Top 10 Smallest Islands in the World
Top 10 Smallest Islands in the World
WhiteClouds builds 3D Raised Relief Maps
Islands, whether large or small, are captivating natural formations that evoke a sense of mystery and adventure. While the world’s largest islands boast sprawling landscapes and diverse ecosystems, the smallest islands enchant with their unique charm, remote locations, and fascinating histories. Often no larger than a city block, these tiny islands have stories as vast as the oceans that surround them. From specks of land in tropical waters to icy outposts in the polar regions, the smallest islands showcase nature’s diversity and humanity’s ingenuity. Here are the top 10 smallest islands in the world, each remarkable in its own right.
#1: Bishop Rock (49 feet x 16 feet)
Bishop Rock, located off the Isles of Scilly in the United Kingdom, is often called the world’s smallest island with a building. The tiny outcrop measures roughly 49 feet long and 16 feet wide and is home to a lone lighthouse. Built in 1858, the lighthouse was a marvel of engineering, designed to withstand the tumultuous waves of the Atlantic Ocean.
This minuscule island has played a crucial role in maritime navigation, guiding ships safely through the hazardous waters near Cornwall. Bishop Rock’s isolation and the lighthouse keeper’s solitary life have inspired many anecdotes, including tales of enduring fierce storms. Today, the lighthouse is automated, but the island’s story as a beacon of safety endures.
#2: Just Room Enough Island (3,300 square feet)
Just Room Enough Island, part of the Thousand Islands archipelago in the United States, lives up to its name. At just 3,300 square feet, it is barely large enough to hold a house, a tree, and a small patio. The island was purchased in the 1950s by the Sizeland family, who transformed it into a private retreat.
The island’s proximity to the mainland and its picturesque setting have made it a popular tourist attraction. However, its fame has brought challenges, as visitors frequently disturb its serene atmosphere. Despite its diminutive size, Just Room Enough Island is a symbol of simplicity and the allure of owning a private island.
#3: Simping Island (7,965 square feet)
Simping Island, located in West Kalimantan, Indonesia, is considered the smallest island in the country. Measuring approximately 7,965 square feet, it is home to a small temple and is a sacred site for local communities. The island is surrounded by tranquil waters and accessible by a short boat ride.
Simping Island’s cultural significance and scenic beauty attract visitors seeking a peaceful retreat. Its small size and religious importance make it a unique blend of natural and spiritual significance, embodying the harmony between nature and tradition.
#4: Frog Island (1.5 acres)
Frog Island, situated in Belize’s Caribbean waters, spans a modest 1.5 acres. This privately owned island is a tropical paradise, featuring white sandy beaches, turquoise waters, and lush vegetation. Its remote location makes it a sought-after destination for those seeking solitude and luxury.
The island’s history includes being a favorite hideaway for travelers and a site for eco-friendly tourism. Today, Frog Island’s pristine beauty and untouched charm make it a jewel of the Caribbean.
#5: Isla de las Muñecas (2 acres)
Isla de las Muñecas, or Island of the Dolls, is a 2-acre island in Mexico’s Xochimilco canals. Despite its eerie name, the island is a popular tourist destination. Legend has it that the island’s caretaker began collecting and hanging dolls to appease the spirit of a girl who drowned nearby.
Today, visitors flock to Isla de las Muñecas to experience its haunting yet fascinating atmosphere. The island’s macabre collection of dolls and its mysterious history make it a one-of-a-kind destination.
#6: Dunbar Rock (0.7 acres)
Dunbar Rock, located off the coast of Honduras, is a 0.7-acre island featuring a luxury villa perched atop its rocky surface. Surrounded by the turquoise waters of the Caribbean, the island is a haven for scuba divers exploring the nearby coral reefs.
The villa’s design blends seamlessly with the natural rock formation, creating a striking visual contrast. Dunbar Rock’s exclusivity and unique setting have made it a favorite among travelers seeking a private escape.
#7: Little St. Simons Island (10,000 square feet)
Little St. Simons Island, part of Georgia’s barrier islands in the United States, is a small island covering about 10,000 square feet. Accessible only by boat, the island is a pristine wildlife sanctuary, home to diverse bird species and other fauna.
The island’s history includes being a retreat for wealthy families and a site for conservation efforts. Today, it offers eco-lodging and guided nature tours, showcasing its commitment to preserving its natural beauty.
