Catalina Island ranks among the world's ten quietest getaways

Researchers applied six metrics—abundant nature, minimal roads, low air traffic, uncrowded spaces, dark night skies and natural coastlines—to rank 100 islands worldwide for acoustic serenity. Stewart Island in New Zealand claimed the top spot, while Catalina Island off California’s coast entered the top ten, edging out Scotland’s Isle of Skye. The 76-square-mile island, dubbed the “Caribbean of California,” is home to about 3,700 permanent residents concentrated along the shoreline, leaving most of the interior wild and under the protection of the Catalina Island Conservancy since the 1970s. With 88% of its area conserved, a 25-year waiting list for cars, and 165 miles of scenic trails, Catalina earned a quiet-score of 90 out of 100.

The island also hosts a herd of American bison, native foxes, bald eagles and a vibrant marine ecosystem frequented by dolphins, seals and whales. The ranking mirrors a surge in “quietcations,” as U.S. travelers increasingly seek silent, nature-rich retreats.