Billionaire Private Islands: Luxurious Retreats and Hidden Hideaways

The Caribbean is the most popular sun-drenched destination with the world’s most affluent elite: the so-called ‘1% Club’ representing the most monied human beings on the planet. Well away from prying eyes and nosy paparazzi, these private islands are where the mega-rich spend their holidays. We take a look at these billionaire bolt holes and pick our favourite modern-day Robinson Crusoe escapes. 

Calivigny, Grenada

Owned by French entrepreneur Georges Cohen, who owns superyacht Atmosphere, this truly gorgeous Caribbean Island has been lovingly developed by the billionaire.

Everything on the island boasts the highest specifications, attracting the likes of the Kardashians and Justin Bieber, who celebrated his 21st birthday there. Sprawling over 80 acres, the island is dotted with palm trees and lush tropical vegetation, and is blessed with half-a-dozen powdery white sand beaches that are guaranteed to be free of crowds all year round.

A trio of suitably grand island residences boast a huge pool and legions of attentive staff to cater for your every whim. Expect to pay up to $120,000 (£90k) a night to hire the entire island.

Moskito Island, Virgin Gorda

Though Sir Richard Branson has owned this slice of paradise for 13 years, it remains the lesser-known of his two stunning luxury isles. Once a luxury sailing anchorage, Moskito Island has long been a favourite for scuba divers and yachtsmenBranson paid around £10 million for the island but has spent much more than that in transforming this picture-perfect unspoiled British Virgin isle into one of the Caribbean’s most indulgent and exotic hideaways Situated on 125 acres surrounded by turquoise waters, The Branson Estate features three villas: Headland House, Mangrove Villa and Beach Villa offering a total of 11 bedrooms for at least 22 guests complete with impeccable personal service, recreation area and pristine beaches. Costs from $331,000 per night.

Sampson Cay, The Bahamas

The Bahaman islands have long-attracted prominent billionaires to their sandy shores, offering a relaxed and private sanctuary in which to enjoy barefoot seclusion. John Malone, the Uber-wealthy American businessman, landowner and philanthropist bought Sampson Cay when it was a small resort and marina catering to affluent yacht owners, closing the island to the public in 2013 and has converting it into a private retreat.

Covering a total of 31 acres, Sampson Cays is seriously stunning and boasts some of the Bahama’s most wow-packed sandy beaches.

Eustasia Island, British Virgin Islands

Former Google founder Larry Page has Sir Richard Bransonas a near neighbour - the two own islands close to each other in the beautiful Caribbean waters of the BVI/ After purchasing 30-acre Eustatia Island, Page invested heavily in upgrading the infrastructure and amenities on his paradise isle, ensuring it is completely solar powered to offer his affluent guests the finest money can buy.

Prices start at $35,000 per person per night for a luxury villa (all inclusive) for a reef-enclosed stretch of three soft white sand beaches and one of the largest coconut palm plantations in the British Virgin Islands with waters home to rays, starfish, sea turtles and a rainbow of reef fish.

Blackadore Caye Island 

Although not technically a billionaire, Leonardo DeCaprio has owned his own island off the coast of Belize for more than a decade and is in the process of transforming it into Blackadore Caye Resort. Plans are for an environmentally-sound luxury collection of 36 villas which will run completely off solar power and rain water catchment systems.  Half of the island is also be designated as a wildlife preserve to help reintroduce native flora and fauna which will be accessed by a riddle of leafy hiking trails and lookouts to sea.

Guests will be seeking a restorative stay at the Oscar-winning actor and film producer’s labour of love, who is devoted to making people think twice about the way they treat the planet. Blackadore Caye is scheduled to open at the end of 2020.

Necker Island, British Virgin Islands

Yes, it’s Sir Richard Branson - again. This time with his flagship isle, Necker Island - a place he visited in 1978 and with which he fell in love. This 74 acres of Caribbean Eden is probably the world’s most exclusive retreat, an idyllic island that costs $16,460 per couple for a four night stay in barefoot luxury and hang out with catwalk models, A-list actors and film producers.

Necker Island is committed to sustainable development, the local community and energy independence - and is Sir Richard Branson’s home, so guests have the cachet of rubbing shoulders with the Virgin billionaire too. 

Musha Cay, The Bahamas

This palm-scattered 700-acre, privately owned island in the Exuma Chain, in the southern Bahamas is owned by billionaire illusionist David Copperfield. Located 85 miles southeast of Nassau, Grand Bahama, Musha Cay is surrounded by three smaller islands that act as a shield to the outside world, keeping paparazzi at bay and maintaining the privacy of its guests.

Featuring five luxurious homes to accommodate up to 24 guests for a minimum of five days, including all meals, activities, amenities, accommodations and select adventures, rates at Musha Cay begin at $57,000 per night. 

Little Hall’s Pond, The Bahamas

The actor is said to have paid $3.6 million for the 45-acre island in 2004 and renamed it after his daughter, Lily Rose. The island has six beaches and uses solar power for its energy supply.

In 2009, Depp told Vanity Fair: “I don’t think I’d ever seen any place so pure and beautiful. You can feel your pulse rate drop about 20 beats. It’s instant freedom.”  As one of Hollywood's leading men, nominated for 10 Golden Globe Awards, Johnny Depp is accustomed to doing things in style.

He spends time at the island with his ex-wife, French model Vanessa Paradis, and his daughters enjoying the greatest luxury of all - uninterrupted, leisurely family time.

Rooster Cay, Bahamas

The comedian paid $15 million (£9.4 million) for the white-sand beach 15-acre island in 2007, which has a remote castaway feel despite being five minutes off the coast Nassau.

He had previously owned another cay in the Bahamas, Pearl Island. As of 2019, Eddie Murphy's net worth is estimated to be $120 million dollars. His movies have grossed nearly $6.7 billion at the worldwide box office and is No. 10 on Comedy Central's list of the 100 Greatest Stand-ups of All Time.