Here's Why You Can’t Visit Iceland’s Surtsey Island

There aren’t a ton of forbidden places in the world. The mystery of them can add to their allure, but travelers should still respect the reasons that they are forbidden. One of the places that is forbidden which has gained some attention is Surtsey’s island in Iceland. It is only the second site in Iceland that has been honored as a UNESCO World Heritage site and has been labeled as prohibited since its inception.

The formation was formed between 1963 and 1967 due to an undersea volcanic eruption and is considered one of the newest islands in the world. Surtsey is a very interesting forbidden place but it has been kept relatively controlled since only a handful of people have been allowed there. Here is what we know about the unique island and why it is forbidden.

Why Is Surtsey One Of The Forbidden Places?

The public is not allowed on Surtsey, so it is completely closed off. The handful of people who have seen the island have been scientists. This means that travelers will have a very hard time finding a way to this gem of forbidden places. It is prohibited for people to go ashore, dive close to the island, disturb the environment, or construction to be nearby. A distant boat or plane is the only way visitors can get a glimpse of the volcanic island. There are a few reasons that these rules have been put into place. Here are some of the most important ones for travelers to know.

To Minimize Human Disruption

One of the top reasons that travelers will not be able to visit Surtsey is because authorities want to minimize human interaction. Tourism or even exploration of the island would disturb the surrounding nature. This is not something that would benefit the new formation and is why it is one of the most mysterious forbidden places. By avoiding the site travelers can actually help it thrive. This rule is a way to preserve it and abiding by it can be considered sustainable tourism.

Important Scientific Research

There has been limited human interaction with the island so far. The few people who have been allowed on Surtsey have been scientists. It is being studied for many things including flora and fauna colonization, geological formation, and biotic succession. This is why it has been made one of the few forbidden places. Only a small number of scientists are even allowed to visit each year, and when they do, they only stay for a few days.

Preserve Universal Value

Surtsey is a universally valuable place that is legally protected because it is a pristine natural laboratory. The island has produced long-term data and information on the processes of new land. Since it is uninhabited and human interference is prohibited, it can be preserved and observed in its natural state.