We could all do with escaping reality sometimes, and where better to do it than on your very own island? Private islands aren’t just for the super-rich, from simple log cabins and rustic lakeside lodges to luxurious but affordable tropical retreats, we’ve sought out some spectacular places perfect for a secluded escape.
Prices are correct at the time of writing.
Surrounded by the Venetian lagoon, this tranquil island can be found next to Cavallino-Treporti in northern Italy. Although Island Falconera is not too far from Venice, one of the country’s most popular cities, the pretty forest and fauna that decorate the island's landscape makes it feel like a secluded paradise.
Nestled among a gorgeous backdrop of trees, the traditional pink farmhouse you'll sleep in consists of six private bedrooms, three bathrooms and a spacious living room with a loft which can accommodate up to 16 people. Be sure to bring food from the mainland, as the shared kitchen comes equipped with all the essentials for cooking and dining including pots, pans, dishes and silverware.
Inside, a fireplace keeps guests warm while the garden includes a barbecue grill, perfect for cooking alfresco in the summer months. With its prime spot along the lagoon, the farmhouse provides spectacular views across the water and can only be reached by boat from the town of Cavallino-Treporti. Island Falconera can be rented from just $94 (£77) a night (excluding cleaning fees).
Just a few minutes’ drive from historic Vis, this fairy-tale island in Croatia is a magnificent sight. Overlooking the sea, the island of Host was named after the English officer Sir William Hoste who defeated the French naval fleet in a battle nearby in 1811. The cottage alongside the lighthouse was built in 1873 and is now a holiday let that can accommodate up to 10 people.
With its charming and inviting decor, the roomy cottage consists of four pretty bedrooms, five beds and four bathrooms. It comes equipped with a kitchen with all the essentials as well as a dining area, spacious entryway and living space. The dining area offers jaw-dropping views across the Adriatic.
Outside, there’s a private hot tub with sweeping sea views where guests can soak up the scenery or sit back and relax on the outdoor decking and sun loungers, a great spot for alfresco dining. The island can be accessed either by private boat or organised transfer and currently costs from $975 (£799) a night (excluding service fees) with a four-night minimum stay.
Sitting on the Charente River in France between Angoulême and Cognac, this adorable little island is just a two-hour drive from Bordeaux, Poitiers and Limoges. Crossing a small bridge from the town of Mosnac, the island has a gorgeous house with two bedrooms, plus there's also a sofa bed meaning it sleeps up to six people.
On the top floor of the house are the two bedrooms with a shower and a separate WC. Downstairs, there’s a large living room with a dining area including a fridge, oven, microwave and coffee maker. The ground floor overlooks a large private garden with a table, two deckchairs and a barbecue which offers picturesque views across the river.
The island also has a small private wood, a swimming pool and access to the river for kayaking or swimming. A kayak that can hold two adults and two children is available to use, perfect for exploring the water as well as several bikes and self-service scooters ideal for an outdoor adventure. The charming house is available from around $105 (£86) per night and requires a minimum two-night stay.
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Located just off the rugged Isle of Skye, the largest of Scotland’s Inner Hebrides, this isolated island can only be accessed by boat or on foot (when the tide is out). Its four-bedroom cottage can sleep up to eight people.
Inside, each room is well appointed and tastefully decorated with high-quality fixtures and fittings, creating a cosy retreat for a tranquil weekend away. The bedrooms each have their own deluxe en-suite and there’s also a characterful living room and dining room to enjoy. The kitchen is well-equipped and offers breathtaking views back to Isleornsay (the village opposite the lighthouse).
Alongside its cottage and lighthouse, the island also has four acres of lush greenery, home to an array of wildlife making it ideal for nature walks. For guests missing the outside world, across the shore is a traditional Highland pub, great for a drink with friends or dining out. Prices for the Scottish island start from around $685 per night, excluding cleaning and service fees, with a minimum three-night stay.
