The World's Best Private Island Resorts
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The best private island resorts, strewn across the world's most coveted tropical spaces, are often the very definition of paradise. By keeping room inventory low and prices justifiably high, these islands reserve their experiences for the select few. From Indonesia to the Maldives to the Florida Keys, here are exclusive island escapes where personal space, endless privacy, natural beauty, and luxury abound. Read on for the best private island resorts in the world.
All listings featured in this story are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date.
Courtesy The BrandohotelThe Brando
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Gold List 2019 
Hot List 2015 
Readers' Choice Awards 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024Actor Marlon Brando’s legacy flourishes at his former private getaway in French Polynesia, now a hyper-exclusive, eco-minded retreat where travelers go to escape it all. Relax in one of 35 stylish, palm-thatched villas, each a grand fusion of indoor and outdoor space, the beach just footsteps away (Alternatively, go even bigger with the island’s sole over-the-top residence). Enjoy island bike rides, treatments in the stickwork cocoons of the Varua te Ora Polynesian Spa, French-tinged and Polynesian-influenced dining by French celebrity chef Jean Imbert, and nature tours led by in-house researchers. Make sure to save time to explore the other islands of the Tetiaroa Atoll, which also belong to the Brando family, throughout which untouched beaches, preserved reefs, and thriving seabird colonies are as gorgeous as when Brando first encountered the location in 1960.
Michael Turek/Courtesy Islas Secas ResorthotelIslas Secas
$$$ | Readers' Choice Awards 2020, 2022, 2023At this secluded 14-island archipelago in Panama’s Gulf of Chiriquí, guests can choose from four casitas (ranging in size from one-bedroom to four) or three tented suites and have exclusive access to an entire island chain blanketed in tropical flora and fringed by white- and gold-sand beaches. Thirteen islands remain in a glorious natural state, free of human interference, meaning that a single island houses all the ultra-luxe creature comforts one could dream of in a private archipelago. There's a stunning open-air beachfront restaurant, swoon-worthy jungle spa, open-air movie theater, stargazing lounge, hummingbird garden, and water sports center with the latest and greatest water toys, from hydrofoils to flyboards. With no more than 24 guests allowed on the island at once, the archipelago is your oyster for pursuits in beach-hopping, sports fishing, hiking, birdwatching, archaeological explorations, and extreme motorized water sports.
Courtesy Laucala IslandhotelCOMO Laucala Island
$$$ | Gold List 2018 Readers' Choice Awards 2019, 2020, 2024With stunning blue lagoons, lush coconut groves, dramatic volcanic mountains, and endless beaches, the natural splendor of 3,500-acre COMO Laucala Island is some of the most remarkable in the South Pacific. Strewn across this extraordinary landscape are 25 over-the-top, design-driven Fijian bures (pronounced boo-rays), each with private swimming pools and amenities fitting for one of the world’s priciest resorts. This includes a house submarine plus a got-to-see-it-to-believe-it, multi-acre lagoon-style pool that begins with a raised, 80-foot-long glass lap pool and ends with a gradual slope into sands of the surrounding beach. A personal house buggy facilitates access to the rest of the island, the spa, multiple bars and restaurants serving local and international cuisine, a par-72 championship golf course, and a Cultural Village where guests can learn about the traditional ceremonies, rituals, and dances of the neighboring island of Qamea.
Courtesy Four SeasonshotelFour Seasons Resort Seychelles at Desroches Island
$$$ | Readers' Choice Awards 2021Thanks to private island resorts like this one, the Indian Ocean has become as much a part of the African safari circuit as the wildlife-rich plains. On Desroches Island, one of Africa’s most remote, Four Seasons guests can explore all nine miles of coastline via dozens of organized activities, including deep-sea fishing, tortoise feeding, and even yoga on the runway. Of course, you can also appreciate Desroches at your own pace, unapologetically lounging and day-drinking around your pool—every free-standing villa has one—ambling along the island’s beaches, zigzagging on bike trails, or unwinding at the Circle of Connection Spa. At the island’s southwestern edge, discover a tiered lighthouse, which doubles as a lookout point and restaurant and delivers one of the most memorable private island sunset experiences on the planet. For a lengthier Seychelles visit, consider combining a stay here with the equally impressive Four Seasons Resort Seychelles, Mahe, Seychelles, which straddles the dramatic granite boulders and powder-soft white sand of Petite Anse Bay.
