Who hasn’t dreamed, at least once, of dropping everything and moving to a desert island? A piece of paradise with no schedules, cranky bosses and noisy neighbors, where the only problem is choosing the cutest seashell for the collection. For many people, a remote place in the middle of the sea represents the perfect getaway, and of all the islands forgotten by the world, the deserted island of Attu in Alaska might seem like a perfect, if extreme, choice. Sure, but before you pack your bags and say goodbye to everyone with a poetic “Goodbye, civilization!”, perhaps it’s best to understand what it really means to go and live on a place like Attu Island, the westernmost of the Aleutian archipelago, between the icy North Pacific winds and the extreme American border.
Are you interested in adventure travel? Also read our article on the desert island of Sable
The Charm of the Desert Island, Reality or Fantasy?
According to joint research between Ipsos and the interesting site Docastaway (a company that organizes experiences on inaccessible islands) the desire to live on a desert island still quite widespread among a good number of people who admit to Longing for an escape from civilization to a simpler life. But beware: dreaming of living on a desert island is one thing, actually doing it is a whole other story. Especially when you consider a place, such as Attu Island, so remote wilderness, where just the idea of having to build a fire without a lighter might scare off several Robinson Crusoe wannabes . Yet, it turns out, those truly determined to get away from it all might find Attu Island a fascinating choice–or, at least, so remote that it is not easily reached by intrusive in-laws.
How to Get to the Deserted Island of Attu: A Small Obstacle Route to Alaska
You may have figured it out by now, Attu is not exactly the Caribbean island where they bring you coconut cocktails and you swing in a hammock in the shade of palm trees. To get there, you have to be prepared for a real odyssey: Attu Island is located at the western end of the Aleutians, in Alaska, more than 1,600 kilometers from any sign of civilization. There are no direct flights, no regular ferries-let alone rented boats. Only scientific expeditions or adventurers with a hefty dose of courage and a rather paltry wallet can set foot on Attu, of course having special permits.
Attu Island and World War II, when the island was not Deserted
Perhaps not everyone knows that Attu Island in Alaska was the site of a battle during World War II. In 1943, Japanese forces occupied the island, the only American territory to be invaded during the conflict. The Americans recaptured Attu, but at the cost of many lives and fierce fighting under extreme conditions. Although today, the island is a silent and desolate place, traces of a history that few know still remain. This aura of mystery and isolation only adds to the allure of the deserted island of Attu, which, however – thanks in part to this history – seems to scream loudly that it is not the ideal place for a quiet life.
American Navy Town to fight the Japanese.
Not far from Attu, on Adak Island, the United States built Navy Town, a strategic military base and focal point for World War II operations in the Aleutians.
From here, U.S. forces coordinated attacks to counter the Japanese occupation of Attu and Kiska. Ironically, while today people dream of escaping to a deserted island, Adak once teemed with soldiers and military machinery, testifying to how even the remotest corners of the world can turn into nerve centers of history
Curiosities about Desert Islands like Attu: Who Really Wants to Live Like This?
Except for a brave few, most of us just watch programs like Bear Grylls or the celebrated film Castaway to get an idea of what life would be like in isolation. There are many who dream of going to live on a desert island, but how many actually do? Very few, mainly because living without a refrigerator or a smartphone is a feat that only a tiny percentage of people are willing to carry out.
Someone, however, has made it to a deserted island
However, there are some communities that have managed to establish themselves on remote islands, such as St. Helena or Tristan da Cunha, albeit in conditions far more accessible than Attu. They have created self-sufficient and well-organized communities, proving that living in isolation can be possible, but only with the right means and a little technology. .
In conclusion, is going to live on the desert island of Attu in Alaska an impossible dream?
Living on Attu ultimately seems to be more of a fantasy than a real possibility. Although the allure of a deserted island may be irresistible to many, the harsh reality is that the deserted island of Attu in Alaska is one of the least hospitable places on the planet. If you really want an experience on an uninhabited island, you might want to try a short sightseeing adventure, just enough time to post a few photos and return home, where a hot shower and a comfortable bed will be waiting for you with open arms.
