Searching for Celebrity Private Islands in the Caribbean?
Searching for celebrity private islands in the Caribbean?
In the last few months a number of high profile private island sales have been reported in the press. In March, for example, it was confirmed that the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, purchased 6 private islands in the Echinades, a group of 18 islands in Greece’s Ionian Sea for under €5 million. Last Month, it was reported that the daughter of Russian billionaire businessman, investor and philanthropist Dmitry Rybolovlev has bought the islands of Skorpios and Sparti, also in Greece, from Athina Onassis Roussel, grandaughter of Aristotle Onassis.
For those for whom only a private island will do, Greece is by no means the only option. Last Summer Larry Ellison, founder of Oracle, purchased the 141 square mile Hawaiian island of Lanai, for a reported asking price of $500 million to $600 million, and last Summer L’Oreal heiress Liliane Bettencourt sold D’Arros island in the Indian Ocean archipelago of the Seychelles for €49 million.
With thousands of islands, islets, reefs and cays, the Caribbean is one of the world’s most desirable regions for investors for whom only a private island will do. Private islands for sale in the Caribbean offer privacy, accessibility and stunning natural beauty, many at a reasonable price. With hundreds of white sand covered islands and islets surrounded by spectacular coral reefs and turquoise sea, the Bahamas and the Grenadines are 2 of the most popular locations.
This 10 acre private island for sale in St Vincent & the Grenadines is offered for sale at $10 million (USD). With over 3,000 ft of coral sand beaches, spectacular reefs and permissions in place to create a private island resort, this island offers great potential.
Home to the second largest barrier reef in the world, Belize is also a popular location for buying a private island. Offering excellent value for money, this 7.5 acre private island in Belize offered for sale at $4.45 million (USD) comes complete with 3 separate fully furnished and equipped beachfront villas, private enclosed marina and staff quarters. The island is offered completely “turnkey”, with all infrastructure from desalination equipment and generators to island-wide WiFi already in place.
Having recently launched the sale of a Belize private island, we take a look at several destinations where high profile private investors have acquired private islands in the Caribbean in recent years…
Belize
Purchased by award-winning actor Leonardo DiCaprio during a visit to nearby private island resort Cayo Espanto in 2004, this 104 acre private island is located minutes from the Belize barrier reef close to popular vacation destination Ambergris Caye and Bill Gates’s 314 acre private island Grand Bugue Caye. There have been rumours of plans to build a luxury sustainable resort on Blackadore Caye for many years – watch this space for updates.
The Bahamas
With over 700 islands, cays and islets, the Bahamas is one of the most popular locations in the world for buying a private island. A long list of celebrities have snapped up private islands in the Bahamas, including Johnny Depp (Little Hall’s Pond Cay), Nicholas Cage (Leaf Cay) and Eddie Murphy (Rooster Cay). Magician David Copperfield has gone one step further and purchased a chain of 11 islands (Musha Cay and the Islands of Copperfield Bay) with 5 stunningly designed beaches houses offered for rent to groups of up to 24 guests.
Mustique
Originally acquired by Lord Glenconner, the 1,400 acre island of Mustique in the Grenadines is now owned by the Mustique Company, which is itself owned by the owners of the 100 villas that have been built on the island over the last 30 years. With 74 of the island’s villas available to rent, Mustique is a well established vacation destination of royalty and high profile celebrities. For an unforgettable evening, check out Basil’s Bar. Homes on Mustique occasionally come up for sale – for details, contact 7th Heaven Properties.
BVI
Purchased by Sir Richard Branson following an initial visit to the BVIs in 1978, the 74 acre Necker Island was famously devastated by a fire caused by lightning that destroyed the Great House. A New beach house has since been built and the island is once again available to rent for groups of up to 28 people as a luxury retreat for weddings and vacations. Sir Richard has plans to open an additional private island hideaway on neighbouring Moskito Island, which he has also purchased.