12 Beautiful But Scary Abandoned Islands in the World
There are many beautiful islands once inhabited by a large number of people. However, people don’t come to those islands anymore because of different reasons. The cause may be dangerous creatures, natural disasters, wars, epidemics, etc. For any reason, they are now the scary abandoned islands in the world that people rarely visit.
1. Ilha Da Queimada Grande or Snake Island – Brazil
There were inhabitants on the island before. Indeed, the settlers had made efforts to create a banana plantation but failed. Later, Brazilian authorities banned people from visiting the island because of the appearance of too many extremely poisonous Golden Lancehead Viper. As a result, it has become a famous abandoned place since 1920. Now people know about this place as Snake Island in Brazil.
2. Houtouwan, Zhoushan – China
Houtouwan on Gouqi Island used to have more than 2,000 people living there, mainly fishermen. In the early 1990s, the remote village had many problems related to the development of industries such as light industry, shipbuilding, and tourism. As a result, locals leave the island and migrate to other places. A while later, mother nature swallowed up the whole island, making it one of the creepiest abandoned places in the world.
3. Baljenac – Croatia
Like a fingerprint from the air, the island of Baljenac has 23 km of dry stone walls known as “Suhozid“. Actually, for hundreds of years, the inhabitants of the nearby island of Kaprije have used Baljenac for agriculture. They built walls to divide crops and protect them from the wind. From the aerial view, Baljenac is truly among the scary abandoned islands in the world.
4. Spinalonga, Crete – Greece
The Venetians built fortifications on Spinalonga island in the late 16th century to protect trade routes from pirates and the Ottoman Empire. From 1903-1957, the island was the place of exile of the leper. Then, it has been abandoned to this day.
5. Ellidaey – Iceland
The island was inhabited until 1930. In the past, the small community on Ellidaey Island lived by fishing and raising cattle. As life gets harder and harder than on land, they decide to leave. The large white building in the pic was built in 1953 as a resting place for hunters.
6. Middle Ground Coastal Battery – India
This island is located near the port of Mumbai. It was built by the British East India Company in 1682 to fight pirates. During World War 2, the island was also supplemented with many anti-aircraft artillery and combat weapons. Today, the island is controlled by the Indian Navy.
7. Gaiola – Italy
Gaiola’s location is only a few meters from the city’s shores. According to the inhabitants of Naples, the island of Gaiola has been cursed. Indeed, this rumor was obtained after the tragedy of the island owner’s family, causing many family members to lose their lives.
8. La Isla De Las Munecas or the “Island of the Dead Dolls” – Mexico
As one of the extremely scary abandoned islands, it is also known as the “Island of the Dead Dolls“. In fact, this is an artificial island built near Laguna de Teshuilo, Mexico. Starting in 1950, thousands of dolls were hung on the tree by the owner of the island, Julian Santana Barrera, to ward off the spirit of a young girl who died nearby.
9. Mamula – Montenegro
On the island of Mamula, there is an abandoned fortress built in 1853 by the Austro-Hungarian general, Lazarus von Mamula, for the purpose of protecting the Bay of Kotor (Southeastern Montenegro). During World War II, the fort was used as a place to hold prisoners of war by Benito Mussolini.
10. Fort Alexander – Russia
Built-in 1838-1845 on an artificial island in the Gulf of Finland, this fortress was tasked with protecting St Petersburg and the port of Kronstadt. In 1899, it became a laboratory for the study of plaque and bacteria. Nevertheless, the deaths of two workers caused the place to close completely.
11. Gemiler – Turkey
Archaeologists believe that the remains of the first Christian bishop – St Nicholas – were laid to rest on Gemiler island in 326. However, the island had to withstand many attacks from the Arabs so the saint’s remains were brought to the mainland in 650. Later, church buildings on the island were then abandoned to this day.
12. Alcatraz, California – USA
This is an island with a haunting history. It locates about 2 km off the coast of San Francisco. From 1934-1963, Alcatraz island was the site of a federal prison. The strong current around the island was the reason that not a single prisoner was able to swim out.
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Khoi Nguyen
Khoi Nguyen builds The Broad Life with a desire to inspire people go exploring the world and live a more interesting, experience, and adventurous life. This blog shares the stories, pictures, and experiences at destinations where he has traveled to.
24 Comments
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Khoi Nguyen
Wow, I haven’t thought of someone who will be interesting in the abandoned islands.
There is also a list of abandoned places around the world on my blog in case you finish with the islands.
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Stephanie
I knew about Alcatraz but had no idea there were so many abandoned islands around the world. The stories get crazier and crazier! It’s so neat to hear why so many of them became abandoned.
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Khoi Nguyen
I love to discover more about their stories. For sure I will share it here on my blog so everyone will know.
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A Nation of Moms
These are all such interesting places. The island in Croatia with the farming looks so odd with the walls built in it. I wasn’t familiar with most of these, just Alcatraz.
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Khoi Nguyen
Alcatrax seems like a place that many people can visit. The others are truly new to know to many people.
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pacioalita9
Wow, Ive never know any of these islands until now. They are indeed creepy but beautiful.
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Khoi Nguyen
Yeah, they are.
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Neely Moldovan
We did an Alcatraz tour a few years ago! It was super interesting!
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Khoi Nguyen
It’s always interesting to know more about a place.
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MELANIE E
Oh wow, that’s a fair few abandoned islands. I’m not surprised with the one in mexico if some think it’s haunted.
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Khoi Nguyen
Have you visited the place in Mexico?
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Ntensibe Edgar
Wow…indeed these places have been abandoned! It’s my first time seeing any of them. The island in China looks like my favourite place to reside in.
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Khoi Nguyen
Haha, I don’t think you will want to stay in the island especially at night.
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Kelly Bolen
I have been to Alcatraz! I used to live near San Fran and it was incredible to tour! I loved reading about all the other islands, some very creepy stories!
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Khoi Nguyen
I’m gonna write more stories about these creepy islands so everyone can know more about them.
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Pooja
These places do look scary and strange, would like to visit them. Atleast visit a few of them to gather scary memories
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Khoi Nguyen
Hehe, please come back here and share to me your experiences after you visit them.
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Jennifer Prince
Ah!! What an amazing trip idea. I didn’t even realize there were abandoned islands. So cool!!
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Khoi Nguyen
Will you visit the places in this list?
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Lyanna Soria
Those all look wonderful and there’s something about abandoned places that nature has taken over that makes them looks astonishing.
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Khoi Nguyen
I agree with you.
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Taj Mahal Tour
Dear, Thanks for the post all the good information has been posted in this article.
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Khoi Nguyen
You’re welcome, enjoy!
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Anonymous
I would love to visit all of these places. Abandonded areas are so much fun to explore. They really have their own unique vibe.