February 2, 2024 | Miles Brucker

The Most Remote Vacation Destinations


Remote Vacation Destinations

Are you looking for a vacation spot that is not crowded with tourists? Perhaps a place where you don’t have to reserve the hot tub, or save your beach chairs with towels? We’ve got you covered.

This article highlights several family-friendly vacation spots that are so remote that you actually need a helicopter to get to them.

From mountainous winter wonderlands to tropical paradises, there is a remote destination in this list for you. Let’s dive in.

Remote Vacation Destinations2

Minaret Station, Lake Wanaka, New Zealand

Minaret Station is a rustic escape that boats 50,000 acres and can only be reached by helicopter. It’s the perfect place for extended families looking for a group vacation.

New ZealandMinaret Station Resort

Minaret Station: Accommodations

The resort has a main lodge that connects to four alpine chalets using raised wooden boardwalks. All the chalets are decorated in classic sheepskin and plaid country décor.

Guests can go hiking, fishing, jet boating, heli-skiing, and heli-biking.

LodgeMinaret Station Resort

Talus Lodge, British Columbia, Canada

A whopping 7,600 feet high up in the Canadian Rocky Mountains is Talus Lodge, the perfect remote getaway that can only be accessed by helicopter.

Lodge resortTalus Lodge

Talus Lodge: Accommodations

The two-story lodge can only accommodate 12 guests at a time. Guests can enjoy countless backcountry adventures like tobogganing, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, backcountry skiing, and hiking.

This lodge is almost completely off-grid, relying on wood stoves for heating, propane for cooking, and solar panels for electricity.

lodgeTalus Lodge

Tikchik Narrows Lodge, Wood-Tikchik State Park, Alaska

Tikchik Narrows Lodge is a rustic destination that’s more than 300 miles from any connecting roads, making it only accessible by seaplane.

AlaskaTickchik Lodge

Tikchik Narrows Lodge: Accommodations

There is a main lodge and seven duplex guest cabins. The dining area and the main lodge boast 360-degree views of the lake, which is known as one of the best fishing spots in the world.

AlaskaTikchik Lodge

Purcell Mountain Lodge, British Columbia, Canada

Purcell Mountain Lodge is nestled into the high slopes of Bald Mountain near Glacier National Park. It takes a 15-minute helicopter ride to get there.

Purcell Mountain LodgePurcell Mountain Lodge

Purcell Mountain Lodge: Accommodations

The three-story mountain lodge offers 10 private guest rooms decorated with cozy mountain décor (wood beams, pine tables, wool throws). Bathrooms and showers are shared.

Guests can ski right off the alpine plateau, or snowshoe, hike or enjoy the on-site sauna.

Purcell Mountain LodgePurcell Mountain Lodge

Winterlake Lodge, Skwentna, Alaska

Winterlake Lodge is a 15-acre property on the western edge of the Alaska Range. It is accessible by float plane in the summer and ski plane in the winter.

AlaksaWinterlake Lodge

Winterlake Lodge: Accommodations

There is a main lodge that offers a bar, dining area, wellness rooms and games area, and six guest cabins.

Guests can dog-mush, heli-ski, snowshoe, cross-country ski, explore glacial pools, white-water raft, fly fish, rock scramble, and more.

AlaskaWinterlake Lodge

Nimmo Bay, British Columbia, Canada

Nimmo Bay is situated in the middle of the Great Bear Rainforest in British Columbia. You can only get to it by flying to Port Hardy on the tip of Vancouver Island, and then catching a helicopter or float plane to the property’s private dock.

Landscape Photo of Nimmo Bay Lodge, British ColumbiaJake Haupert, Flickr

Nimmo Bay: Accommodations

The resort has nine wooden cabins—six of them are perched on stilts on the edge of the lake, and three of them are tucked up inside the forest. The main lodge actually floats on the lake.

Guests can go bear or whale watching, paddle boarding, kayaking, windsurfing, hiking, fly fishing, or enjoy cedar hot tubs by a cascading waterfall.

Landscape Photo of Nimmo Bay Lodge, British ColumbiaJake Haupert, Flickr

North Island, The Seychelles

Most of the islands of Seychelles are difficult to get to, but North Island doesn’t even have a dock for boats. It requires a 20-minute helicopter ride from the capital of Mahe.

Luxury Bungalow with pool on North Island, SeychellesMarco Moeller, Shutterstock

North Island: Accommodations

The resort has 11 luxury villas that offer personal plunge pools, sunken baths, and outdoor showers. Guests can enjoy various island activities, and enjoy the stunning views and amazing wildlife.

Luxury Lodge with pool on North Island, SeychellesMarco Moeller, Shutterstock

CMH Bobbie Burns, Alberta, Canada

CMH Bobbie Burns is about 15 minutes from Calgary but it remains an isolated location between Purcell and Selkirk Mountains.

Landscape Photo of the Selkirk MountainsC MacDonald, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

CMH Bobbie Burns: Accommodations

It boasts a 26-room ski lodge that boasts a climbing wall, game room, massages, an outdoor whirlpool and sauna, and a huge wine cellar.

