Budget travelers visiting the Kingdom of Tonga should consider Lucky's Beach Houses on ‘Utungake Island, about 12 kilometers from Vava’u’s main town of Neiafu by road.

In recent years the tourism industry in the Turks and Caicos has been booming. This is largely due to the increase in high end tourism development and the scores of celebrities who fly to the island for R&R.

Recently more and more private islands have emerged on the market with the most recent being Orchid Point.

Orchid point is a magnificent 8 acre island located on Sand Dollar Point, Pine Cay. The unique three pod wood frame design nestled into magnificent landscaping was built in 1986 to high standard. This simple, comfortable beach house, approximately 1200 sqft, consists of 3 very private bedrooms, with a large and welcoming great room which opens onto the deck, all overlooking the ocean. Cathedral ceilings, lots of windows and ceiling fans ensure breeze constantly flows throughout the home.

The 3.6 acre pond directly behind the dune line affords the enjoyment of varied birdlife all year long – flamingoes, terns, ospreys, kestrels – from the comfort of your great room and decks. The ocean and beach await two minutes down your pathway. Amble for almost 3 miles along the soft sand of Pine Cay’s north shore beach, swim contentedly in the warm turquoise waters, or for the more active kite boarding, and hobby cat sailing from your beach doorstep. This is a beautiful, peaceful home with immense privacy on a fabulous property.

For more information on  this property visit Private Islands Online.

Anyone who is familiar with Lemurs knows they are probably one of the cutest creatures in the animal kingdom. However, sadly they are also one of the most endangered.

Billionaire Richard Branson says he wants to use one of his private Caribbean islands to help save an endangered species of African primate.

The British entrepreneur plans to introduce lemurs to the undeveloped Moskito Island in the British Virgin Islands. Branson said he hopes to create a thriving population to help make up for the loss of their native habitat on the island of Madagascar.

Branson said on Monday he hopes to bring the first group of about 30 from zoos in the coming weeks.

He calls it a radical idea and says he will try to address concerns of critics who fear the plan will hurt native lizard and bird populations.

Moskito is about 135 kilometres east of Puerto Rico

Vanuatu is probably one of the most widely sought off locations for island buyers and travelers with demand often outstripping the supply. Fortunately a new island recently came on the market.

Eratap Island (also known as Castaway Island) is located approximately 1350m off the mainland opposite the stunning Eratap Beach Resort. It is 5.6 hectares in size and covered in native coconut trees, native vegetation and fringed with white sandy beaches.

The island is protected by a sheltered breaking reef offshore. On the mainland side there is around 800m of perfect beach to place a resort or home.

It is around 20 minutes drive to Port Vila from the access lot or 6km to Port Vila harbor by boat.

Do not delay as this property will not last.

For more information on this property visit Private Islands Online.

Now that the Royal Wedding is over, people are speculating where the newly weds are planning on going for their honey moon.

Some have reported that the couple will jet off to Mustique the ultra exclusive island community in the Grenadines. However more recent reports suggest that the couple will enjoy their honey moon in the  Seychelles, the beautiful island archipelago off the coast of Africa.

Seychelles has a number of high end resorts private island resorts to choose from and their seclusion from the outside world will provide a measure of privacy for Will and Kate.

Although I do not know where they are staying, I have two guesses that would make excellent choices.

My first guess is Fregate Island  the posh island resort that has just 16 villas that start at 2,700 Euros per night. My other guess is North Island, a 462 acre with just eleven luxury villas.  Prices for North Island start at 1,835 Euros per night.

Which ever island they choose, I am sure it will be a fantastic experience.

I have said it many times before, but Belize offers an excellent opportunity to purchase a Caribbean style island in a Caribbean climate, without paying the premium price often found in the West Indies. One of the newest islands to come on the market is Gladden Caye.

The price of 1-acre Gladden Caye in Belize is to be determined at a sealed bid auction! Bids are due on May 31st, 2011 at 12:00 P.M CDT.

Gladden Caye is in one of the most exclusive locations in Belize, right near the Gladden Spit, famous for Whale Shark diving. The island is located 24 miles east of Placencia and just behind the Belize Barrier Reef; There are two upscale luxury resorts about two miles away. The commute to the island takes about 35 minutes in good conditions and a little longer when the seas are rougher.

