If your current four walls are starting to feel a little uninspired, perhaps it's time to upgrade... to an entire island! Why settle for a garden view when you could have 360-degree ocean vistas, your own stretch of sandy beach, and zero risk of noisy neighbours (unless you count the seagulls)?
From tropical hideaways to sprawling ocean retreats, these private islands offer the ultimate escape – if, of course, you happen to have a few million to spare.
Click or scroll on to take a peek at some of the most jaw-dropping private islands and what they would cost to buy.
All dollar values in US dollars unless otherwise stated
This sprawling private island off the coast of West Cork, Ireland, may look a little sparse, but it is spacious and benefits from incredible vistas.
Known as Middle Calf Island, the land is situated between West Calf and East Calf Islands and measures 64 acres (25.8ha).
Marketed with Vladi Private Islands, the island is available for an undisclosed sum. However, it was previously for sale for a mere €750,000 – that's around £650,392 ($870k).
In the past, six families lived a self-sufficient life here, and a school was built in 1835. In 1841, the population of the island was 39, but the last family left it abandoned in 1937. Today, only the ruins of dwellings, outbuildings, and ancient stone walls remain.
Currently, Middle Calf doesn’t have a pier, but there are a few beautiful beaches that provide excellent spots for installing one. Plus, you could easily take a dip in the ocean thanks to the island's numerous sheltered coves and bays.
At the moment, the land is being used for grazing by 25 Kerry Bog Ponies. It was also previously grazed by sheep.
Outline planning permission is already in place for the reconstruction of a ruined dwelling and, in the past, the outbuildings have been granted consent to be turned into ancillary structures. So the possibilities are endless.
Located just a few minutes by boat off the coast of Indian Point, in the stunning waters of Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia, Spectacle Island is a truly envy-inducing find.
Stretching across nine acres (3.6ha), the elongated isle is wooded at both ends with a cleared centre and a private, sandy beach that wraps its perimeter.
Nice and flat, the island is ideal for development, but the new owner won’t need to worry about that, because Spectacle comes with a cluster of cabins that were built in 2012 and 2013.
They were designed to replicate the traditional fish stores that were once common structures in the area and have been finished in bold, primary colours.
The main cabin comes with a living room, kitchen, dining area, and bedroom, all in one large, open space. With a high ceiling and plenty of windows, it’s the perfect place to hunker down and disconnect from the ruckus of life.
There are also two sleeping cabins – ideal for guests – as well as a storage and utility cabin, which would be great for storing boats and other water sports equipment. The homes are all arranged on an elevated deck, with commanding ocean views in every direction.
Plus, the area is renowned for offering the best sailing on the Eastern Seaboard, so this island would be perfect for lovers of the water. With endless wildlife and scenery to take in, it’s also wonderfully remote and tranquil.
Yet there are full-service marinas, cafés, seaside golf courses, and more just a short boat ride away. Stanfield International Airport is also an hour down the road.
Spectacle Island was for sale with Vladi Private Islands for £859,544 ($1.1m), or CA$1.6 million.
While many see the rugged landscape of Ontario’s Georgian Bay as beautiful yet daunting, due to its harsh climate and rocky geography, well-known architect William Grierson decided to embrace the elements and build a unique summer retreat there for his family.
His stunning cottage and the Table Rock Islands were last listed via Private Islands Inc. for CA$2.2 million or £1.2 million ($1.6m).
But that’s not all that you’ll receive with the purchase. Alongside the main island, you will also become the new owner of six smaller, undeveloped islands – one of which spans one acre (0.4ha).
These sheltering rock formations form a protective natural harbour around the southern end of the main island, where you’ll also find a dry dock boathouse.
Architect Grierson’s incredible round house boasts an open-air central courtyard that radiates outward to the property's eight bedrooms and four bathrooms, as well as the 1,600-square-foot (149sqm) great room, complete with a kitchen, living room, and dining room.
