Go wild
For some people, eco-tourism means simply pitching a tent in a national park or taking to the trails of the local nature preserve. For more intrepid travellers, eco-tourism means trekking through dense virgin rain forests or across wind-swept glaciers. And for people who make their living in the tourism trade, “eco-tourism” can be attached to any sort of nature-themed attraction that draws tourists (and their dollars). This is especially true when it comes to island destinations. Since they have comparable beaches and resort scenes, some islands promote natural attractions as a way to differentiate themselves from the competition.
Photo: Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA)/Ron Dahlquist
When it comes to eco-tourism, some islands are ahead of the field. The best of these destinations might have eco-resorts, zip-lining and bridges that pass through the forest canopy, but they have something else that sets them apart: expansive spaces that are almost completely untouched and wonderfully natural (like Halawa Valley in Molokai, Hawaii, shown here.) For travellers who want to get completely off the beaten path and experience nature up close and unfiltered, these islands should be at the top of the list. (Text: Josh Lew)
1. Borneo
Borneo is the third largest island on Earth and one of the wildest remaining places in the Eastern Hemisphere. Mount Kinabalu, one of Southeast Asia's most famous peaks, sits in Malaysian Borneo. It is surrounded by a vast national park that features hundreds of species of mammals and thousands of types of plants, birds and insects. Other natural features include huge tracts of virgin jungle and snaking rivers inhabited by indigenous people who live in communal longhouses. With all these features, Borneo is arguably the best place in the world for a tropical eco-tourism expedition.
Three countries lay claim to the lands of Borneo: Indonesian lands sit in the south, while the Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak can be found in the northern part of the island. The oil-rich sultanate of Brunei controls a tiny U-shaped land on the north coast.
2. Sao Tome and Principe
Sao Tome and Principe, often referred to simply as Sao Tome, is a tiny nation that consists of an archipelago surrounding the country's two namesake islands off the coast of Gabon. In the past, this nation of 200,000 people relied heavily on cocoa exports. However, tourism (among other industries) plays an important part in the country's economy. Infrastructure is basic and tourism numbers still quite modest. Lush landscapes and a complete lack of crowds mean that this lusophone country is a nearly perfect African destination for eco-tourists. While few native mammals have crossed from the African mainland, both Sao Tome and Principe are havens for birds and rare plant life. Trails crisscross both these islands. Sao Tome's mountains rise sharply to over 6,000 feet above sea level and provide some stunning inland scenery. Beaches are another trait of this little known archipelago. Idyllic, palm-fringed sands are often deserted, except for those that are crowded by local fishermen (but not tourists). [More information]
3. Iriomote, Japan
Though this island is the second largest in the Okinawan chain, it is one of the least populated, with about 2,000 residents. However, more than 100,000 people come to this nature-rich place each year as tourists. They find a natural paradise on Iriomote: Nearly 90 percent of the entire island is protected as part of a network that includes Iriomote National Park and a collection of smaller parks and preserves. Large stretches of coastline are devoid of roads and almost completely deserted except for a few coastal fishing villages that can be reached only by boat. Mangrove swamps cover the coastal areas while rivers and forests are home to a variety of animals, including 2-foot-long lizards, the endangered Iriomote wildcat, and an array of other bird, reptile and amphibian species.
4. Greenland
Photo: ilovegreenland/Flickr
This large island (the world's largest depending on how the seven continents are defined) sits mostly within the Arctic Circle. It is a stark land of glaciers, ice shelves and mountains. Greenland, largely autonomous but officially overseen by Denmark, has one of the lowest population densities in the world. Unique creatures inhabit the beaches, mountains and waters around this ice-laden land. These cold-weather creatures include walrus, whales, seals, polar bears, reindeer and wild oxen. With few roads and a modest infrastructure, nature still rules all around Greenland. Tourists get around by dog sled, kayak or, most often, by bush plane. The sheer wildness of this little-visited land makes it a challenging place to travel, but a rewarding option for those who are seeking out utterly unspoiled nature.
5. Madagascar
Madagascar sits off of the coast of southeastern Africa. Home to exotic species like the lemur, this is arguably the most unusual eco-tourism destination on Earth. Thousands of the plants that are found on this island, the world's fourth largest, are found nowhere else in the world. Infrastructure is lacking; this isn't a place that many tourists, or many outsiders in general, have visited. However, national parks, nature preserves, and a variety of other protected wild areas mean that there is a virtually unlimited list of itinerary options. Unique landscapes like the limestone plateau known as Tsingy de Bemaraha, with towering rock spires and unique plant life, give Madagascar an almost otherworldly feel. Kayaking and trekking are on the agenda for daring eco-tourists who want to see the type of wildlife that few travellers have seen in person.
Related Link: Madagascar National Tourism Board
6. Tasmania
Tasmania sits just to the south of the Australian mainland. Though it is separated only by a small strip of water called the Bass Strait, Tasmania has developed independently from the rest of Australia and has its own natural history. Because of its relative isolation, the wildlife of Tasmania is quite unusual. Some species, such as the well-known Tasmanian devil, are unique to the island, and other plants and animals thrive even though they have been wiped out in other parts of Oceania. Creatures such as the platypus and Forester kangaroo also draw enthusiastic nature-seekers. Huge tracts of forest and mountains and numerous national parks and preserves are ideal for people seeking a days-long adventure on the trails. Sea kayaking around the scenic and rugged coastline is also a popular activity for adventure-seekers, while expansive kelp beds and numerous shipwrecks mean that diving is another worthwhile pastime.
Related Link: Discover Tasmania
7. Molokai, Hawaii
Molokai (traditionally spelled Moloka'i) is one of the least visited of Hawaii's islands. A portion of the island was once home to a leper colony, where some residents have chosen to remain to this day. Now, Molokai is a natural paradise that residents have sought to preserve and protect from the type of tourism development found on the state's more-visited islands. This is a land of isolated beaches, scenic mountain trails, and tropical fruit orchards. The efforts to create a sustainable tourism environment while also championing traditional culture and way of life have earned Molokai recognition from the likes of the National Geographic Centre for Sustainable Destinations.
A plateau rising to more than 4,000 feet above sea level is partially protected by the Molokai Forest Preserve. Other preserves protect the mountainous interior, making this a great destination for extended hikes, some of which can be quite challenging because of their changes in altitude. Endemic species, including the unique wingless fly, are found on Molokai, as are an assortment of native florae seen in few other places in Polynesia.
Related Link: Molokai, Hawaii Convention & Visitors Bureau
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