The Private Islands Blog » Islands in the News

How Much Should You Expect to Pay for a Private Island

The Islomaniac® — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 05:13:30 +0000

In their popular online column Vanity Fair recently answered a readers question about how much one should expect to pay for a private island. Answering the question, journalist Peter Newcomb noted that

Five years ago, Mel Gibson bought a spectacular 5,400-acre island in Fiji’s northern Lau chain for $10 million—a steal at $1,800 an acre.

Generally, tropical islands fetch more than those in temperate climates, as do islands with quick access to civilization. Another factor: the stability of the local government. An islet off the coast of Nicaragua is currently selling for $144,000 an acre, while a 45-acre beauty in the British Virgin Islands is listed at more than $1 million.

Although generally speaking this is a pretty accurate summary. However when purchasing a private island their are and endless number of criteria that one should look at. In addition to climate and local government one should also look at development opportunities and laws, size of the island, access to resources such as fresh water, access to the mainland, whether the property is freehold or lease hold, commute time to island and of course investment potential. The importance of any one of these factors varies from person to person which is why it is important to have a private island expert available to assist you in the purchase process.

For more information on owning, selling and renting a private island visit the resources section at private islands online.

Cruise Lines Launching Next Wave in Island Tourism

The Islomaniac® — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 05:23:10 +0000

Cruise Lines are one of the major new proprieters of private islands, particularly in the Caribbean, something that has not gone unnoticed in the international news.

According to The Daily News the appeal of Caribbean cruising is simple - sun, sand, tropical drinks and exotic stop- offs. Unfortunately, many of the port towns on cruise ships’ itineraries become so crowded that the experience bursts the vacation bubble for passengers. In addition they note that some Caribbean islands welcome at least six mega cruise ships each day, which can mean an influx of more than 10,000 tourists queuing for taxis, tour buses and beds on the beach.

Therefore cruise lines are increasingly turning to private islands to offer their customers a bit of respite away from the hussle and bussle of major ports. Passengers are able to walk right off a ship or a tender directly on to a clean, safe beach where there are no hawkers or taxis.

Spiral Island Rises Again

The Islomaniac® — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 05:44:02 +0000

Over the last several years I have wrote about Spiral Island, Reishee Sowa’s private island constructed out of a quarter of a million used pop bottles. Unfortunately the island was destroyed by a hurricane in 2007 and was forced to start over from scratch.

Fast forward to the present and Reishee has become Rishi (and sometimes Richie) and his island has been reborn. His new island is a bit smaller, a modest 120,000 bottles, but he has “all the luxuries of home, including a private island for his ducks and a conch shell intercom system.”

On his website Rishi notes:

On his social networking website, Rishi tells us how his islands might benefit the world.

This old world economy is upsetting nature’s balance and polluting the air, so now carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere are exponentially increasing as a seemingly ever growing world population using unecological industries continues to creep over the surface area of our gem of a planet and Mother Earth. We can actually help to balance this out and even reverse this process with floating islands. They can be all over the globe, on rivers, lakes and in protected oceans. They can provide sustainable habitats for plants, animals and humans can be even made on dry ground in potential flood areas such as Bangladesh. Peoples homes, gardens and lives can actually be saved instead of being washed away by the flood and if tethered the islands would even be in the same place after the flood subsided.

To read more about Spiral Island visit Treehugger.

A Tropical Island for a Good Price?

The Islomaniac® — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 05:10:13 +0000

The media often focuses on the most expensive islands, or those owned by celebrities. I have often emphasized that there are hundreds of islands affordably priced and well within the range of the average Jow (or Jane!).

The Jerusalem Post recently featured not one but 365 affordably priced islands. The Jerusalem Post noted that this gaggle of islands is located just off the coast of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and many of them can be privately owned by individuals who seek the seclusion and tranquility of this breathtakingly beautiful spot.

The Post noted that several of these of these islands are open to us mere mortals who can only dream of being the kings (or queens) of their own land one day. Ilha Grande (pronounced Gran-jeh) is the biggest of this cluster and it boasts pure sandy beaches set in bays of lush tropical greenery, with waves from the clear blue Atlantic Ocean gently lapping against its shores.

To read the full article visit the Jerusalem Post

Greece to Sell of Islands

The Islomaniac® — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 16:35:10 +0000

I am getting conflicting reports from newspapers around the world about the state of Greece’s many islands. Recent articles in the Guardian have reported that Greece is selling up to four of their private islands through Private Islands Online. However, the Guardian recently retracted this statement stating that it was inaccurate. The same has been said in the New York Daily News.

