Location: Cook Islands, South Pacific
Population: ~60
Claim to Fame: Nearly all residents are descendants of one man
In the vast emptiness of the South Pacific, Palmerston Island sits like a hidden paradise, untouched by the chaos of the modern world. A tiny coral atoll in the Cook Islands, Palmerston is unlike any other place on Earth. Here, nearly every single resident is related, tracing their lineage back to one British man and his three Polynesian wives. Life on Palmerston is a mix of tradition, isolation, and self-sufficiency, creating a fascinating community that has existed largely on its own terms for over 150 years.
One Man, Three Wives, and a Whole Island of Descendants
The story of Palmerston begins in 1863, when William Marsters, a British carpenter and adventurer, arrived on the uninhabited atoll. With him were three Polynesian wives, and together they laid the foundation for a society that would span generations.
Marsters divided the island into three sections, one for each wife and her children, to prevent conflict. He established strict rules regarding land ownership, marriage, and governance, creating a structure that his descendants still largely follow today. When he died in 1899, he left behind 23 children—the ancestors of almost every person living on Palmerston today.
A Life of Isolation and Simplicity
Palmerston is one of the most isolated inhabited islands in the world. The only way to reach it is by boat, and supply ships arrive only a few times a year. There are no shops, no restaurants, and no hotels—only a handful of houses, a school, a church, and the open Pacific stretching for thousands of miles.
Electricity comes from solar panels, and food comes from fishing, coconut trees, and occasional imported goods. There’s no doctor, and medical emergencies require an urgent boat trip to the nearest large island, Rarotonga, over 250 miles away.
The community is tight-knit, and everyone plays a role in maintaining life on the island. Decisions are made collectively, and tradition is deeply respected. Though modern technology has slowly trickled in (satellite phones and the internet arrived in recent years), Palmerston remains largely untouched by the outside world.
Strange Rules and Cultural Traditions
Palmerston has maintained many of the customs set by William Marsters. Some unique traditions include:
- Land Cannot Be Sold or Inherited By Outsiders – Only direct descendants of Marsters can own land.
- A Rotational Work System – The islanders take turns performing different jobs, from fishing to maintenance.
- Strict Family Divisions – The three original family groups still recognize their ancestral boundaries.
- A Ban on Permanent Outsiders – Marriage to non-islanders is discouraged, as outsiders cannot inherit land.
The Island That Welcomes Strangers – But Only Temporarily
Despite their isolation, Palmerston’s residents are known for their hospitality. Passing sailors and travelers are welcomed as honored guests and often invited into homes. Visitors can stay for free, sometimes for weeks, as the islanders enjoy the company of outsiders.
However, no one can settle permanently without being a Marsters descendant. This ensures that the island remains self-governing and protected from external influence.
A Vanishing Future?
While Palmerston has remained largely unchanged for over a century, its future is uncertain. Many younger islanders leave for education and work opportunities in New Zealand, and few return. The population is shrinking, and some worry that the traditional way of life may eventually disappear.
Additionally, climate change and rising sea levels pose a direct threat to this low-lying atoll. Without intervention, Palmerston could be swallowed by the ocean in the coming decades.
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