Shaped Like Animals? A Look at 5 Cute Small Islands Around the World

▲ Turtle Island in Yilan, Taiwan, China. (Photo / Courtesy ofTourism Bureau, MOTC, Northeast Coast & Yilan National Scenic Area Administration)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

Could there really be islands shaped like fish, seahorses, and other animals? With countless islands scattered across the globe, many small isles stand out due to their unique shapes—nature’s craftsmanship is truly breathtaking.HowToTrip takes you on a tour of these 5 quirky and adorable animal-shaped islands below!

1. Turtle Island, Yilan, Taiwan, China
This massive turtle-shaped island located in Yilan was once hailed by foreign media as one of “the 12 coolest small islands in the world.” It’s an active volcanic island and also the most famous landmark in Yilan. The island boasts rich natural ecological landscapes and is open for visitors from March to November each year. On average, around 130,000 to 140,000 people visit the island annually, making it a renowned whale-watching destination.

2. Fish Island, Croatia
When you’re in Croatia, don’t miss the Brijuni Islands. Scattered across the northern Adriatic Sea, this archipelago consists of 14 small islands, including many important global archaeological and cultural heritage sites—such as where over 200 dinosaur footprints have been discovered. Among them, one island resembles a cute fish and is thus known as Fish Island.

▲ Fish Island. (Photo /metronews)

3. Dolphin Island, Italy
Located off the coast of Amalfi in southern Italy, this dolphin-shaped island lies between the southern Capri Island and the village of Positano. Known as Sirenusa, it’s a popular tourist spot with numerous resorts and hotels. Water activities are highly favored here, and it's also an ideal place for snorkeling, offering a taste of the classic Italian bay charm.

▲ Dolphin Island. (Photo /whenonearth)

4. Seahorse Island, Ecuador
Situated in Ecuador’s Galápagos Islands in South America, this island looks like a seahorse when viewed from the air. Named Isabela Island, it is the largest in the region and is composed of six active shield volcanoes. The island has incredibly rich ecological resources and is best known for being home to the Galápagos penguin—a species unique to the area—offering visitors the chance to spot these rare birds.

▲ Seahorse Island. (Photo /earthobservatory)

5. Crocodile Island, Philippines
Crocodile Island is one of the coolest-looking islands in the Philippines, resembling a giant crocodile lying on the ocean surface when viewed from afar. Though not particularly high, it is long and narrow, and also a hotspot for snorkeling. The waters are crystal clear with high transparency, and the seabed is home to well-preserved coral reefs and a wide variety of tropical fish. In addition, it’s very close to the popular tourist destination Boracay Island—just a 20-minute boat ride away.

▲ Crocodile Island. (Photo /markmaranga)