There are no roads or railways connecting the Kamchatka Peninsula – the most direct route to the islands – to the outside world, so reaching both the Peninsula and the islands can be tricky. However, flights are available from Shanghai, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Beijing to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky Airport. Alternatively, the option of private helicopter makes for an altogether more flexible mode of transport.

Yachts can provision and bunker fuel in Kamchatka before heading south to navigate the compelling waters of the islands. Hokkaido in northern Japan also provides refuelling facilities, but the vast area is “ideally suited to long-range explorer yachts that can remain self-sufficient for prolonged stretches of time,” says Nick Davies, Director of Projects at Cookson Adventures, which is proactively chartering yachts in the area.

“Historically, bureaucratic complications have made it difficult to explore these relatively unchartered waters, but an increasing number of yacht owners are now looking to venture forth,” he says. “We’ve done a huge amount of research with local suppliers and contacts on the ground so that we have what is required to make it happen.”

Permit restrictions still apply, however, with an average of six months required between application and receipt. Likewise, administrative fees for those wanting to charter need to be navigated carefully.

Life less travelled

With the assistance of an expert guide, the Kuril Islands remain an attractive option for charterers and owners keen to find a cruising ground that’s not too far from Asia yet offers similar experiences to the increasingly popular destinations of Alaska, Svalbard and the Canadian rainforest.

Wildlife thrives in this isolated landscape.

Pink salmon spawn in abundance, providing a feeding frenzy in the summer months for the twenty thousand brown bears that roam the volcanic terrain; migrating orca whales pass through the icy waters on their way north; and near-threatened Steller sea lions languor salubriously on the black-ash shoreline.

Originally inhabited by the native Ainu people, today all fifty-six islands fall under Russian jurisdiction. “The Kuril Islands are perhaps less culturally rich than destinations such as Papua New Guinea or the Solomon Islands as there are fewer inhabitants and the population is less vibrant, but guests can engage with and be involved in certain religious ceremonies. A visit to the communities is also rewarding,” says Davies.

“Cookson Adventures brings these opportunities to life alongside wildlife interaction, such as bear conservation, spotting sea birds and getting up close to marine mammals. We always try to get clients involved in conservation activities.”

Baptism of fire

Kliuchevskoi, one of the most active and renowned volcanoes in the world, is also the highest mountain on the Kamchatka Peninsula, not to mention Siberia, and the highest active volcano of Eurasia. The less active range occupies the central and western half of Kamchatka, but nearly thirty of the Kuril Islands’ three hundred volcanoes still erupt with spectacular regularity, and towns and villages remain sparse.

Atlasov Island, the northernmost island in the chain, boasts the highest – and most active –volcano; one of epic proportion. The chance to hike its 2,300-kilometre-high slopes and rugged caldera terrain – the hollows formed after a volcano erupts and collapses – is what bucket lists (exercised with caution) were made for.

The Kuril tundra of the northern islands is punctuated by verdant moss and lush grass in the heart of many of the calderas. The emerald green sight of calderas within calderas sits at odds with the ash-dense sweeping ridges of the mountainous ranges that surround them.

Further south lies Simushir Island. Meaning Large Island in Ainu, it sits near the centre of the chain and boasts a collection of Cold War relics in its shimmering bay, including an abandoned Russian submarine base. The prospect of sea kayaking and kite-surfing in whale-filled waters here is enticing, to say the least, as is Yankicha Island with its pools of gargling springs and dramatic mountain ranges.

On temperate days, bathing in the plentiful lakes delivers rejuvenation to those who brave the icy waters.

Expert wildlife guides, helicopter operators and exhibition leaders can bring the entire adventure to life, along with myriad conservation activities and careful wildlife engagement.

From sea otters and hundreds of species of seabirds to Arctic foxes and peregrine falcons, these desolate lands are rich in life. Fulmars, kittiwakes, and crested auklets can be seen diving into the sea where they can stay for up to four minutes hunting for lunch, while Arctic warblers, Middendorff’s grasshopper warblers and more are easily spotted feeding on land.

“The scenery, due to the volcanic nature of the islands, means the mountains rise quite sharply out of the sea, which is pretty unique,” says Davies. “And the wildlife is up there with the likes of Alaska and Svalbard, but without the human footfall.”

Timing is everything

The climate on the islands is generally severe, with long, cold, stormy winters and short and notoriously foggy summers, however, there are windows of opportunity when exploration is ideal. Peak times to visit include August when the salmon run is in full flow, which means both bear viewing and fly-fishing opportunities are plentiful.

For yachts equipped with a helipad, travelling by helicopter to salmon fish the streams and rivers higher up the mountains is a must, followed by an exhilarating descent to the shoreline by mountain bike.

Alternatively, the months of April and May offer some of the best heli-skiing in the world.

Few experiences can rival an adrenaline-fuelled ski to the water’s edge down Nemo Peak on powder snow with active volcanos smoking in the background.

A gentle sail into Onekotan Island’s caldera lake or a relaxing dip in one of two hundred thermal springs is the ultimate way to finish, before doing it all again the following day.

Yachts looking to explore these waters include the striking expedition vessel Sherakhan, which is planning to pass through on its 2020 world voyage. Built to be a go-anywhere explorer yacht with the opulent facilities and cruising capabilities of a superyacht, Sherakhan is one of the few yachts in the world that can be chartered as an entire boat or by cabin. For guests who have undertaken a full day of hiking the islands’ rugged volcanic terrain, a welcome return to Sherakhan’s fully-equipped spa with gym, whirlpool, steam room and sauna is hard to beat.

“The mystifying Kuril Islands offer a huge, untapped potential for adventure,” says owner and captain of Sherakhan, Jan Verkerk. “This anticipated stop on our voyage is bound to break new territory for yacht charters in the region.”

Likewise, the SeaXplorer 77 superyacht La Datcha – Amels’ new six-deck expedition yacht that is due to be delivered in late 2020 – has the Kuril Islands in its sights. Cruising to the islands in May 2021 as part of its year-long maiden voyage, plans include a heli-skiing itinerary set to challenge even the most adventurous skiers.

La Datcha can maintain autonomy at sea for up to forty days and offers indulgent accommodation for up to 12 guests. The Ice Class and IMO Polar Code engineered yacht features helicopter hangars, a dive centre and decompression chamber, and carries a submersible.

For guests not so keen on dipping their toes in ice-cold water on a par with Alaska, the unique opportunity to dive in La Datcha’s submersible provides an unrivalled opportunity to view what lies beneath in comfort and warmth.

While the islands’ latitude is too far north for most coral to exist, the plentiful diving opportunities are fairly unchartered and provide a wealth of exploration for those seeking new adventures.

Thrilling obscurity

“At a cruising speed of 12 knots, it would take an estimated hundred hours of cruising for a yacht to take in the entire chain of islands,” explains Davies. “The potential to bolt-on an itinerary that also takes in the alluring Japanese coastline is a definite option for long-range yachts,” he adds, but advance preparation is a necessity in order to make sure that the yacht clears Japan’s strict immigration at the right places.

“It’s all in the planning, based on local conditions and what the charterer wants to see,” he says. “We’re seeing a lot more interest in off-the-beaten-track destinations, and we recommend including a professional photographer or drone operator among the team to capture footage of the trip, allowing guests to truly live in the moment.”

The Kuril Islands, brimming with thrilling obscurity, offer charter guests and owners something rare and exceptional.

And while the ease of dropping anchor outside St Tropez or cruising the shallow waters of the Bahamas is enough for some, for those seeking a journey of inimitable discovery, few other places on the planet compare.