Historically (at least according to a certain classic TV show), Gilligan clearly chose the wrong islands. Yes, those fictional spots had lush foliage and uncrowded beaches, but they lacked the indulgent comforts real travelers expect: solid shelter, varied cuisine and thoughtful amenities. Islands capture our imagination—whether through childhood fantasies of lost kingdoms or the idea of a place set apart from the everyday. As an adult you can now experience your own private island escape, complete with luxury, privacy and warm turquoise waters. Here are several outstanding options for a truly refined island retreat.
LOCATED OFF THE NORTHERN coast of Viti Levu, Dolphin Island is a private 13-acre sanctuary that rises like a cultivated garden from Fiji’s clear seas. Four elegant bures, grouped in pairs around a central pavilion, accommodate up to eight guests. Each en-suite bedroom features timber floors, king beds with down-and-feather pillows, generous dressing rooms, air-conditioning and ceiling fans, and bathrooms finished with stone tile, freestanding tubs, shell-and-coral mirrors, and both indoor and outdoor showers.
For a more romantic experience, the island offers a sleep-out bure on a small hillside where lanterns and candles illuminate a thatched, open-air bedroom beneath the stars.
New Zealand designer Virginia Fisher and Auckland landscape designer Suzanne Turley enhanced the island’s natural beauty with a restrained, island-appropriate aesthetic. Island host Dawn Simpson and her team deliver discreet, personalized service and arrange dining and activities. Stays include all meals and standard bar items, plus use of a Hobie Cat catamaran and sea kayaks. Water activities include snorkeling, tank diving, sailing and swimming, while land-based options range from village visits and cultural experiences—such as tapa-cloth making and a kava ceremony—to shopping and local sightseeing. More adventurous outings include trawling for reef fish, bamboo-rafting adventures and guided diving in the Bligh Waters. Spa treatments such as massages and facials can be arranged at the bures.
Guests arrive via private vehicle transfer from Nadi International Airport to Rakiraki, about a 2.5-hour drive, followed by a half-hour private launch to the island. Dolphin Island also has a helipad; helicopter and seaplane transfers are available for an additional fee.
Wakeboarding at Motu Teta, French Polynesia © Motu Teta
MOTU TETA’S HUES of blue make this tiny Rangiroa atoll islet in French Polynesia a captivating private destination. Motu Teta’s main villa reflects its tropical setting and includes two master suites and a guest bedroom. For larger groups, Bungalow Royale adds a double and a king bed, an en-suite bathroom and a private deck with bar.
Glistening hardwoods, open beams and luxurious fabrics complement modern comforts such as flat-screen televisions and a fully equipped kitchen. Guests typically leave meal preparation to island manager and chef Celine Oopa, a Tahitian native trained in classic French cuisine; stays include gourmet meals, beverages and alcohol. On-water activities are plentiful: kayaking, kitesurfing, spearfishing, wakeboarding, snorkeling, water-skiing, lobstering and windsurfing. Motu Teta also hosts a small resident population of coconut crabs, the world’s largest living arthropods—an unusual natural curiosity.
A fleet of boats and an experienced guide make excursions easy: deep-sea fishing, picnics on uninhabited motus, visits to Ote Pipi village, and guided dives organized with local centers like Raie Manta Club Rangiroa and Blue Dolphins Diving Center.
To reach Motu Teta, fly to Papeete on Tahiti, take a 45-minute inter-island flight to Rangiroa Airport, then a 1.5-hour water crossing by private boat.
BY THE TIME YOU’VE sunk your toes into the sand at Necker Island—Sir Richard Branson’s private island in the British Virgin Islands—you’ll likely catch a serious case of island fever. The property accommodates up to 30 adults across a variety of luxurious, private residences. Six air-conditioned Bali Houses—Perched on cliffs or tucked near the center—offer privacy and high-end comforts.
Bali Buah house, Necker Island, British Virgin Islands © Necker Island
The Great House sits atop Devil’s Hill and is designed as an opulent Balinese villa with an infinity pool, rooftop terrace and expansive outdoor living areas. The Beach Pavilion overlooks the tennis courts and includes dining space and a media center with cinema and bar. Activities range from spa treatments, sailing, kite-surfing and water-skiing to tennis with a pro or off-island golf at nearby courses.
Necker is also home to Madagascan lemurs, soldier crabs, flamingos and red-footed tortoises. Fees include private transfers from Tortola, activities, entertainment, up to 70 staff, and all food and beverages—including wine and Champagne. Resident chefs tailor menus to your tastes, whether you prefer formal dining with crystal and china or casual poolside service.
The closest international airport is on Beef Island (Tortola). Necker Island is roughly 30 minutes by boat from Tortola and about 10 minutes from Virgin Gorda. A helipad is available, and yachts may anchor offshore.
ON THE CENTRAL AMERICAN island of Cayo Espanto in Belize, service and privacy define the experience. The staff-to-guest ratio is typically two-to-one, and each of the six villas has a private pool, a walled tropical garden, a sundeck or veranda and a personal houseman. Villas feature Yves Delorme linens, Turkish robes, mahogany finishes, wide hammocks, air-conditioning and WiFi. Fitness equipment is available on request, and optional activities include massages, bird-watching, jungle excursions and visits to nearby Mayan ruins.
Guests enjoy three daily meals and unlimited access to the chef’s pantry. Menus change daily to highlight fresh local ingredients—seafood and tropical fruits figure prominently.
Private overwater dining at Cayo Espanto, Belize © Cayo Espanto
Though Cayo Espanto spans only four acres, it sits beside the second-largest barrier reef in the world. The surrounding waters are excellent for bonefishing, tarpon, barracuda and parrotfish. Snorkeling, swimming and kayaking are all readily available, and guests can arrange scuba diving, sailing, windsurfing, golf and chartered fly-fishing.
Travel to Cayo Espanto involves flights to Belize City from hubs like Miami or Houston (about two hours), a short hop to San Pedro on Ambergris Caye, and an eight-minute private boat transfer. Helicopter transport can also be arranged.
ONCE YOU’VE ARRIVED at Maara Sound, Tavanipupu Private Island Resort in the Solomon Islands offers a tranquil, classic island experience. Designed in the 1970s by British interior designer Dennis Bellote and partner Keith Paske, Tavanipupu can be rented in full for up to 30 guests or enjoyed privately by a couple.
Accommodations among coconut palms evoke Robinson Crusoe-style charm with thatched roofs and four-poster beds. Guests can swim, snorkel, sea-kayak, lounge on white-sand beaches, or visit the small on-site spa for massages and tropical body therapies.
Activities extend to charter fishing, cycling on bush tracks of the Guadalcanal mainland, boating to deserted islands, deep-sea fishing and cultural visits to nearby villages. Dining focuses on fresh seafood, produce from the island’s organic gardens and farm-fresh eggs; a private chef prepares meals and a full bar and wine cellar are available.
Tavanipupu Private Island Resort is accessed by a 25-minute flight from Honiara, the Solomon Islands capital, followed by small-craft service into Marau Sound via Solomon Airlines.