A facinating article in the new Spring/Summer issue of Private Islands Magazine reveals  how the business of selling private islands actually began. The article is particularly interesting because most island enthusiasts probably think that Farhad Vladi started the business. It turns out that Farhad Vladi gave up on trying to sell islands back in the 70s and it was his then partner Rene Bohm that persisted and ended up finding the first buyer, which sparked the creation of the island business.

I have read pretty much every article ever written about private islands, and many of them mention Farhad Vladi, but none of them mention Rene Bohm.

Read the Full Article

Friendly Bungalows located on the volcanic outer island of Tanna in Vanuatu offers the chance to experience once in a lifetime authentic Robinson Crusoe-style adventure travel.

Floating homes have long been a dream for both designers and island owners who want to maintain the ecological purity of their island without compromising on luxury.

One of the most recent designs that is in the early development stages is both luxurious and eco-friendly. This solar powered floating home is about 5 meters wide and 15 meters long with two levels. Sleeping bunks, mechanical equipment and hatches are on the lower level and the upper level contains living space, a kitchen, a bathroom and two bedrooms. In total there are six beds and a sliding panel helps close off the rooms for more privacy. Vertical blinds on the facade act as a shading device for the interior as well as a privacy system. Stairs lead up to the roof, which serves as an extra deck, and roof integrated solar panels generate electricity for the two electric engines that propel the home.

Source: inhabitat.

Freehold islands are rare in Asia, and finding an affordable, freehold island in this region is even more rare. This is why I am please do share with you all Koh Som Island.

Koh Som Island is a pristine three acre island located in the Gulf of Thailand located just 2000 feet of the shores of the famous Koh Samui Island, this freehold property offers incredible sunrise and sunset views, and, unusually, offers sea access at two points. Stunning white sand beaches dust the south and east of Koh Som—“Orange Island.” The first beach looks toward Koh Samui; the second gazes over open sea to Koh Phangan.

Suitable for an island resort or private residence, Koh Som offers incredible development opportunities. Already on the map, courtesy of famed neighbor, Koh Samui, this property offers privacy and seclusion combined with access to tourist infrastructure. Conceptual plans for a five-star resort have been drawn up and are available to Koh Som’s future owners.

For more information on this property or to make an inquiry visit Private Islands Online.

Summer Hill Island is a rare change to live on a private island located on the pristine Lake Glenville, one of the treasures of North Carolina’s Southern Blue Ridge Mountains. Amidst all this wealth of natural wonders sits 4.6-acre Summer Hill Island.

 Offering a well appointed, custom, four-bedroom, four-bathroom home with antique heart pine wood floors, the island is the perfect weekend and summer getaway. A fine family kitchen offers upscale cottage elegance. Expansive covered decks are perfectly positioned for enjoying the beautiful lake and Blue Ridge Mountains views and cool summer breezes.

Keep the entire island for yourself or take advantage of Summer Hill Island’s gentle topography—ideal for the construction of up to three additional guest homes or other amenities. This splendid property is offered for sale for $3,450,000. Visit Private Islands Online for more information.

Probably one of the most bold island development proposals I have seen in a long time a group of architects from the Netherlands have proposed a crazy idea to take all the plastic floating in the Pacific Ocean and recycle it into a floating island the size of Hawaii.

Climate refugees would be able to move there and live in recycled plastic homes, and work on farms or grow seaweed. The entire island would be totally self-sufficient once built, producing its own food and energy, and managing waste. While totally off the wall, this is an intriguing concept that gets our imaginations in motion about what we can do with that ginormous mass of plastic floating around in the ocean.  

For more information on this proposal visit Inhabitat.

If you are looking for a property in Florida a Private Island is guarenteed to eclipse mainland properties on everything from views to development opportunities.

One of the most luxurious properties currently on the market in Florida is Hopkins Island. This 12.5-acre property located near the popular Big Pine Key wows on all fronts. Located about 2.5 miles offshore, it rests in an upscale area between Long Beach Estates and the exclusive Little Palm Island Resort.

