Sure, you could set up shop on a sliver of beach at a sprawling resort as merchants implore you to buy watches and plastic shades. And you can #PrivateIsland that lackluster pebble-and-sand strip your cruise line dropped its anchor at for the half-day pitstop. But why not plan yourself a bucket-list-worthy trip and set sail (or bespoke helipad) for one of these truly unforgettable private island getaways?
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Jumeriah Vittaveli may be tough to pronounce, but it's easy to understand why you'd want to park yourself on this secluded island for a week or two. Each of the 89 villas and suites boast their own swimming pool and direct access to the beach or lagoon. Our recommendation is to do as little as possible during your idyllic getaway, but a diving trip is worth a little effort, as is the beachside dining at Swarna. There, you can eat on platters, true to the authentic Indian serving style, and digest your meal in the comfort of an open-air swing.
Cyclists and hiking fans, take note. Your next vacation called, and she'd like you to book at Palm Island in The Grenadines. Caribbean charm, native iguanas, and tropical birds await on scenic natural trails waiting to be toured by foot or bike. With only 43 rooms, it won't be difficult to grab time on the tennis court or a private beach dinner with lobster you won't soon forget. In 1966 the government leased Palm Island to an American couple for $1 a year. In exchange, they then built a hotel, and in 2016, you made a mental note to make time for kite surfing school.
At Peter Island in the British Virgin Islands you'll want to prioritize three things: 1) Hitting up the spa for an ocean-view massage. 2) Enjoying the BVI's signature Painkiller cocktails from a chaise lounge on the beach (here, it's made with Deadman’s Rum and Pusser’s Rum, along with cream of coconut and generous splashes of orange and pineapple juice). 3) Figuring out how the hell to never leave. Maybe you'll conveniently drift off to White Bay Beach where you can reserve a tiki hut and picnic, and plot your permanent escape.
Situated along the Belize Barrier Reef just 25 minutes from the mainland via boat, Thatch Caye houses 13 villas with eight over-water bungalows. Head out for fly fishing and deep sea fishing excursions, or just lounge around in one of the hammocks that adorn the property. For about $7,500 a night the island is yours. It’s steep, but consider gathering 25 or so of your closest friends (or cast a vote with your boss for your next corporate retreat) for the best $313 a night retreat in the Caribbean.
When was the last time you enjoyed your vacation amid white sand beaches, plush forests, and towering granite peaks? Yeah, we thought so. Venture to North Island in Seychelles (a spattering of islands off the East-African coast) where volcanic peaks and calming turquoise waters make you feel smack dab in the middle of a fantasy Lord of the Rings: Island Reprise set. Do some big-game fishing, if that's your thing (the island doesn't allow fishing for reef or endangered species), or spend your days zenned out with a cocktail (or eight) at the tiki hut-inspired West Beach Bar.
Kick off your vacation at private isle oasis, Jumby Bay in Antigua, in the tropical Beach Shack with local street fare, like roti and ceviche, as you soak in the surf and sand. After all, with an island getting its namesake from the Antiguan word for playful spirit (jumbee), you'd expect nothing less than the five-star digs and activities. Sit back on the beach (keep your eyes peeled for the endangered hawksbill sea turtle) or get your adrenaline pumping with waterskiing, kayaking, or a snorkeling excursion (all included). You can also sign up for an eco-tour where you can spend quality time swimming with stingrays, breathtaking coral, and colorful fish reminiscent of the ones in the last animated kids' movie you got roped into seeing.
Picture this: an outdoor movie theater, miles of cliff-side hikes with insane summit views, and an open bar fully stocked with your favorites (the beach bar at Guana Island in the British Virgin Islands operates on the honor system). And the private island experience doesn't stop there. With a max of about 32 guests, you'll love the hillside rooms that channel quiet Caribbean getaway with Mediterranean sophistication on an island only a ten-minute ferry ride from Beef Island's airport. Months later, you'll still be dreaming about the food from chef Xavier Gili (former gigs include Zuma and Nobu in London). He makes good use of the on-site organic orchard, which houses your new favorite fruit and sorbet flavor: Soursop. Think part juicy melon, part Sour Patch Kids, which is exactly how you'll be feeling after the food coma you'll inevitably enter in his capable hands.
Don't judge a private island by its website. Petit St. Vincent in The Grenadines may look like your sister's Xanga page from 1999, but that's probably because the attentive staff is busy catering to your every dream vacation desire. Tee off at the 18-hole golf course or plunge into the crystal-clear ocean at the Jean-Michel Cousteau Caribbean Diving Center (yes, son of that Cousteau). Unwind on the island's open-air yoga pavilions before erasing any good you did your body at the 4,500-bottles deep fine wine cellar.
Maybe you've heard that one golf-crazed friend of yours name-drop the Four Seasons Resort Lanai in Hawaii. It’s a small, private island that even with a recent multimillion dollar facelift, still channels that allure of an untouched, vintage Hawaii. Enjoy a few rounds at the famed Manele Golf Course or skip tee time for off-road Polaris UTV excursions or horseback riding. Don't let a mild hangover stop you from visiting Kaunolu Village, where you can check out Shark Fin Cove, what's left of a traditional sacred temple.