The unique home offers floor-to-ceiling glass windows throughout, framing spectacular 360-degree vistas.
The cottage was featured in the book William Grierson: Selected Works, which showcases the renowned architect's career highlights.
You can read about the challenges he faced in constructing the unique solar-powered pad, including the placement of 24 concrete columns which support the roof and the foundational steel rods, driven deep into the island’s Precambrian rock.
Situated in the heart of New York's Thousand Islands region, on a coveted stretch known as Millionaire's Row, this 2.4-acre (1ha) private island was last listed for just under £1.4 million ($1.9m).
St. Elmo Island was described by listing agents Vladi Private Islands as a riverfront oasis, with beautiful sunrises and sunsets to enjoy from two separate residences.
Each building comes fully equipped and furnished, with the capacity to sleep around 16 people in total between the two properties. Paved cart paths can be found across the entire island, allowing easy access across the acreage, which is dotted with mature trees.
The mainland is a short boat ride from Elmo Island, where fine dining, luxury retail, and even golf rounds await.
Should you have the funds, you could enjoy the island's multiple patios, decks, and lookout tower, where you can admire the beautiful coastal views, not to mention plenty of places for indulging in a spot of wild swimming.
The Thousand Islands region itself is a historic stretch to relocate to, and it's even home to one of the oldest post offices in the US.
One of the island's homes includes this spacious deck, where you can dine alfresco overlooking the tranquil water. St. Elmo Island is part of an area known as Millionaire's Row, which was once a popular “retreat for the elite in the late 19th century”.
Today, the islands are a hub for outdoor activities and celebrations, including Pirates Weekend and the Poker Race.
Known as Motu Orama, this enchanting tropical island epitomises seclusion. Located about 200 miles (322km) from Tahiti’s international airport in Papeete, it's accessible via boat from Rangiroa, the largest atoll in the Tuamotus of French Polynesia.
Last for sale through Private Islands Inc. for an undisclosed sum, it was previously on the market for €2.5 million, which equates to £2.2 million ($2.9m). The island provides jaw-dropping scenery, crystal-clear waters, pristine beaches, and a home you could immediately call your own – should your pockets prove deep enough.
The one-of-a-kind private island residence currently doubles as an exclusive rental when not in use, so there's the opportunity here to generate some income.
Stretching almost 10 acres (3.8ha), the remote island sits next to one of the richest coral reefs in the world, earning it global acclaim for scuba diving and snorkelling.
According to the listing, the island is “a natural aquarium”, where manta rays, whales, and dolphins can be spotted daily. So the buyer could easily create a holiday paradise for guests who wish to explore this underwater world.
The buildings tucked among the palms look dreamy, but the listing explains that all the existing structures on the island need to be completely renovated.
However, legal, construction, staffing, and management assistance are available to help the buyer with the project. What could be better?
If you'd rather be enjoying the tropical climate of Brazil, then Maná Island should pique your interest.
Located on the Costa Verde, in the up-and-coming Angra Dos Reis region of the country, only 1.8 miles (3km) from the port of Brachuy, the stunning isle is ideal for anyone who likes their private islands as stylish as they are exclusive.
Spanning more than 15 acres (6.1ha), Isla Mana (as it’s known locally) has everything you could need to live in quiet luxury. Entirely move-in ready, the island comes with a series of attractive properties.
There’s a caretaker’s house, a boathouse, four bungalows, and a 1,291-square-foot (120sqm) main house, which has a living room, two bedrooms, a dining room, an impressive kitchen, and a dramatic wooden deck.
The four bungalows offer further accommodation options, each serving as a private suite with a bedroom, bathroom, and breathtaking ocean views. Plus, there’s plenty more space for further development – the buyer could create a grand private residence or a boutique tourism venture.
Self-sufficient thanks to its electricity supply, its three-cistern water supply and its 70,000-litre deposits, Isla Mana truly is a private island paradise.
