Are you yearning to escape the hustle and bustle of the rat race in favour of something a little more peaceful? How about swapping bricks and mortar for sun, sea, and solitude?
From glittering sandy shores to idyllic lake retreats, these private islands are all for sale and cost less than the average apartment in major cities across the world.
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Known as The Islands of Lac Lesage, this private lake retreat is actually two islands. The largest measures 37,321 square feet (3,467sqm), while the second is 2,402 square feet (223sqm), so in total, there's just under an acre (0.37ha) of land up for grabs in a truly spectacular landscape.
The gorgeous islands can be found in the heart of the Laurentian Mountains, less than 40 minutes from the world-renowned Mont-Tremblant vacation resort and Mont-Tremblant International Airport.
The isles are situated in Lac Lesage, a vast lake that's fully navigable via motorboat and peppered with only a handful of homes.
The islands are feet away from the protected Réserve faunique de Papineau-Labelle nature reserve, an area of diverse vegetation and wildlife where visitors can enjoy an array of outdoor activities, such as hiking and fishing.
On the larger main island, you'll find three buildings: a two-level main house with an open-plan layout, a lakeside log cottage and a structure that houses washroom facilities.
Inside, the two-storey home needs a refresh, but with a lick of paint and some modern furnishings, we're sure it could be turned into a lovely remote retreat.
What's more, the crystal-clear surrounding water is renowned for its purity, making wild swimming and other water activities accessible to you. Available for £227,562 ($287k) – that's around CA$379,270 – what are you waiting for?
This utterly picturesque private island in the middle of Loch Sunart, to the south of the Highlands region, offers you 30 acres (12.1ha) of breathtaking natural beauty and even a pinch of historical intrigue.
Today, the island is uninhabited, but it boasts a history deeply entwined with that of the surrounding region, with its rugged landscape, sweeping vistas, and tranquil lochs.
The island is accessible by boat or by a low-tide causeway, making it the perfect combination of remote, peaceful and accessible.
Currently on the market via Bell Ingram for £275,000 ($362k), Eilean Mor, as the island is known, offers a chance to own a piece of Scottish heritage.
Part of the Sunart Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Sunart Special Area of Conservation (SAC), Eilean Mor is also a prime example of the thriving ecosystems of the Inner Hebrides.
The island plays host to a wide array of marine life and seabirds, making it an excellent place for birdwatching as well as a highly desirable destination for nature enthusiasts.
The island has been family-owned for generations, but has finally hit the market once more. While it is not currently subject to any planning permissions, Eilean Mor certainly offers plenty of space and a range of different terrains to play with to turn it into an island retreat worthy of any Scottish laird.
Sitting off the coast of Jonesport and Addison in Maine is Wohoa Bay Island, also known as One Bush Island or Sally's Island. The rocky outcrop measures just 0.75 acres (0.3ha) and features a verdant patch of vegetation at the centre.
Hidden among the fir trees is a quaint shingle-sided cottage with a red roof and a covered porch for enjoying views across to neighbouring islands. Built in 1988, the adorable home measures just 380 square feet (35.3sqm).
The rustic cabin features just one open-plan room with a bed, a basic kitchen, and a dining area. There may not be a flushing toilet or shower, but it's perfectly suitable for a fishing weekend or secluded overnight getaway. The property is also totally off-grid, so there's no electricity currently on the island, but we're sure the sunsets would make up for it.
When you consider the whole parcel is for sale via Bold Coast Properties for £288,500 ($379.5), it's still an absolute bargain.
Love is in the air with this charmingly heart-shaped island in Panama, just a 25-minute boat ride from Bocas town. Situated 13 feet (3.9m) above sea level and surrounded by a seawall, the island oasis boasts a picturesque combination of sandy beaches and lush landscaping.
Best of all, the island already features an adorable two-storey cottage, making it move-in ready with a shockingly low price tag of just £336,983 ($425k).
The house has been divided into two separate living spaces, making it ideal as a family time-share or live-in rental property. The upstairs apartment boasts a spacious living area, an ultra-modern kitchen complete with granite countertops and a professional-grade gas stove, as well as a large walk-in pantry that houses laundry, a freezer, and an extra refrigerator.
Sleeping quarters include a master suite complete with a hot tub, wrap-around views, and a fully screened-in sleeping porch. The downstairs apartment, meanwhile, includes its own kitchen, an outdoor shower, and two additional bedrooms.
Taken together, both apartments offer 2,000 square feet (185sqm) of living space, with breathtaking tropical views and the company of numerous local wildlife, including parrots and hummingbirds.
There is also plenty of outdoor space with sundecks, a hot tub area, a boathouse, and a sailboat draft. The island comes equipped with plenty of high-tech amenities to make remote island living a breeze, including three 1,250-gallon water tanks, 21 roof solar panels, Outback lithium-ion batteries, and two generators.
Just because the island is off-grid doesn’t mean you have to skimp on modern comforts.
Described as being in the "best location on the North Carolina coast" by listing agents, Private Islands Inc., The Carolina Cays are a sublime offering with bags of potential.
There are 24 10-acre (4ha) islands in total across the Cays, and buyers can now secure one or more, with prices starting from just £356,726 ($450k).
The islands are positioned on three acres (1.2ha) of shoreline in the heart of the Outer Banks. Unusually high in elevation, some of the private parcels are 12 feet (3.7m) above sea level, placing them in a favourable AE flood zone with low insurance premiums.
This means building your own home should be nice and easy. The lots have been fully engineered, so each has a well, a septic system, and a dock.
