Ok, time for Ody to over think things again.
Allanan said,
"The Isle is here, the tower by itself, and the only city close is that of Ara-Kari a port city for mostly pirates and those of ill repute. Though not overly evil its proximity to Cirath Ungole leads it to be a very dangerous city. Why it remains when so many other cities had fallen to the Dark King I cannot say. As I have been there a few times in secret before this war I can mass teleport you all just outside of it, if you wish. From there surely you can find a way to reach the isle."
Well on the map from the parties time Ara-Kari is a ruins. So the City was destroyed sometime.
So in order for a mage to teleport they need to know the area they are going. He didn't send us to the cyclops island so I would guess he hasn't been there. He believes he knows that the tower has the power we need. Now we need to get over to the island. Do we rent a boat or steal a boat? If we rent then maybe we can get to the port by the tower. If we steal we have to sail it and a straight line to the island and then go across country to the tower.
Ok there are some seeds for thought.