The bungalows share an additional decking zone with a covered dining area, leading to a bar at one end and the glittering waters of the Atlantic at the other. There's also a dock for parking your boat. Pathways connect the buildings, snaking through tropical flora and fauna and finally leading to a helipad.
What's more, Rio de Janeiro is a three-hour drive or a 20-minute helicopter journey away. Got £2.6 million ($3.5m) going spare? The island was last listed with Vladi Private Islands.
Previously listed with Snellman Sotheby's International Realty for £3 million ($4m), or €3.5 million in the local currency, this Remmarholmen island lies in Porkkalanniemi, a peninsula in the Gulf of Finland, surrounded by other idyllic archipelago islands.
Remote yet perfectly located, it is just a five-minute boat ride to the mainland.
The island spans five acres (2ha) and comes with three modern buildings that were designed by architect Joanna Maury: a main house, a guest house, and a sauna.
Created to subtly blend in with the nature all around them, these lovely structures were all formed from granite, glass, oak, pine, and rusted Corten steel.
The passage from one building to another is made easy, thanks to wooden pathways crafted from durable Siberian larch.
There are also large terraces around the buildings, which offer quiet spots for soaking up the surrounding scenery, while the beach storage facility is perfect for hobby equipment and supplies. The sturdy jetty is great for parking your boat or landing by helicopter, too.
The ultimate island home, the main residence was completed in 2021 and spans 2,475 square feet (230sqm). Inside, it is entirely contemporary, with walls of glass and striking interior design.
There’s a sunken living room, a modern kitchen, three bedrooms, and three bathrooms. Plus, the property is powered by geothermal energy and fresh water is supplied by a desalination system that turns seawater into drinking water.
If your budget allows, then Pumpkin Island in Australia could be your next purchase. Last listed with Private Islands Inc. for a whopping AU$21.8 million, which equates to £10.9 million ($14.6m), it doesn't come cheap, but you get what you pay for!
Nestled near the Southern Great Barrier Reef in Queensland, this pristine isle has been described by the listing agents as "one of Australia’s best-kept secrets".
Stretching 15 acres (6.1ha), Pumpkin Island is positioned just off the coast of Yeppoon and is home to a modern, eco-friendly resort that was designed for VIP holidaymakers.
There's enough accommodation for 34 guests, thanks to the island's five self-contained, oceanfront cottages.
There are also two bungalows with outdoor kitchens, and each property comes with its own exterior deck with ocean views. Plus, you and your guests will be able to enjoy immediate access to the sand.
The off-grid retreat is powered by solar and wind but also comes equipped with rainwater storage, so the new owner can create their own sustainable sanctuary.
In fact, in 2018, Pumpkin Island was named Australia’s most sustainable hotel at the World Boutique Hotel Awards and was the first 'beyond carbon neutral' island in the country.
If your budget will stretch, then you could walk away with one seriously jaw-dropping private paradise. Royal Island lies in the Bahamas, off Russell Island, and is surrounded by the enchanting waters of the Caribbean Sea.
Encompassing 430 acres (174ha), the private wonderland is home to beautiful beaches, great elevations, a large natural harbour, and a turnkey private holiday resort, all less than 20 minutes from North Eleuthera and its international airport.
Royal Island has permits in place for a new major marina and an 18-hole golf course, so the buyer will be able to use these approvals to create the ultimate private island resort.
There’s already plenty of accommodation in place, including five luxurious one-bedroom beachfront villas, each with a large wraparound deck.
There’s also a welcome centre that provides a restaurant, bar, spa, and gym, as well as a lovely outdoor pool and a few private island beaches. There’s even a guest house that could be utilised by the owner as a main residence.
Perhaps the best thing about Royal Island is that it's already operated as a resort. Guests currently enjoy a customised experience, with a world-class private chef, beach club, catamaran, water sports, and security. So the buyer will just need to pack their bags and move in!
If you've got £33.3 million ($44.6m) in the bank, then Vladi Private Islands last held the listing.
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