There are millions of islands all over the world, from tiny, tiny islands to huge continents. Even though there are around 2,000 islands in the world’s oceans, it’s hard to know how many there really are because there are so many small, isolated islands that haven’t been fully mapped out. The size, climate, temperature, plants, and animals that live on each island are all different.
There is a wide range in the size of islands, from large continents to tiny islands. No matter how big or small an island is, it has its own things that make it special.
The smallest islands in the world are no different, and they show how many different kinds of land there are on our planet. From the tiny Bishop Rock in the UK to the luxurious Monaco, these islands show the many things that nature has to offer.
Learn about the fascinating characteristics of some of the world’s smallest islands in this article.
What is an island?
An island is a piece of land that is surrounded by water on all sides. Islands are usually smaller than continents but bigger than rocks or reefs. It can be found in oceans, seas, rivers, and lakes.
It can be made by natural processes, like volcanic activity or erosion, or by people, like when a land bridge is built. Islands are different in size, shape, geology, climate, ecology, and the plants and animals that live on them.
They are often popular places to visit because they have beaches, natural landmarks, and cultural sights.
The 22 Smallest Island In The World.
1. Sea Lion Island, Falkland Islands
Sea Lion Island is one of the Falkland Islands, which are in the South Atlantic Ocean. The Falkland Islands are a British Overseas Territory. It got its name from the many sea lions that live in the water nearby.
The island is about 11.5 square kilometers in size, and there are only a few people who live there and run the wildlife and tourism businesses. The island is home to many different kinds of birds, including several types of penguins.
Sea lions, elephant seals, and other marine mammals also live there. On the island, people can hike, watch wildlife, and look for birds.
2. Corvo Island, Azores
Corvo Island is one of the nine islands that make up the Portuguese autonomous region of the Azores. It is the smallest and most northern island in the group. It is about 17 square kilometers and has a population of about 400 people.
The island was formed by a volcano, and its terrain is rough, with steep cliffs and a caldera crater.
The island is known for its unique plants and animals, such as endemic bird species, and is popular with tourists for its natural beauty and outdoor activities, such as hiking and birdwatching.
3. Upolo
Upolu is an island located in Samoa, a group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean. It is Samoa’s second-largest island, after Savai’i, and is where the country’s capital city, Apia, is located.
With its white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, and lush rainforests, Upolu is known for its beautiful natural scenery. The island has several natural attractions, such as the To Sua Ocean Trench, a deep swimming hole surrounded by tropical plants, and the Papase’ea Sliding Rocks, a natural water park with a series of rock formations and cascading waterfalls.
The island is also known for its rich cultural history, which combines Polynesian and Samoan traditions in a unique way. When people go to Upolu, they can see and hear traditional Samoan dance and music and eat some of the island’s delicious food.
Even though Upolu is a small island, it is home to about 135,000 people who live and work in a variety of industries, such as tourism, farming, and fishing. Regular flights from Australia, New Zealand, and other Pacific countries connect the island to the rest of the world.
Visitors to Upolu can do many things, from hiking through the island’s lush rainforests to snorkeling and diving in the crystal-clear waters. The friendly and welcoming people who live on the island, along with its stunning natural beauty and rich cultural history, make it a popular place for tourists who want to try something new and different.
4. Ngazidja
Ngazidja, which is also called Grande Comore, is the biggest of the four islands that make up the Union of the Comoros. The Union of the Comoros is an archipelago nation in the Indian Ocean, just east of Africa. Moroni is the capital of the country, and most of the country’s people live in Ngazidja.
The island is known for its rough volcanic landscape, which has tall peaks and deep valleys. Visitors can see many natural sights on the island, such as the active volcano Mount Karthala, which is one of the world’s largest and most active volcanoes. There are also many beautiful beaches and coral reefs on the island, which makes it a popular place for snorkeling and diving.
Ngazidja is rich in history and culture, with influences from Africa, the Middle East, and France. Many historic sites and museums, like the Palace of the Sultan of Bambao and the National Museum of the Comoros, can be found on the island.
Even though Ngazidja is small and in a remote place, it is home to a lively community of about 300,000 people who make a living in many different ways, such as farming, fishing, and tourism. The island is easy to get to and from because there are regular flights to and from nearby places in Africa and the Indian Ocean.
When you visit Ngazidja, you can enjoy a unique and unforgettable mix of natural beauty, cultural history, and warm hospitality. This makes it a great place to visit.
5. Okinava island
Okinawa Island is the largest of the Ryukyu Islands. It is between Japan and Taiwan in the East China Sea. It is part of Japan’s Okinawa Prefecture and is known for its beautiful beaches, long history, and unique culture.