Just an 18-minute boat ride from the idyllic beach resort of Placencia in Belize, Bird Island sits inside a beautiful coral reef in the Caribbean Sea. Situated in protected waters, the colourful island retreat only takes one booking at a time providing complete privacy for its guests, who have the entire island all to themselves. The quirky accommodation can sleep up to six people.
The island has three single-level homes with four bedrooms, four beds and three bathrooms in total, perfect for a large group getaway, with room to sleep an extra two guests if needed. Each bedroom and bathroom comes with all the essentials needed for a comfortable stay. The accommodation is self-catered with a well-stocked kitchen although guests will be taken food shopping during their stay. Or, for an extra cost, hire the island's cook to have creative, delicious meals brought to you every night.
The beautiful outdoor area includes a dining area, barbecue grill and a fire pit perfect for relaxing around during summer evenings. With its beautiful crystal-clear waters and vibrant coral reef teeming with marine life, the island is a great place for snorkelling, swimming or kayaking. Fishing equipment can also be provided. Bird Island can be rented for around $900 (£737) per night with a four-night minimum stay, although it tends to get booked up months in advance.
Overlooking the pretty Juggler Lake in Minnesota and less than two hours from Fargo in North Dakota, this cosy cabin is an ideal lakeside escape. With an impressive 18 acres of private old-growth forest home to an array of wildlife including deer, beavers and eagles, the island is a nature lover’s dream.
The delightful A-frame cabin features three bedrooms and two bathrooms and can accommodate up to 10 guests. The master bedroom includes a jetted tub perfect for relaxing in, while the fully equipped kitchen includes two fridges, two freezers and a Weber grill. Alongside the spacious bedrooms, the cabin has a stone fireplace, three patios and satellite TV.
The crown jewel of the island is the incredible lake which is exceptionally clean, making it ideal for swimming and watersports, while boat rental is also available. Fishing in the lake is especially great during the spring and autumn months, with fish including perch, walleye, northern pike and bass. The island is just 40 minutes from Itasca State Park where guests can rent bikes and visit the headwaters of the Mississippi. The lakefront island is available to rent from $400 (£327) a night, excluding cleaning and service fees, for a minimum of seven nights.
Just south of Norway lies the Hvaler Archipelago, a group of over 800 islands, islets and skerries including Båtholmen, a tiny private island retreat not far from Oslo. Båtholmen is home to a charming rust-red wooden cabin that can accommodate up to four guests. Fold-away and floor mattresses are also provided which can sleep an extra three people.
Inside, the cabin measures just over 108 square feet (10sqm) with a hidden, small double bed and an additional bed in the loft. Outside, the garden has a fire pit that can double as a barbecue, perfect for alfresco dining. Books, candles and board games are also available to make the cabin feel extra cosy. A small privy next to the main house includes a kitchen, fully equipped with all the cooking essentials.
With its remote location Båtholmen is completely off-grid, although guests can charge their electronic devices using the 12-volt powered generator. Canisters in the cabin can also be used to collect drinking water (free of charge) from the local grocery store. Båtholmen also has access to various small private beaches at low tide or guests can use the private boat to explore the other islands nearby. To rent Båtholmen, prices start from around $232 per night, excluding cleaning and service fees, with a minimum two-night stay.
Considered one of the best fishing lakes in Europe, this lovely island sits in the middle of Lough Corrib in the west of Ireland. Sprawling across an impressive 26 acres of beautiful scenery, guests who stay on the island will share it only with a small flock of sheep. A five-minute boat ride from the eastern side of the lake takes guests to their own little peaceful fishing lodge which can accommodate up to seven people.
Originally built in 1907 by Lord Headley, the historic property was renovated and modernized in recent years to create a comfortable and quiet hideaway. The luxury lodge has five bedrooms, two bathrooms, a fully fitted kitchen and a spacious sitting room that opens up onto a covered veranda.
