With arable land becoming increasingly scarce and waters rising around the world, developers and engineers are looking at alternatives to finding places to lodge our ever growing population.

Russian architectural firm Remistudio has taken the concept of a man-made biosphere and gone to sea with its vision for the floating “Ark Hotel.” Designed to withstand floods, tidal waves and rising ocean levels as well as earthquakes and other natural disasters, the hotel concept would float and function independently on the surface of a body of water, providing a green, self-sustaining environment for guests who presumably, would never have to leave.

For more information on this unique development visit gizmag

With 2011 in full swing, more and more island properties are coming on the market meaning this year could be the year you become an island owner!

Snuggled close to the eastern shore of Shawanaga Bay in Ontario, Canada. Pointe au Baril Island is 8+ acres of lichen covered pre-Cambrian granite with veins of quartz, tall trees, dense bushes and a couple of lazy rattle snakes.

There are 4 small wood buildings totaling 2000 square feet. Included is one elongated bowl toilet (flushing into an underused 1990 septic system), 1 huge stone fire place, 2 wood stoves, 1 queen bed, 2 full beds, 3 twin beds, and several cots in the “hall of closets”. A small generator powers vacuum and saw.

The island was Developed in 1950, and redeveloped in 1970 and 1990. Three roofs and the back deck need to be replaced.

The location is ideal, just 10 minutes from The Ojibway Club (.com). The island is dividable if you only need half. The price includes all antique furnishings and a boat or two.

For more information on this pristine private island set amongst some of the oldest geography on earth visit Private Islands Online.

Located in a environment that could be right of a Steig Larson Novel, Rimrock island is actually located in Northern Ontario Canada.

You won’t believe you are in Northern Ontario when you see this Work of Love and Art and at the same time have the coziest 4 bedroom cottage to enjoy solitude on your own Island……or share it with family and friends. The Norwegian influenced architectural design, finishing touches and the honey coloured open pine ceilings and walls can only be appreciated by seeing this property. You won’t believe it!

The Island is approximately 3.5 acres and the waterway of Wilson Lake is approximately 270 acres with less than a dozen cottages on this spring fed lake.

As you approach the property you will be greeted by a newly built single boat house in 2007 which is surrounded by a deck on both sides. Adjoining the boat house is a 40’9” x 14’ deck…just the right size for storage of water toys, a canoe, a dingy and Muskoka chairs and lounges. A few stairs and a beautifully rounded huge rock section with scattered lichen and beautiful moss plus the leaning red and white pines grace the walkway to the 12’ in diameter parapet.

For more information on this property visit Private Islands Online

The Wall Street Journal recently purchased this unique article on their online website.  The story reads that recently in FLorida a group of wealthy art collectors and philanthropists dined on risotto and listened to chamber music at a 10-bedroom estate on a private island off Florida’s Biscayne Bay.

 The mansion isn’t owned by a Russian oligarch or a certain NBA player who recently moved to town. It was built purely on speculation by developers in search of a buyer. Here is what the Wall Street Journal had to say about this unique island mansion.

The developers of the $60 million Miami Beach house say the estate, which has cost them $30 million so far, has one of the state’s first in-home projection 3-D movie theaters. The home, which was built by developers Shlomi Alexander and Felix Cohen, also has a hidden art vault, an elaborate security system and a wine room that can be accessed only via fingerprint identification. Materials like mother of pearl, rare marble and Austrian oak are used throughout. To find the right gold-flecked marble for the master bathroom, the developers say they flew to Italy to personally pick it out from a quarry. To get inspiration for the home’s waterscape and pool, which has a waterfall cascading from the second floor, they visited the Amanyara resort in the Turks and Caicos Islands. 

To read the full article visit The Wall Street Journal.

Affordable private island rentals may be less luxurious than some of their five star rivals. But the sense of privacy and tranquility that they exude is just the same as discovered by Lauren Viera a journalist with the Montreal Gazette. here is what she had to say.

Much like Fiji, Bali and Bora Bora, Vanuatu exudes images of white sand beaches, crystal clear waters and warm tropical breezes.  If you are interested in owning a piece of property in this coveted location Kakula island presents an enormous opportunity.  Basking in the gleaming waters of the Pacific, just off the north coast of the Vanuatu capital, Afate, Kakula island is one of its brightest stars. Situated 15 minutes from the mainland and only 50 minutes drive from Vanuatu’s international airport, Kakula offers over one and a quarter miles of private white sand beach, lush foliage and crystal clear waters.

