15 Most Beautiful Private Islands In The World You Can Rent

If you're looking to truly get away from it all, there's no better place than on a private island. If you don't happen to already own an island, you can actually rent one to experience the sanctuary and seclusion they offer. Whether you choose to rent the entire island or spend a few nights in a secluded villa with just a few other guests, you can be certain of solitude.

Many on our list are bucket list Caribbean Islands, but we have also included islands in far-flung destinations like French Polynesia, Australia, and Cambodia. We even have one in the United States. And the best news? Not all of these islands are incredibly expensive. Nightly rates start from under $1,000 for two adults (not exactly cheap, but doable for a really special vacation.) Others will blow most people's budgets (think $134,000 for one night!), but there's no harm in dreaming, and these beautiful private islands are indeed dreamscapes.

We're kicking off with the Caribbean paradise of Guana Island in the British Virgin Islands. The 850 acres of undisturbed natural paradise are known for white powdery beaches, clear water, and the hiking trails that weave through tropical forests, hills, and valleys. More adventurous guests can engage in a ton of activities here, from tennis to kayaking to kitesurfing.

The luxury element is about privacy and exclusivity here, so you may mix your own cocktails and grab your own beach towels. But the food is, according to one review on Tripadvisor, "absolutely exceptional."

Guests stay in cottages or villas. The cheapest nightly rate starts from $995 for two guests in the most reasonably priced room type and from $4,430 for the most expensive room type. You can also book out the entire island if you wish. The resort advertises this for weddings and other events and states you can have up to 35 guests.

Heading to the other side of the world, we arrive in Tetiaroa in French Polynesia, best known as Marlon Brando's private island. Tetiaroa is technically an atoll — a ring-shaped coral reef — and as you might imagine, the snorkeling here is incredible.

The atoll is a 20-minute flight from Papeete in Tahiti, and when you arrive, you'll stay at The Brando, the only resort on the island. This sustainably designed resort is home to 35 private villas and one private residence. The Brando is not one of the more budget options on our list — booking six months ahead, you can get a one-bedroom villa for around $6,300 for two nights. (The villa is spectacular, with a private pool and view of the lagoon.)

But the hefty price tag brings unrivaled luxury, with one reviewer on Tripadvisor claiming the resort had "the greatest service on earth." You can take guided excursions to learn more about the nature and history of the island and about Polynesian art and culture through the experiences offered.

Koh Rang Noi is a private island located in the Andaman Sea, just off the coast of Phuket. The azure sea contrasts with the lush green of the vegetation, giving this island a real tropical paradise feel. You arrive here by boat (it's 10 minutes from Phuket) and stay in one of the island's three villas. The smallest villa has four bedrooms, and you can choose to rent all three villas — and thus the entire island — for around $65,000 per night. This is a great place to come with a big group of friends or family.

And there's no danger anyone in your groups will get bored here. There are two yachts available for guests to use, along with 15 Jet Skis, windsurfing equipment, kayaks, and two Hobie cats. There is also a spa and fitness center, and the dedicated staff takes care of your every whim.

Located in the British Virgin Islands, Necker Island is owned — serendipitously — by Virgin boss Richard Branson. It's a dream vacation spot. The 74 acres of pure paradise can accommodate a maximum of 48 adults and six children in its variety of accommodations. What the villas have in common are ocean views, total privacy, and outdoor space.

The island that's hosted celebrities like Mariah Carey, Barack Obama, and Diana the Princess of Wales, clearly doesn't come cheap. Individual rooms start from $3,700 per night, with a minimum stay of four nights required. You can book the entire island for up to 48 guests in 24 rooms for $134,500 per night in 2023.

So what do you get for your money? Paradise, basically. Warm, clear waters and sandy white beaches are just a start. You can kitesurf, practice yoga, go to the spa, and try scuba diving ... the list is almost endless.

The Indonesian island of Pulau Joyo is a world away from Necker but equally charming. Joyo Resort, located on the island, bills itself as epitomizing "barefoot sophistication." The island is gorgeous, with a true castaway feel to its sandy beaches and turquoise waters.

The island is fairly close to Singapore (around 3.5 hours by boat and land), so you can combine a city vacation with an island getaway. The accommodations on the island are more simple than those we've featured so far, with one reviewer on Google describing it as similar to a glamping experience. However, the service, according to the reviewer, is exceptional, and the food is delicious. You can reserve the entire island for up to 45 people starting from SGD 4,600 per night (around $3,375), so this is one of the cheapest private islands you can rent. Rates for the most reasonably priced room start at SGD 750 per night ($550.)