With the lake right at your doorstep, the island is the ultimate fishing base; its mid-lake position means that all types of fishing are available, and the area is quite sheltered. The lake’s rich wildlife ranges from trout and adult buzzers to large sedges and spent mayfly, perfect for fishing enthusiasts. Rabbit Island can be booked for around $230 (£188) per night (not including cleaning fees) with a minimum four-night stay.
Characterised by a white sandy beach and breathtaking blue waters, Brother Island lies within El Nido, one of the most beautiful areas of the Philippines. Designed by Lolo Fermin in 1991, the island’s stylish house features seven bedrooms and three bathrooms spread across two stories, providing plenty of facilities for up to 16 guests.
The house includes daily housekeeping as well as Filipino-style breakfast, lunch and dinner. There’s also a coffee and tea bar, a library and board games to keep the guests entertained. Surrounded by a breathtaking coral reef, kayaking and snorkelling rental is also available to explore the region’s incredibly warm waters.
A preserved jungle and bamboo forest can also be found on the island, great for a scenic stroll and guests are free to roam wherever they like. Brother Island only accepts one booking at a time so guests will have exclusive access throughout their stay. The private island is available to book from around $495 (£405) per night (excluding cleaning and service fees) with a minimum two-night stay.
Stretching across an impressive 40 acres, this dreamy island lies just off of Roatan as part of the Bay Islands of Honduras. Golden stretches of sand, bright blue waters and tropical greenery are aplenty on Fort Morgan Cay. The all-inclusive private island hosts one group at a time and can accommodate up to 16 guests, an ideal escape for a large group of friends in blissful paradise.
The house consists of seven bedrooms, 10 beds and seven bathrooms – plenty of space for guests to relax and unwind. For the ultimate luxury private island experience, Fort Morgan Cay provides three meals a day plus appetisers for its guests, prepared with the freshest local ingredients and served family style. The island is home to sun loungers, decks and white sandy beaches and there's even a pool for guests to relax in.
For those wanting a little more adventure, the island offers plenty of complimentary recreational activities for guests including snorkelling, yoga, paddleboarding and a catamaran trip. Snorkel equipment and fishing gear are all included. A range of excursions can also be booked including diving, fishing and kite surfing. Prices for Fort Morgan Cay start from around $325 (£266) per night with a four-night minimum stay.
Sitting like a gorgeous green jewel within the vibrant waters of Panama's Bocas del Toro province, the Honeymooners Hut is a stunning property on its very own mangrove island. As the name suggests, it's heavily geared towards romance, with the accommodation catering to just two guests.
Inside the two-floored hut you'll find a cosy bedroom area, private full bathroom and lounge area overlooking the mangroves, with plenty of nods to rustic island living in the laid-back decor. The hut also has a private deck with direct access to the ocean, so you can go for a dip whenever you please.
The hut is located on a mangrove island without any actual 'land', so structures are built on stilts above-ground instead. To access it, guests need to take a private boat from Isla Colon, which can be organised through the Airbnb hosts. Prices start at $250 (£204) a night (not including cleaning and service fees).
Just off British Columbia's stunning Sunshine Coast you'll find this tranquil eco retreat, which looks like the perfect place to unplug and unwind. The wooden hut sleeps four in two quaint bedrooms, plus there's an oceanfront tent cabin with room for an additional two guests. The island is available to rent between April and October if there are four in your party, but if there are six, it's only possible to rent it between May and September.
The gorgeous wilderness retreat is the perfect location in which to make the most of the great outdoors, with kayaks and paddle boards available to rent, as well as snorkelling gear, hammocks and even a private beach. Inside, there's a welcoming and eclectic vibe. In terms of facilities, you'll find a fully stocked kitchen, two generously-sized bedrooms and a bathroom, while outside there's a gorgeous wrap-around sun deck.
Sustainability is at the forefront here, so expect composting toilets and energy generated by on-site solar panels. The Airbnb hosts also request that guests dispose of all waste they create while staying here and make use of the biodegradable toiletries provided. You can rent the stunning accommodation from $695 (£569) a night (not including taxes).
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