#8: Nauru (8.1 square miles)
Nauru, a tiny island nation in the Pacific Ocean, is the third smallest country in the world. Covering just 8.1 square miles, it has a unique history as a phosphate mining hub. The island’s interior, once rich with natural resources, now bears the scars of extensive mining.
Despite its challenges, Nauru remains resilient, with its warm culture and stunning coastline offering glimpses of its former glory. Its small size belies its fascinating history and determination to adapt.
#9: Pitcairn Island (1.75 square miles)
Pitcairn Island, located in the South Pacific, is part of the British Overseas Territory and covers only 1.75 square miles. It is famous for being the settlement of the mutineers of the HMS Bounty. Today, Pitcairn is one of the most remote inhabited islands in the world, with a population of fewer than 50 people.
The island’s rugged beauty and intriguing history attract adventurers and history enthusiasts. Pitcairn’s legacy as a haven for mutineers and its isolation make it a compelling destination.
#10: Sealand (0.0007 square miles)
Sealand, a self-proclaimed micronation off the coast of England, is not a natural island but a World War II-era platform. Covering only 0.0007 square miles, it is one of the smallest “islands” in the world. Declared an independent state in 1967, Sealand has its own flag, currency, and government.
The story of Sealand is a mix of eccentricity and defiance, with its founders claiming sovereignty over the tiny platform. It continues to intrigue people worldwide, serving as a reminder of the boundless creativity of human ambition.
These tiny islands, though small in size, offer an abundance of stories, cultural significance, and natural beauty. From sacred sites to private retreats and historical curiosities, the world’s smallest islands remind us that even the smallest specks on the map can hold immense charm and fascination. Whether they serve as solitary lighthouses, idyllic getaways, or quirky micronations, these islands prove that size isn’t everything.
More Great Top 10’s
Islands and Maps
Small islands and maps have an intimate relationship, where the vastness of the ocean meets the precision of human ingenuity. A small island, often just a speck on the map, carries with it a story as grand as the tides that surround it. These tiny landforms, isolated by endless waters, are sanctuaries of solitude and wonder, each with its own unique character—a craggy rock crowned with a lonely lighthouse, a lush patch of greenery swaying with palm trees, or a hidden retreat where time seems to stand still. Maps bring these diminutive wonders to life, carefully charting their jagged coastlines, the depths of the waters around them, and the paths that lead adventurous souls to their shores. A map of a small island is not merely a tool; it’s a promise of discovery, a record of the land’s resilience against the ceaseless waves. It might reveal a forgotten shipwreck resting just offshore or note the intricate channels carved by ancient tides. For explorers, a small island’s map is a gateway to an unspoiled world, where nature thrives unbothered and history lingers in whispers. From romantic notions of desert-island escapes to the pragmatic needs of navigation and conservation, maps of small islands evoke a deep connection between humanity and the remote corners of our planet. Each line drawn, each detail marked, is a confirmation to the effort to understand and preserve these fleeting jewels of land in an endless sea. Small islands may appear tiny in scale, but they loom large in their ability to inspire dreams, discovery, and awe.
Learn more about Maps
- Topographical Maps: Representation of the physical features of a region or area.
- Contour Maps: Representation of the contours of the land surface or ocean floor.
- Raised Relief Maps: Representation of land elevations with raised features indicating landforms.
- Terrain Maps: Representation of the physical features of a terrain or landmass.
- USGS Topographic Maps: Representation of topographic features and land elevations based on USGS data.
- USGS Historical Topographic Maps: Representation of historical topographic maps created by the USGS.
- Watershed Maps: Representation of the areas where water flows into a particular river or lake.
- Elevation Maps: Representation of land and water elevations with high precision.
- Physical Maps: Representation of physical features of the Earth’s surface such as landforms, oceans, and plateaus.
- Bathymetric Maps: Representation of the topography and features of the ocean floor.
- NOAA Maps: Representation of atmospheric, oceanographic, and environmental data by NOAA.
- Nautical Maps: Representation of the underwater features and depth of an area for navigation purposes.
- Geologic Maps: Representation of the geologic features of an area such as rock types, faults, and folds.
- Satellite Maps: Representation of earth from high-definition satellite imagery.
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