Purpose-built and envisaged as an exclusive celebrity retreat in 2005 with leading edge infrastructure installed, including a mainland jetty, the existing facilities are a starting point for constructing a larger, upscale destination to attract an international clientele, Kakula Island awaits an appreciative owner to put the finishing touches to this stunning property.

For more information on this property including price and contact information visit Private Islands Online.

The cast list and plot twists were almost too bizarre to be true: an octogenarian billionaire; an eccentric dandy who peed in her flowerbeds and took gifts worth almost a billion euros; politicians who came to dinner and left with envelopes of cash; and a disgruntled butler who hid a tape-recorder in the drawing room.

The family feud that has torn apart one of France’s richest dynasties officially ended this week when the Bettencourts, heirs to the L’Oréal cosmetics empire, signed a surprise truce between warring mother and daughter. But France is still reeling from what the spat has revealed about the nation.

Among the revelations which you can read about in the Guardian is that the uber rich family as well as the secret ownership of Arros, a private island in the Seychelles, which appeared to have been promised to Banier the man at the centre of the family feud.

Banier noted to the guardian…

“Can I make clear that I couldn’t give a damn about their money?” Banier told investigators. “That island, I hate it, it’s full of mosquitos, it’s tiny, and it’s very humid. Plus there are sharks. I hate islands. Johnny Depp has two islands in the Pacific where he’s invited me several times and I never go.”

to see the whole article visit the guardian

The Philippines hasn’t historically been a hot island market. However this doesn’t mean there isn’t tremendous opportunity in the island rich nation.

One of the newest islands to come on the market is Medio Island a 99 acre island in Northern Samar. Medio Island is one of the three islands owned by the heirs of the late Martin Palacio of Northern Samar, Philippines. The two other islands owned by the heirs are Rasa and San Andres Islands. All three islands are in that cluster of islands known since galleon times as Islas Naranjos (Naranjos being the Spanish word for “oranges.)

Medio Island has many natural assets that would make it an ideal first class island beach resort. Medio Island is approximately 1,300 meters long (SW to NE), 550 meters wide at its widest point and some 330 meters at its narrowest portion. It is blessed with 3 beaches that could serve a variety of purposes. Its main or South beach of fine white sand and corals is about 300 meters long and 60 meters wide. The North beach on the opposite side of the island is approximately three quarters long compared to the main beach and is more secluded. The West beach on the far end has a small extended portion on the West side and is about as long as the main beach.  Mainland Luzon, Samar and Masbate with their airports are only 30 minutes by speedboat and 1 1/2 hour distant by motorboat.

With their coral reefs, Medio and sister islands Rasa and San Andres are ideal for scuba, snorkeling, sailing, yachting, jetskiing, parasailing and marine life observation. Medio, Rasa and San Andres islands are the only remaining islands of economic size with complete privacy in this area of the Philippines.

Follow this link to watch a video of Medio Island: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6BLkgkMncw

For more information on this process visit Private Islands Online.

In Fiji the beach snorkeling is great in the Mamanuca Group, the Yasawas, off Nananu-i-Ra, Kadavu, Ono, and Taveuni, and at the small resort islands near Ovalau.

Today marks the first in a series of islands I will be featuring of islands under a million dollars. The first island is Helena Island located in prestigious Muskoka Ontario.  The private 1.25 acre island  with wind swept white pines, pink granite offers 360 degree views of the scenic landscape. Deep water, sensational sunsets and privacy abound. Charming cabin with large deck for entertaining to use while you create your own dream cottage. Once done you’ll have a lovely family compound.

The island is covered with wild blueberries, raspberries and blackberries. Five minute boat ride to fabulous Taboo Resort and Spa for fine dining, golfing and any spa treatments you desire. Tour the lake with your guests on the famous Steamship the “Segwun” just 10 minutes away at the Muskoka Wharf

The island is currently on the market for $850,000. For more details visit Private Islands Online.

Close to the town of Gravenhurst for all your amenities and within 15 minutes from Gravenhurst airport. Easy development potential through Gravenhurst Townshi

Florida’s island market presents many excellent opportunities to purchase a tropical island within the confines of American Laws, which are often more friendly toward ownership and development than other island regions.

