Islands with one house, or one resort, and the sea all round. Some can be taken whole.
An island changes the shape of a holiday. There is one jetty, one kitchen and one set of people to get to know, and the day is built around the water. These are the islands we come back to.
North Island, Seychelles
All 11 villas and sole use of the entire island and its facilities, each villa for up to four guests
On North Island in the Seychelles, 11 handcrafted villas sit among replanted forest and Green Turtle nesting beaches. Booked whole, all 11 villas and the island's facilities go to one party, and each villa sleeps up to four guests.
Noonu Atoll, Maldives
The whole island, with all its villas, houses and residences
Velaa Private Island is in Noonu Atoll in the Maldives, seven minutes by seaplane or 35 by yacht from Maafaru airport. Its villas, houses and residences range from one-bedroom pool villas to a residence of 1,300 square metres, and the whole island can be booked.
Jumeirah Beach, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, United Arab Emirates
The Burj Al Arab stands on its own man-made island about 280 metres off Jumeirah Beach, joined to the shore by a private curved bridge. Completed in 1999 and rising 321 metres, it was shaped after the sail of an Arabian dhow, and it has defined the Dubai skyline ever since.
Koh Rong Archipelago, Cambodia
Both islands, for one party
Song Saa Private Island spans two small islands in Cambodia's Koh Rong Archipelago, surrounded by a marine reserve. Each of its 24 villas has an infinity pool, and both islands can be hired together for a single private party.
Yaukuve Island, Kadavu, Fiji
Kokomo Private Island lies on Yaukuve Island in Kadavu, Fiji, beside the Great Astrolabe Reef, and guests arrive by seaplane or helicopter. It has 21 beachfront villas with infinity pools and five hilltop residences sleeping six to 12, each with a butler and nanny.
Laucala Island, Fiji
Laucala Island is a private island resort in Fiji, with reef, rainforest and farm-to-table dining. Its 25 villas each have their own pool and open onto ocean or jungle, and activities are planned around plenty of unscheduled time.
Onetahi, Tetiaroa Atoll, French Polynesia
The Brando occupies Onetahi, one of the motu of Tetiaroa Atoll in French Polynesia, the atoll Marlon Brando found while filming in the early 1960s. It has 35 private villas and one private residence, and buyouts are arranged through its groups team.
Little Torch Key, Florida Keys, United States
Island buyout: all 30 oceanfront bungalows, up to 60 guests, with meals, non-alcoholic drinks, yacht transfers and water sports
Little Palm Island is a private island resort in the Florida Keys, reached only by sea or air, with thatched-roof bungalows and no televisions. An island buyout takes all 30 oceanfront bungalows for up to 60 guests, with meals and water sports included.
Some islands can be taken whole, and some are a single resort that also welcomes other guests. Each listing says which. A buyout is arranged with the island's own team, and I check exactly what it includes for your dates.
By boat, seaplane or small aircraft, depending on the island. The transfer is part of the design, timed to your flights and booked with everything else.
Sea and air transfers depend on the weather. If one is delayed, the island's team and I work on the next safe way across. It is one more reason travel insurance matters on these journeys, and why the first night is never planned too tightly.
Your booking is made with Colletts Travel Limited, the licence holder, and the island's own payment schedule and cancellation terms apply. A buyout may carry different terms from a single villa. Whatever applies to your stay is set out in your proposal before you confirm.
Often, but it needs checking. Medical care can be a boat or a flight away, so if anyone travelling has a condition or a disability that may affect the trip, tell me before booking, and I ask the island to confirm it is suitable.
Also in Stays
Availability, seasons and minimum stays vary by property and by date. Write to Jess and she will check them for your dates.
