Top 10 Quietest Islands in the World 2026: How India’s Havelock Island made the list
BookRetreats.com has unveiled its index ranking the world's quietest islands for a peaceful getaway in 2026. International travel's growing popularity has led to crowded tourist locations and high noise levels. The Unspoilt Index examined six factors: population density, naturalness, airport noise, main road density, night-sky brightness, and coastal accessibility.
Stewart Island in New Zealand topped the list with a score of 94.6 out of 100. As the world's southernmost International Dark Sky Sanctuary, it offers minimal light pollution and the chance to witness the Aurora Australis. Havelock Island in India secured the ninth position on the list, known for its untouched jungle and remote location.
Tourists usually reach the island via a ferry from Port Blair, around 60 km away. Notable beaches include Radhanagar, Kalapathar, and Elephant Beach, which offer various snorkeling opportunities. Other top-ranked islands include Anafi (Greece), Ilha Grande (Brazil), and Lord Howe Island (Australia). The European Environment Agency reports that over one-fifth of Europeans face harmful noise levels due to transportation, while 94.5 million Americans experience similar conditions.
The State of Retreats report found that 56% of US travelers seek quiet retreats in nature, with Google searches for quiet destinations surging by 1,268% year-over-year.
Written by urgent.news from The Indian Express's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