One of the newest island to come on the market is Deer Island,  a beautiful barrier island with elevations as high as 15 ft above sea level. Standout features include a sandy beach facing the open Gulf, wooden dock, water well and storage tank/tower with treatment system, and small storage building. A small RV is on the island for overnight stays.

The island is located inside the Big Bend Aquatic Seagrass Preserve and adjoins the Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge. The historic fishing villages of Cedar Key and Suwannee are 8 miles south and north, respectively. Gainesville, home of the University of Florida, is 50 miles to the east. Access is by boat only, with deep water access on the northeast corner of island (the existing dock is on the southeast corner in shallower water).

Redfish, black drum, trout, and blue crab are abundant. The bay side of the island is fringed with salt marsh and oyster bars. The island is covered with large oaks, pines, cedars, and palms with an understory of coonties, wild coffee, palmettos and more.

For more information on this property visit Private Island Online

Luxist recently featured Eustatia Island on their website. An amazing 26-acre private estate, Eustatia Island is lovated in the British Virgin Islands (BVI). This remote, environmentally friendly island property is situated near the North Sound of Virgin Gorda and one of only a few private island properties available for rent in the Caribbean.

Luxist notes that the island rental provides exclusive use of the entire estate which encompasses all but four leased acres on the western tip of the island and is inclusive of gourmet meals and watersports equipment. The estate accommodates up to ten guests; six in the hilltop three-bedroom Villa Far Niente with pool and hot tub, and four in the two-bedroom beachfront Casa de Playa.  A third beach cottage can be rented for an additional fee, adding room for another six guests. The rentals come with a hospitality staff including a personal chef to address any guest needs. The island also has its own private fleet of luxury yachts and boats available for charter.

To read more about this exclusive rental visit Luxist.

The latest edition of Private Islands Magazine is on store shelves now. This issues spectacular cover features the incredible Coco Palm Bodu Hiti island resort in the Maldives. 

Featured in this edition is Frank Llyod Wright’s Island Design, Eight Caribbean Escapes, Nine Stunning Canadian Islands and 57 Incredible Islands for Sale or Rent around the world. The magazine retails for $14.95 and can be purcahsed at Private Islands Magazine

Although there are a lot of average people who own private islands, the ones owned by the rich and famous are a lot more fun to read about!  Real Estate Web recently wrote a fun article on the topic. Here is a bit of what they had to say.

It must be fun to own your own island, all that privacy and prestige and of course supermodels that suddenly want to date you. You can take long isolated walks on your own private beaches, uninvited pop-ins are rare, no one knocks on your door in the middle of the night asking for your TV licence and the only street children are yours

Other well known Island owners include, Nicolas Cage who owns a 40-acre island in the Bahamas, Leonardo DiCaprio has an island off the coast of Belize, and out-of-the-closet, now father of twins, Ricky Martin snapped up a private island getaway in April 2008 for a reported $6m. This can be found just off the Angra dos Reis coast in Brazil. Shakira does the Waka Waka on a 700-acre private island in Bonds Cay, which cost her, Roger Waters, and Spanish pop star Alejandro Sanz $16m. They plan to turn it into a private retreat for artists.

To read the full article visit Realestateweb

NBC’s today show is currently running a vote for where to send newly married couple Jeremy and Melissa on their honeymoon. Naturally on the list is a number of private island resorts including  Parrot Cay in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Crystal-clear turquoise waters surround 3.2 miles of white sand beaches. This trendsetting private-island resort on a gorgeous beach with a serene Asian aesthetic offers a quiet setting, top-notch spa, and has hosted celebrity weddings such as that of Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner, who married in the sand and then honeymooned on the property. There are no cars on the 1,000-acre private isle; guests get around via golf cart.

visit msnbc.com for your chance to vote!

It is great to find a private island deal and acccording to the listing Live Oaks Island in North Carolina is listed as a motivated seller. Live Oaks Island is a 12-acre turnkey paradise of breathtaking views and quiet retreat nestled among one of the most pristine wildlife estuaries along the east coast of South Carolina. The Island offers rare access by yacht or by car through a gated, locked, private causeway of half a mile of paved road lined with palm trees. On Live Oaks Island, you can enjoy a stunning panorama of St. Helena Sound, one of the most unspoiled inlets on the Atlantic Coast. If you are seeking a peaceful getaway or a serene retreat for relaxing activities with excellent investment potential, Live Oaks Island is your ideal location.

to learn more about this island is visit private islands online.