Jarvis Island is a remote, uninhabited tropical desert in the middle of the Pacific

Countries & Cities · Published 30 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Located 1,305 nautical miles from Honolulu, this low-lying coral island is strictly off-limits to the public. Once a site of intensive guano mining, it has been transformed into a protected wildlife refuge, serving as a critical sanctuary for seabirds and some of the world's most remote coral reefs.

Jarvis Island, an unincorporated U.S. territory, sits in the South Pacific as part of the National Wildlife Refuge system. Established as a refuge in 1974, it encompasses 429,853 acres, though only 1,273 acres are terrestrial. The island is a flat, sandy coral formation with no natural freshwater lens, resulting in a harsh, tropical desert climate. Because of its extreme isolation and ecological sensitivity, entry is prohibited without a Special Use Permit.

The island’s history is defined by the 19th-century guano boom. Claimed by the United States in 1857 and annexed in 1858, the island was mined for fertilizer for 21 years. The operation left behind tram tracks and a two-story superintendent's house before being abruptly abandoned in 1879, leaving 8,000 metric tons of guano behind. Today, the island is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which monitors the surrounding reefs and bird populations in partnership with NOAA.

Ecological recovery has been a primary focus since the island was incorporated into the Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument in 2009. While guano mining and invasive rodents historically damaged the ecosystem, bird populations have shown remarkable resilience. By 2004, researchers recorded 14 breeding species, a significant increase from the eight species documented in 1982. The island now serves as a vital nesting ground for species like the Polynesian storm petrel and various boobies, proving that even heavily exploited landscapes can return to their role as essential wildlife havens.

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