The island has a subtropical climate, which means that it is warm all year long. This makes it a popular place to go swimming, snorkeling, and diving. The island is also home to a number of historical sites, such as Shuri Castle, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was the royal palace of the Ryukyu Kingdom.
Okinawa Island has a culture that is rich and varied, with influences from Japan, China, and Southeast Asia. There are many cultural things to see on the island, such as traditional markets, festivals, and museums.
Around 1.4 million people live and work on the island. They make a living in a variety of industries, such as tourism, agriculture, and manufacturing. There are also several US military bases on the island, which have had a big effect on the economy and culture of the island.
Even though Okinawa Island is small, it has a lot to see and do, from its beautiful natural scenery to its rich history and unique culture. Visitors can do and see a lot of different things there, making it a great place to visit.
6. Flinders Island
Flinders Island is the biggest of the 52 islands that make up the Furneaux Group. The Furneaux Group is in the Bass Strait, which is between Australia and Tasmania. The island is part of the Australian state of Tasmania. It is known for its stunning natural beauty, rugged coastline, and unique wildlife.
The island has many beautiful beaches and walking trails, as well as unique natural attractions like the Strzelecki National Park and the Mount Strzelecki walking track. In the clear waters around the island, visitors can also fish, dive, and do other water-based activities.
Aboriginal people lived on Flinders Island thousands of years ago, which shows that the island has a long history. Visitors can check out the island’s many historic sites, such as the Wybalenna Historic Site, which was built in 1832 as a place for Indigenous people to live after they were forced to leave their homes.
Even though Flinders Island is small, it is home to a thriving community of about 900 people who make a living through farming, fishing, and tourism, among other things. With regular flights from Melbourne and Launceston, the island is easy to get to from the rest of Australia.
Flinders Island is a great place to visit because it has a unique mix of natural beauty, history, and warm hospitality that will stay with you forever.
7. Bishop Rock, Isles of Scilly
Bishop Rock is a small rocky island in the Atlantic Ocean, about 4 miles west of the Isles of Scilly, which are a group of islands off the southwest coast of England. It is famous for its lighthouse, which stands on a rock pinnacle.
It is also the smallest inhabited island in the world. The current lighthouse was built in 1858 to replace an older one that a storm had destroyed. The island is only 0.002 hectares in size and can only be reached by boat or helicopter. The island has been the site of many shipwrecks over the years. This is because it is in a dangerous place and has rough waters.
8. Just Enough Room Island, New York
Just enough room Island, also known as Hub Island, is a small private island in the Thousand Islands area of the St. Lawrence River, which runs along the border between the United States and Canada. It is on the New York side of the river and is about 3,300 square feet in size, making it one of the smallest islands in the world.
People have said that the shape of the island, which is long and thin, looks like a slice of pizza. Even though the island is small, it has a small cottage and a few trees. Boaters often stop there to take pictures.
9. Isla Mujeres, Mexico
Isla Mujeres is a small island in the Caribbean Sea, near the Mexican city of Cancun. Its Spanish name, “Island of Women,” comes from the story that it was once a safe place for Mayan women who worshiped the goddess Ixchel.
Around 12,000 people live on the island, which is a popular tourist spot known for its beautiful beaches, clear blue water, and relaxed atmosphere.
People who come to the island can do things like snorkeling, scuba diving, and swimming with whale sharks. They can also explore the charming town center, which has colorful buildings and street art.
10. Little St. Simons Island, Georgia
Little St. Simons Island is a private island off the coast of Georgia in the United States. It is in the southeast corner of the state. It is one of the Golden Isles, a group of barrier islands known for their beautiful beaches and diverse ecosystems. Little St. Simons Island is about 11,000 acres big and is mostly undeveloped.
There are a few private homes and a lodge that is open to the public. The island is home to many different kinds of animals, such as shorebirds, sea turtles, alligators, and deer.
It is a popular place for people who like nature and birdwatching. Visitors can go on guided tours or go on their own hikes and kayak trips to see the beaches, marshes, and forests on the island.
11. Fox Island, Alaska
Fox Island is a small island in Alaska, United States. It is in Resurrection Bay, which is off the coast of the Kenai Peninsula. It is in Kenai Fjords National Park and can only be reached by boat from the town of Seward, which is close by.
The island is famous for its rough wilderness, large number of animals, and beautiful landscapes, such as glaciers, fjords, and mountain peaks.
Visitors can stay at the Fox Island Wilderness Lodge, which has simple rooms and offers guided tours of the island’s natural attractions, such as sea kayaking, wildlife watching, and hiking. Sea otters, harbor seals, bald eagles, and black bears are some of the animals that live on the island.
12. Dangar Island, Australia
Dangar Island is a small island in New South Wales, Australia. It is on the Hawkesbury River. It is about 50 kilometers north of Sydney, and you can get there by taking a ferry from Brooklyn or by renting a private boat.
