20 Private Islands You Might Actually Be Able to Afford

Owning a private island has practically become a commonplace status symbol among the world's richest citizens (Think Richard Branson's Necker Island and Johnny Depp's Little Hall's Pond Cay.) But as it turns out, you don't necessarily have to be a billionaire to afford your own private island escape. There are a few websites that list islands for sale such as Private Islands Inc. and Vladi Private Islands, and if you search the sites carefully, you just may find a few listings well below the $1 million mark.

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Location: Nova Scotia
Asking price: $65,000 

Located in an area known for its natural beauty, as well as its fishing and wildlife, Half Island is less than 1 mile from the mainland, which means that getting to this 6-acre private retreat should be fairly easy. The island itself includes an Airstream camper shell that's included in the purchase price "as is." As for what to do while visiting your exclusive retreat, popular activities here include boating, canoeing, sailing, and fishing. And don't miss exploring Inhabitants Bay and its many coves.

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Location: 1.5 miles north of San Pedro

Asking price: $69,500

Just a quarter of an acre, this tiny island still offers plenty of space for a home or small eco-lodge. Enjoy fly fishing on the lagoon side of the island, or try bird watching. Both native and migratory birds, including heron, regret, spoonbill, and osprey, are likely to drop by. 

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Location: Lake Nicaragua
Asking price: $90,000

Part of Las Isletas de Granada, this 1-acre island features palm and mango trees and has already been connected to electricity. The land however is undeveloped. But for a mere $90,000, you should have money left over to build a home right?

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Location: Hudson River, New York
Asking price: $99,000 

A wooded island with some clear areas, this retreat is located halfway between New York City and Albany. It can be reached easily by boat from the mainland, which is about 150 feet away. While there are some existing camp facilities on the island, they would need to be replaced.

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Location: Northern Ireland
Asking price: 85,000 to 90,000 GBP (about $106,318) 

Have you daydreamed about owning an idyllic getaway in Ireland? This could be your chance. Crehan Island is a 6-acre retreat that's described as a nature lover's paradise, particularly for bird watchers. The island features mature oaks, scotch pine, and beech trees. The purchase price includes a wooden cabin that can be used for storage or camping. There's also a solid, private wooden jetty that can accommodate smaller boats or a larger motor cruiser. The island is not far from both Derryad and Geaglum Quays. The busy market town of Lisnaskea, (where there are schools, churches, a medical clinic, and a variety of shops and pubs) is within a 15-minute drive.

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Location: Prince Edward Island

Asking price: $110,000

This 11-acre private island has remained mostly untouched since the surrounding community of Eldon was settled in 1750, so you will be snapping up an undeveloped wilderness. You can kayak to the island in under 10 minutes, and the nearest town, Charlottetown, is a half hour away. The island is ideal as a camping base for canoeing or kayaking trips.

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Location: Northern Konnevesi Lake
Asking price: 99,600 euro (About $111,731) 

A country that consistently receives high marks for its quality of living, Finland might not be a bad place to own a private retreat. Salonpää is located a lake about 62 miles from the city of Jyvaskyla. There's already a cottage on the island that features a large terrace, living room, sleeping alcove and a sauna, all of which doesn't sound half bad right? There's also a woodshed and an old smoke sauna. The shores around the island are partly sandy.

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Location: Bocas del Toro

Asking price: $120,000

Not only do you get one private island for less than the cost of many houses in the U.S., you get two. As you might expect, though the combined size of the islands is just .30 of an acre and the land is undeveloped. However, there is a dock you can snorkel from. You'll be sharing the island with howler monkeys, but restaurants and civilization is just a 30-minute boat ride away.

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Location: Nova Scotia
Asking price: $124,858

Apparently there are plenty of private islands to go around in Nova Scotia. This undeveloped 11-acre gem features its own cove and is just one-quarter mile away from the mainland. The purchase price also includes an easement for the parking of two vehicles on the mainland and a mainland dock easement near the parking.

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Location: Wildwood, New Jersey
Asking Price: $125,000

This 19-acre private island is just minutes away from the Doo-Wop Capital of the World (Wildwood), but do be aware that the island is just three feet above water or less, though it can be raised with the proper building permits. Another bonus? The island has low taxes of less than $360 a year. 

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Location: Turneffe Atoll
Asking price: $149,000 

Don't let the name of this 0.941-acre island scare you. Deadman Caye is a lovely retreat one hour from Belize City surrounded by clear Caribbean waters. The island is walking distance to a reef, which breaks right in front of the property and offers top-notch snorkeling. Deadman Caye is also surrounded by flats for bonefishing.

