When we think of music festivals, it’s usually muddy fields, overpriced beer, and the distant echo of a headline act you queued 40 minutes to see.
But what if your next festival experience came with coral reefs, fire dancers, and midnight drumming under palm trees?
Welcome to the world’s most remote music festivals, far-flung, off-the-grid gatherings that fuse local culture with unforgettable soundtracks.
If you’re craving something beyond the Glastonbury circuit, here are five island festivals worth the long-haul flight.
1. Heiva i Tahiti (French Polynesia)
Where: Papeete, Tahiti
When: July
Heiva is more than just a festival; it’s a sacred cultural explosion that’s been celebrated for centuries.
This is where traditional ‘ōte’a dancing, thunderous drumming, and poetic chants merge into a powerful showcase of Polynesian identity.
Held every July in Papeete, the festival includes weeks of performances from hundreds of dancers and musicians across the islands.
It’s a celebration of heritage, not commercial headliners, and a dream for festival goers seeking something deeper than a DJ set.
Travel tip: French Polynesia uses the CFP franc, and remote islands don’t always accept cards. Order your CFP francs from Manor FX before you travel to avoid poor rates on arrival.
2. Subsix Sound Sessions (Maldives)
Where: Niyama Private Islands
When: Irregular
Few festivals include marine life on the guest list, but Subsix in the Maldives gets close.
Set six metres underwater, this surreal club occasionally hosts exclusive sound sessions, part gig, part deep-sea fantasy.
It’s a minimalist venue for maximalist vibes: pulsing bass, glowing coral, and sea creatures cruising past the glass.
To experience it, you’ll need to be in the right place at the right time and in the right state of mind.
Travel tip: Many resort islands in the Maldives operate in cash for tipping, boat transfers, and local markets.
Have some Maldivian rufiyaa on hand, and get it before you arrive, as currency exchange services are limited beyond Malé.
3. Magnetic Fields Nomads (Zanzibar, rotating)
Where: Varies (2024: Zanzibar)
When: Spring
An offshoot of India’s iconic Magnetic Fields festival, Nomads takes the core values, immersive music, art, and radical connection, and applies them to stunning remote locations.
Festival goers in the know flew to Zanzibar in 2024 for a shoreline experience blending Afrobeat, ambient house, and wild sunrise sets.
Each edition is a one-off, intimate affair designed for those who value community over crowds.
Future destinations are under wraps – part of the adventure.
Travel tip: Nomads events often take place in remote areas with limited access to ATMS or currency exchange, and each location uses a different currency.
If you’re heading to Zanzibar or beyond, check ahead and order your cash online to avoid festival-day stress.
4. Bushfire Festival (Eswatini)
Where: Malkerns Valley, Eswatini
When: May/June
One of Africa’s most loved festivals, including by international artists and travellers alike,
Bushfire is held in the lush green valleys of Eswatini.
It champions music, creativity, and social impact all in one go.
Festival goers here enjoy an eclectic lineup, from reggae to soul to experimental local acts, surrounded by art installations, craft markets, and powerful activism.
It’s a reminder that music can still be a force for change.
Travel tip: While digital payments are growing in southern Africa, rural areas and festival vendors often prefer cash.
The local currency is the lilangeni, but the South African rand is also widely accepted. Bring a mix, and get it in advance to avoid unreliable ATMS near the festival site.
5. Festival Gnaoua (Essaouira, Morocco)
Where: Essaouira, Morocco
When: June
Windswept and spiritual, Festival Gnaoua turns the Moroccan port town of Essaouira into a magnet for world music lovers.
Festival held across the city’s beaches, rooftops, and courtyards, it celebrates the trance-infused Gnaoua music tradition alongside jazz, blues, and global fusion.
It’s where Sufi mysticism meets groove, and where festival goers might find themselves dancing barefoot under the moon or mesmerised by a midnight jam session in an old fortress.
Travel tip: Essaouira’s charm lies in its medina and beachfront, but cards aren’t always accepted in cafés, shops, or at pop-up performances.
Bring Moroccan dirhams in small notes, and consider getting them sorted before you land, especially if arriving late or via a domestic airport.
Why Go Remote?
The festivals, including these remote gems, offer something no big-ticket event ever could: intimacy, authenticity, and a powerful sense of place.
You’re not just watching a lineup, you’re participating in a cultural exchange, immersed in landscapes that feel untouched by the mainstream.
These aren’t events you stumble into, you seek them out. And that’s exactly what makes them unforgettable.
Final Notes Before You Go
Travelling to a remote festival takes a bit more prep than packing your wellies.
Whether you’re heading to Tahiti for Heiva or catching ambient sets under the Maldivian sea, a little logistical foresight goes a long way.
Pro tip: Bring the right currency. At festivals, cash is still king and most vendors only accept local tender.
Save yourself the hassle (and inflated airport rates) by getting your travel money sorted early.
Because whether you’re dancing in a jungle clearing or jamming on a moonlit beach, nothing kills the vibe like a card machine that doesn’t work.