Lizard Island is the only luxury resort on Australia's Great Barrier Reef and is a one-hour flight from Cairns. It's an isolated, tropical paradise.

There are 24 private beaches on Lizard Island, which offers heaps of activities to keep you occupied. Scuba diving and snorkeling are, of course, popular (snorkelers can step right off the beach and float over the Great Barrier Reef.) But you can also go fishing, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, or visit the gym and spa. There is a strong focus on conservation on Lizard Island, which you can learn about through guided nature walks.

Garden View rooms start from AUD 2,049 per night, which is around $1,310. All of the accommodations are set in lush surroundings and are a short walk from the water. One Tripadvisor reviewer said the resort exceeded their high expectations, praising the food and staff on the island.

Located in Turks and Caicos, Parrot Cay is a private island with one resort — COMO Parrot Cay — where you'll find 1,000 acres covered with forest and white-sand beaches surrounded by aquamarine water. There are various accommodation options, including hotel rooms and multi-villa private estates for larger groups.

The rooms are bright and airy and have stunning views. Rates vary, but a two-night stay for two adults in November 2023 would cost $1,257 per night in the most reasonably priced room. Visitors writing on Tripadvisor loved the butler service that comes with some accommodation types, while others felt the whole experience exceeded their expectations. However, some guests complained about the "tired" rooms and the lack of maintenance at the resort.

The COMO Shambhala Retreat is a major attraction, which is a wellness facility that offers a Jacuzzi garden, yoga studio, and spa treatments. For those looking for more activity, guests can go on mangrove kayaking excursions, try kitesurfing, and take Jet Ski tours.

COMO Hotels also operates a resort on Laucala Island, which is a private island in Fiji and one of the largest private resorts in the world. Como Laucala Island sprawls across 3,200 acres but offers just 25 villas. The resort is the embodiment of luxury, with Tripadvisor reviewers describing it as "by far the best property in the world" and "heaven on earth."

Each residence is completely private, and you can choose whether you want to sleep over the clear waters or among the dense rainforest. The accommodations are modeled on traditional Fijian dwellings and are light and airy, with private pools and spectacular views. Of course, they come at a price. Rates vary, but a one-bedroom hilltop residence costs $5,800 per night in November 2023.

You'll arrive at the island by private plane (either your own or the resort's), and once you're there, there's a lot to keep you occupied. There's a spa that offers traditional Fijian massages and several restaurants serving mostly locally sourced dishes. On land, there's an 18-hole golf course, hiking trails, and an opportunity to go horseback riding, while in the water, you can go diving, surfing, kitesurfing, and kayaking.

Satellite Island is just off the coast of Tasmania in Australia. Its appeal lies in its setting and privacy — it's not the kind of luxurious resort you'll find on Necker Island, for example. Instead, you'll find an unspoiled sanctuary, lush Australian bushland surrounded by clear waters. To get there, you'll need to get to Hobart, and then it's another 1.5-hour journey, which is a combination of driving, ferry, and private boat.

The journey is worth it, though, and when you arrive, you'll have the whole island to yourself. All bookings are for the entire island, and rates start at AUD 3,550, or $2,275 per night for two guests. Additional guests can be added for $350 per person. The accommodations include the rustically beautiful, three-bedroom hilltop Summer House and the two-bedroom Boathouse, which sits on a jetty right next to the water.

Satellite Island is a place to disconnect (there's no WiFi) and enjoy the outdoors. There are hiking trails, and you can go kayaking, fishing, snorkeling, and more. When it comes to food, there are no restaurants on the island, so you have the option of hiring a private chef or taking your own supplies.

The private island of Fowl Cay lies in the Exumas, an archipelago of 365 islands in the Bahamas, and Fowl Cay Resort is ideal for adventurous guests. Every villa has its own powerboat to navigate the calm waters, and guests are provided with professional fishing gear, snorkeling equipment, and beach "toys," like kayaks and stand-up paddle boards. 

There are six spacious oceanfront villas available to rent, and each has a fully stocked kitchen and either direct beach access or a private pool. The cheapest villa, suitable for two guests, costs just over $16,000 per week. Guests on Tripadvisor said the staff is extremely attentive, described the food as better than found at Michelin-starred restaurants, and felt the island was a water lover's paradise. 

As an added bonus, the resort is just a five-minute boat ride away from Big Major Cay, home to Pig Beach. Here, you can see the Exuma's famous (and incredibly cute) swimming pigs and piglets.

