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Private Island Escapes

Trips built around seclusion, from whole-island resorts to quiet motu and cays, with what to expect from the journey and the price.

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How to plan a private island escape

A private island trip is mostly a logistics exercise. The stay itself is simple once you arrive; the planning lies in reaching an island with one operator and no public ferry, timing the trip so the last leg runs smoothly, and deciding whether you want to spend every night there or pair it with a stay somewhere busier.

Who it suits

This kind of trip is right when seclusion is the whole point: a milestone, a recovery after a demanding year, or a couple who want no decisions beyond lunch. It is a poorer fit for short trips, restless travellers and anyone who enjoys trying a different restaurant each night, because the island's own kitchens are the only choice.

What to check before booking

  • The final leg: helicopters and light aircraft have strict luggage weight limits and usually fly only in daylight, so long-haul arrival times matter.
  • How the transfer is priced: it is often charged separately per person, and it can add a meaningful sum to the bill.
  • A buffer night: if your international flight lands late, plan a night on the main island before the last hop.
  • Minimum stays: remote islands often require three nights or more, and five or six is a better balance against the journey.
  • Whether to split: two or three nights on a main island first gives you variety and makes the remote part feel quieter by contrast.

Budget signals

This is the most expensive way to travel on the site. At the very top, a whole-island stay in the Seychelles can run from around US$12,000 a night for two on full board, while lagoon-scale islands in the Maldives and French Polynesia start lower but still sit in four figures a night. Inclusive rates look high but cover more than a beach resort's headline price, so compare the full bill, transfer included. We'd book a private island only when you have at least five nights to spend there.

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