These Ten Remote Islands Are Perfect for Remote Workers

Anyone Else Dreaming of the Land Where Palm Trees Sway?
As the year melts into spring, more people than ever before are thinking about splurging on their next trip, and those who haven’t taken a vacation over the past two years are especially desirous of longer vacations that offer rejuvenation and immersion experiences. But the reality of it is that not all people can take a month-long sabbatical from work to do so, which is why working remotely during a “work-cation” can be a great alternative that not only satisfies the wanderlust but helps keep the money rolling in.

While not all of these islands on this list are tropical, they all provide a sense of seclusion, cultural immersion and space away from the normal everyday doldrum of a traveler’s life.

From the lush island of Kuaui to the extremely remote Pitcairn Island in the South Pacific, the islands on this list, provided to us by Pure Kuaui, offer a slower pace of life without compromising on internet connectivity. Read on to learn more.

Kauai, Hawaii
The lush island of Kauai offers a great place to enjoy some well-needed rest and relaxation, without leaving your day job behind. It ranks well in Internet connectivity, yet it’s the furthest island on this list from any mainland, with over 2,470 miles of ocean in between. Nicknamed the “Garden Isle,” remote workers who make this island their base camp can explore its vast, biodiverse jungles after logging off their laptops each day, learn to surf on one of the island’s beaches and experience native Hawaiian culture with year-round events or by staying in one of the island’s small towns.

La Digue, Seychelles
La Digue, a nearly motor-free island in the Seychelles archipelago, ranks second for remote working, with high internet connectivity, a laidback vibe and plenty of gorgeous views. Coral reefs and beautiful turquoise waters can lure plenty of practiced scuba divers as well as newbies, who can take classes or free dive after they clock out. Get active by walking or pedaling everywhere you need to go on this island and hike the forest to try and spot the rare Seychelles Black Paradise Flycatcher at the La Veuve Special Reserve.

Adak, Alaska
The third best island that is a great destination for remote workers might surprise you: it’s the first on this list that doesn’t feature warm weather, beautiful beaches and palm trees. Adak, Alaska, located in between Russia and Alaska in the Bering Sea, was once home to a WWII-era military base. Now home to a small town, it’s a great place to test your survival skills and enjoy pure remoteness, free from tourists and many residents (it also only offers one restaurant). Perhaps it’s the perfect place to write your next bestseller? When you’re stuck or want to clear your mind, just take a scenic hike through the old military base and ponder the stark landscape and defunct buildings.

Laucala Island, Fiji
Laucala Island is located in the brilliant islands of Fiji and is probably the most exclusive island on this list. Owned by Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz, the island offers about 25 private villas at around $5,000 a night. While that’s not feasible for most people taking a regular vacation, wealthier work-cationers can enjoy the seclusion that private villas provide while enjoying the luxury of a near-private island. Beautiful turquoise waters, verdant jungles and luxurious accommodations await.

Floreana, Galápagos Islands
The fifth best remote island for work-cations is in the biodiverse Galápagos Islands off the coast of Ecuador. Floreana is the least remote of these islands, yet ranks the lowest in internet connectivity – but don’t let that stop you from work-cationing there! It was the first island to be colonized by the Ecuadorians and offers a fascinating history as the site of several disappearances and as a former penal colony. With about 100 residents, Floreana’s main city is Puerto Velasco Ibarra. Whether you’ll be scuba diving the coral reefs and wrecks just off the island, practicing your halting Spanish with the locals, taking boat rides to the other islands or hiking along Floreana in search of the Floreana Mockingbird that inspired Charles Darwin, Floreana is a great remote island for work-cationing.

Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
Grand Cayman might not at first seem like a remote island due to its cruise tourism, but this Caribbean gem is over 400 miles away from the mainland. Offering good internet connectivity and plenty of water and land activities for active individuals, it’s a great place to work remotely for a month or two. After you clock out and unplug your laptop, check out the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park, the Pedro St. James National Historic Site, the Cayman Crystal Caves and the Cayman Turtle Center. More adventurous travelers can feed stingrays at Stingray City, or visit the Hell Geological Site. Or just bum it on the beach – the choice is yours.

Pitcairn Island, United Kingdom Overseas Territory
Quite possibly the least populated island on this list is Pitcairn Island, the largest in the island chain of the same name, located 3,300 miles away from New Zealand in the South Pacific. Home to the descendants of the mutineers of the HMAV Bounty, both Europeans and Polynesians, the island is practically uninhabited, but still allows for remote working with internet connectivity. The island will begin allowing travelers entry on March 31, when they can visit Mata Ki Te Rangi, an International Dark Sky Sanctuary, the Pitcairn Islands Marine Reserve, Henderson Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and more. It’s a great option for people willing to sacrifice many modern conveniences for seclusion and renewal.

St. Barts, Caribbean
St. Barts is the French-speaking Caribbean island that ranks eighth on our list. More than 400 miles away from any mainland, this island is known for being a playground of the rich and famous, with beautiful beaches, incredible food and even grander luxury accommodations. Besides being a literal tropical paradise, it’s also a foodie paradise, with an annual food festival that brings in Michelin-renowned chefs to its shores. This island is pricier than more remote, less touristy ones, though it does offer internet connectivity and plenty to experience after you clock out for the day.

Fernando de Noronha, Brazil
One lesser-known and less touristy island is ninth on this list: the Brazilian island of Fernando de Noronha. Located about 217 miles off Brazil’s coastline, this remote island and its chain of 20 other islands offer beautiful natural beaches without crowds of tourists, as well as a national marine park and ecological sanctuary. Snorkelers and divers will love encountering sea turtles, reef sharks and stingrays in the wild along its coastline. It’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its ecological diversity. If natural beauty and adventure are your thing, you’ll be right at home here.

Palmerston, Cook Islands
Another nearly uninhabited island is Palmerston, one of the Cook Islands. Though it ranks poorly in Internet connectivity, its remote, ring-like structure makes for a beautiful destination to unwind and disconnect. With a welcoming population of less than 100, travelers will have to learn to do a lot by themselves, which makes it great for those willing to learn survival skills. The island is also mostly beach, so remote workers who love the sand will have no problem working from the beach.