8 Strange Postal Services Around the World

When you think of the post office department, you probably imagine a simple post box on a street corner or a familiar red van making its daily rounds. Yet in some extraordinary corners of the world, mail delivery happens by far more unusual means. From underwater mailboxes to mountainside outposts, these curious delivery routes show just how inventive mail carriers can be when it comes to keeping letters and parcels moving. Here are 8 of the most intriguing examples.

1. The Underwater Post Office in Vanuatu

On the coral lined shores of Hideaway Island in Vanuatu lies a truly magical site. Situated around three metres below the surface, the underwater post office invites snorkellers and divers to send embossed waterproof postcards. The cards are collected by staff who dive down regularly before entering the usual international mail system. It is a charming and very photogenic way to send a message home.

2. Susami Bay Underwater Mailbox in Japan

In the quiet fishing town of Susami in Japan's Wakayama Prefecture you will find another remarkable postal experience. Ten metres beneath the surface of Susami Bay sits one of the deepest underwater mailboxes in the world. Divers purchase waterproof postcards from a nearby dive shop and write on them using oil based markers to prevent the ink from washing away. Staff then retrieve the cards and send them through the inland delivery services. It brings together tourism, tradition and creativity in a uniquely memorable way.

3. Port Lockroy Penguin Post Office in Antarctica

On Goudier Island in Antarctica, surrounded by a lively colony of gentoo penguins, stands one of the most isolated post offices on the planet. Adventurous visitors can buy postcards, enjoy the distinctive polar postmark and send mail delivery from a location that feels almost unreal. The combination of wildlife, remoteness and history makes this small post office a firm favourite for travellers who love unusual experiences.

4. Barrel Mail on Floreana Island in the Galápagos

Long before modern postmen and delivery vans existed, sailors in the Galápagos invented their own mail system. On Floreana Island, a large barrel was placed on the shore where letters could be dropped off. Passing ships would collect whichever letters were addressed to places near their next destination and deliver them by hand. Travellers still use this tradition today, leaving their own messages in the hope that a fellow visitor will pick them up and continue the centuries old ritual.

5. Hikkim Post Office in India

High in the Himalayan mountains sits the Hikkim Post Office, one of the highest in the world at around four thousand four hundred metres above sea level. The altitude and heavy snowfall make life challenging for residents and postal employees alike. During parts of the year the office closes completely, and at other times letter carriers carry the mail by foot along steep paths. It serves as both a postal centre and a savings bank for nearby villages, making it essential to this remote community.

6. Supai Post Office in the United States

Tucked deep within the bottom of the Grand Canyon is Supai Village, home to the Havasupai people. Since no roads lead into the village, the United States Postal Service relies on a mule train to deliver mail, supplies and small parcels. The mules travel along canyon trails each day, continuing a tradition that is now one of the last remaining official mule delivery routes in North America. It is a rare and impressive example of mail delivery adapted perfectly to the landscape.

7. Postojna Cave Post Office in Slovenia

Hidden within the dramatic underground formations of Postojna Cave is a fully functioning post office. Early versions were built in the nineteenth century to serve curious visitors exploring the cave system, and the modern version still welcomes travellers who want to send postcards from beneath glittering stalactites. The setting gives every message a sense of adventure.

8. Santa Claus Main Post Office in Finland

In the Arctic Circle stands the official Santa Claus Main Post Office in Rovaniemi, a place where magic meets mail during the Christmas season. Letters addressed to Santa from all around the world arrive here each year. Visitors can watch the sorting process, collect Christmas stamps, send christmas cards and even arrange for a letter from Santa to be sent back to friends or family. It is festive, heart warming and one of the most charming postal experiences near the North Pole.

These extraordinary postal services around the world show that even in a world of instant messaging, the journey of a physical letter can be full of character. Whether mail delivery travels by mule, beneath the waves or through icy Antarctic winds, each delivery route shows how far people will go to stay connected. Even in an age of digital communication, these unusual postal traditions continue to thrive.