Guests who go there are not casual skiers. The most popular activity includes heli-skiing on 224 adrenaline-pumping runs. Guests can also enjoy snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

CMH Heli Ski Lodge on Bobbie Burns Creek, Alberta, CanadaMurray Foubister, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Kandolhu Maldives, North Ari Atoll, Maldives

Kandolhu is a tiny island, about 450 ft by 650ft and it takes a half hour to get there by seaplane.

Landscape Photo of Kandolhu Atoll at sunset MaldivesJacques Rollet, Flickr

Kandolhu Maldives: Accommodations

This remote paradise offers 30 villas are surrounded by ocean and come equipped with AC, rechargeable torches, and a GoPro to help you document your adventures while snorkeling right off your sundeck.

A corner of the island resort with a gradual blue sea in MaldivesLiTsai, Shutterstock

Mica Lodge, British Columbia

The Mica Lodge is a five-star resort north of Revelstroke in British Columbia. It takes a short helicopter ride to get to it.

People skiing in Revelstoke Mountain ski Resort, British Columbia, CanadaTom Zahnas, Shutterstock

Mica Lodge: Accommodations

The main lodge is made up of only 12 suites. Heli-skiing groups of up to 20 guests can reserve a lodge equipped with a main lounge, hot tub, private massage quarters, and roomy suites.

The most popular activity at this lodge is fall-line tree-skiing, but there’s many other activities to enjoy as well.

Panoramic view of Revelstoke Mountain ski resortOleg Mayorov, Shutterstock

Sheldon Chalet, Denali National Park, Alaska

The Sheldon Chalet is a small, five-room property that is only accessible by helicopter. It’s only 10 miles from the summit of Denali.

Denali National Park and Wonder lakeMarc Cappelletti, Shutterstock

Sheldon Chalet: Accommodations

The eco-conscious mountain house offers simple, modern luxury and panoramic views. But this remote location does not offer internet or cell service.

Guests can go heli-skiing, fishing at hidden lakes, dog-sledding, rappelling into ice crevasses, and glacier hiking.

Sheldon Chalet the most luxurious cabin in Alaska.Travel Mixtape, Shutterstock

Necker Island, British Virgin Islands

Necker Island boasts a whopping 74 acres, and the owner is famously known—Sir. Richard Branson. The island is a popular destination for celebrities, actually, due to its remote location.

It can only be accessed by private jet to a nearby island, and then a boat or helicopter ride to Necker Island.

View of Richard Branson's property on Necker IslandSadie Whitelocks, Shutterstock

Necker Island: Accommodations

This luxury island resort offers several different guest houses that sleep from 6-10 people, and can be rented out privately.

Each has their own design, but most are equipped with personal pools, dining areas, lounges, and luxury modern amenities.

View of Prickley Pear, Eustatia and Necker Islands British Virgin Islands.Thomas Kloc, Shutterstock

Norman’s Cay Island

This island is only accessible by private plane to the island’s personal airport. Commercial flights are no longer offered, and no one permanently lives there.

Beach with wooden path, straw hut and palm trees, Norman's Cay, BahamasElizabeth Caron, Shutterstock

Norman’s Cay Island: Accommodations

The island offers luxury villas, bungalows, cabanas, and cottages.

Guests can enjoy boat excursions, deep-sea fishing, snorkeling, sunken ship explorations, diving, paddleboarding, windsurfing, kayaking and more.

A pristine, tropical beach in the Bahamas. Located near Norman's Cay anchorage.Daniel Sockwell, Shutterstock

Final Thoughts

The destinations listed in this article are stunning, family friendly resorts where you can stay in luxury while enjoying thrilling adventures in the most remote locations.

They offer a different experience from the usual tropical, tourist-ridden family vacation that typically causes more stress than fun.

Jungle views from inifinity pool of viceroy hotel, Ubud, Indonesia.Jon Chica, Shutterstock


READ MORE

Top Three Hotels For Adventurers

If you’re looking for unique thrills, an average hotel just won’t cut it. For an unforgettable vacation, check out one of these amazing adventure hotels.
June 13, 2023 Kaddy Gibson
Gros Morne National Park

Five Incredible Destinations For Nature Lovers

If you’re looking to embrace the call of the wild and experience breathtaking views, check out these great nature destinations.
June 13, 2023 Kaddy Gibson
St. George's Church

The Creepiest Abandoned Attractions

Despite their ominous origins, these abandoned attractions have become some of the world’s most popular tourist destinations.
June 13, 2023 Kaddy Gibson
internal-vienna

Destination Of The Day: Vienna

With an abundance of beautiful architecture, fine art, and historical attractions it's easy to see why Vienna was once considered the capital of the world.
June 14, 2023 Kaddy Gibson
internal-louvre

Destination Of The Day: Paris

With rich history, beautiful streets, and world-renowned cuisine, it’s no wonder why Paris is among the top tourist destinations.
June 14, 2023 Kaddy Gibson
bali_internal

Destination Of The Day: Bali

Bali is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, but don’t let that stop you from visiting this beautiful Indonesian island.
June 14, 2023 Kaddy Gibson