For those craving wild landscapes, windswept shores and crowd-free beaches – you don’t have to board a long flight to a faraway destination to find them.
Some of the UK’s most remote and breathtaking islands can be reached by boat in just two hours from the mainland.
Recent travel trends reveal that British holidaymakers are increasingly drawn to shorter, more immersive trips.
Industry data shows a huge demand for port-intensive itineraries – cruises that visit more destinations in less time – as well as an increased appetite for authentic, off-the-beaten-path experiences.
For travellers chasing adventure at a convenience, Cruising Holidays has unveiled five of the most picturesque – and surprisingly accessible – islands that can be reached by cruise in the same time you can watch a film.
Gigha, which sits just off Scotland’s west coast, can be reached in 20 minutes by ferry from Tayinloan.
It boasts turquoise waters, white-sand beaches and the famous Achamore Gardens – a community space that hosts an abundance of notable and unusual plants and trees from around the world.
Meanwhile, the Isle of Eigg, part of the Inner Hebrides, is a haven for wildlife watchers, with puffins, porpoises and even minke whales among common sightings.
According to Cruise Holidays, some of the UK’s most remote and breathtaking islands can be reached by boat in just two hours from the mainland. Pictured: Puffins on Lunga, Treshnish Isles
Pictured: Shallow rock formations and sandbars allow people to occasionally walk between the islands at the Isles of Scilly
With its azure blue sea and white-sand bays, the Isle of Iona, an island in the Inner Hebrides on the western coast of Scotland, is another visually striking gem.
Its dramatic, rugged landscape, stunning beaches and the historic Iona Abbey and Nunnery are considered highlights of the island.
Another standout string of islands are The Treshnish Isles, a central part of the southern Hebrides located 3km west of Mull, Scotland.
The archipelago is made up of eight principle islands and skerries – home to huge colonies of seabirds, including puffins.
To get a perfect sighting of these comical birds, which are accustomed to human presence, allowing for close encounters, Lunga is the best place to visit them mid April to early August, according to Staffa Tours.
The Isles of Scilly, meanwhile, is a Cornish jewel that has something for everyone: historic landmarks, ancient ruins, sparkling sandy bays, and hidden coves, along with small boutiques, gift shops, and stalls selling local produce.
Juliet Archer, the Managing Director of Cruising Holidays, said: ‘People assume they need to travel halfway around the world for untouched landscapes and authenticity.
‘What they don’t realise is that there are wild, overlooked and genuinely remote islands practically on our doorstep.
Pictured: View over the the north of the isle of Iona
Pictured: A beautiful bay at low tide with silver sands and An Sgurr in the background of Isle of Eigg, Small Isles, Hebrides, Scotland
Pictured: The twin beaches on the Inner Hebrides island of Gigha, off the coast of Scotland
‘You can be standing on a deserted beach watching puffins within a couple of hours of leaving your home.’
Meanwhile, a Welsh expat has shared the benefits and drawbacks of remote living after moving to an uninhabited island near New Zealand.
Catrin, a 22-year-old outdoor instructor, has worked in far-flung destinations all over the globe, from Borneo to India, and regularly documents her experiences, itineraries, advice, tips and tricks on her travel blog.
In 2023, Catrin left her job in Malvern, England, and relocated to Motutapu Island, situated in the Hauraki Gulf to the northeast of Auckland, New Zealand, where she spent nine months working in an outdoor recreation centre.