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Location: Dunmanus Bay, West Cork
Asking price: $290,074

If tropical temperatures are not a requirement of your private island, this 4-acre retreat in Ireland provides a budget friendly option. Located on picturesque Dunmanus Bay in West Cork, the island is within 200 meters of the land and just a few minutes from Durrus Village. But be prepared to do some work if you buy this island as there is no existing house or any other type of structure. The island is for sale as is.

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Location: Stono River, South Carolina
Asking price: $297,000 

Technically two private islands conjoined via a boardwalk, this purchase includes a small cabin with a wood burning stove and a screen porch ideal for sitting and taking in the sunset. Stono Island also features a deep-water dock and just minutes from a boat landing, making it relatively easy to do supply runs. Fishing, bird watching, and kayaking are just some of the activities that might fill your day here.

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Location: Kettle Moraine Valley region, Wisconsin
Asking price: $350,000 

A wooded, 1-acre island on a 120-acre spring-fed lake in southern Wisconsin, Fairy Island comes with a 40-foot long pier that includes an expanded patio area. There's also a two-bedroom island cottage that was recently remodeled and refurnished. Highlights include new slate flooring, a window-filled sun porch, wood stove and low-maintenance vinyl siding. Fairy Island is just 90 miles northwest of Chicago.

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Location: Off the coast of Bastimento
Asking price: $360,000 

An exotic 3.4-acre retreat located in Panama's famous Bocas del Toro archipelago (a region known for its lush vegetation and fauna found only in this part of the world), Wild Cane Key features picturesque beach front, plenty of coconut palms to provide shade, and is surrounded by crystal clear water that's filled with coral reefs. There are several locations on the island to build a home or cottage. One caveat however — the island is best accessed by helicopter, so keep that in mind when mulling a purchase. If you don't happen to own a helicopter or don't want to deal with flying in, the island can be accessed by boat, but only during calm seas. This one is currently under contract, so don't get too excited about getting a deal.

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Location: Penobscot Bay, Maine
Asking price: $395,000 

This 5-acre island offers views of the open bay to one side and a protected cove on the other side. There are also meadows to explore and stands of spruce and balsam, as well as wild strawberries and roses. If all of that isn't lovely enough, this picture-postcard Maine getaway is connected to Vinalhaven Island by a sandbar during low tides. A small existing building on the island could be restored to provide studio or guest space and zoning allows for the construction of a 600-square-foot structure as well.

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Location: Southwest of Long Caye
Asking price: $399,000 

This 0.7-acre island is notably located within the calm waters of Lighthouse Reef Atoll, a place that is significant because it is one of only four atolls in the Western Hemisphere that is home to two United Nations World Heritage Sites — the Great Blue Hole and also Half Moon Caye National Park. The atoll is also known for its scuba diving, snorkeling, sailing, sport fishing and bird watching, among many other activities. Hat Caye comes with a few fisherman shacks that include a kitchen and sleeping areas. There's also a pier with a 6- to 7-foot draft.

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Location: Dolphin Bay near Bocas Del Toro
Asking price: $403,00 

A mere one-third acre, this island may not be expansive, but it still provides a notable tropical getaway. Located in Dolphin Bay, Isla Carabana Sol includes a two-story house with covered verandas and two self-contained apartments. There's also a raised deck with a new hot tub and barbecue grill. The island's landscaping includes plumeria, gardenias, young coconut trees, pineapple plants, a papaya tree, and an avocado tree. And did we mention the tiki hut, small sand beach and private swimming lagoon with clear water behind the house? You'll be sharing the Isla Carabana Sol with green parrots and howler monkeys.

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Location: 15 minute boat ride from Placencia Village
Asking Price: $499,000

An undeveloped 5.3 acre island, Opal Caye is covered in mangroves and jungle foliage, so making a home here would require a little (lot) of work. But the private island is surrounded by manatees, frigates, and pelicans, and best of all Placencia is about to become home to a private, international airport, making the option of putting an eco-lodge on the property even more appealing.

Location: North of Royal Island
Asking price: $700,000 

Dubbed the best-priced private island in the Bahamas, Golding Cay is just 10 minutes by boat from the picturesque fishing village of Spanish Wells. This means you'll have easy access for supply runs, and maintenance needs, not to mention the ability to dine out in Spanish Wells when you grow bored of solitary island life. Golding Cay is also located in close proximity to North Eleuthera International Airport. There are pretty beaches on your private getaway and some coconut trees to boot. The waters surrounding the Golding Cay offer great diving reefs.