12 Private Islands You Can Rent Without Being Rich

By Judy J. Beasley Last updated Jan 3, 2023

Photo: Gemmy (Shutterstock)

Vacations can be more stressful than the normal life you’re running away from. The cost, scheduling conflicts and finding flights and accommodation are bad enough, but add in having to deal with your fellow human beings on public beaches and the like and you have a recipe for a getaway that is far from relaxing. It can leave a person dreaming of having an entire beach – or maybe even an entire island – to themselves.

If you think private islands are just for the world’s billionaires and Bond Villains, you’d be wrong: you can actually rent a wide range of private islands around the world, from tropical paradises to chilly river experiences. Even more surprisingly, many of these private islands can be yours for a much more reasonable price than you might expect. Here are 12 private islands you can rent without completely draining your bank account.

East Sister Rocky Island

East Sister Rock Island – Marathon Florida Keys

Looking for a tropical private island getaway that doesn’t require a passport? The Florida Keys have the answer, and it’s East Sister Rocky Island. You can arrive by sea – or by helicopter, if you’re really comfortable – and it’s only a mile from Marathon, so it’s not at all difficult to get to. This 1.4 acre island features a pool, wifi, laundry facilities, fully equipped kitchen and air conditioning. The house can sleep up to six people and rents range from $11,500 per week to $17,500 per week depending on the date, which is a minimum of around $1,917 per person if you get five friends to accompany you. .

Strand Island

Strand Island Property

If you need a lot of space in an incredibly beautiful location, Strand Island in Minnesota is an ideal choice. Located on Pelican Lake, the island is 45 acres of natural beauty that sleeps up to 20 people (eight bedrooms in the main house, with a separate log cabin that sleeps four). Besides spectacular fishing (or boating, kayaking, or jet skiing) on the lake, the property also has a sauna, game room, theater, or just hiking around the lake. place and get lost in nature. Incredibly, you can have this whole island for just $930 a night at the time of this writing. A small downside to remember? There are only 1.5 baths at this location so if you are taking 19 people with you, start working on a bathroom schedule now.

Channel Cay Ship

Ship Channel Cay Bahamas – Boat Rentals!

If you’ve ever booked a vacation at a resort in the Bahamas, you know that while it’s beautiful, relaxing, and full of adventure, it can also get a little…crowded. Unless you decide to rent an entire island for yourself, in which case Channel Cay Ship is your answer. Available for just $515 a night, the place can accommodate four people. So your daily cost is only an amazing $129. Granted, this house (a converted fishing house) isn’t the fanciest, but there are staff on hand to handle meals and anything else you might need, and there’s plenty of beach to enjoy on the beach. any privacy.

spruce island

2017 Spruce Island Video

Another huge space ideal for family gatherings, spruce island in Maine is 80 acres of spruce forest teeming with natural wonders. There’s plenty of hiking to do, a freshwater quarry for swimming, kayaking and boating, and bald eagles and osprey to watch. The house can accommodate up to 20 people, two of them in the main house (where the modern kitchen and home cinema are located) and the rest in the nearby guest house. The cost? $1,200 a night, which means if you share that with 19 other people, you’re all only paying $60 a night to enjoy one of the most beautiful natural sights in the country.

Old Cay House

Ten minutes by boat from Hilton Head Island in South Carolina, Old Cay House is a series of small islands, and you can rent Three of them for a ridiculously small amount of money – only $247 per night. Since the house can accommodate six people, that’s about forty dollars per person. All three islands are interconnected and include three acres of land ideal for fishing, swimming, kayaking and hiking. There’s a three-story observation tower adorned with hammocks that looks like a great spot for a few cocktails while the sun goes down (or rises, no judgment), and the house has all the modern conveniences, including including wifi and laundry.

