Ratgeber
Safety and medical care on islands
On private islands, doctors and hospitals are often reachable only by boat or aircraft, so an emergency plan, insurance and a travel first-aid kit matter. You can find current advice from the FDFA (EDA) and FOPH (BAG). Private Islands is a Swiss travel agency offering advice by video call and clarifies the framework with you.
Von Private Islands, Stand
Schritt für Schritt
- Check the current status with the FDFA and FOPH
- Ask about the operator's emergency procedure
- Check travel insurance with repatriation
- Discuss the travel first-aid kit with your doctor
- Leave emergency contacts
- Carry medication in your hand luggage
Checkliste
- FDFA and FOPH advice checked
- Emergency procedure asked about
- Insurance with repatriation confirmed
- Medication in hand luggage
- Travel first-aid kit packed
- Emergency numbers saved
- Operator's contact noted
- Doctor's visit before departure clarified
Seclusion is the appeal of a private island and at the same time the reason why emergency routes should be clarified before the trip. If you are prepared, you can enjoy the calm without a worry.
The particularity of seclusion
On a remote island there is usually no doctor in the house. If needed, transport by boat or aircraft is necessary, and both depend on weather and daylight. This is not a weakness but part of the place.
Good operators have procedures for this: radio or satellite phone, trained first responders and fixed partners on the mainland. Ask about this before you book. This also includes clear procedures for storms and evacuation. Good operators provide safety information on arrival and answer questions openly.
If you have chronic complaints or need medication, you should discuss this early with your doctor. We give no medical assurances and refer you to the specialists.
The operator's emergency procedure
Ask how an emergency unfolds: who decides, how transport works, where it goes and how long it takes. The answers show how seriously the operator takes the subject.
Also clarify whether first-aid material and a defibrillator are available. This is common on many islands, but not everywhere.
Note the numbers of the operator and of the insurer. That way you have contacts at hand when things need to move fast. Ask whether your policy explicitly includes transport by boat or aircraft. Familiarise yourself with the island's emergency plan, assembly point and means of communication, even if you never need it. Ask whether the staff are trained in first aid and how often drills take place.
Insurance and repatriation
Travel insurance with repatriation and cover for costs abroad is particularly important for remote destinations. Check sums and exclusions carefully. Inform your health insurer about the trip so that questions on cost coverage are clarified early.
Find out how the insurer can be reached in an emergency and whether it covers transport by boat or aircraft. These questions should be clarified before departure. With children and older guests, it is worth taking a particularly careful look at paths, steps and water access.
Keep your policy and emergency number both digitally and on paper so that you can access them even without reception. Inform the team on arrival about allergies and medication so that nobody has to search in an emergency.
Health and travel first-aid kit
Check the current status with the FOPH (BAG) and the FDFA (EDA) on vaccinations, diseases and travel advice. The situation changes, and official bodies are the right source. A copy of your medication list is also helpful at checks and in an emergency.
Discuss with your doctor a travel first-aid kit with remedies for stomach and bowel complaints, sunburn and minor injuries. Personal medication belongs in your hand luggage.
On islands with a reef, water shoes and plasters are useful. Small injuries heal more slowly in a tropical climate and need attention. Do not be deceived by the calm: if you are prepared, you enjoy it all the more. Travel with a list of your medication and your doctor's contact details.
Weather, water and everyday safety
Even without an emergency, the island demands attention. Sun, heat and water are the most common strains. Drink enough, protect your skin and plan breaks in the shade, especially in the first few days.
Clear rules apply when swimming and snorkelling. Heed currents, flags and instructions from the team. Do not swim far out alone, tell someone and wear a life jacket if needed. Children should always be supervised. We do not give medical advice, but we help to formulate questions for the operator and to record the answers.
Storms and swell can delay transfers. Keep enough medication, water and emergency supplies ready and discuss with the operator how such cases are handled. Good preparation brings calm. Check whether your destination region has special health advice, and ask the FOPH if you are unsure.
Planning with care
In the [planning consultation](/m/private-islands/planen) by video call we discuss your concerns and ask the operator about emergency procedures.
For health and legal matters we refer you to the competent bodies and help with organising insurance and documents.
That way you travel into seclusion with a good feeling. This knowledge takes nothing from the calm of the trip but gives it firm ground.