The New York Daily News had this to say:

As the cash-strapped country struggles to repay its debt, it is putting big swaths of land on some its 6,000 islands up for sale or long-term lease, The Guardian reports. Greece denies these allegations, saying it has “no involvement” in the sale of the islands and calling the report “insulting” and “untrue,” the Wall Street Journal says. With these conflicting reports, it’s unclear what’s going on, but here’s what The Guardian dished about Greece’s alleged plan to sell islands:

Private Island Among World’s Best Wedding Destinations

The Islomaniac® — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 05:17:21 +0000

The relatively unknown Florida Island of Anna Maria is being touted as one of the world’s best destinations for a beach wedding. With an average of 361 days of sunshing a year the island practically guarentees clear weather for the most improtant day of your life. the islands is also known for its beautiful beaches and romantic sunsets. The 7-mile coastline of the island has a selection of some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. With exquisite, almost white sand, the beaches are clean and often quiet, with the more popular beaches offering plenty of amenities for families.

The island also has a wonderful choice of wedding venues and accomodations. It is possible to get married virtually anywhere on Anna Maria Island. Popular choices include The Sandbar and The Beachhouse Restaurants. But becoming increasingly popular are luxury vacation rentals.

To read more about Anna Maria Island click here.

An Island Getaway

The Islomaniac® — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 05:43:13 +0000

The Globe and Mail, one of Canada’s largest newspapers recently published an essay written by a life long island owner. The essay chronicals an islands evolution from rustic camping retreat to primitive cabin to full turn-key property. The article is both well written and insightful offering potential island owners a lot to think about when it comes to making their island dreams a reality, and figuring out exactly what that reality looks like. Here is what the author had to say.

My friends used to think I was always bragging about it: “I’m going to my island this weekend.” Island this, island that. But the problem was we didn’t have a cottage. What was I supposed to call it?

The very fact that we didn’t have a cottage was the beauty of it. I loved that it was rustic.

To read the full article visit the Globe and Mail.

We didn’t have plumbing. We didn’t have electricity. We didn’t sleep under a roof. Who needs satellite TV at a cottage? What’s the point of getting away from the city if you’re going to be inside all day

Island Life for Sale

The Islomaniac® — Mon, 24 May 2010 05:57:03 +0000

Australian newspaper the Mercury is reporting on a new island for sale in Australia. The uninhabitat Tasmanian island can be yours for just $1.65M,

According to the aritcle your only neighbours on the reportedly snake-free 58ha island in Norfolk Bay will be muttonbirds, quail, native hens and a few blue-tongue lizards. Smooth Island is convenient too. It’s a short boat ride from Dunalley and less than an hour’s drive from Hobart and the city’s international airport.

The article also notes that it’s not the first Tasmanian island for sale. In 2003, buyers could choose from Swan Island in Bass Strait, Garden Island near Cygnet and Ram Island off the East Coast.

To read the full article visit The Mercury. The island is available for sale on Private Islands Online.

Rent a Private Island

The Islomaniac® — Sun, 16 May 2010 15:12:04 +0000

The Economic Times published a great article on the advantageous of renting a private island. The article notes that unlike many other things that the rich like to indulge in, private islands come in short supply and are finite. The article also acknowldge that islands are in very short supply, and they are not increasing—what’s existing now is the only supply.

The most precious of them are in the Caribbean and the US Virgin Islands. Billionaires own them, but you can experience the life for a while. The good news is that most of such owners, who include people like Richard Branson, are ready to rent them out. You can also get the island where Marlon Brando lived for years in rustic fashion on Tetiaroa in French Polynesia.

The article makes a point of acknowledging that renting an entire private island is not in everyone’s budget and recommends renting part of an island. “Castles with six or more bedrooms, and those with a celeb touch to it fetch around $2000 a night”. The properties that cost more are like the castle where actress Gwyneth Paltrow got married, but still they are much more affordable.

Hollywood couple Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie rented an entire island so that their six children could celebrate Easter in peace. Brangelina, as they are called by the tabloids, took their children to the Venetian island of San Servolo for a day of Easter activities. “From now on that island will fetch a higher rent,” says Pande, which might work out to around $200,000 for just one week.

To read the full article click here.

Richard Bransons Underwater Plane.

The Islomaniac® — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 05:03:21 +0000

To make his private island even more exclusive, Richard Branson has added an “underwater plane” to the compliment of luxuries at his ultra exclusive Necker Island.

The billionaire entrepreneur, recently ranked the world’s 212th richest man, gave the Oprah Winfrey Show unprecedented access to Necker, his 74-acre Caribbean island. He gave presenter Nate Berkus a tour of his home, which he has recently finished building, his cliff top guest house and his extravagant toys.

The submarine uses its wings to create downward lift underwater and is fitted with scuba gear for its pilot and two passengers.

‘It’s like an airplane that flies underwater, a little fighter plane,’ Branson said.

And he allowed cameras to shoot as he went for his first ride on the Nymph, describing the experience as ‘brilliant’ through microphones fitted on his scuba gear
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1266111/Sir-Richard-Branson-takes-spin-new-underwater-plane-gives-sneak-peek-inside-Necker-Island.html?ITO=1490#ixzz0lSstvcdO