Thrill Of The Unknown: Here Are The 12 Least Visited Destinations In The World

With more than 100 tiny islands scattered across the South Pacific, the country of Tuvalu has a population of fewer than 12,000 inhabitants. As it is known to be among the world’s most isolated countries, it is extremely inaccessible. But if you wish to visit this island nation, there is one international airport on the main island, Funafuti. From here, Fiji Airways flies twice a week.

The thinly populated atolls of this tiny island are fringed with palm trees and outlined with stark white sand. With its vast variety of marine life, Tuvalu is the ultimate diving and snorkelling vacation. You can spend a lazy afternoon in a hammock or explore inhabited islets or visit the historic WWII sites.

Straddling the equator, Kiribati is an island group in Micronesia with 33 atolls, covering a total area of only 811 km². All the main islands are in one of three groups: the Gilbert Islands, the Line Islands, and the Phoenix Islands. These isolated and inaccessible islands are dispersed over 3.5 million square kilometres. But due to this inaccessibility, the nation is extremely untouched and offers an adventure off the tourist trail. You can enjoy world-class fishing, have amazing and unique cultural experiences, and visit the historic sites and artefacts were one of the bloodiest battles of World War II.

The Marshall Islands comprise of a group of atolls, isolated islands and reefs in the Pacific Ocean, located just about half-way between Hawaii and Australia. The Island’s Enewetak Atoll and Bikini Atoll are former US nuclear test sites while Kwajalein, the famous World War II battleground, is now used as a US missile test range. The atolls are surrounded by at least 160 species of coral and are noted for coconut and papaya plantations.

The people here apart from being expert sea-faring people, like skilled fishermen and navigators, are also thoroughly multi-cultural. Because of the test sites, this expansive chain of volcanic islands is famous for spectacular scuba diving sites. Enjoy the sparkling turquoise waters, some of the most epically white beaches in the world, low crime and sunshine here at the Marshall Islands.

Niue is a tiny, very rocky island nation that is situated in the middle of South Pacific and is known for its limestone cliffs and coral-reef dive sites. 

Lying to the east of Tonga, this small island nation is surrounded by protective reefs and is known to be the first “Wi-Fi”’ nation, meaning it offers free wireless internet to all residents. Covering only 260 square kilometres and with around 1,000 inhabitants, Niue is one of the smallest countries in the world. Other than this tropical island’s beautiful beaches, caves, snorkelling spots and lagoons; you can also swim with the humpback whales that use Niue as a warm-water nursery, lolling close enough to the island. Nicknamed ‘The Rock’ (no, not Dwayne Johnson), Niue may be one of the biggest coral atoll islands in the world.

The Solomon Islands is South Pacific archipelago that comprises of 992 islands, though only 147 of them are inhabited. Stuck halfway between Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu, the former British colony played a crucial role in World War II. Today, this paradise island offers shipwreck dives, multicultural exchange, and breathtaking deep-jungle hikes alongside a 60-foot waterfall.

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Also called the ‘Kingdom of Tonga’ or the “Friendly Islands”, Tonga is an archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean. This Polynesian getaway is made up of more than 170 islands that offer white beaches and coral reefs, blankets of the steamy rainforest, and towering limestone cliffs. As many of the islands are uninhabited, the travellers can have an experience which is unpolished, gritty and unfailingly authentic.

The islands’ magnificent white sand beaches and stunning coral reefs are perfect playgrounds for snorkelling, diving, yachting and kayaking.

Wedged between Romania and Ukraine, sits this tiny eastern European country that is packed with charm. This landlocked country is surrounded by Romania to the southwest, and Ukraine to the northeast. Despite its lack of fame, Moldova is slowly being known for its bucolic countryside, superb wine tours, vast monasteries and ancient forests. 

Located in the heart of Europe, snuggled between Austria and Switzerland, the Principality of Liechtenstein is a tiny landlocked nation that should be on your bucket list! A German-speaking, 25km-long mountain principality with a population of some 37,000 people is one of the world’s tiniest and richest countries. Governed by an iron-willed monarch, peppered with mountainside castles, veined with skiing and hiking trails- Liechtenstein feels straight out of a storybook.

Floating in the ocean between Madagascar and Mozambique, Comoros is known for its stunning, lush jungles and beautiful beaches. Comprising of three islands: Grande Comore, Moheli and Anjouan, this nation is often called the “Perfume Isles,” the islands of Comoros have been cultivating aromatic plants for making scents since the French colonial era.

As it is one of the poorest nations in the world, the three islands inadequate transportation links, a young and rapidly increasing population, and few natural resources. In spite of lack of development, the islands offer warm seas, frolicking dolphins off the coast of Hahaya and deserted beaches.

Making up a nearly equatorial nation in West Africa’s Gulf of Guinea, the islands of São Tomé and Príncipe are located off the Atlantic coast of Central Africa. This two-island nation is packed with endemic plants and animals, and therefore a perfect destination for a nature-lover! One can start exploring this biodiversity hotspot by flying into the main island of São Tomé then continue by small plane to tiny Príncipe. The volcanic island is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and offers fantastic beaches, jungle exploration, snorkelling, fishing, birdwatching and a handful of interesting (if expensive) accommodations.

Having gained its independence from Indonesia in 2002, East Timor or Timor Leste is one of the youngest countries in the world. Lying northwest of Australia in the Lesser Sunda Islands at the eastern end of the Indonesian archipelago, it includes the eastern half of the island of Timor, the Oecussi (Ambeno) region on the northwest portion of the island of Timor and the small islands of Atauro and Jaco. Visit Timor Leste for its superb diving, ancient traditions, exotic adventures, wonderful examples of Portuguese architecture and stunning beachscapes.

Including approximately 607 islands, Federated States of Micronesia is a country in the western Pacific Ocean.  These islands and islets in the Caroline Islands archipelago are divided roughly along cultural and linguistic lines into the states of Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei, and Kosrae. While many of these islands are inhabited, they together add up to a mere 271 square miles of land (but spread across nearly 2.6 million square miles of water).

Visit this island nation for its palm-shaded beaches, wreck-filled dives, and ancient ruins, including Nan Madol (UNESCO World Heritage Site), sunken basalt temples and burial vaults that extend out of a lagoon on Pohnpei (the largest island on FSM).

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So where are you going next? Comment below and let us know which one of the Least Visited Destinations did you pick!