Island Seclusion: Undiscovered Escapes for a Secret Retreat

18. Jan Mayen, Norway – The Arctic Island No One Visits

A Norwegian volcanic island in the Arctic Ocean, Jan Mayen is so remote and inhospitable that it’s barely visited even by Norwegians. With icy black-sand beaches, towering glaciers, and a massive volcano (Beerenberg), Jan Mayen looks like something from another planet. There’s no tourism industry, no commercial flights—just a small military outpost and scientists studying the harsh Arctic climate. Getting here requires special permission, but for those who make it, the reward is one of the most alien landscapes on Earth. Best for: Extreme Arctic exploration, glacier trekking, and volcanology. How to get there: Special military clearance and research vessel from mainland Norway.