They're rich in history, too. The Cays were once a fishing village, dating back to the 'Lost Colony' when the English settled in 1585. No structure has ever been built on the islands, so the possibilities are endless.
Plus, with other islands available for sale, you'll be guaranteed your own little community of fellow islanders.
The islands feature beautiful oak and cedar trees, as well as ponds, marshes, and wetlands. Hundreds of bird species make it a popular place for bird watching, too. Plus, with unlimited seafood on your doorstep, you'll be able to enjoy fishing, crabbing, and even oyster catching.
Monitored daily by the US Coast Guard, the Carolina Cays are also minutes away from the boat launch on the Virginia Dare Bridge and the marinas, docks, and restaurants of the mainland.
Neptune Cay can be found in the heart of the Bahamas, surrounded by the stunning azure-blue waters of the Caribbean. Yet the property is mere minutes from Stella Maris airport and resort, making this seemingly remote isle relatively easy to access.
The 4.5-acre island (1.8ha) offers 9,536 square feet (886sqm) of undeveloped land, plus a handy mainland property featuring 600 feet (183sqm) of sandy beachfront. Perfect for kayaking or paddleboarding enthusiasts, this tropical base is also ideal for outdoor explorers.
The paradise property comes with some infrastructure already in place, including docks and private roads for navigating the acreage. These existing amenities should help to ease the construction process if a buyer wishes to develop holiday accommodation on the isle.
With white sandy beaches fringed with palm trees and crystal clear waters that are perfect for fishing or swimming, Neptune Cay is a real find. If you've fallen in love, Neptune Cay is currently up for grabs with Private Islands Online for £392,486 ($495k)
If you have a slightly bigger budget and prefer cooler climes, then Inis Saimer Island in County Donegal, Ireland, could well be for you. Priced at €450,000, equivalent to £398,000 ($502k), the compact isle is surrounded by the quiet waters of the Erne Estuary and comes not only with a small patch of land but a fixer-upper house, too.
The historic property was built in the mid-1800s and, despite its age and exposed location, is in a fairly decent state of repair. Very spacious at around 2,551 square feet (237sqm), the home is waiting to be brought back to life.
Legend has it that a Scythian chief and his followers settled on the island around 2700 BC and are thought to be the first people to set foot in Ireland. It was also home to Cistercian monks in the 12th and 13th centuries, and various historic battles taking place at the river crossing are thought to have spilt over onto the island.
Inside, there are generously proportioned rooms, including an open-plan living room complete with a kitchen, dining area, and sitting zone. There are three bedrooms, as well as a large function room that could even be used for events or transformed into practical accommodation.
The house benefits from lovely period features, including pretty windows, beamed ceilings, and hardwood floors. What's more, the pad is already connected to the national electricity grid, has fibre optic broadband, and a mains water supply.
Since Inis Saimer is located in sheltered waters and benefits from its own private floating jetty, the buyer will be able to come and go at all stages of the tide.
Ballyshannon’s town centre with shops and restaurants is no more than six minutes away. How's that for the best of both worlds?
Just off the rugged coast of Maine, Upper Negro Island sits nestled in Lords Cove on the Bagaduce River, between the shores of North Castine and Brooksville.
Just a 10-minute boat ride from all the amenities of Castine, the 4.5-acre (1.8ha) island offers perfect privacy, as the adjacent island is held in conservation by Maine Coast Heritage Trust. The only neighbours you’ll have to put up with are seals and waterfowl.
Ready to make your family shelve their electronics and retreat to the wilderness for a weekend of back-to-basics bonding? The island comes equipped with two small cabins, as well as a free-standing bedroom cabin, making it a move-in-ready, off-grid paradise.
The wooded island is the perfect place for hiking, tree-climbing, swimming, boating, building campfires, and plenty of other associated activities.
With 1,600 feet (488m) of shorefront, Upper Negro Island sits elevated a good 20 feet (6.1m) above water level, and can be accessed by two municipal piers, as well as a boat landing in Castine Harbor just a mile away.
There are also plenty of places on the island that are well-suited for the construction of an additional dock, and the island currently holds planning permissions for the installation of a well and septic system.
The adjacent town of Castine is one of the oldest communities in North America and offers plenty of charming streets for shopping, dining, gallery perusing, and plenty more.
Whether you’re looking for a full-time summer retreat or just the occasional place to escape the rat race, Upper Negro Island could be yours for just £474,947 ($599k).
This historic island first appeared in naval officer Johan Månsson’s maritime atlas in 1664, marking it as a part of a key shipping route from Turku to Hamina.
It has been noted by a variety of names on various maps over the years, from Loistokari to Kauppakari, today, it's ready for new owners to write the next chapter of its unique history.
The island was acquired for a harbour lighthouse in 1879, and by 1880, a quaint lighthouse keeper’s cottage with a tiled stove and sauna had been built to accompany it. Today, the cottage still stands, having been preserved as a historical monument, and it maintains all the rustic charm and period details from its origins 145 years ago.
While the lighthouse has been demolished, the cottage is considered a cultural landmark and is currently on the market for €680,000, or £598,854 ($788.2k), via JamesEdition, along with its 25,834-square-foot (2,400sqm) island parcel.
Beautiful and historic, Loistokari comes equipped with amenities, including the original sauna, a firepit, wine cellar, terrace, private beach and, of course, ultimate privacy.
With exceptional 360-degree ocean views, the island is easily accessible from the shore and includes a dock large enough to accommodate a longer vessel, a spacious sundeck for outdoor lounging and dining, and even an outdoor kitchen space, making it a true sailor’s paradise.
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