Abandoned islands around the world hold secrets of forgotten histories, filled with eerie stories and haunting remnants of the past. Some were once bustling communities, while others served as places of isolation and tragedy. Today, these stand empty, their decaying structures and mysterious pasts captivating visitors and sparking curiosity. Here are some abandoned islands with eerie tales to tell, each one carrying its own unique story of abandonment, loss, and mystery.
Hashima Island, Japan
Hashima Island, also known as Gunkanjima or “Battleship Island,” lies off the coast of Nagasaki, Japan. Established in 1887, it became a bustling coal mining facility, housing over 5,000 residents at its peak. During World War II, its dark history unfolded as thousands of Korean and Chinese prisoners were subjected to forced labor under brutal conditions, leading to numerous deaths from malnutrition and accidents. By 1974, the coal reserves were depleted, and the island was abandoned, leaving behind decaying concrete structures. In 2009, it reopened to tourists, and in 2015, it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its haunting, fortress-like appearance has made it a popular location for films, including the 2012 James Bond movie “Skyfall.”
Poveglia Island, Italy
Situated in the Venetian Lagoon, Poveglia Island is often dubbed one of the world’s most haunted places. In the 18th century, it served as a quarantine station for plague victims, with thousands perishing on its shores. Later, in 1922, a mental hospital was established, where rumors of unethical experiments and a deranged doctor who allegedly committed suicide by jumping from the bell tower emerged. It closed in 1968, and the island has remained uninhabited since. Local legends speak of restless spirits and eerie sounds emanating from the decaying buildings. Access to it is officially prohibited, but its sinister reputation continues to attract thrill-seekers and paranormal enthusiasts. Its chilling past serves as a grim chapter in Venice’s history, shrouded in mystery and fear.
North Brother Island, USA
Located in New York City’s East River, North Brother Island has a history marked by disease and disaster. In 1885, Riverside Hospital was established to quarantine patients with contagious diseases, including the infamous “Typhoid Mary.” In 1904, the island witnessed tragedy when the steamship General Slocum caught fire nearby, resulting in over 1,000 deaths, with many victims’ bodies washing ashore. After World War II, the hospital treated returning veterans and later housed a drug rehabilitation center before closing in the 1960s. Today, it is off-limits to the public and has become a bird sanctuary, with nature reclaiming the abandoned structures. The decaying hospital buildings stand as silent witnesses to the island’s tumultuous past. Its eerie ambiance and tragic history continue to captivate the imagination of those aware of its existence.
Deception Island, Antarctica
Deception Island, part of the South Shetland Islands, is a volcanic caldera with a dark and mysterious past. In the early 20th century, it served as a whaling station, where countless whales were slaughtered, leaving behind a grim legacy. Later, during World War II, the British established a military base there, which was subsequently abandoned. Its geothermal activity creates warm waters in its bays, contrasting with the surrounding icy environment. Today, the remnants of the whaling station and military base lie in ruins, partially buried by volcanic ash from eruptions in the 1960s. Its haunting landscape, with its derelict buildings and steaming beaches, offers a stark reminder of human exploitation and the volatile power of nature. Despite its eerie atmosphere, it attracts adventurous tourists and researchers, drawn by its unique geological features and history.
Ross Island, India
Ross Island, located in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, was once a British penal colony established in 1858. Prisoners were subjected to harsh conditions, forced labor, and, during World War II, cruel medical experiments by the Japanese occupiers. The British transformed it into a semblance of paradise, building lavish bungalows, ballrooms, and clubs to mask the grim reality. An earthquake in 1941, followed by the Japanese invasion in 1942, led to its abandonment. Today, nature has reclaimed it, with banyan trees enveloping the crumbling colonial structures. Visitors can explore the overgrown ruins, where the echoes of the past linger amidst the dense foliage.