Around 29 hectares make up the island, which is home to a small group of people, many of whom are artists or writers. There are no cars on the island, so people must walk or ride bikes to get around.
The island has a public dock where people can fish or swim in the river and a number of walking paths. It is a popular place to go for a day trip or a weekend getaway because it is quiet and away from the busy city.
13. Saba, Netherlands Antilles
Saba is a small island in the Caribbean Sea. It is part of a chain of islands called the Lesser Antilles. It is one of the islands that make up the Netherlands Antilles, which are part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Saba is about 13 square kilometers in size and is known for its rough terrain and beautiful nature. Mount Scenery, which is on the island, is the highest point in the Netherlands. It is 887 meters (2,910 feet) above sea level. Around 2,000 people live on the island, which is known for its friendly people and slow-paced way of life.
Saba is a popular place to go scuba diving and snorkeling because its waters are clear and there is a lot of marine life there. Visitors can also go hiking on the island, visit historical sites, or just relax on one of its beautiful beaches.
14. Wizard Island
Wizard Island is a volcanic island in Crater Lake, which is a deep lake in Oregon, United States. The lake is in a caldera, which is a bowl-shaped depression. A significant volcanic eruption that occurred about 7,700 years ago formed the island.
It is one of several islands in the lake. Wizard Island is about 315 acres big and rises 764 feet above the lake. During the summer, visitors to Crater Lake National Park frequently travel to the island by boat.
People can hike to the top of Wizard Island to see Crater Lake and the area around it, or they can explore the island’s forests and meadows. The island is also known for its unique geology and volcanic formations, such as a crater and a series of lava flows.
15. Bryher Island
Bryher is one of the Isles of Scilly. The Isles of Scilly are a group of islands off the southwest coast of England’s Cornwall. Bryher Island is the smallest inhabited island in the archipelago.
It has an area of about 1.3 square miles. The island’s landscape is rough and wild, with rocky cliffs and sandy beaches. It is popular with tourists because of its natural beauty, which hasn’t changed. On the island, there are a few small towns, like the main village of Bryher, which has a small store, a post office, and a few restaurants and cafes.
Visitors can explore the island on foot or by bike, and there are several walking trails that lead to beautiful views and historic sites. Birdwatching is also a popular thing to do on Bryher Island, where you can see a wide range of seabirds and wading birds along the coast and in the wetlands.
16. Baltrum
Baltrum is a small island in the North Sea, near where Germany meets the sea. It’s one of the East Frisian Islands, which are a group of islands off the coast of Germany. The area of Baltrum is about 6.5 square kilometers, and there are about 500 people living there.
The island is known for its beautiful beaches, dunes, and salt marshes. People who want to relax and enjoy nature often go there. People can walk or ride bikes around the island, and there are a number of hiking trails that lead to beautiful views and historic sites.
Baltrum is also known for its wildlife. In the waters around the island, you can see a variety of seabirds, seals, and other marine life. There is a small village on the island with a few shops, restaurants, and places to stay.
17. Suwarrow Atoll
Suwarrow Atoll is a coral atoll in the Pacific Ocean. It is part of the northern group of the Cook Islands. It is a remote, uninhabited atoll. Nassau Island, which is about 110 kilometers to the southeast, is the closest inhabited island.
Suwarrow Atoll has a lot of different kinds of birds, animals in the water, and coral reefs. The atoll was made a national park in 1978, and the Cook Islands National Environment Service is now in charge of it.
Admiral Feodor von Wrangel, a Russian sailor, found the atoll in 1840. It was named after him. Robert Louis Stevenson also went to the atoll in 1889. He wrote about his time there in his book, “In the South Seas.”
Today, yachts and sailing enthusiasts like to go to Suwarrow Atoll to check out the beautiful beaches, clear waters, and large numbers of animals.
18. Monhegan
Monhegan is a small island in the United States. It is about 12 nautical miles from the coast of Maine. The island is only 1.75 square miles, but it is known for its beautiful nature and long history of art.
Since the end of the 19th century, the island has been a haven for artists. Painters like Rockwell Kent and George Bellows spent their summers there to paint the island’s rough coast and wild landscapes. Today, the island is still home to a thriving group of artists. Their work can be seen in a number of galleries and studios.
Monhegan is known not only for its artistic history but also for its stunning natural beauty. There are many hiking trails on the island that go through dense forests, along rocky cliffs, and past quiet beaches. On the island, there is a lot of wildlife. People often see seals, porpoises, and different kinds of seabirds.
Even though Monhegan is small, it has a strong community of people who live there all year. These people run a general store and a few restaurants, among other small businesses. The only way to get to the island is by boat. During the summer, a ferry runs every day from the mainland to the island.
