneo is a territory shared between Malaysia, Indonesia and the nation state of Brunei.
Borneo is well known for its remote sandy beaches and a hugely biodiverse rainforest that is home to unique wildlife, including orangutans, proboscis monkies and clouded leopards.
1 to 3 – Like a burgeoning coral reef, your knowledge grows by the day
4 to 7 – Like the beautiful islets of an atoll, your knowledge is almost complete
8 to 10 – Like a tropical escape in the midst of the ocean, your knowledge is out there on its own
1 to 3 – Like a burgeoning coral reef, your knowledge grows by the day
4 to 7 – Like the beautiful islets of an atoll, your knowledge is almost complete
8 to 10 – Like a tropical escape in the midst of the ocean, your knowledge is out there on its own
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