Gunkanjima (Battleship Island), Japan
Gunkanjima, officially known as Hashima Island, is a small, abandoned island off the coast of Nagasaki, Japan. Once a thriving coal mining facility, it housed thousands of workers and their families in tightly packed concrete apartment blocks. Its silhouette resembles a battleship, earning it the nickname “Battleship Island.” After the coal reserves were exhausted in the 1970s, the island was abruptly abandoned, leaving behind a ghost town of decaying buildings. In 2009, it reopened to tourists, offering guided tours that navigate the crumbling pathways. Its eerie, dystopian appearance has made it a popular filming location, notably featured in the 2012 James Bond film “Skyfall.”
Hirta, St. Kilda, Scotland
Hirta is the largest island in the remote St. Kilda archipelago off the coast of Scotland and has a haunting history of isolation and hardship. Inhabited for over 2,000 years, its residents lived a unique lifestyle, relying on seabird hunting and subsistence farming to survive. Due to extreme weather, food scarcity, and limited resources, life on it was harsh, with inhabitants often facing illness and malnutrition. In 1930, it was abandoned when the remaining residents requested evacuation, ending centuries of human habitation. Today, the remnants of stone houses, churches, and communal storage buildings offer a glimpse into the rugged lives of the St. Kildans. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, primarily visited by archaeologists and historians. Its abandoned structures and desolate landscape leave an eerie reminder of a once-thriving, isolated community.
Kolmanskop, Namibia
Kolmanskop is an abandoned diamond mining town in the Namib Desert that now lies partially buried in sand, giving it an otherworldly appearance. Founded in the early 1900s during a diamond boom, it quickly transformed into a thriving town with amenities such as a theater, casino, and hospital. However, after larger diamond deposits were discovered further south, it was rapidly abandoned in the 1950s. Its luxurious buildings, now filled with drifting sand dunes, reflect the fleeting nature of wealth and the harshness of desert life. The ghostly, sand-filled rooms and crumbling structures make it a popular destination for photographers and travelers. It serves as a reminder of the impermanence of wealth and the resilience of nature over human-made structures. Its eerie beauty attracts visitors who explore the remnants of opulence swallowed by the desert.
Spinalonga Island, Greece
Spinalonga, a small island off the coast of Crete, Greece, has a haunting history as a leper colony, where those affected by the disease were isolated from society. Established as a leper colony in 1903, it became a place of sorrow and suffering as lepers were sent here to live out their days. Despite the hardships, a small community developed, complete with homes, schools, and churches, as residents attempted to create a sense of normalcy. The colony remained active until 1957, when advancements in medicine allowed leprosy patients to be cured and reintegrated. The abandoned structures and remnants of the colony remain, a silent testament to the lives of those who endured both illness and isolation. Today, it is a popular tourist destination and historical site, drawing visitors interested in its somber past.
Daksa Island, Croatia
Daksa Island, located near Dubrovnik, Croatia, is known for its tragic and chilling history, stemming from the aftermath of World War II. Following the liberation of Dubrovnik, partisans executed around 50 people on the island, accused of collaborating with the Nazis, though none were given a trial. The bodies were left on the island, and no burials or memorials were established, leading to stories of restless spirits haunting the area. It was subsequently abandoned, with the buildings and structures left to decay over time. Its eerie atmosphere and tragic past have contributed to its reputation as a haunted place, shrouded in local legend and mystery. Today, it remains largely inaccessible, as most locals believe the island is cursed and avoid visiting. It serves as a somber reminder of the darker chapters in Croatia’s history, remaining a ghostly and mysterious site.
This article originally appeared on Rarest.org.
More from Rarest.org
20 Most Bizarre Deep-Sea Creatures Discovered
The deep sea is home to some of the most fascinating and bizarre creatures on Earth. These unique species have adapted to the extreme conditions of the ocean depths. Read More.
8 Most Fascinating Underwater Ruins
The world’s oceans hide countless secrets. Among them are ancient cities, temples, and monuments submerged by time and tides. Read More.
14 High-End Cars Owned by the Rich and Famous
Owning a high-end car is a statement of luxury and success. The rich and famous often have collections of the most exclusive and expensive cars. Read More.
