This study aimed to explore the challenges faced by EFL learners in learning English, identify their biggest challenge, and investigate the strategies they used to overcome those challenges at SMKN 1 Bengkalis, an outermost island school. This study employed a qualitative research methodology using Narrative Inquiry as the research design. Eight eleventh-grade students were selected through purposive sampling from a population of 170 students. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed through transcription, restorying, and interpretation based on the three-dimensional narrative inquiry space: temporality, sociality, and place. The findings revealed that students encountered linguistic, psychological, and environmental challenges in learning English. Linguistic challenges included limited vocabulary, difficulties in speaking, pronunciation, grammar, and sentence construction. Psychological challenges involved speaking anxiety, fear of making mistakes, and lack of self-confidence. Environmental challenges were related to limited exposure to English and restricted opportunities to practice outside the classroom due to the outermost island context. Among these, limited vocabulary emerged as the greatest challenge because it affected students’ speaking ability, comprehension, and confidence. To overcome these challenges, students used various strategies, including translation applications, social media, English videos and songs, online resources, AI-based tools, and independent practice. The study concludes that despite facing various challenges, students actively utilized available resources and self-directed learning strategies to improve their English proficiency.