Little Palm Island Resort & SpahotelLittle Palm Island Resort & Spa
$$$ | Hot List 2021 Readers' Choice Awards 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024This adults-only private island is a study in tropical chic, redefining the castaway fantasy right on American soil. There are a total of 30 thatched-roof bungalow suites (some freestanding, some within larger bungalows) across the four-acre island, many with four-poster beds and outdoor copper bathtubs. Thanks to a smart layout and smarter landscaping, you’ll encounter other people less often than you’d expect (a strict cap at 60 guests helps). All suites have water views, outdoor showers, and furnished decks; most also overlook private slivers of white-sand beach and are kitted out with hammocks, loungers, and fire pits. The Dining Room has sweeping sea views, and the spectacular SpaTerre complex is underscored by a breezy, two-story atrium. Paddleboard or kayak through mangrove mazes as eagle rays swim by, laze the day away on a beachfront hammock, or simply enjoy the day resting on a poolside lounger. Also, don’t miss a snorkeling trip to Looe Key Reef, part of the third largest living coral reef in the world and site of ongoing reef restoration efforts by MOTE Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, a Florida-based independent, nonprofit marine research institution. Little Palm Island has partnered with the organization to create the ‘Paradise with a Purpose’ package, which includes a half-day in Looe Key Ref, a donation to MOTE Marine, accommodations, and breakfast.
Courtesy Petit St. Vincent Resort/Photo by Mike ToyhotelPetit St. Vincent Resort
$$$ | Readers' Choice Awards 2018, 2019, 2020Little has changed in nearly 56 years at this under-the-radar Caribbean retreat, and that’s a good thing. Petit St. Vincent (affectionately known as PSV) has done some nips and tucks to its 22 open-plan, bluff cottages and beachfront villas over the years (including a refresh in 2022), but simply to keep the Caribbean design aesthetic timeless—instead of tired—without compromising its classic appeal. The island is still void of distracting technology (read: no TVs or in-room internet), free of cars (pastel blue, 1960s British mini-mokes serve as the island’s official beach buggies) and uses its original flagpole communication system (hot tip: raise a yellow flag for immediate service). Discover the resort’s commitment to conservation by assisting in its coral regeneration program or explore the vast marine life around St. Vincent and the Grenadines through the renowned dive center. Alternatively, glide past the surrounding Tobago Cays on the house sailing sloop, Beauty, or sip rum-spiked cocktails at PSV’s feet-in-the-sand Goatie’s Bar after feasting on fresh grilled Caribbean lobster at its Beach Restaurant.
ADAMSLAMA/Necker IslandhotelNecker Island
$$$ | Readers' Choice Awards 2022Necker Island is the creation of Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson, who has transformed what was once a scrubby, 74-acre British Virgin Island caye into a fortress of lush greenery, serene Balinese villas, exotic animals ranging from local flamingos to endangered lemurs and tortoises, and solar panels and wind turbines that make the island self-sustaining. The resort is accessible only by boat from nearby Tortola—no private-plane runway here—which makes it feel more approachable and refuge-like, especially compared to some other private-island hospitality projects. Every inch of the place feels like a Bond hideaway: tropical canopies give way to white-sand beaches all your own, lagoons filled with flamingos, infinity-pooled suites, and cozy lounges. A sprawling hilltop Great House has far-flung views of the azure waters around the island; there's also a billiards table, board games, a bar (one of many on the island), and dining nooks with incredible views where five-star dinners and healthy breakfasts are served.
Mike Dell/Isla PalenquehotelThe Resort at Isla Palenque
This 400-acre private island retreat off western Panama is an exercise in tropical, barefoot chic, with eight design-forward beachfront casitas and one six-bedroom villa (renovated in 2023), all fringed by empty beaches and jungle foliage. Each casita sits on a private swath of sand with furnishings etched from washed-up driftwood, a highly Instagrammable front porch swing, an oversized net hammock, and a fully outdoor bathroom that includes a tub in the sand. At the sole restaurant and bar, half- and full-day guided activities are announced on the chalkboard every evening, from snorkeling trips to wildlife hikes to visits to nearby coffee farms. There are also daily on-site activities such as cocktail-making classes, or the option to explore this paradise on your own (marked trails and a continuous shoreline help). Another standout of this property is its price point. While many private islands require the deepest of deep pockets, rates at Isla Palenque begin at $980 per couple per night in low season, inclusive of the roundtrip boat ride in and out from Boca Chica (the launch point on the mainland), activities, and meals (but not alcohol).
