Best Island Camping
Island camping carries a quality of separation from the mainland that even remote continental camping cannot replicate. The ferry or boat crossing creates a genuine psychological break; the knowledge that departure is scheduled rather than optional produces a different relationship with the landscape. The ten islands below are chosen for camping quality, access practicality, and the combination of natural setting with enough logistical infrastructure to be realistically planned.
1. Islay, Inner Hebrides, Scotland
Islay is served by Caledonian MacBrayne ferries from Kennacraig (2.5 hours). Wild camping is legal under the Land Reform Act (Scotland) on the open moorland and coastline. The Gruinart flats, the Rinns cliffs, and the south coast between Portnahaven and the Mull of Oa are the best camping landscapes. The island is famous for its distilleries — Lagavulin, Laphroaig, and Ardbeg are within walking distance of each other on the south coast. The combination of beach camping, whisky, and Atlantic light makes Islay one of the better island camping weekends in the UK.
2. Lofoten Islands, Norway
The Lofoten island chain — Austvågøya, Vestvågøya, Flakstadøya, Moskenesøya — is connected by road bridges and tunnels from the Norwegian mainland. Wild camping is legal throughout under allemannsretten. The beaches at Haukland and Skagsanden are the most photographed camping locations. The E10 highway provides access along the chain; the end of the road at Å provides the most remote camping. Midnight sun in June and July; northern lights from September.
3. Ocracoke Island, North Carolina, USA
Accessible by ferry from Cedar Island or Swan Quarter (NPS ferry from Hatteras is free; the mainland ferries charge). The NPS campground on Ocracoke is on the beach side, with a walk-in tent area and a drive-in area. The village of Ocracoke is a genuinely functioning fishing community; the wild ponies on the northern end of the island are a National Park Service managed herd. The combination of beach camping, historic village, and Outer Banks remoteness makes Ocracoke the best island camping in the eastern USA.
4. Chiloé Island, Chilean Patagonia
The Parque Nacional Chiloé on the Pacific coast of Chiloé island contains temperate rainforest, sea-lion beaches, and Mapuche cultural sites. The ferry from Pargua on the mainland to Chacao is frequent and inexpensive. Several campgrounds operate within or adjacent to the national park. The Chiloé interior is architecturally distinct — palafito stilt houses, wooden churches — providing an island character unique in Patagonia. The combination of national park quality and cultural distinctiveness justifies a dedicated island camping trip.
5. Inchcailloch, Loch Lomond, Scotland
Inchcailloch is the most accessible of Loch Lomond's islands, reachable by foot ferry from Balmaha (five minutes). National Park Authority camping is permitted on designated sites on the island. The mixed oak and ash woodland of the island is part of the National Nature Reserve; red squirrels, roe deer, and great spotted woodpeckers are regular sightings. The ferry runs on demand from the boat hire operator at Balmaha; kayak access is the alternative. The island is a model for managed island camping: permit required, no fires, no facilities beyond a composting toilet.
6. Faroe Islands, Denmark
The Faroes sit midway between Iceland and Norway and are accessible by Smyril Line ferry from Denmark or by direct flights from Copenhagen. Wild camping is legally ambiguous but tolerated on open land outside settlements; the campground at Torshavn provides a formal base. The landscape — sea cliffs, sheep, and sea-fog — is unlike anywhere else in Europe. The birdlife on the northern islands (puffin colonies, gannet stacks) is extraordinary. Weather is extremely changeable and wind-proofing your setup is mandatory.
7. Oslob Municipality, Cebu, Philippines
The Sumilon Island marine sanctuary near Oslob is accessible by banca (outrigger boat) from the mainland. Overnight camping on the island's white sand beach is available by permit from the Oslob municipality. The combination of the coral reef surrounding the island and the whale shark interaction programme at Oslob village (controversial — inform yourself about the ethics before participating) makes this one of the most activity-dense island camping options in Southeast Asia.
8. Inishmore, Aran Islands, Ireland
The largest of the Aran Islands in Galway Bay, accessible by ferry from Rossaveal or by Aer Arann propeller service from Connemara Regional Airport. The campground at Mainistir House and several small farm campsites operate on the island. Dun Aonghasa, a Bronze Age cliff fort at the edge of a 90-metre Atlantic cliff, is within cycling distance of all accommodation. The island's limestone pavement, karst wildflowers in June, and traffic-free lanes make it one of the most distinctive camping landscapes in Ireland.
9. Rottnest Island, Western Australia
A 90-minute ferry from Perth or Fremantle, Rottnest is a car-free island with a campground operated by the Rottnest Island Authority. Quokka — the small marsupial uniquely endemic to the island — are present throughout the campground. Cycling is the transport mode; the coral reef snorkelling is accessible from shore at several beaches. A camping permit and ferry reservation must be booked in advance; school holiday dates sell out months ahead.
10. Orkney Mainland, Scotland
Orkney is reachable by NorthLink ferry from Scrabster (1.5 hours to Stromness) or by Pentland Ferries from Gills Bay. The Orkney campsite network — particularly the Stromness Camping Site and several farm campgrounds — provides facilities for the archaeological circuit: Ring of Brodgar, Skara Brae, and Maeshowe are within a day's cycling from Stromness. Wild camping on the open moorland and coastal grazing land is broadly tolerated under Scottish law. The combination of Neolithic archaeology and camping is unique in the British Isles.
Island camping logistics
The ferry schedule defines your departure options more firmly than mainland camping; plan a day's contingency at the end of any island camping trip for weather-related delays. Water supply is the critical variable on smaller islands — confirm whether the campground has treated water on site before your departure. On uninhabited or minimally serviced islands, a water filter and a full water bladder is mandatory kit.