 Only 25 minutes from Key West and easily reachable from Miami, this island estate not only offers seclusion but also convenient access to international airports. But what really sets Hopkins Island apart from its Keys companions are the conveniences you’ll find within its sandy terrain. Whether you choose an arrival by air or sea, Hopkins accommodates; an interior basin with extensive dock space provides a haven for boats away from waves and storms, while a grassy inland area has ample room for a few helicopters to land.

At the center of this island is a three-story, four-bedroom home that’s ready for a new owner—no construction necessary. The island is entirely self-sufficient—thanks to four new 24-volt Hawker Power Safes (hydrogen battery strings), charged by a series of photovoltaic solar panels and a backup generator. Rainwater storage is supported by a Saltwater RO system capable of producing 1,200 gallons daily.

For more information on this property visit Private Islands Online.

To make his private island even more exclusive, Richard Branson has added an “underwater plane” to the compliment of luxuries at his ultra exclusive Necker Island.

The billionaire entrepreneur, recently ranked the world’s 212th richest man, gave the Oprah Winfrey Show unprecedented access to Necker, his 74-acre Caribbean island.  He gave presenter Nate Berkus a tour of his home, which he has recently finished building, his cliff top guest house and his extravagant toys.

The submarine uses its wings to create downward lift underwater and is fitted with scuba gear for its pilot and two passengers. 

‘It’s like an airplane that flies underwater, a little fighter plane,’ Branson said.

And he allowed cameras to shoot as he went for his first ride on the Nymph, describing the experience as ‘brilliant’ through microphones fitted on his scuba gear
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1266111/Sir-Richard-Branson-takes-spin-new-underwater-plane-gives-sneak-peek-inside-Necker-Island.html?ITO=1490#ixzz0lSstvcdO

Although well-known in the island world , Antigua has largely gone unnoticed in the mainstream. This is changing with a  growing number of Europeans  scouting real estate on the Caribbean island of Antigua, lured by its legendary 365 beaches and the explosion of upscale properties that have come on the market in recent years.

Jumby Bay a exclusive private island resort is leading Anituga’s reimaging with the recent completion of a 28$ renovation.  In addition to the hotel, where rooms are furnished with mahogany four-poster beds and marble baths, there are 49 privately owned homes. Prices generally start at about $4.25 million but can be more than $30 million.

Accessible only by private ferry, the island is owned and operated by Jumby Bay Island Co., and individual homeowners are shareholders. The hotel is managed by Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, the luxury company that also runs The Mansion on Turtle Creek in Dallas.

This island is not located in any ordinary bay, this island, known as Red Rock Island is located in San Francisco Bay, California. It’s rare to find something so  unique, Red Rock Island is a property like no other. Six acres of rocky, Northern California terrain with surreal surroundings, the island has a myriad of possibilities for tourism development, preservation as a natural sanctuary, mineral extraction site, or just as your highly unique personal retreat. Extensive development details and plans are available on request from interested parties.

The island is listed at US $22,000,000, which includes all available mineral rights.

For more information visit Private Islands Online.

LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SA, the world’s largest maker of luxury goods recently announced plans to open two luxury property developments on islands in Oman and Egypt under the Cheval Blanc brand.

The projects, developed in collaboration with Orascom Hotels and Development, will cost $100 million, with Orascom providing $40 million and the rest coming from other investors and banks, Orascom Chairman and founder Samih Sawiris said in a text message. They are expected to open in 2012, Paris-based LVMH said in an e-mailed statement.

LVMH also said it created a hotel management unit to retain control of its hospitality businesses while minimizing its capital commitment.

The Maison Cheval Blanc in Oman is on the 11 square- kilometer island of Al Sodah and includes 32 private villas, LVMH said. The development in Egypt is on the private island of Amoun in Aswan and will include about 40 suites overlooking the Nile, the company said.

Business Week.