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It’s the ultimate vacation fantasy—escaping to your own private island. Cuddling with your loved one on a secluded beach while sipping a favourite cocktail as the waves gently roll in, playfully caressing your toes.

Cayo Espanto

This is your heavenly piece of paradise you can call your own: no timetables; do what you want when you want; no need to wake up early in the morning to claim that beach lounge chair or wait in line at a resort’s buffet restaurant with the masses.

At these island retreats, you call your personal concierge or butler and they come to you. Freedom of choice rules at these exclusive private island retreats.

Relax in the most beautiful and luxurious places on earth, from Sir Richard Branson’s Necker Island to Fiji’s Turtle Island, where The Blue Lagoon was filmed. Experience service excellence and luxury at its finest.

Welcome to the world of ultra-personalized service, accommodation, cuisine and activities.

Casa Solana at Cayo Espanto

Cayo Espanto, Belize

You needn’t worry about cramped accommodations at Cayo Espanto, a four-acre island in Belize with only seven luxurious and spacious villas.

Located a seven-minute boat ride away from the coastal town of San Pedro, relax in comfort in the 2,600-square-foot Casa Estrella while taking in a panoramic 360-degree view of the surrounding Caribbean Sea from the open-air master bedroom.

The luxury two-story villa comes with two private docks, a personal plunge pool, alfresco showers and, of course, your personal butler. The cuisine is just as spectacular as the seaside views, with European-trained chefs ready to serve up the freshest and most aesthetically pleasing dishes. Why not enjoy dinner by candlelight on the dock?

Afterwards, retreat to romance in your well-appointed bedroom with its Egyptian Yves Delorme linens. A personal iPad is provided to call on staff who are ready to cater to your every need.

Feeling active? Sea kayaks, stand-up paddleboards and sailboats are ready and waiting for you. Divers and snorkellers will be treated to Belize’s top-notch marine life on display—it’s home to the second largest barrier reef in the world.

Villa on Jumby Bay

Jumby Bay Island, Antigua

Jumby Bay Island, located only two miles from Antigua, protects your privacy as well as the marine and wildlife abundant by its shores and on land.

Christopher Columbus discovered the island in 1493, and since then, it has attracted naturalists, seafarers, and now guests and people who value natural beauty and serenity.

The island’s 300 acres are filled with private villas and estate homes, as well as the Jumby Bay Island Resort, part of the renowned Oetker Collection.

Guests are transported to the island on a short but scenic private cruise. Lush landscapes, imposing palm trees and three stunning beaches are waiting for you. Travel on the island is by foot, bike or golf cart.

This secluded getaway, with its protected beaches and coastline, is a haven not only for guests and island residents, but the hawksbill sea turtle.

Are you a tennis fan? The Jumby Bay Tennis Club pro Jerry Williams is a former Davis Cup player who has played with pros, like Steffi Graf and Mary Pierce (who have both stayed on the island).

A variety of lodging options can accommodate couples, as well as large families or small groups, each with full meal service, concierge services and water sports from windsurfing to sailing.

Don’t be surprised if you bump into a famous business tycoon or celebrity. And with a private ferry that will take you to the mainland only six minutes away, you always have Antigua’s culture close by.

Kayaking on Turtle Island

Turtle Island, Fiji

Turtle Island, where The Blue Lagoon, a romance starring Brooke Shields and Christopher Atkins was filmed in 1980, has evolved decades later into one of the world’s most sought-after private island getaways.

Recreate your own Turtle Island love story by discovering its secluded, pristine, white sandy beaches, azure-coloured warm waters and lush rainforest.

Your island paradise is complemented by traditional Fijian hospitality. Fully relax and be generously pampered in your luxury bure (villa), limited to only 14 on the island. Your personal concierge “Bure Mama” is ready to provide the ultimate guest experience.

Each oceanfront Turtle Island bure features quality Fijian craftsmanship, with palm and coconut husk ceilings, nature-inspired furnishings, driftwood lighting and hand-woven pillows.

Turtle Island is a Green Globe-awarded resort for its commitment to sustainable practice — the island is solar powered. Turtle Island is recognized worldwide for its innovative turtle conservation and tracking program. Its large garden and trees provide the majority of the resort’s fresh fruit and vegetables.

Feel the warm embrace of Fijian culture during a meke and kava ceremony, where centuries-old stories are shared through song, dance and the kava beverage, which is made from water and the root of the pepper plant.

Calala Island

Calala Island, Nicaragua

Welcome to the undiscovered Caribbean. They call it NiCaribbean here. Calala Island is located off the coast of Nicaragua. Experience this unspoilt paradise reflecting the Caribbean from decades ago.

Enjoy comfort and cuddles with your loved one in any of the four well-appointed beachfront suites accentuated by locally made furnishings and décor. With a total of only eight guests on the island, rest assured the 25 staff will make sure you get exactly that—rest.

You can be as active as you want. Try fishing, snorkelling and paddleboarding, or sit back and watch the sun rise and set.

Tantalizing dishes by executive chef Lorne Emerson, who has worked in Europe’s top Michelin starred restaurants, will satisfy any palate. Chow down pool-side for lunch, but at night, get romantic with an intimate elegant candlelit dining experience. All you have to do is show up!

This ultra all-inclusive resort includes and takes care of virtually everything. Fly into Managua, then take a short flight and private boat ride to Calala Island. Or, splurge on a helicopter flight directly to the island.

Necker Island

Necker Island, British Virgin Islands

For those looking for a more active private getaway, and like to kick it up a notch and party, Sir Richard Branson’s Necker Island retreat may be your ticket to paradise.

Branson, chairman of the Virgin Group, is passionate about living life to the fullest. He wants others to experience that feeling at his 30-hectare island, situated in the British Virgin Islands.

The island and resort was damaged by Hurricane Irma in 2017. After rebuilding and upgrading, it re-opened in fall 2018.

Branson loves a party and has equipped his property for any theme—beach, Moroccan night, casino night—you decide! You can even arrange a James Bond night, complete with martini glasses and Bond soundtracks.

When you rent out the entire island, it includes eight bedrooms in the Great House and eight individual Bali Houses. There’s even a bunkroom for kids, including all the toys and games they would ever want. During selected “Celebration Weeks” throughout the year, you have the option of just renting out one room.

If you need chill time, enjoy a pampering spa treatment or head to your own private beach. Water-wise, Necker Island has it covered with two freshwater infinity pools, a hot tub and plenty of water activities, from kite surfing, sailing, diving and speed boat rides to snorkelling.

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Chris Ryall

Chris loves to discover a destination's true character and charm. “Be a Local” is his passion and reason for travel – eat local, drink local and do a deep dive into the local culture. Chris has visited 80+ countries on six continents the past 25 years while observing, writing and photographing for many national print and online publications. A passion for animals, natural attractions, ethnic cuisine, local characters engage Chris. He has a special interest in spa/wellness and has visited hundreds of spas around the world, judges spas internationally, and experienced almost every imaginable treatment. Chris has an insatiable appetite for wellness, culture and people who make a difference in their community.