19. Foula
Foula is an island in Scotland’s Shetland Islands archipelago that is far away and has few people living on it. It is the seventh-largest island in the Shetland Group and is about 20 miles west of the mainland.
Foula is known for its rough land, which is mostly made up of steep cliffs and rolling hills. There is also a lot of wildlife on the island, such as puffins, gannets, and otters. Because the island is an important place for bird nests, it has been designated a Special Protection Area for Birds.
Around 30 people live on the island, and most of them make their living doing traditional things like farming and fishing. Even though Foula is far away, it has a rich cultural history. It has its own dialect of the Shetland language and a long history of telling stories and making music.
Ferry service from the nearby island of Walls to Foula is available, but because the island is so exposed, sailings are infrequent and occasionally canceled. People who go to Foula can hike, watch wildlife, and learn about the island’s unique culture and way of life.
20. Saba
Saba is a small island in the Caribbean Sea. It is near Sint Eustatius to the south and Saint Kitts and Nevis to the northwest. It is a special municipality of the Netherlands, which makes it a part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
The island is known for its natural beauty, which includes steep cliffs, lush rainforests, and clean beaches. Mount Scenery on Saba is the highest point in the Netherlands. At 887 meters, it is the highest point in all of the Netherlands.
Saba is also home to a thriving community of about 2,000 people who make a living through fishing, farming, and tourism, among other things. The island is known for having a warm and friendly vibe, and visitors often comment on how friendly and helpful the locals are.
Even though Saba is a small island, it has a rich cultural history with Dutch, English, and Afro-Caribbean influences. The island has a thriving arts and crafts scene as well as a number of museums and cultural centers.
Saba is easy to get to by air and by sea. There are regular ferries from nearby islands, and you can fly there from St. Maarten and other Caribbean cities. Saba is an island where people can go hiking, scuba diving, and visit the island’s charming villages and historic sites.
21. Cocos Islands
The Cocos Islands, also called the Keeling Islands, are a group of uninhabited coral islands in the Indian Ocean, about 2,750 kilometers northwest of Perth, Australia. They are also called the Keeling Islands. The islands are made up of two atolls and 27 coral islands. There are only 14 square kilometers of land on all of them.
There are only about 600 people living on the islands, and they make a living from tourism and growing coconuts. Malay and Indonesian traders first lived on the islands in the early 1800s. In 1857, the islands became part of the British Empire. The Cocos Islands are now a part of Australia, and a local council is in charge of running them.
The Cocos Islands are known for their beautiful nature, with clear waters and lots of sea life. With their colorful coral reefs and many tropical fish and other sea creatures, the islands are a popular place to dive and snorkel. Visitors can also explore the islands’ lush forests and white-sand beaches, or they can take a guided tour of the local coconut plantations.
Even though they are far away, the Cocos Islands are well connected to the rest of the world. Flights from Perth and Christmas Island go there often. The islands also have a hospital, a school, and several restaurants and cafes, among other things.
23. Lord Howe Island
Lord Howe Island is a small island in the Tasman Sea between Australia and New Zealand. It looks like a crescent moon. The island is part of Australia. It is about 600 kilometers east of the main part of Australia.
The island is known for its stunning natural beauty, like its clear waters, lush forests, and rough cliffs. The Lord Howe Island woodhen and the Lord Howe Island palm, which is one of the rarest palms in the world, are two of the unique plant and animal species that live on the island.
The island is a popular place for people who like to be outside because they can hike, snorkel, dive, and fish there. Visitors can explore the island’s many hiking trails, which wind through dense forests and along rocky shorelines, or they can take a guided tour of the island’s unique ecology and history.
Even though Lord Howe Island is small, it is home to a thriving community of about 350 people who make a living through tourism and a number of other industries. There is a small airport on the island, as well as a post office, a bank, and a number of restaurants and cafes.
Lord Howe Island is hard to get to because you can only fly there from a few Australian cities. This, along with the island’s strict rules about the environment, has helped keep the island’s natural beauty and unique ecosystem in good shape.
Just Room Enough is the world’s smallest island. The island is only 3,300 square feet (306 square meters) in size, which is big enough for a small house, a tree, and a few chairs. In the 1950s, the Sizeland family bought the island and built a small cottage on it.
Just Room Enough Island, which is also called Hub Island, is in the Thousand Islands chain in New York, which is in the United States. It is known for being the smallest inhabited island in the world, with an area of about 3,300 square feet (310 square meters), or about one-thirteenth of an acre. The island is privately owned, and its owners built a small cottage on it to use as a vacation home. Even though the island is very small, its unique size and location in the Thousand Islands chain have made it a popular place for tourists to visit.