Sandy Island

Sandy Island (recorded at about 19.25°S, 159.933°E) is a charted feature in the Coral Sea near New Caledonia that was shown on many historical and modern maps but does not physically exist. It is best known as a cartographic phantom rather than a visitable landform.

There is no land, beaches, or infrastructure to visit; interest in the name is primarily historical and scientific rather than touristic. The story is cited in discussions of map accuracy, hydrographic surveying and the persistence of errors in map databases.

The feature appeared on charts and datasets for decades until oceanographic work in 2012 confirmed open water at the coordinates. After that survey the entry was removed from many maps and digital mapping services.

The location is in the Coral Sea north-west of New Caledonia; references to Sandy Island now refer to the historical charted position rather than a real island.

• Phantom island: A well-known cartographic error - modern surveys in 2012 found open ocean at the charted position, and the feature has since been removed from many nautical charts and online maps.