Are you yearning to escape the hustle and bustle of the rat race in favour of something a little more peaceful? Well, how about swapping bricks and mortar for sun, sea and solitude? 

From dazzling sandy shores to picturesque 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 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 known for its purity, meaning wild swimming and other water activities are within your reach. Available for £227,562 ($287k) – that's around CAD$422,831 – what are you waiting for?

A gorgeous little private island just a 15-minute boat ride from Panama’s Bocas Town, this satellite island to Bocas del Toro’s Isla Cristóbal is surrounded on three sides by a spectacular coral reef. With 26,909 square feet (2,500sqm) to play with, the island is a prime location for anyone looking to develop their own remote tropical paradise.

The island is accessible by means of a deep-water bay between its west shore and Isla Cristóbal, and at 728 feet (222m) in length, offers plenty of coastline for sunbathing and water activities.

Largely shielded from the shoreline, the side of the island exposed to the wide water channel through the bay of Almirante is protected by a band of mangroves, as well as nearly 2.5 miles (1ha) of shallow reef.

The island is currently undeveloped, though it houses the remains of the concrete base of a cabana, a composting lavatory, and a former access point near the building site where a dock could be rebuilt.

The adjoining fully-fenced 3.7 acre (1.5ha) Cristóbal lot is a flat, rectangular land mass located just across the deep-water bay from the private island.

Overgrown with mangroves, palm trees, Ajo trees and noni, the islands are an uncut gem waiting to be transformed into a glamorous water resort. Currently on the market with Private Islands Inc. for £237,077 ($299k), the Cristóbal lot and its adjoining private island are situated close to the shopping and dining experience of the nearby town but offer the remote luxury of an isolated island retreat.

Looking to add a touch of fantasy to your life? 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.

Currently on the market via Bell Ingram for £325,000 ($420k), Eilean Mor, as the island is known, offers a chance to own your own piece of Scottish heritage.

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 remotely peaceful and easily accessible.

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.

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 £336,982 ($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, plus a large walk-in pantry housing 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 plenty of local wildlife, including parrots and hummingbirds.

There is also plenty of outdoor space in the form of sundecks, a hot tub area and a boathouse and 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 £347,900 ($450k) and going up to £657,000 ($850k).

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, too, so each has a well, a septic system and a dock. 

They're rich in history, too. The Cays was 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 species of birds 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 £392,485 ($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 £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.

What's more, 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. Plus, Ballyshannon’s town centre with shops and restaurants is no more than six minutes away. How's that for the best of both worlds?

Described in its listing as a "magical place", Haupe Island is situated on the west bank of the Las Cruces River in Valdivia, just north of Punucapa, a Chilean hamlet of pre-Hispanic origin.

The beautiful island, currently on the market for £433,000 ($519k) via JamesEdition, offers all the combined luxuries of its verdant natural environment and nearby amenities while also offering the ultimate privacy and seclusion.

The 52-acre (21ha) parcel can be easily accessed from the city of Valdivia by road to the village of Punucapa, where you can then take a 10-minute boat ride directly to the island, where there is a small dock. You can also travel directly to the island by boat from Valdivia itself.

The island terrain is mostly flat, largely covered by meadows and wetlands, as well as an ancient forest comprised of native flora. With such diverse terrain, the island offers plenty of scope for creativity when considering development, and would be ideally suited to a hotel, destination restaurant or simply a private home.

The island is currently undeveloped except for a small wooden cabin in a clearing, but there is plenty of clear land ready for construction. With beautiful views of the surrounding wetlands and the remains of the Valdivian rainforest, the Haupe Island offers an unparalleled opportunity to build your dream home.

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 which 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 £555,812 ($680,000) 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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