Courtesy Kokomo Private Island ResorthotelKokomo Private Island Resort
$$$ | Gold List 2024 Hot List 2018 Readers' Choice Awards 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024Located in the untouched Kadavu Islands, a 45-minute seaplane flight from Nadi International Airport, this private island balances romance and multi-generational travel in Fiji. Straddling the renowned Great Astrolabe Reef, the waters near Kokomo teem with colorful fish, manta rays, sea turtles, and thriving coral gardens, making underwater exploration a must for any visit (don’t miss the marine biologist-led manta snorkel excursion). Twenty-one beachfront villas range in size from a couples-friendly one bedroom to larger two- and three-bedrooms, each with a private plunge pool, private walled garden with outdoor shower, and direct beach access. Meanwhile, five hilltop luxury Grand Residences welcome larger families to multi-bedroom homes, inclusive of a private butler and nanny. Guests can also anticipate other water activities like sailing and kayaking, and three memorable meals daily, made of locally sourced produce from Kokomo’s 5.5-acre farm and hydroponics garden, and seafood from a sustainable, caught-to-order island initiative.
Courtesy COMO Hotels and Resorts/©Ken HaydenhotelCOMO Parrot Cay
$$$ | Gold List 2018, 2019, 2020 Readers' Choice Awards 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024Among the Turks & Caicos wealth of gorgeous resorts, this 1000-acre private island is a top tropical hideaway, at once fitting for families and today’s style set. Accommodations, which range from ocean-facing rooms to beach houses and multi-bedroom beachfront estate, are statements in minimalism, often dressed in white voile draping and teak wood furnishings. An adults-only infinity pool is fringed by umbrella-capped lounge beds and borders the St. Tropez-style COMO Beach Club. Nearby is a sprawling family infinity pool as well as Play by COMO, a kids club where parents can drop the little ones for the day. As with all COMO properties, expect an Asian-influenced wellness concept with a spa specializing in time-honored Balinese and Thai treatments, and the option of a vitamin-rich, clean-eating menu at all restaurants.
Courtesy Anantara Bazaruto Island ResorthotelAnantara Bazaruto Island Resort
$$$ | Readers' Choice Awards 2018, 2019, 2022, 2024On the faraway islands off southern Mozambique, it’s entirely possible to go off the grid. No place is this truer than at Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort, a paradise blessed with a palm-laced coastline, cerulean waters, towering interior sand dunes, and untouched coral reefs. Forty-four luxury villas are sprinkled across this near-private island, which is a whopping 22-by-4 miles—that’s larger than all of Aruba—but still hosts a small village and a second property, both miles away. By day, amble along the beach (you won’t likely see another human for hours), then try your hand at dune boarding, and later retreat to your villa for a mind-blowing sunset of purples, pinks, and reds as traditional dhow boats disappear into the horizon. Or, swim among the dolphins, prolific in this protected tract of the Indian Ocean, and watch the humpback whales skirt past from July to September. Feast on local seafood along the beach—giant multi-pound crayfish are not uncommon here—or request to “Dine by Design,” enjoying dinner out on a sandbar with a personal waiter at the ready. A short flight + boat ride from Johannesburg in South Africa, this relaxing island stay is an easy (and well-deserved) addition to an action-packed African safari.
Courtesy Anantara Kihavah Maldives VillashotelAnantara Kihavah Maldives Villas
$$$ | Readers' Choice Awards 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024A magical mélange of 80 design-rich accommodations–some floating, some rooted in the sand–Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas is exactly what tropical dreams are made of. True, it’s a constant tug of war deciding between the highly romantic, thatched-roof overwater sanctuaries (each with a private pool) or the more residential-style, ultra-private beach villas (each with direct beach access). But in either case, dreamy amenities reign standard. To start, consider: fantasy bathtubs, either with glass bottoms or surrounded by reflection ponds, and swinging daybeds. You’ll likely never want to leave your posh digs, but greater Kihavah’s elevated enticements constitute some of the Maldives’ best–and merit your attention. On this far-flung paradise, find a world-class overwater spa with floor-to-ceiling glass windows, the nation’s first Muay Thai boxing ring, astronomy-themed rooftop bar SKY (with the largest telescope and observatory in the Indian Ocean), and underwater restaurant SEA, where the likes of clown fish, grouper, and blacktip reef sharks put on the most memorable of dinner shows.
Best of all? Kihavah is located in the thick of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve-designated Baa Atoll, and its house reef is a mind blowing underwater Eden. So much so that it's the subject of a pioneering research-based scientific publication and coffee table book, "Wonders of Kihavah," led by Australian Marine Conservation Society Director, Dr. Selina Ward and photographed by noted underwater photographer Alex Kydd.
