10 Private Islands You Might Actually Be Able to Afford

Underwood Island is a 2-acre property located in Coventry Lake, Conn. At $250,000, this island is a steal considering it includes a newly renovated house, a pier for easy docking, and a small mainland lot. It would make a great getaway spot for someone working long hours in New York City.

This 3.3-acre island in Stuart Lake in British Columbia, Canada, costs $105,000 (and the price is negotiable). An old house on the property is falling apart but has a stable foundation. That means much of the work on a unique dream home has already been done for you.

Perhaps a Nordic country isn't the destination you had in mind when considering buying an island, but this one has its perks. For starters, the price of 495,000 euros (about $630,000) includes a small log cabin with a sauna. There are also permits in place for additional houses. The dock was finished five years ago and the island lies about an hour from the mainland.

Spanish Island is unexpectedly located in Ireland. It's enormous for a private island -- 130 acres -- but there's been very little development. The entire piece of property costs 600,000 euros ($760,740) and lies close to the fishing village of Baltimore in County Cork.

This is what you probably think a private island "should" look like. The developed, quarter-acre Isla Paloma in Panama is certainly picturesque. There's a white sandy beach, exotic plants (but allegedly no snakes or spiders), and a furnished two-bedroom house with a dock, boathouse, and "party shack." A solar power system and backup gas generator are also in place. The price: $400,000.

For a summer fishing weekend, rent an island on the Michigamme River in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The surrounding waters are filled with bass, as well as walleye, trout, and perch. The cost is less than $500 per night for a three-bedroom log cabin with running water, electricity, a kitchen, and a fireplace.

This amazing option on Airbnb is just $500 a night for a couple and an additional $50 per person (max of 10). The private 10-acre island has two Fijian-style houses stocked with snorkeling, kayaking, and fishing gear. Two locals, who accompany anyone who stays, know the best "secret" spots and help prepare meals.

This island goes for less than $1,500 per night, which is quite reasonable considering the main house and bunkhouses sleep up to 18 people combined. The 73-acre island is located in Stonington, Maine, near Acadia National Park. Weekly rates are even more affordable: as low as $2,500.

In a Colombian archipelago near Cartagena, an island with a thatch-roof villa can be rented for $450 a night. The furnished, 10,000-square-foot cabin sleeps up to 25 people in four air-conditioned bedrooms with ocean views. Hammocks, a wraparound deck, and a white-sand beach complete the picture.

Charlie's Island is a small piece of secluded land in the Florida Keys that rents for $2,995 per week. Included is a houseboat that sleeps six to eight people and holds kayaking, fishing, and snorkeling equipment. Guests are free to camp on the island if they wish.