The 5 Most Expensive Private Islands Bought in the Last Decade — and Who Owns Them
Written by
Laura Bogart
Edited by
Kristen Mae
Commitment to Our Readers
GOBankingRates' editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and services - our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our products and services review methodology.
20 Years
Helping You Live Richer
Reviewed
by Experts
Trusted by
Millions of Readers
If you’re currently living in one of the states that could double as a second location for the next Frozen sequel, odds are you’re daydreaming about jetting off to the sun-warmed sands of a luxurious island. If you close your eyes, you can almost hear the gorgeous blue waters rolling up on the shore.
To give yourself more daydream fodder — or to torment yourself as you bundle up to take the dog out yet again — you can salivate over this list of the most expensive private islands in the world. And hey, knowing who owns these islands could come in handy if you’re trying to make some well-connected friends.
Lanai, Hawaii
Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison didn’t buy 98% of this 141-square-mile island as a personal playground; instead, he’s focused on developing the island and boosting infrastructure to help create better conditions for its more than 3,000 residents. The purchase was rumored to be around $500 million, and according to the Pacific Business News, “Lanai is believed to be the largest privately held island in the United States, with nearly 50 miles of coastline.”
The good news? You don’t need to be personal chums with Ellison to take your seat on the beach. The island is home to several luxurious Four Seasons resorts, offering plenty of opportunities to take in its stunning beaches and lush landscapes.
Bonds Cay, Bahamas
Shakira’s “hips don’t lie,” so perhaps they played a role in encouraging her to team up with some unique musical collaborators — including Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters and Spanish singer Alejandro Sanz — to purchase this island. They reportedly paid $16 million for the island, which boasts immaculate white sands, five beaches, and three salt pond lakes.
Located 120 miles off Florida’s east coast, the trio’s goal is to transform the 700-acre island into an eco-friendly luxury destination and artists’ retreat.
Île Gagnon
Not every gorgeous island comes with a warm climate. Celine Dion proved as much with her private island on the Rivière des Mille Îles in Québec, where she built a mansion in the style of a French Norman chateau. The island is accessible via a private gated bridge, adding to the fairy-tale quality of the property. Unlike her heart, Dion’s residency on the island did not go on — she sold the property in 2016 for $25.5 million.
Skorpios Island, Greece
When was the last time Bill Gates, Giorgio Armani, and Madonna didn’t get what they wanted? That’s exactly what happened with these rich and famous people, long-accustomed to getting exactly what they want, set their sights on Skorpios Island.
It’s not surprising that they coveted this 74-acre private Greek island, famous for its stunning natural beauty and historical significance as the site where shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis married Jackie Kennedy. However, this cherished property, along with its neighboring islet Sparti, was purchased by Ekaterina Rybolovlev, daughter of Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev, for an eye-popping $150 million.
Cayo Norte, Puerto Rico
Larry Page, a co-founder of Google, seems to have a taste for private islands — and really, who could blame him? In 2018, he used an LLC called U.S. Virgin Island Properties to purchase Cayo Norte, the largest privately-owned island in Puerto Rico, for $32 million.
This tropical paradise is known for its glittering white-sand beaches, coral reefs, and wildlife, including endangered sea turtles.
More From GOBankingRates