Lanai Island in Hawaii is a private island with a twist. Most of the island is owned by one person — tech mogul Larry Ellison, who bought it in 2012 — but it is still open to daytrippers. It's also home to around 5,000 people, and for those who want to stay here, there is a choice of three hotels. However, Lanai feels secluded and has a totally different atmosphere from other Hawaiian islands. The nature here is pristine but secluded. There are tons of places to hike among the island's forests and lots of turtles and dolphins for wildlife watchers.

The Four Seasons operates two luxury resorts here: Four Seasons Resort Lanai and Four Seasons Sensei Lanai. The Sensei Lanai focuses on wellness experiences and is up in the mountains, while The Resort Lanai is closer to the beach. Prices for accommodations vary, but rooms at the resorts are available for just over $1,000 per night as of this writing. The price includes the flight from Honolulu to reach the island. The Hotel Lanai, located in Lania City, offers more reasonably priced accommodation, with a room currently going for just over $400 (not including flights.)

Illa de Tagomago is the only private island on our list that's in Europe. It's a short boat ride from the party island of Ibiza, but arriving at the private jetty, you'll feel like you're in another world altogether. There is just one villa on this 148-acre island, so renting here gives you true privacy. The villa is modern and has five bedrooms, a pool, huge windows, and outdoor terraces with views across the island and out to sea. A stay here costs approximately EUR 160,000, or roughly $170,000 (plus a 10% VAT) per week in the summer months.

The waters around the island are warm and perfect for water activities like fishing and diving. Two boats are also available for guests to use, and you can use the Mangusta yacht to visit Ibiza and the nearby island of Formentera, with its gorgeous white-sand beaches. On Tagomago, there are also lots of pathways for exploring the island. Stars like Ronnie Wood of Rolling Stones and soccer player Cristiano Ronaldo have enjoyed stays here.

If you don't have the kind of money that international sports stars have, Song Saa in Cambodia offers a private island experience with a lower price tag. You can snag yourself a one-bedroom jungle villa from $890 per night. Don't think you'll be missing out on anything, though. The traditional villas come with a private pool and outdoor shower and have long views out over the sea.

There is a strong focus on sustainability on Song Saa Island. Many of the building materials were salvaged from the local area, and most of the food served in the island's restaurant is sourced locally. The owners, Rory and Melita Hunter, set up the Song Saa Foundation in 2013 with the aim of empowering the local community and conserving the habitat in the Koh Rong Archipelago, of which Song Saa is a part.

There is no dedicated spa on the island, but guests can receive spa treatments from the resort. Song Saa also offers diverse activities like yoga, Buddhist ceremonies, snorkeling, and sea kayaking. Reviewers on Tripadvisor praised the staff and the food here and described the island as "paradise with a heart."

Jumby Bay is a 300-acre private island located two miles off the coast of Antigua. This makes getting to your own slice of paradise fairly easy, as it's just a 15-minute boat ride from Antigua's international airport. When you arrive, you'll be met with palm-lined beaches and soft, white sand.

There are various accommodation types on Jumby Bay Island to choose from, including suites, villas, and private residences. The beach house-style suites overlook the ocean, the villas all have their own pools and offer ultimate privacy, and the private residences are much larger, family-style homes. One of the smaller, beach-side suites costs from $2,750 per night for two adults in November 2023. The resort is all-inclusive and offers a range of activities like wakeboarding, snorkeling, and a kids' club.

Guests on Tripadvisor described Jumby Bay as "truly spectacular," praised the staff, and explained how safe the island felt for their kids. However, the praise wasn't universal, as some guests complained about the food and restaurant service.

Cousine Island in Seychelles is home to an exclusive luxury resort with just five villas for rent. But the island is also a nature preserve that conservationists have been working to restore since 1992. Due to these efforts, Cousine Island is now home to abundant wildlife, including several species of turtles and birds like the Seychelles warbler, which have been brought back from near extinction. The crystal-clear waters around the island are also teeming with fish.

The resort recommends staying at least a week to experience everything the island offers. Guests can go kayaking, take catamaran excursions, and enjoy nature walks, while a spa and rustic bar overlooking the water offers a touch of modern luxury. You can rent the entire island for up to 12 adults and six children starting from EUR 20,000, or $21,200 per night, or rent one villa starting at $3,710 per night. On Tripadvisor, guests described the resort as "perfection," citing the wonderful staff and plentiful wildlife as highlights.