There are destinations in this beautiful world that are disappearing right in front of our eyes. So, before you miss one more thing consider making your own bucket list with help from Erin Holmes of Explore With Erin, who has traveled across 76 countries in search of the departing wonders. Just remember to travel responsibly; research ecotourism options and low-impact travel, and while you’re at it, why not add to their longevity by donating to their preservation? Happy exploring!
After the loss of the famous Azure Window in Malta last year, I decided to make a bucket list of all the disappearing destinations and places I needed to see before they completely vanish. As I make my way around this beautiful world, I’ve been crossing them off one by one. But, there are so many more to go. And it seems every year the list gets bigger.
Thinking of doing the same? Then let me get you off to a head start with my disappearing destinations checklist below.
Great Barrier Reef
Where: Australia
When: Some scientists say that it could be dead within the next 40 years, taking a momentous amount of sea life with it.
I’ve always wanted to go and this year I was so happy to have this disappearing destination crossed off my list with a visit in August. The only reef you can see from space is suffering from rising ocean temperatures, water pollution, and fishing. All of these things are causing erosion to the largest coral reef in the world.
Dive it, snorkel it, see it!
Credit: @ExploreWithErin
Dead Sea
Where: Israel and Jordan
When: Without a solution, the Dead Sea could dry up within the next 40 years.
Fifty years ago, the border countries began diverting water from the Dead Sea, sinking it by about three feet per year. When I visited you could see the original lifeguard stands, miles from the sea. It was so sad.
Don’t miss your chance to float in the Dead Sea.
Taj Mahal
Where: Agra, India
When: It is being urged to close within the next five years.
Built in the 17th century, this monumental mausoleum is eroding. Air pollution, shoddy restoration, population explosion, and some three million visitors a year have been impacting the once elaborate and beautiful UNESCO site.
Suggestions have been to close it and renovate it. Which could take who knows how long?
City of Venice
Where: Venice, Italy
When: A recent climate change study has warned that Venice will be underwater by 2100 if the acceleration of global warming is not curbed.
A romantic floating city often seen in movies and travel guides across the globe. And yet the water canals of Italy’s Venice may soon sink just like the Titanic. Building foundations are being compromised and it seems the whole city is sinking. Don’t delay, hop in a gondola today.
Easter Island’s History
Where: Chile
When: Soon
It’s Easter Island’s fading culture that may be its demise. The remote island has a small population of 5,000, of which fewer than half are Rapa Nui (the indigenous people of the island). There is some worry that the tourism influx may cause a movement to limit the numbers. So be aware you soon may need a permit to see the islands’ giant heads.
Antarctica
Where: Antarctica
When: A while yet
It may be a while yet, but according to NASA, Antarctica is thawing. Restrictions are already in place to help stop the thawing. For instance, cruise ships with more than 500 passengers are no longer allowed to sail the straits.
Ancient Petra
Where: Jordan
When: At anytime
I have ticked this disappearing destination off my bucket list, but I would love to go again. This spectacular rock city is on the watch list of the World Monuments Fund which notes that it faces both natural and human threats. E.g. Earthquakes, mass tourism, and flash floods.
Machu Picchu
Where: Peru
When: Anytime
The mass tourism headed to the ancient Incan City is having a harmful impact on this site. Disrespectful tourists are climbing over fragile ruins, meaning the city may crumble under our very feet. Visit, but stick to the footpath!
Glacier National Park
Where: United States of America, Montana
When: By 2030
Scientists believe these glaciers may disappear in the next few decades since it’s already visible how much has receded from climate change. With no cure on the horizon, you need to get to this park fast.
Everglades, Florida
Where: United States of America, Florida
When: Soon
The Everglades is half the size it use to be, which is why it’s been added to our disappearing destinations list. Urban development, intensive agricultural farming, and water diversion have already damaged this natural beauty. Go now. Just be wary of the alligators. They may have decreased in number, but there are still plenty.
Alaska
Where: United States of America
When: A while yet
Much like Antarctica, Alaska is warming more than twice as quickly as the rest of the country, jeopardizing its famous glaciers and frozen tundras. The rising sea levels are also eroding the ground, so go explore this wilderness.
