Want to Visit a Private Island? It’s Not as Hard as You Think

Getting to a private island may be as easy as booking a cruise. Several cruise lines own private islands reserved exclusively for their passengers. If your goal is to visit one of these islands, make sure the itinerary you choose includes a stop there. Typically, passengers visit a cruise line’s private island for the day and return to the ship to sleep at night. Most of these cruise-approved private islands have beaches, water parks or pools, and restaurants, although amenities vary by cruise line and location.

Some private islands owned by cruise lines include Royal Caribbean’s CoCo Cay in the Bahamas and Labadee in Haiti. Other private islands owned by cruise lines are Holland America Line’s Half Moon Cay, Virgin Voyages’ Beach Club at Bimini in the Bahamas, and Carnival Cruise Line’s Amber Cove in the Dominican Republic.

Some celebrities vacation on private islands, while others buy an entire island for themselves. Some celebrities allow ordinary people to get a taste of the high life by spending the night on their private island. To get a glimpse of what it’s like to be amongst the 1%, consider booking a vacation at one of these exclusive destinations.

On select dates, individuals can book a room on Richard Branson’s Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands. In the United States, head to Lanai in Maui, owned by the founder of Oracle, Larry Ellison. Visitors can spend the night at one of the two luxury hotels on the island, the Four Seasons Resort Lanai or the adults-only Sensi Lanai a Four Seasons Resort. Or, rent a villa at The Brando on the late Marlon Brando’s private island in French Polynesia.

Visiting an all-inclusive resort is a great way to be pampered in a beautiful location, but for those looking to make their trip even more chic, look for a resort with its own private island.

Sandals Royal Bahamian in Nassau & Paradise Island has a private island five minutes from the main resort. Barefoot Cay has two beaches, a lagoon-style pool, a tranquil Zen Garden, and a Caribbean restaurant. Sandals Royal Caribbean in Montego Bay, Jamaica, also has a private offshore island a two-minute boat ride away from the main resort. Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba boasts the only privately owned island in Aruba that is a short ferry ride from the main resort and boasts beaches filled with roaming flamingos and private cabanas.

Many resorts are located by the ocean, while others are on private islands surrounded by the ocean. These resorts typically provide the same level of service as other types of resorts, but they may be quieter and limit the number of guests. They are a great choice for those craving some time away but don’t want to commit to booking an entire island.

Fowl Cay Resort in Exumas, Bahamas, is located on a secluded private island. A maximum of 28 guests can stay at the resort, which has 50 acres and three beaches. Guests who want to leave the island can use a powerboat to visit the Exuma Cays, nearby Thunderball Grotto, or a local yacht club. Thatch Cay in Belize has overwater bungalows and oceanfront cabanas, ensuring everyone has access to the ocean.

Calala Island, an Small Luxury Hotel in Nicaragua, only has four suites, all of which have ocean views and direct access to the beach. Because Hilton owns Calala, it can be booked with points, although demand is high. In Eastern Europe, travel to Estonia and book a stay at Viirelaid Island, a private island in the middle of the Baltic Sea that offers a variety of accommodations, from glamping to villas.

If you have ever wanted to get away from it all, look for a private island designed for those who truly want to leave the world behind. These islands typically have accommodations designed for small groups, with on-site staff to prepare meals and arrange activities. Celebrities sometimes make the news for their private island getaways. However, renting a private island may also be a great option for escapes with friends, family reunions, and secluded honeymoons.

Little Harvest Caye off the Placencia Peninsula in Belize is a 1.5-acre private island that accommodates one group at a time. Guests have 24/7 access to a boat and driver to take them to the mainland, as well as an on-site cook and concierge. In the same area, Gladden Private Island has a spacious villa designed for a couple.

Jumeriah Thanda Island in Tanzania is a private island located within a protected marine reserve. It has five hectares of white sand beaches that only one group at a time can book. Guests can use the island to play tennis, scuba dive, or take yoga classes; or they can use the island’s catamaran and cruiser to explore farther afield.

If spending the night on a private island doesn’t appeal to you or isn’t within budget, consider visiting a private island for the day. This is a great way to get a glimpse of a private island without making a big investment in time or money.

The privately owned Lanai island is just an hour away from Maui by ferry. Day trippers can rent a jeep, take a 4×4 tour, spend the day in the quaint Lana’i city, or snorkel. Another option is Ranguana Caye in Belize, where visitors can snorkel, kayak, paddle board, or lounge in a hammock.

Some tours stop at private islands that are hard to reach on your own or aren’t open to the public. Small boat cruises are ideal to reach these off-the-beaten-track islands.

In Iceland, stop at Vigur Island, which is inhibited by a family of three, vigur ducks and thousands of puffins who appear seasonally. Or, hop on an Intrepid Travel tour to Greece to visit Skorpios, a private island once owned by Jacqueline Kennedy’s second husband, Aristotle Onassis. Onassis purchased the island as a place to hold exclusive parties for high-profile guests.