Solomon Islands

In fiction, shipwrecked sailors often swim far through rugged waters before landing at a small uninhabited sand island with only coconuts to eat.

During WWII, a shipwrecked crew did just that and ended up on white sand at one of Solomon Islands’ 992 tropical islands. The commander, a young J.F. Kennedy, swam the 6 km/3.5 mi, pulling an injured person along to the island, and later alone, swam further in search of rescue.

The crew lived on the sands for six days, eating coconuts before being rescued.