A new study by Goolets, suppliers of luxury yacht rentals and charters, has revealed the top off grid destinations for 2026, ranking the best places for people looking for a relaxing vacation away from the rest of the public.
The research ranked 25 popular off grid destinations based on the average distance to travel to the nearest airport, bus stops, train stations, roads, hotels, and restaurants, with all locations then given a final off grid ranking score out of 100.
The Lord Howe Island in Australia ranked at the top of Goolets’ index with a score of 73/100. Rupununi in Guyana placed second with a score of 66/100, followed by the Namib Desert in Namibia which scored 65/100 for third place.
Lord Howe Island named the top off grid destination of 2026
| Rank | Destination | Country | Avg. Distance to Airports | Avg. Distance to Bus Stops | Avg. Distance to Train Stations | Avg Distance to Closest Roads | Avg. Distance to Closest Hotels | Avg. Distance to Closest Restaurants | Total Score (out of 100) |
| 1 | Lord Howe Island | Australia | 10.00 | 10.00 | 8.80 | 3.19 | 10.00 | 1.71 | 72.83 |
| 2 | Rupununi | Guyana | 1.92 | 6.41 | 10.00 | 6.64 | 7.28 | 7.43 | 66.12 |
| 3 | Namib Desert | Namibia | 3.43 | 5.28 | 6.02 | 10.00 | 6.53 | 7.54 | 64.65 |
| 4 | Sumba | Indonesia | 6.70 | 6.51 | 8.03 | 6.30 | 4.95 | 5.07 | 62.60 |
| 5 | Mahale Mountains | Tanzania | 4.64 | 6.25 | 4.13 | 5.68 | 5.63 | 6.84 | 55.29 |
| 6 | Kangaroo Island | Australia | 2.40 | 6.45 | 5.34 | 6.57 | 5.84 | 5.86 | 54.09 |
| 7 | South Luangwa | Zambia | 0.73 | 6.57 | 4.17 | 9.25 | 5.33 | 5.10 | 51.91 |
| 8 | Ittoqqortoormiit | Greenland | 8.53 | 5.10 | 5.03 | 0.43 | 4.91 | 5.08 | 48.49 |
| 9 | Kerlingarfjöll | Iceland | 2.24 | 3.46 | 5.03 | 7.90 | 5.29 | 5.10 | 48.36 |
| 10 | Bumthang | Bhutan | 2.07 | 5.98 | 5.30 | 6.18 | 4.73 | 4.25 | 47.51 |
Lord Howe Island in Australia ranks as the top off grid destination of 2026, making it the perfect vacation spot for people seeking a quiet but beautiful spot to relax and unwind at. Lord Howe Island is famous for only allowing a maximum of 400 visitors at a time, helping to preserve the stunning environment and sustainable nature of the island. The Australian island ranks first for the average distance to the nearest airport, bus stops, and hotels, with a final off grid score of 73/100.
In second place is Rupununi. The region in southwestern Guyana bordering Brazil is the only South American destination in the top 10, with an impressive score of 66/100. Rupununi is known for its vast and diverse wildlife, home to at least 600 species of fish and 600 bird species, including rare wonders such as the giant anteater, harpy eagle, and black caiman.
The Namib Desert in southwestern Africa ranks third in Goolets’ study with an off grid score of 65/100. The Namib Desert which is primarily in Namibia is one of three African destinations in the top 10. Famous for extensive sand dunes, the Namib Desert is also one of the most ancient deserts in the world at over 55 million years old.
The remote island of Sumba in Indonesia ranks fourth with an off grid destination score of 63/100. Sumba is famous for its beautiful nature and local culture, and is a popular isolated location for surfing.
The Mahale Mountains in Tanzania rank in fifth place with a score of 55/100. The destination is most popular for the Mahale Mountains National Park, one of only two protected areas for chimpanzees in the country of Tanzania, and home to the largest known population of eastern chimpanzees.
Australia is the only country with two locations in Goolets’ top 10 off grid destinations. Kangaroo Island places sixth and has an off grid score of 54/100. Kangaroo Island is renowned for its gorgeous beaches and distinctive wildlife, including sea lions, koalas, and of course, kangaroos.
Ranking in seventh place is South Luangwa which has a score of 52/100. Located in eastern Zambia, South Luangwa is most well known for the South Luangwa National Park, home to an abundance of memorable wildlife including hippos, elephants, leopards, and hundreds of different types of birds.
If you’re looking for a cooler off grid destination, Ittoqqortoormiit in Greenland may take your fancy. Believed to be one of the most remote settlements on Earth, Ittoqqortoormiit has an off grid score of 48/100, ranking eighth overall.
Ninth spot goes to Kerlingarfjöll. Located in Iceland’s central Highlands, Kerlingarfjöll ranks just below Ittoqqortoormiit with a score of 48/100. Kerlingarfjöll is a popular hiking destination, most notably around the Hveradalir Geothermal Area.
Rounding off the top is Bumthang. The spiritual heartland in Bhutan which borders India and China is famous for its four high-altitude, glacial valleys, and has an off grid score of 48/100, narrowly behind Ittoqqortoormiit and Kerlingarfjöll.
Photo by Ketut Subiyanto: https://www.pexels.com/photo/women-with-backpacks-sitting-4901945/
