10 private islands for a once-in-a-lifetime vacation
Truly get away from it all at these island escapes.


If you’re craving a relaxing vacation—one that truly feels like getting away from it all—heading to a private island is a near-perfect solution. Yes, it may cost you a pretty penny, but it’s well worth the splurge for an unforgettable trip. At the below retreats, you can leave the mainland behind in favor of thriving reefs, lush rainforests, and sugar-fine sandy beaches with barely another soul in sight, all coupled with some of the most luxurious accommodations and thoughtful hospitality you’ve ever experienced. From the Maldives and the British Virgin Islands to the Florida Keys and even England, here are 10 private islands to visit for a once-in-a-lifetime vacation.
Song Saa Private Island, Cambodia

Though Cambodia’s coastline isn’t as famous as neighboring Thailand's, it’s every bit as beautiful. Case in point: Song Saa, a private island retreat in the Koh Rong Archipelago with a strong emphasis on sustainability. Here, 24 private villas and overwater bungalows, each with their own pool, are made from reclaimed timber and decorated with upcycled items (think: driftwood tables and lamps made from old oil drums). When you’re not enjoying Song Saa’s immaculate beaches and marine-life-filled sea, embrace Cambodian culture by participating in guided mediations, Buddhist ceremonies (traditional blessings perfect for birthdays, anniversaries, or honeymoons), or a tour of nearby Prek Svay village with the resort’s conservation team.
Little Palm Island Resort & Spa, Florida
Down in the Florida Keys, on a pristine four-acre islet accessible only by boat or seaplane, you’ll find the United States’ only luxury private island resort. Your stay at Little Palm Island Resort & Spa begins with check-in cocktails at the Shore Station, after which you’ll settle into your own luxury bungalow. Unplugging is encouraged, so pause your social media scrolling in favor of scuba diving adventures, sailing, kayaking, dolphin spotting, and even skydiving. If you’re in the mood for more chill time, head to Little Palm’s indoor-outdoor spa or seek out an unblemished patch of sand for an afternoon nap in the sunshine—two perennially popular options at this deeply relaxing resort.
Pine Cay Meridian Club, Turks and Caicos

The little island of Pine Cay in Turks and Caicos is a total reset for your nervous system: 800 acres of co-op-owned land encircled by a halo of white sand. The island’s sole resort, The Meridian Club, has just 12 rooms and suites set 150 feet from the ocean, giving guests access to some of the most beautiful, untouched, and empty beaches in the Caribbean. Borrow a golf cart (the transportation of choice on Pine Cay) and explore sandy roads leading to secluded coves. Keep your eyes peeled for turtles and stingrays; they swim right up to the shore here.
The Brando, French Polynesia
Marlon Brando fell in love with Tetiʻaroa, an atoll of a dozen untouched islets in French Polynesian, surrounded by a turquoise lagoon, while filming Mutiny on the Bounty, and in 1967 he purchased it with the intent of creating the world’s first post-carbon resort. The Brando—a remote private island resort with a collection of expansive and luxurious villas, which honors Polynesian culture and local biodiversity—is his legacy. During your blissed-out time here, cycle through the jungle, take a bird discovery tour with a naturalist guide, learn about Tetiʻaroa’s marine life (including rays, reef sharks, and turtles) from the on-site research scientists, and explore the lagoon by kayak, stand-up paddleboard, or Polynesian outrigger canoe (va’a).
Islas Secas, Panama

There’s no better place to get acquainted with Panama’s wild Pacific Coast than Islas Secas, a tropical archipelago composed of 14 volcanic islands—13 of them untouched and brimming with wildlife. Guests stay on the destination’s one occupied island, which contains just seven elegant casitas sleeping two to eight guests. This intimate environment facilitates a personal approach to hospitality, complete with spa treatments and gourmet dining, while also introducing guests to Panama’s stunning nature through adventurous activities. Don’t miss the chance to explore nearby Coiba Island National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the second-largest coral reef in the Eastern Pacific.
Monkey Island Estate, England
When you picture private island getaways, England probably doesn’t spring immediately to mind, but that’s exactly where you’ll find Monkey Island Estate, the historic former retreat of monarchs, aristocrats, and artists. Located a short distance from the hubbub of London on the River Thames and close to Windsor Castle and the Ascot Racecourse (home of the annual Royal Ascot horse race, held each June), Monkey Island offers guests a refined break in the British countryside, complete with elegant guest rooms, traditional Sunday roast dinner, and a floating spa housed inside a canal barge boat. FYI: Access to the island is via a footbridge with complimentary parking on the mainland; designated parking spaces for guests with disabilities are available and you can also get to the island via boat.
Amilla, Maldives

It’s hard to select one standout private island paradise in the Maldives, an archipelagic country brimming with them, but Amilla Maldives Resort and Residences gets our vote. Situated within the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, 70 percent of the island is composed of untouched, lush rainforest and pristine beach, so you never have to go far to find a deserted patch of paradise. But it’s not only the natural beauty of the destination that makes it so special—Amilla is dedicated to creating a personalized and surprise-filled experience for each guest, incorporating activities like ocean excursions, romantic sandbank picnics, and wellness workshops. The resort’s villas (including overwater, poolside, and treetop options) are some of the biggest in the Maldives, but our accommodation choice here would be glamping. Relax in a clear inflatable pod set in the jungle with access to a bathroom, showers, plunge pool, steam room, and sauna. Remind us why we’d ever want to leave?
Lizard Island, Australia
If visiting Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is on your bucket list, make a plan to visit Lizard Island, the only resort in the country situated within the 2,503-acre Lizard Island National Park, which includes part of the famed reef. Take advantage of the on-site experts with guided nature walks and visits to the Lizard Island Research Station. This is an island, after all, so there are plenty of water-based activities, including driving, fishing, snorkeling, and chartered boat trips. After a day of adventuring, enjoy a meal with a view at one of the resort’s restaurants or an indulgent treatment at the spa, before hunkering down in your villa. And don’t forget to put the in-room telescope to good use with some pre-bedtime stargazing.
The Lodge on Little St. Simons Island, Georgia

Part of Georgia's Golden Isles, Little St. Simons Island boasts a virtually untouched landscape of diverse wetland ecosystems, maritime forests, and sand dunes. You can tour the island’s 11 acres with a naturalist guide, or strike out on your own and go bird watching, fishing, boating, or simply relax on the beach. The island’s only hotel is an ecolodge with space for up to 32 guests across six cozy, rustic cottages. Tan leather sofas, wood-panel walls, working fireplaces, and porch swings offer a cozy place to rest and reconnect with loved ones after a day of outdoor action.
Moskito Island
On Richard Branson’s Moskito Island, play billionaire for a bit and enjoy the unparalleled luxury of inhabiting your own private estate. There are three to choose from: The Oasis Estate, a hilltop hideaway sleeping up to 18, with a wrap-around infinity pool and swim-up bar; The Branson Estate, three villas that sleep up to 22 people, with its own private cove; and The Point Estate, a clifftop guesthouse accommodating up to 14 adults and eight children, with a hot tub and access to the island’s main beach. While there’s plenty to do within the confines of each estate, from alfresco movie nights to beach games, guests can also get out and explore Moskito Island’s communal recreation options, including hiking trails, tennis courts, and watersports.