Tired of city living and looking to get away from it all? Well, if you know where to look you can snap up your own slice of paradise. This stunning and secluded island off the coast of Arran, Scotland, is currently up for grabs for the price of a four-bedroom house in Edinburgh. With unobstructed views, beautiful surroundings and a one-of-a-kind home that you could call your own, this affordable private island is almost too good to be true. Let's get exploring...

Known as Pladda, the tiny uninhabited island is just over half a mile off the south coast of the Isle of Arran and locals will no doubt recognise the teardrop-shaped landmass, which is perfectly visible during the ferry ride from Ardrossan to Campbelltown. Located in the Firth of Clyde, the isle is just 2,296 feet long and just over 33 acres in size. There's even over six acres of elevated grazing land and about 5,249 square feet of rocky foreshore.

The small idyll is home to the Pladda Lighthouse and has been privately owned since 1990, when it was sold by Arran Estate. Today, the landmass is back on the market with Knight Frank – this time for offers in excess of a mere £350,000 ($426k).

Those concerned about taking on a home and a full-time job need not worry. The lighthouse here was fully automated in 1990 and is now reporedly remotely monitored from the Northern Lighthouse Boards Headquarters in Edinburgh. This means you can move in, sit back and let someone else do all the work!

Plus, the island comes with the former Lighthouse Keeper’s house, which boasts two reception rooms, five bedrooms and a bathroom. While we can’t head inside, the listing suggests that the accommodation hasn't been used in recent years and needs to be thoroughly upgraded. But with its sweet brick façade, sash windows and symmetrical chimneys, we're sure it won't take much to turn the building into a dream home. 

That isn’t the only building up for grabs, either. For your money you’ll gain a standalone retreat with a bedroom, shower room, kitchen and sitting room. Again, we think the property could probably do with being renovated, but the potential here is endless. 

Towards the shoreline, in the shadow of the lighthouse, there’s also an extensive range of traditional outbuildings (include a stone bothy and a boat house) with development potential. Create some holiday homes, build an amazing home office, or start a business – the choice really is yours! Other plus points include the island’s sheltered concrete jetty, which is situated halfway down the eastern shore in a small bay.

The island also boasts an amazing, 2.5-acre walled garden, with high stone walls. Previously used to grow fruit and vegetables, there’s the opportunity here to go off-grid and live entirely self-sufficiently. Accessible only by boat or helicopter (did we mention there's a helipad?), the private island is the perfect option for someone seeking seclusion, stunning scenery and opportunities galore. Fallen in love? The closing date for offers is set for Thursday 29 September 2022. Knight Frank has all the information you need! 

Yearning to escape the rat race and trade the hustle and bustle for something a little more peaceful? Well, imagine swapping bricks and mortar for a private plot surrounded by water. From glittering sandy shorelines to picturesque lake retreats, these entire islands for sale cost less than the average two-bedroom apartment in major cities around the world. Click or scroll on to start exploring...

If you've got £87,200 ($110k) in the bank, then you could soon snap up this beautiful leafy island in Canada. Available through Private Islands Online, Gillis Island is located on the Pinette River, just 30 minutes from Charlottetown, the capital of Prince Edward Island.

The 11-acre private paradise offers woodlands and 200 feet of south-facing sandy shorefront. Although it's currently entirely undeveloped, the opportunities here are endless and, according to the listing, the promising island has remained largely untouched since the Acadians first settled the surrounding community of Eldon in 1750.

Positioned off the coast of Prince Edward Island, the isolated isle can be reached by boat in under 10 minutes and offers truly unrivalled views. Plus, it places you within easy reach of the red sand beaches, renowned seafood and art galleries of Prince Edward Island, as well as the outstanding kayaking routes and championship golf courses in the region.

What's more, most of the surrounding land remains undeveloped, meaning you could create a quiet and remote hideaway far away from the rat race. According to Loans Canada, in 2020 the average house price on Prince Edward Island was CAD $309,031, which is around £199,100 ($242k). That makes this stunning lot an absolute steal. 

Perhaps the biggest selling point for No Man's Island is its location just off the coast of New Jersey. Thanks to its proximity to the city of Wildwood, it also boasts a rich musical history. It was here that Bill Haley and the Comets first performed 'Rock Around the Clock' and where Chubby Checker first sang 'The Twist'...

For sale with Private Islands Online at £99,100 ($125k), No Man's Island spans 19 acres and is located just minutes from the iconic Jersey Shore. Natural and wild it may be, but this small parcel of land may not be the ideal new spot if you're looking to build a house...

The island sits in the heart of Grassy Sound, a wetland and salt marsh more famed for its fishing and hunting than exclusive real estate. Only accessible by boat, No Man's Island stands just three feet clear of the water but the listing says that "the island can be raised with proper permits, allowing for a multitude of development scenarios."

With no infrastructure of any kind, setting up a home here would be a challenge but could be a wonderful adventure for anyone to go truly off-grid. Perhaps a floating home would work? Plus, it’s just 45 minutes south of Atlantic City and 15 minutes north of Cape May, making it the perfect weekend escape.

Nestled off the coast of the Canadian province of Nova Scotia in the heart of the Argyle Sound in Tusket Bay, Frost Island is the ultimate wilderness retreat. It may only be 1,640 feet from the mainland, but it's a world away from the hustle and bustle of civilisation. 

