Stewart Island ranked as the world's quietest island

A new index by BookRetreats.com has identified the quietest islands in the world, highlighting a significant rise in travel demand for tranquility. Global searches for “quiet destinations” have increased by 1,268 per cent year on year, with 56 per cent of surveyed travelers seeking retreats in nature.

New Zealand’s Stewart Island has been ranked as the quietest island globally. The study, which utilized insights from silence researcher and psychology professor Olga V. Lehmann, evaluated islands based on six criteria: road density, untouched nature, air traffic, uncrowded space, dark skies, and natural coastal spots.

While many popular European destinations like Malta, Santorini, Tenerife, and Ibiza ranked low due to high road density and crowds, the index suggests that the most peaceful locations are those where communities have actively chosen to protect their quiet soundscapes.