Gary JameshotelAmbergris Cay
Readers' Choice Awards 2022, 2023, 2024Located in the southwest Atlantic off the main chain of Turks and Caicos, the remote island of Ambergris Cay (not to be confused with Ambergris Caye in Belize) is equal parts luxury and adventure. It redefines “all-inclusive” with five-star food, zero up charges for top-shelf wine, and billionaire views to boot. On this (intentionally) underdeveloped island, look forward to serene azure waters, rugged nature, and a total of 17 oceanfront resort suites and 14 multi-bedroom villas—all butler-serviced and spaced out over the island’s 1,100 acres.
The private island resort also houses one with the longest private-jet runway in the region (at 5,700 feet, it accommodates planes up to 28 meters long), fostering an escape for outdoor-minded billionaires and professional athletes whose ideal getaway includes as much deep-sea fishing and tennis as it does five-course dining, indulgent spa treatments, and fabulous residence-style accommodation. What’s more? The resort has been a good neighbor to local wildlife by partnering with the San Diego Zoo for regular research visits to maintain the scrubby cay’s indigenous wildlife populations, including flamingos, iguanas, and ospreys.
Lovango Resort & Beach ClubhotelLovango Resort and Beach Club
$$$Located across Saint John’s legendary Caneel Bay on an island all its own, this unpretentious seasonal resort (open December through July) features the USVI’s only beach club and eco-chic accommodation in the form of wooden treehouses, explorer-style tents, one-bedroom cottages and a private three-bedroom villa. Views of the surrounding jewel-toned waters abound, peaking at Treetops Lobby Tent, where birds-eye-views of St. John proper and St. Thomas can be admired in a single panorama. Indulge in island cuisine and rum-spiked fun at the resort’s Waterfront Café (we recommend the smoked pineapple rum old fashioned and the signature Caribbean lobster schnitzel) or its fast-casual counterpart, Sand Pit, which services Lovango’s Beach Club and its cabana-lined swimming pool. For active and gastronomic pursuits in greater St. John, take the ferry to Cruz Bay, which runs regularly; for another incarnation of beach bliss, hop on the five-minute ferry to St. John’s Honeymoon Beach, which runs on select days.
Diego De Pol/Courtesy Kudadoo Private Island MaldiveshotelKudadoo Private Island Maldives
$$$This Yuji Yamazaki–designed property in the Maldives’s Lhaviyani Atoll is a next-generation, ultra-luxury experience like no other, underscored by a mind-blowing “Anything, Anytime, Anywhere” fixed price policy, where nothing is off-limits—nor costs extra—from floating breakfasts to top-shelf Champagne to private fitness training. The island’s 15 ryokan-inspired overwater residences epitomize contemporary Japanese ocean elegance, offering ample room to relax and play against the backdrop of the Maldives’ lazuline beauty (units start at 3,300 square feet.). At Kudadoo’s core lies The Retreat, an impressive open-air minimalist overwater pagoda crowned by 984 solar panels (that power the resort in its entirety) and housing the island’s bar, restaurant, spa, fitness facilities, and lounge areas. Thanks to the Anything, Anytime, Anywhere policy, your residence, The Retreat, and the surrounding nature become your muses for fulfilling the utmost island fantasies. Request to be marooned on nearby Dream Island for a luxury-draped Robinson Crusoe experience or ask for a private toes-in-the-sand beach lunch on Kudadoo itself. Snorkel with giant mantas alongside a marine biologist or try your hand at jet skiing, parasailing, or fishing. Pencil in plenty of time for spa treatments—they are unlimited after all—before or after you figure out how to manage an entire staff of butlers, cooks, personal trainers, yoga masters at your beck and call. Suffice to say, Kudadoo is the ultimate castaway narrative come to life—and the script is yours to write.
Photo by Raphael OlivierhotelBawah Reserve
$$$ | Gold List 2024 Hot List 2018 Readers' Choice Awards 2019, 2020, 2021There are drop dead gorgeous private island resorts and then there’s Bawah, an entire nature and marine reserve comprising six islands, three blue lagoons, and 13 unspoiled white beaches in the heart of Indonesia’s Anambas Archipelago. Sustainability lies at the core of the reserve with no compromises on luxury. In fact, the entire resort was constructed by hand using sustainable bamboo and locally sourced natural building materials and decorated in works from local artisans. The reserve oozes natural splendor, which can be enjoyed from the comfort of a swoon-worthy rustic-chic tented suite, overwater bungalow or pool villa. Come here for Indonesian coastal cuisine perfected, dinners in the treetops, spectacular sunsets, hikes through the jungle, island-hopping via transparent kayaks, and sublime snorkeling. To access Bawah’s remote location with ease, the reserve offers a door-to-door transfer from Singapore airport with short components by road and ferry, followed by a 75-minute seaplane that lands directly in paradise.