On the market with Vladi Private Islands for a mere CAD $299,000, which is roughly £192,000 ($234k), this rugged outpost sprawls 68 acres and offers an idyllic woodland and plenty of beachfront. There's plenty of flat ground for building your dream home, but the island also has the highest elevation of all the islands in the area, resulting in spectacular views across Yarmouth County.

Fish are abundant in the waters surrounding the island, making the scenic isle a haven for angling enthusiasts. Meanwhile, the woodlands are filled with no end of wildlife. Frost Island is also known for its impressive sunsets so you can be sure of breathtaking views across the water.

Plus, with the mainland so close and a concrete dock already in place, it's the perfect choice for those wanting an easy and tranquil weekend escape. In the past, there was a residence on the island and there are a couple of old wells and springs still in place, which are especially helpful for anyone looking to undertake their own dream house build.

If Frost Island doesn't do it for you, then how about Duval Island? Located off the coast of Ontario, Canada, between Neebish, Port Findlay and MacLennan, the island is surrounded by the tranquil waters of Echo Bay. Yours for just £322,100 ($392k), or CAD $499,900 in the local currency, this affordable property offers bang for your buck.

The beautiful island comes complete with more than five acres of land and a main cottage that's move-in ready. The lovely home has four bedrooms, a bathroom, an open-plan living room with a wood-burning stove, a bright kitchen and dining area with gorgeous views of the lake.

While the home's decor could do with updating, this home certainly has plenty of plus points – namely the view! Imagine pulling up a chair here and watching the world go by. What's more, the property has full services already in place, including solar power, generator back-up power, hot and cold running water and a full septic system.

Plus, outside there's a huge exterior deck where you can sit, unwind and soak up your surroundings. In fact, the listing agents, Private Islands Online, say it best: “With unhindered million dollar views, west facing sunsets and magical trails through majestic white pines, this summer home is sure to be your dream getaway!” 

Have you ever wanted to buy a dreamy oceanfront paradise in Maine, USA? Well, with houses there costing £299,000 ($363k) on average, why settle for a house when you could gain much more bang for your buck? For £313,195 ($395k), you could snap up your own private paradise.

This amazing American island is positioned just off the eastern shore of Vinalhaven Island in Maine's mid-coast region. Offering a beautiful rugged green landscape that spans five acres, the isle provides picturesque views of Penobscot Bay at one end and a protected cove at the other.

Currently the island remains undeveloped, although there is a small unassuming shack that's crying out to be renovated into something a little more inviting. Here, meadows and spruce trees flourish, while wild strawberries and roses bloom in the summer months, making it a wilderness haven for off-grid living.

The island currently boasts permissions for a new 600-square-foot structure to be built so this could be the perfect development opportunity for a buyer with vision. Plus at low tide, you'll have direct access to the sandy beach on neighbouring Vinalhaven – utter bliss!

Offering five acres of verdant tropical grounds, Iguana Island is located just 12 miles off the coast of Bluefields, one of Nicaragua's vibrant bustling cities. If a private island paradise with ample accommodation and year-round sunshine is top of your property wishlist, look no further.

On the market with Private Islands Online for just £376,600 ($475k), the isle includes a charming three-bedroom home, complete with a yellow clapboard façade and green shutters. Offering two bathrooms and a wraparound veranda, it's the ideal spot for taking in the island’s iconic sunsets.

Previously featured on the television series Island Hunters, the extensive property features a boardwalk that meanders through its grounds, allowing residents to explore the picturesque landscapes, dotted with coconut palms and banana trees, at their leisure. This could be the ultimate beach house!

Thanks to its location in the blue-green Caribbean Sea, Iguana Island benefits from warm waters, hot climes and plenty of spots for snorkelling, where diving enthusiasts can observe the region’s copious underwater residents. A popular area with keen anglers too, the island's private dock is perfect for fishing or taking a boat out on the waves.

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 four-acre island offers 9,536 square feet of undeveloped land, plus a handy mainland property featuring 600 feet of sandy beachfront. Perfect for kayaking or paddleboarding enthusiasts, this tropical paradise is 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).

With just one owner for the last 37 years, Sandpoint Lake Island could now be yours – if your budget can stretch to £507,450 ($640k), that is. Just a few yards from Voyageurs National Park and a 25 minutes boat ride from the entry point village of Crane Lake, Sandpoint is located on one of the most pristine lakes in north America.

While you could live on Sandpoint Lake Island in blissful isolation if you fancied, the main cabin features five bedrooms to choose from while two guest cabins host a further seven guests. You’ll also find a handy fish cleaning house, boat house and tackle house for your new lakeside lifestyle, with a propane gas grill and 5000 watt tri-fuel generator to help cook your freshly caught dinner.

According to the Sandpoint Lake website, emergency services are always available via cell phone or marine radio communications, while modern amenities include 4G internet/cell coverage from Crane Lake, a large electric sauna and electric hot tub, with WCs and a fully electric kitchen.

From your idyllic lakeside refuge, you can enjoy views out across the wilderness of northern Sandpoint Lake along the US Canadian border. The area boasts hundreds of miles of attractive shoreline just waiting to be explored…

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