The Amazon
Where: Brazil
When: Soon
The Amazon Rainforest is located in 9 different countries, but the majority of it is located in Brazil. The rest of it can be found in Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana. Deforestation continues to destroy the world’s biggest forest. It’s believed that if trends continue, more than a quarter of the region will soon be tree-less.
The Maldives
Where: Maldives
When: 100 years
100 years may sound like a lot, but that’s only one lifetime. So, if paradise is on your list of things to do, it’s time to book it. 1,190 islands sit five feet above sea level and as a result of climate change, those sea levels are rising. Which means these pristine beaches and luxury resorts may all soon be under water.
Galapagos Islands
Where: Ecuador
When: Soon
Pollution, climate change, even cats and dogs (an introduced species) may see this volcanic archipelago lose its incredible and famous wildlife. Sea lions, iguanas, giant tortoises, penguins—don’t miss them.
Mount Kilimanjaro
Where: Tanzania
When: Sometime in the future
This famous mountain, like most glaciers around the world, is being affected by global warming. If you want to climb this snow-capped mountain, than you’d better consider starting that training soon.
Erin Holmes
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Been to nine of them, no interest in the rest.
Which nine?
I would like to know the nine you visited. Thank you, George
What a great list!
This is a great list and I’ve been to some of them; but I’m torn about encouraging people to go see them when mass tourism is a big part of the problem. Won’t this just accelerate the problems?
I know, right?
My thoughts exactly
Been to 12 of the 15. Shall pass off the Easter Island, anartica n Maldives. Suggest to add some safaris in too. Saw Much less happy animals on my 4th trips few years ago.
The sad part is we humans are the reason these places are threatened.
So agree with this , the list is made so we can all run and visit but then if all did do that then how are we helping as him as are the root cause of the destruction of our beautiful plant . God must be regretting putting us here! We should have been on Mercury ?
Suggest you rethink urging people to go now. Rather than traveling, maybe we could all put our energy into saving our entire planet. There’s a lot of clean-up and preservation to do. Would be a better gift for the future, don’t you think?
My thoughts exactly. Thank you!
I have been to all but one of these. It is so sad that mankind is responsible for this kind of distraction. To me, the Taj Mahal is the most beautiful man-made edifice in the world. Go see it, you will not be sorry. The great barrier reef offers more diversity than any other place I’ve ever been. What a shame to lose any of these
Folks, “global warming” is a natural cycle. 13,000 years ago, what is now Seattle, was covered by a glacier. An ice sheet several hundred feet thick covered northern Washington State, New York City and Great Lakes. Western Montana was an inland sea. Then, 13,000 to 15,000 years ago, it all began to receding to the point it is now, hence the Missoula Floods, Dakota Badlands, Great Lakes and Niagara Falls. 13,000 years from now, we’ll all be covered with an ice sheet again. However, “we” won’t have to worry about it. In the last 10 years I have observed the sun setting slightly further to the south so the cycle has already begaun to reverse itself. It’s a natural cycle so, everyone quit bothering yourself about it!
The difference is 13,000 years ago there were not: 7.5 billion humans, approximately 87 billion square feet of commercial floor space (in the US), ? Houses, ? Cars, trucks, etc, paved roads, etc. please address how these human impacts alter climate change from 13,000 years ago.
And Antarctica was green once. It will be green again and then ice again long after humans are either gone or done resemble the humans of today anymore. It’s difficult for people who have only lived say 25 years and consider themselves to center if the universe to conceive of billion years history before the human species existed or to conceive of the multitude of changes that the next few billions of years will bring regardless of human intervention.
I have been to 11 of them, all but the Maldives, Easter Island, Mt Kilimanjaro, and Petra.
My husband & I have been to 6 of those mentioned. We love to
Travel!
I live in AK. I can tell you that in the past 5 years alone the temps have been way warmer. Lakes and rivers are not freezing until very late in the season. Snow has decreased as well.
Patagonia too (in Chile and Argentina.) Patagonia’s glaciers are melting very rapidly. One of the biggest glacier is said to be losing 1 km of ice per year.
The Everglades are not in decline any more. Thanks to one of the greatest restoration projects ever, wading and nesting birds have rebounded, gators are well populated, freshwater flow has been improved, and pollution from agricultural areas has been reduced.
Two years later, I wonder how and/or if this list and associated timelines have changed due to the global pandemic?