Risks and Dangers on desert islands | Desert Island Survival

At Desert Island Survival, we believe real adventures come with real risks. We don’t manufacture drama—but we also don’t sterilise your experience by pretending the wild is entirely safe. While we strive to minimise danger through training, preparation, and expert support, a castaway experience without risk wouldn’t be authentic.

Our Approach to Risk

We use a principle called informed consent. We won’t ask you to sign a last-minute waiver and walk into the unknown. Instead, we’ll lay out the potential risks in full—so you can make a truly informed decision about your adventure.

We mitigate risk through:

Thorough island assessments before selection.
Destination-specific evacuation strategies.
Wilderness First Aid-trained instructors (recertified every two years).
Comprehensive medical kits and 24/7 access to a remote doctor.
Clear safety protocols for activities such as spearfishing, fire-starting, and open-water crossings.

General Risks on All Expeditions

Remoteness

The time it may take to access professional medical care in the event of an emergency is increased.
Evacuation delays can occur due to boat issues, weather, or regional infrastructure.
We operate in developing nations, where medical standards may differ from those in Europe or North America.

Coconuts & Tree Hazards

Coconuts weighing 3–4 kg can fall from height and cause injury or death.
Deadwood in trees can fall unexpectedly, particularly in wind.

Marine Hazards

Sharks: Mostly juvenile reef and nurse sharks in Panama and the Philippines—attacks are extremely rare. Risk increases slightly during spearfishing. In Tonga, shark populations are healthier, and while tiger sharks are possible, encounters remain highly unlikely.
Stingrays: Common in shallow waters. One castaway in Panama was stung but did not require evacuation.
Jellyfish: Mostly harmless stingers. Highly venomous types are extremely rare but theoretically possible.
Lionfish & Stonefish: Rare but dangerous. Mostly encountered when caught.
Pufferfish: Common in Panama—must be handled carefully.
Coral: Cuts can become infected. Fire coral causes stings.
Tides & Currents: Can be strong and disorienting. We assess these on each island. Swimming strength and good judgement are essential.
Spearfishing: Carries risks including hypoxia, drowning, accidental injury, and being swept out. Always use a buddy system.

Land Animal Hazards

Monitor lizards, pigs, saltwater crocodiles: Generally avoid humans, but may attack if trapped or startled.
Trapped animals: Will fight for survival and can cause serious injury.
Snakes: Avoided through island selection. Tonga has none. Rare sightings in Panama/Philippines.
Moose and Wild Boars (Sweden): Aggressive if provoked.

Insects, Arachnids & Other Creatures

Centipedes: Painful bites (Philippines, Tonga).
Spiders: Brazilian wandering spider seen twice in Panama; rare but potentially serious bite.
Wasps & Bees: Stings can be dangerous to those with allergies. Epinephrine is carried.
Scorpions: Non-lethal local species; stings possible when gathering firewood.
Sandflies: Itchy bites, particularly in Panama after rain. Can leave marks or scars.
Mosquitoes: Low in dry season. Present in all locations.
Ticks: Can carry Lyme disease and Tick-Borne Encephalitis in Wales and Sweden.

Diseases & Illnesses

Regions are chosen to minimise disease risk.
Possible but low risk of: malaria, dengue, rabies, leishmaniasis.
Disease from animals, insects, or contaminated water is rare but possible.

Plants & Allergens

Some plants are toxic if touched, ingested, or inhaled.
We teach which plants are safe and which to avoid.
Allergic reactions (even to unknown triggers) are possible in new environments.

Personal Injuries & Hygiene Risks

Cuts: Machetes, knives, coral, hooks, thorns—footwear is essential.
Burns: Common from open-fire cooking.
Fishing Injuries: Hooks, barbs, and sharp tools.
Trips & Falls: Rocks, roots, wet terrain—made worse by fatigue or hunger.
Skin Infections: Thrive in tropical humidity and poor hygiene.
Dehydration: A constant risk. We monitor water intake closely.
Sun Exposure: Can lead to sunburn, heat stroke, or long-term damage.
Food Poisoning: From mishandled food or water; procedures are taught and supervised.
Allergic Reactions: From bites, stings, or environmental exposure.

Transportation Risks

Car Travel: Road conditions vary in developing nations. We require seatbelt use.
Boat Travel: Inherently risky. Life jackets are provided and encouraged.
Human Contact: Remote regions rarely involve outsider interaction—but we can’t eliminate the possibility. We avoid high-risk geopolitical areas.

Risks by Location

Islands (Tropical)

Coconuts & tree debris.
Reef cuts, strong tides.
Sharks, stingrays, lionfish, jellyfish, crocodiles (seasonal).
Low-level disease risk.
Occasional scorpions and spiders.
Standard bushcraft risks: burns, cuts, slips.

Pembrokeshire, Wales (Temperate)

Cold water shock.
Hypothermia, especially in windy/wet weather.
Steep terrain, tidal stranding risk.
Standard bushcraft risks: burns, cuts, slips.

Okavango Delta, Botswana (Savannah)

Crocodiles, hippos, elephants, buffalo.
Malaria & mosquito-borne illness.
Puff adders, black mambas (venomous snakes).
Heat stress, dehydration.
Waterborne disease from stagnant sources.
Standard bushcraft risks: burns, cuts, slips.

Tanzania (Savannah)

Elephants, buffalo, leopard, lion.
Malaria & mosquito-borne illness.
Puff adders, black mambas (venomous snakes).
Heat stress, dehydration.
Waterborne disease from stagnant sources.
Food poisoning & Parasites from undercooked bushmeat.
Standard bushcraft risks: burns, cuts, slips.

Sweden (Boreal Forest)

Cold water shock & hypothermia.
Navigation errors in dense forest.
Falling trees, mossy rocks, wild boars, moose.
Vipers (non-lethal), ticks, wasps, mosquitoes.
Giardia from untreated lakes.
Lyme disease (ticks).
Skin infections from wet gear.
Standard bushcraft risks: burns, cuts, slips.

Final Note

Even though this list is comprehensive, desert islands are not hostile or dangerous by default. Most of our expeditions pass without incident. To date, we’ve had only two evacuations—one for a deep cut, the other for a fish hook injury. Both castaways returned after a local clinic visit.

That said, the wild is unpredictable. New risks may emerge no matter how prepared we are. But with our safety systems and your awareness, we believe that risk is what transforms a trip into a true adventure.