The island has a very rudimentary fisherman’s cabin on it with some basic infrastructure installed. The owner decided to paint it rather than remove it because a new owner could make good use of the house during initial stages of construction. The diving, snorkeling and fishing just off shore are phenomenal.

Mail or Deliver Sealed Bids to:

Alliance Bid 5542 137th Street SE Becker, MN 55308

Please call Alliance Bid with any Questions Regarding the Bidding Process: 800-262-5092

Call the Owner Directly for Property Details: 320-267-2219

Source: Private Islands Online.

As the Chinese economy continues to grow in leaps and bounds more and more Chinese are exploring the Private Island Market. More and more English Chinese news outlets are running stories about the privilege of private island ownership and travel. Here is what one article recently had to say.

“Owning one’s own private island is a fantasy for many people, poor and wealthy alike. For some people, it’s even a realistic possibility. Is it a risky investment or a lucrative strategy?

For many of China’s wealthy, owning a private island has become a reality as a result of China’s April listing of 176 uninhabited islands available for lease and development.”

To read the rest of the article visit Xinhua.net

Fiji's second city, Lautoka, is a likable place with a row of towering royal palms lining the main street and a lovely seaside walk along Marine Drive.

The 7th edition of Moon Tahiti is now available electronically worldwide in an Amazon.com Kindle edition and from Barnesandnoble.com as a NOOK eBook.

After the Hurricane Katrina tragedy, designers and engineers began working together to developa plan to keep the residents of the Big Easy safe during times of flooding. One idea being proposed is a giant floating building called NOAH, which stands for New Orleans Arcology Habitat.

The habitat boasts 20,000 residential units as well as 3 hotels and 500 timeshare units. Also housed within its triangular walls is loads of commercial space, 8000 parking spaces as well as cultural spaces, public works and schools. The idea is that you could live your whole life in NOAH if you so chose.

In addition to using solar and wind power to support the structure, given its location on the water the building would also use water turbines to generate power.  No doubt it would be quite the floating structure…if it is ever built!

For many people renting an island is the first step towards island ownership. However when on a private island rental it is hard to shake the feeling of ownership. Recently New York Times Journalist David Carr ventured with his wife to an uninhabitat Bahamian island with his wife for six days of mostly off the grid living. Here is what he had to say.

Once there, there would be no daily list of activities, sightseeing trips to knock out, television or business centers I might use to “check in” at work. Instead, just a solar-powered house, two small beaches and a few walking paths measured in feet, not miles. There was only one thing on the island that might interrupt the seance of serenity and relaxation. Me.

After four days, I had to take to the boat to Long Island to buy more supplies. Although the people there were hilariously friendly and all seemed to share the same last name (Cartwright), I could not wait to get back to a place where there were no cars. I didn’t really anticipate how luxurious it would feel to see no one. The beach at Cancun is great and all, but not having to spend your vacation asking permission, directions or help is a freedom that cannot be underestimated.

With just the two of us, the house and the island became characters, engaging us with their own rituals. When the photovoltaic lights on the deck came on, we knew the last bits of sun were about to disappear. The direction of the breeze told us which room to sleep in, and the expanse of the sky would convey whether the rain was just passing over or would be hanging around for a bit.

If you are at all interested in renting an island it’s a great read and quite informative. To read the full article click here.

The Brazilian Private Island market is really coming alive in 2011.  In the last three months alone about 10 properties have come on the market. With Brazil’s rapidly expanding economy it could be a good time to purchase property in this tropical country. One of the newest luxury islands to come on the market is Ilha Dos Porcos a 3 acre island in the popular Angra dos Reis

This beautiful island with private beach is located in a state-legislated wildlife conservation zone. It is located near to the airport, and has 900m2 of existing constructions. Permits are in place for another 100 m2 to be built.

The existing constructions consist of two houses, a caretaker’s house, garden, wharf with a draft of approximately 2m, a boat garage, and a coastal wall.

Please inquire for further details at Private Islands Online.