6 Remote Private Islands Where You Can Vacation Like a Royal
When even the most remote overwater bungalow just won’t do, true solitude-seekers chart a course for private islands. The earliest rumblings of the island craze began in 1938 when wealthy aviator Charles Lindbergh purchased Illiec, off France’s Brittany coast. Next up, in the ’60s, parts of the Maldives were sold off to affluent people in search of a “Treasure Island” fantasy. Then, in 1978, Sir Richard Branson acquired the now-famous Necker Island. And most recently, there’s Leonardo DiCaprio’s forthcoming eco-resort in Belize: Blackadore Caye, a Restorative Island, which is slated to open in 2018.
These days, the idea of owning a private island doesn’t seem quite as far-fetched as it used to. Even HGTV has a show—Island Hunters—dedicated to the topic. And if you’re not finding any islands to your liking, you can always make one. Amillarah Private Islands offers the opportunity to completely customize a man-made “island” that you can then locate anywhere in the world.
But if owning an island is a bit too much commitment, why not give a private-island stay a whirl? Here, six getaways where you’ll have the run of the island all to yourself, or where there are so few people, you may as well be totally solo.
Photo: Courtesy of Live North / @live.north1/6North Island, Seychelles
This small Indian Ocean island off the coast of Kenya recently hosted both George and Amal Clooney and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. While there is a world-class spa, gourmet food, and all manner of activities—diving with conservationists, cycling, astronomy lessons, and hiking miles of trails—it’s the privacy that is the biggest draw. There are only 11 villas on the expansive island, and for true solitude-seekers, it’s possible to rent the whole property for a private event.
Photo: Courtesy of Frigate Island Private / @fregateislandprivate2/6Fregate, Seychelles
On this 16-villa island, most food is grown on the land, fish comes directly from the sea, and days are mainly spent lounging on the perfect beach with an occasional pause for feasting. Private pools and hot tubs looking over the ocean are standard with every room, and there are more than 100 tropical bird species to keep you occupied on long strolls throughout the property. If you’re looking to really hide away, head to the tree house, built atop one of the island’s oldest and largest banyan trees. For those truly in search of privacy, the entire island is available for rent.
Photo: Courtesy of Krizzy Kalerqui / @krizzy_kalerqui3/6Amanpulo, the Philippines
Just a quick hop on a private plane from the capital of Manila and you arrive at this petite island and its four-mile circumference of powdery white-sand beaches. There are just five casitas and three villas, each unique, and each with enough privacy that you’d swear you had the entire island to yourself. Activities run the gamut from windsurfing to bird-watching, but the resort is perhaps most known for its wellness program, which offers classes like yoga as well as more specialized “transformative wellness” programs focused on holistic healing.
Photo: Courtesy of Over Yonder Cay4/6Over Yonder Cay, the Bahamas
With a friendly attitude of “do what you want, when you want,” the island gives way to endless activities including golf on the nine-hole course, fishing in the perfect waters, and seaplane rides to other more remote islands for a picnic. The property can host groups from two to 28 guests in four unique villas, each with its own secluded beach.
Photo: Courtesy of Vatuvara5/6Vatuvara, Fiji
Right in the South Pacific, UltraVilla’s Vatuvara is in the pristine northern Lau waters of remote Fiji. With just three villas, a full-island buyout is more easily attainable here than at other (slightly) larger properties. The snorkeling and diving here are highlights with well-preserved reefs and easily spotted whales and dolphins. The food is all grown and harvested on the island, so expect a healthy diet of freshly caught fish and local produce, with a bottle from their extensive wine cellar thrown in for good measure.