Wanderlust World Wanderlust World A deserted island is a landmass uninhabited by humans. These islands may be naturally barren or become deserted due to natural disasters, war, disease, or economic collapse. Deserted islands have long captured the human imagination, featuring prominently in adventure fiction. Classic examples include the island where Robinson Crusoe was shipwrecked in Daniel Defoe's 1719 novel Robinson Crusoe, and the fictional island in the 1960s American sitcom Gilligan's Island. Whether real or imagined, deserted islands symbolize isolation, survival, and the raw power of nature.