Chapter 1: The Remote Point

The most secluded location on Earth is situated in the heart of the Southern Pacific Ocean. Known as Point Nemo, this spot is the furthest from any landmass in all directions. Classified as a pole of inaccessibility, Point Nemo is the most challenging location to reach within any ocean globally. The nearest hints of civilization are the Pictarin Islands and Easter Island, both located over 1,600 miles to the north, and hardly bustling centers of activity. To the south lies Antarctica, another barren region with minimal human presence.

The name Point Nemo is inspired by the character Captain Nemo from Jules Verne's literary works. When stranded in the vast South Pacific, your only option may be to descend into the depths of the ocean.

Chapter 2: A True Desert of Water

If you examine a world map, you can draw a line between Santiago, Chile, and Auckland, New Zealand, without crossing any land—just an expanse of nearly 10,000 kilometers of ocean. This region of the South Pacific is a genuine water desert; there are no freshwater sources, deserted islands, or wildlife, aside from the occasional whale.

Few vessels navigate these waters, and air traffic is scarce. In fact, only one flight route exists over this area, a Latam Airlines service between Santiago and Auckland, which may seem daunting. Being marooned here would be incredibly perilous, as the likelihood of rescue is virtually nonexistent.

Sailors who have traversed this part of the ocean describe it as profoundly desolate. With no islands in sight, seabirds are absent, and the sea stretches out flat and empty for miles in every direction. The starkness of this area is so extreme that it has been designated a spacecraft graveyard, where decommissioned satellites and space stations are intentionally directed for reentry into the ocean to avoid any risk to land or shipping vessels.

Chapter 3: Astronauts Above

If you ever find yourself lost in this vast, uninhabited stretch of ocean, it's likely that the nearest humans are the astronauts aboard the International Space Station. There are extensive regions in the South Pacific where no one is present for hundreds, if not thousands, of miles. This means that someone adrift near Point Nemo would probably be closer to these astronauts orbiting the planet than to anyone else on Earth.

The International Space Station orbits at an altitude of about 250 miles. Few places on the planet allow for such a large radius without encountering another human being, and the South Pacific Ocean is one of them.

Chapter 4: Visualizing Isolation

To truly grasp the desolation of this area, various maps can illustrate its emptiness effectively.

The live flight tracking map reveals the lonely aircraft making the daunting journey from Auckland to Santiago.

A live shipping map showcases the sparse number of vessels making the long trek between South America and New Zealand, highlighting a single cargo ship traversing the uninhabited zone.

A Google Maps snapshot further emphasizes the emptiness of this 10,000-kilometer stretch.

Finally, Point Nemo (48°52.6?S 123°23.6?W) is marked on a satellite map, reinforcing the idea that if you ever find yourself here, the closest person might indeed be the astronauts soaring above. Should you end up adrift in the South Pacific, you will need extraordinary luck to survive, as rescue seems a distant hope.