Own A Private Island

The adventure

The boat pulls away and the sound of its engine fades until there's nothing left but the waves and the wind in the palms. Walk the shoreline barefoot and you'll circle your whole kingdom before breakfast: a lagoon on one side, open ocean on the other, and not another footprint in the sand.

Owning an island is part dream and part logistics project. You'll think about fresh water, solar power, boats, storms and how to get supplies across, as well as where to hang the hammock. But at sunset, with the sky turning orange over water that belongs to no one else, it's easy to see why people chase it. Some small islands sell for less than you'd expect, especially in cooler waters, so the dream is not always as far-fetched as it sounds.

Why it’s epic

• Richard Branson bought Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands in 1978, and it can now be rented in full.
• Small islands in places like Canada, Scandinavia and Central America sometimes sell for less than a London flat.
• Whole-island resorts in the Maldives and Fiji let you test the lifestyle before you buy.

What it is

Owning a private island is the ultimate escape.

How to do it

Specialist brokers list islands for sale or rent around the world.

Top tip

Renting one for a holiday is a good start.

Need to know

• Foreign ownership rules vary widely; in some countries you can only lease land, not buy it outright.
• Check fresh water, power, access and planning rules before you fall in love with a listing.
• Upkeep, staff, boats and storm damage can cost more each year than you might expect.

Why it’s on my list

What’s a bucket list without some outrageous additions?! Owning A Private Island sounds very lavish however I don’t need an island the size of Greenland, just a small area to call my own.

This idea came was pinched from Sir Richard Branson as when I read his book I learned he purchased his now famous Necker Island In the British Virgin Islands in the Caribbean. He paid just $180,000 for it back in 1978. It’s a remarkable story – you can read how he did it here.

I have researched some places, there are some islands near Tonga that I have my eye on, but for now, this remains very much on the long term goals list just like another bucket list extravagance – owning a private jet.

Got a private island you want to sell at a discount? All locations considered :)