Looking for the ultimate island escape? Lose yourself in luxury with these private island idylls. Whether it's a secluded speck of icing-sugar sand strung out in the Indian Ocean for the perfect honeymoon private island or a Caribbean Robinson-Crusoe style vacation for all your family and friends, here's our pick of the world's premier private islands to call your own...
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Tagomago Private Island, Balearics
Just 900 metres off the coast of jet-set Ibiza and only 30 minutes from the beaches of Formentera, this beautiful Mediterranean island provides the best of both worlds, making it a popular choice for celebrities including Cristiano Ronaldo and Ronnie Wood. A true island paradise, Tagomago spans 148 acres with a five-bedroom villa nestled in the centre of the island, surrounded by sweeping sea views in all directions. Designed by a world famous interior designer, highlights include poolside cabanas, floor to ceiling glass walls and the utmost privacy, yet with clubs, restaurants and culture just a hop across the Med.
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Dolphin Island, Fiji
This stunning 14-acre private retreat is an intimate escape sleeping just eight guests across four Bures - the Fijian term for a traditional wood and straw lodge. Just 20 minutes from the shore, Dolphin Island fits beautifully with the natural landscape with interiors by renowned New Zealand designer Virginia Fisher. The main Bure enjoys an elevated position above the infinity pool with a series of poolside areas designed for alfresco dining and relaxation. Of the four guest bures, the highlight is the hill-top sleep-out bure, a thatched open air bedroom lit by lanterns by night. By day, Dolphin Island offers diving, kayaking, fishing and a spa while the open veranda offers the perfect venue for a tropical sundowner or two.
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Musha Cay, Bahamas
Spread over 700 palm-fringed acres, Musha Cay, owned by magician David Copperfield, offers five spectacular guesthouses with their own private beaches. Dotted with treasures collected by David on his travels, Musha Cay’s crowning jewel, Highview, sits atop the island's highest point boasting 360-degree views over uninhabited neighbouring islands, expansive gardens, steam room and outdoor fireplace for romantic nights alfresco. Dining can be enjoyed around the island, from sandbanks to hidden coves, while island-wide treasure hunts and an open air cinema will keep everyone entertained. Embracing the laid-back nature of the Bahamas, a spot of fishing, snorkelling or simply soaking up the sunshine is about as strenuous as it gets.
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Thanda Island, Tanzania
Thanda Island celebrated its long-anticipated opening in 2016 and certainly doesn’t disappoint. Reached by a 40-minute helicopter flight from Dar es Salaam, Thanda Island now stands as one of the world’s most exclusive private island getaways - offering a five-bedroom luxurious villa and two rustic Tanzanian Bandas across a spit of sand in the middle of the Indian Ocean. The owners of Thanda Island, Christin and Dan Olofsson of Sweden, built the villa as their own discreet, sumptuous retreat and private playground. The island offers everything you would want from an extravagant beach house - including an indoor aquarium, Steinway grand piano, wine collection, cigar humidor, glass rim-flow swimming pool, romantic copper beach baths, a cocktail bar and pizza oven.
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The Brando Private Island, French Polynesia
Marlon Brando's island hideaway is a unique luxury resort on French Polynesia’s breathtakingly beautiful private island of Tetiaroa – an atoll composed of a dozen small islands surrounding a sparkling lagoon 30 miles northeast of Tahiti. With access only by private plane, the resort offers carefree luxury in the midst of pristine Polynesian beauty. The resort features 35 deluxe villas each with its own private beach area and plunge pool, restaurants showcasing local and French cuisine and a luxurious Polynesian spa, The Brando is unique in concept and scope, combining environmental purity, luxury and Polynesian charm into an enriching experience.
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