bird island

Bird Island is a private island off Belize on Airbnb

bird island off the coast of Belize in Central America, it’s the very definition of remote: it’ll take you about four hours to get there after you arrive in Belize. The trip is worth it, however – the island is absolutely stunning, surrounded by blue skies and clear water. It’s a great place for peaceful snorkeling, kayaking to nearby islands, and fishing (you can cook your catch in the kitchen). And it can all be yours for $795 a night, with up to eight guests, for a potential rent of around $100 a night. Three things to note: There is no air conditioning (and there is warm there), you have to bring your own food and supplies (so plan carefully), and hermit crabs that call the island home will regularly infiltrate the house, so be prepared.

brother island

Brother Island 4K

Want to be spoiled at a low price? Take the two-hour boat trip from El Nido, Philippines to brother island, where a chef, housekeeper and caretaker are on hand to pamper you and your guests. Covered in white sand beaches and coconut palms, this private island gives you access to crystal clear water and beautiful coral reefs and offers massages, hiking trails, fishing expeditions and snorkeling as part of his package, not to mention the chef we mentioned, making all your meals. The cost of all this? Only $387 per night for up to four people (so $97 per person) up to $1,408 for 16 people ($88 per person), which is pretty mind-blowing.

whiskey island

Whiskey Island/ United States (State of New York (Thousand Islands))

This island on the border between New York and Canada is not only a beautiful place to vacation during the warmer months, it also has a lot of history. During Prohibition, this was the staging area for a liquor smuggling operation. Today, whiskey island is a rustic three acres of natural beauty and historic charm. It was recently sold to new owners, but is still lettable for around $10,150 per week, or $1,450 per night. It can accommodate 15 people, so it’s potentially as cheap as $97 per person per night. It’s a great place to fish, swim and boat. In fact, it is only accessible by boat. One thing to note is that the house is not heated, which means you are not going to rent this island in the winter.

Ecolodge Urraca

Ultimate Private Island Rental Experience, Bocas del Toro, Panama

This two-acre island off the coast of Panama sports six adorable pink bungalows that sit just above the water. The place can accommodate up to 16 people at an average rate of less than $100 a night (the island can actually accommodate up to 24 guests if you’re looking to book the whole place at once, but you have to contact the hosts to make it happen). There’s also a full-service restaurant on the island, giving it a real resort feel. It is ideal for nature lovers. Not only do you share the island with its native population of monkeys, but there is an endless supply of sea and land life to enjoy, not to mention plenty of freshly caught lobsters.

Batholmen Island

Batholmen 2017.10.31. Halloween 2017.

This totally off-grid cabin in Norway lacks running water, but is ideal for anyone looking for the ultimate camping experience. Batholmen Island is 26 acres of natural beauty, ideal for swimming, fishing and boating (the island comes with a boat that you can use to visit and explore the other islands in the area), and the cabin is a quaint 107 square feet, so you only want to come here if you’re the outdoorsy type. The rent is very cheap too; if you’re willing to squeeze eight people into this small cabin (they provide rollaway beds and floor mattresses), that works out to just over $32 per person per night.

Republic Island

Republic Island MI drone footage

Want a Great Lakes vacation with great fishing? Republic Island sits in the middle of Michigan’s Michigamme River, two acres of rustic charm. The low-fi log cabin sleeps up to four people and is just 300 feet from the mainland, which means it’s fully wired. Yet you’ll feel totally cut off from the world in this beautiful location that’s perfect for short hikes, evenings gathered around the fire pit, and plenty of fishing and boating (pontoons and canoes are provided). If you’re looking for a quiet getaway in nature, this is ideal, and rent ranges from $100 to $300 a night depending on your dates, which works out to just $25 to $75 a night if split into four.

Falconera Island

ISOLA in AFFITTO for 50€ IN NOTTE – thepillow

Everyone wants to visit Italy, and especially Venice, but the crowds can be overwhelming. Which does Falconera Island and its rustic farmhouse a total delight. The house can accommodate up to 16 people and rents can be as low as $50 per person depending on how many people you bring and the dates you select. You can only reach the island by boat, but if you rent the whole house, you’ll have access to the entire 50-acre island and its lush beehives, chickens, and fig trees. One thing to note: if you think this is a good place to start your Venice excursion, think again: walking up and down the island is inconvenient, so if you come here, plan to stay.