Hashima (aka; ‘Gunkanjima’), the abandoned island in the East China Sea, near Nagasaki, is the reigning (known) king of ghost islands. Here is Hashima’s story/history, here is the short version, check out this mind-blowing b&w photojournalist’s gallery, here’s another extensive photo gallery, and another one (tied to a public-access project), here’s a Swedish video documentary from 2002, click here for a zoom-able satellite view (island is squared-off dot in center, use magnifying tool on left), here’s a street map.

Ballale (aka; Ballalae, Ballalai or Balalai), in the Pacific Island area above notorious war location Bougainville. This one time air strip island is now a graveyard to dozens of plant-covered WWII plane wrecks, hundreds of former POW grave sites, and an abandoned small city of people that populated it during the war. Now it’s an elusive destination for war history buffs. Extensive history, aerial photos and list of identified aircraft wrecks on Ballale, report on war crimes on the island, apparent 2006 documentary on the island.

Palmyra (Palmyra Atoll) island in the North Pacific is an uncategorized but incorporated territory of the United States. Roads and airstrips were built there in WWII, but are now overgrown and unusable. A group of about 20 researchers and scientists now inhabit the island’s modest dwellings. In 1974 a bizarre double murder took place on the island, which is still a creepy mystery. The complicated case was turned into a book, and film. Many believe the barren island itself is cursed. Extensive history of Palmyra here.

Kandholhudhoo, a Maldivian island near the Arabian Sea, had it’s populated cities destroyed (but somewhat still standing) by the deadly Tsunami of 2004. It is now permanently deserted. A shopkeeper remembers the island (a few photos), Small report of recent visit.

San Borondon (aka; ‘The Eighth Canary Island’). Existing perhaps as pure legend in the Atlantic ocean somewhere west of Europe, this Eden-like (and reportedly populated) oasis has been reported as early as the second century by geographers and shipsmen. Earnest expeditions to pinpoint and land it have gone on for centuries (and still even now), but attempts are always thwarted by coincidental natural circumstances. Sightings may be Fata Morgana, an optical illusion due to light refraction at dawn and dusk. San Borondon’s legend/history, odd Spanish language site with old San Borondon-related photographs, oh… here’s the explanation of the previous site.

An extensive list of many other ghost islands can be found here.

Above screen capture from original Scooby Doo TV show, episode “A Night Of Fright Is No Delight”

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