The Diomede Islands: Where Today and Tomorrow Meet
- DHRUVI GOHIL
- Mar 16
- 3 min read
In the middle of the Bering Strait, between Alaska and Russia, lie two small islands that are close in distance but worlds apart in time. The Diomede Islands—Big Diomede (Russia) and Little Diomede (USA)—are separated by just 4 kilometers (2.4 miles) but are divided by the International Date Line, creating a nearly 21-hour time difference. This unique geographic and temporal divide has led to their nicknames:
- Big Diomede (Russia) – "Tomorrow Island"
- Little Diomede (USA) – "Today Island"
Despite their close proximity, these islands represent a fascinating paradox—one where you can literally look into the future across the water.
Photo credit-www.reddit.com
A Tale of Two Islands
Big Diomede – Russia’s Silent Sentinel
Big Diomede belongs to Russia and is part of the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug. The island is uninhabited, except for a Russian military presence. During the Cold War, the Soviet Union evacuated the indigenous Chukchi people from Big Diomede, using the island as a military outpost. Even today, civilians are not allowed to settle there.
- Time Zone: UTC+12
- Uninhabited (except for military personnel)
- No permanent settlements
Little Diomede – Alaska’s Remote Village
Little Diomede belongs to the United States and is home to a small Inupiat Eskimo community of about 80-100 people. The island has a single village, Diomede, where residents rely on subsistence hunting, mainly for seals and birds. The village has no roads, no large stores, and no permanent airstrip—access is mainly by helicopter or seasonal sea travel.
Photo credit-coastview.org
- Time Zone: UTC−9
- Home to an Inupiat community
- Connected to the mainland only by helicopter and boats
The Time Travel Illusion
The most intriguing aspect of the Diomede Islands is their time difference. Because the International Date Line (IDL) runs between them:
- If you stand on Little Diomede (USA) and look across the water, you are literally seeing "tomorrow" on Big Diomede.
- Conversely, from Big Diomede (Russia), you are looking into "yesterday" on Little Diomede.
Photo credit-steemit.com
This means that while the islands are close enough to see each other, direct travel between them is almost impossible due to international borders and strict regulations. During the Cold War, this was known as the "Ice Curtain," symbolizing the divide between the USA and the Soviet Union.
Can You Walk from the USA to Russia?
In winter, the Bering Strait freezes over, forming an icy bridge between the two islands. Theoretically, one could walk across the frozen sea between Alaska and Russia, but it’s illegal to cross without government permission. Additionally, the harsh Arctic conditions and strict border patrols make it nearly impossible.
Photo credit-www.usgs.gov
In fact, a few adventurers have attempted the journey. In 2006, Karl Bushby and Dmitry Kieffer successfully walked across the frozen strait from Alaska to Russia—only to be arrested by Russian authorities upon arrival.
A Glimpse into the Future?
The Diomede Islands are a geographical wonder, a place where the past and future stand side by side. They remind us how borders and time zones—though human-made—can create striking contrasts in how we experience time and space.
Photo credit-vocal.media
While you may never visit these remote islands, just knowing that such a place exists—a place where you can look at "tomorrow" from "today"—is a fascinating thought.
Would you time travel if you could? Let me know in the comments below!
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