It cost $ 30 million: what does the most expensive island in the world look like and is it possible to get there (21 photos)

Palmyra Atoll in the Pacific Ocean carefully protected from tourists





Despite the development of air transport, the opportunity to receive visas and move across country borders, there are many inaccessible territories. For example, on the islands of Tristan da Cunha in thousands nautical miles from the coast of South Africa, no one is waiting for tourists, there are no not even a single hotel, not to mention the beaches or restaurants. If land on the Sentinel archipelago in the Indian Ocean, you can it's easy to get an arrow from natives who don't know how to make fire. IN Turkmenistan or North Korea are difficult to hit on political reasons.

But there are also areas that are protected from unnecessary attention of tourists for the sake of preserving unique ecosystems. Usually this nature reserves, but an entire Asian country can be added to this list, and Palmyra Island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.














Palmyra is included in the Guinness Book of Records as the most expensive island in the world ever sold by people. The atoll was acquired by the US authorities (namely the Organization for Conservation of Nature) for $30 million from the Fullard-Leos family of Honolulu, who owned this land for 80 years.

The purchase was made in order to preserve the nature of Palmyra. On atoll, which consists of 26 small islands, inhabited by the world's largest land invertebrate, the coconut crab population of red-footed boobies, which, apart from this place, are found only in the Galapagos.















Hundreds of thousands of birds from 29 different species flock to Palmyra every year. species - for birds this is the only opportunity to land and rest, there is not a piece of land around for a million square kilometers.

Despite the warmth, beautiful views and abundance of natural resources, such as giant coconuts, life here would be difficult: on The island has no sources of fresh water. This is also why there is no indigenous population on the atoll, only scientists from United States, and there are very few of them. Newly populated sign reported that there were 21 people on the island.



You can get to Palmyra by plane - takeoff and landing The strip is operated by the United States Conservation Service. Boat way too possible, but from Honolulu you need to sail here for 5-7 days - until The administrative center of the state of Hawaii is approximately 1,500 kilometers.







> American environmentalists tactfully point out that the journey to Palmyra is impossible because of the high cost, in fact, it is more important to preserve nature. In order not to accidentally bring some invasive species here, visitors disinfect or freeze their belongings.








For those who want to get to Palmyra by all means, there are fourre way to do it.

Work as a contract or volunteer in one of the US government organizations that study the local nature.

Being a scientist, organize a trip for research purposes, also through interaction with nature conservation authorities.

To make a "donor" trip, that is, to come here, investing in the preservation of the nature of Palmyra.

Access by motorboat or private boat - cruise vessels do not approach the atoll, regular passenger flights also no.