Private Islands

There are a number of, in fact thousands of islands that are uninhabited and rich in potential for exclusive private or commercial development. Now you can also watch your own island feature among the holiday hot spots of the world. You could develop the island to cater to the vacationer's requirement of a tourist resort or for private recreational use, reaching out to select clientele. However, when considering the purchase of a private island, you also have to be sensitive to the fact that the commercial development of these uninhabited islands can rake up genuine ecological concerns. Many of these surprisingly uninhabited islands have sprung up from literally nowhere! There is a possibility of them having a very fragile environment that may not rise up to the fundamentals of road construction and other infrastructural requirements.

The glam and glitz world of celebrities like Tony Curtis and Diana Ross have one thing in common - a private island ownership! Many international film and sports personalities own private islands and so do the myriad of cruise line companies that operate from around the world. These private islands in the case of the cruise liners, serve as exclusive ports and exclusive get-aways with hotels and leased villas. Governments around the world follow widely varying politics regarding the ownership of private islands. Depending on the proximity to the mainland, the islands outside the coast may or may not be available for purchase. In the latter, the government leases the island or islands with a maximum leasing period pre-determined.

There are hardly any private islands in the world that are not already the properties of the various governments. Hence, the laws governing the 'claim' and 'sovereignty' are strict, keeping in mind internal security and military requirements. However, there are some people who have managed to establish smaller nations on some private owned islands. The international law specifies that a private island is one which is at least 30 cm above the high tide point. Many of the so-called private islands are in fact, leased and not legally 'entirely private', especially if they include beaches. This becomes property of the state and publicly accessible property.

When considering the purchase of a private island, it is important to keep in mind how far away the island is from the mainland. It is important to consider the proximity to facilities like hospitals and emergency units and whether or not the 'ownership' clearly determined by the governing authorities. There are number of countries that restrict foreign ownership, while there are some that impose restrictions on development. You have to also consider the availability of essentials like safe water, need for a desalination plant and the political stability of the host nation and proximity to a power grid. Private island used to be earlier considered for the pathologically reclusive; however today things have changed. The private islands are today sought for solitude and scenic beauty by billionaires and celebrities alike.

The main attraction in the mere thought of 'owning an entire island' is most certainly the thrill of exclusive ownership. The island, surrounded by water, serves as an effective get-away from the routine and stress associated with the outside world. No neighbors and nobody without permission! The element of fantasy that comes 'free' with the ownership is unparalleled. The small and contained properties, without beaches, in not-so-attractive settings can actually be bought for as little as $200,000, while the more expensive ones go for $40 million and above! Many of the private islands are now government declared and aided nature preserves. These scale the travel charts and become part of exclusive package deals.

The reason that the crème de la crème indulge in the purchase of private islands is that they offer the celebrities beaches to lounge on and clear, emerald waters to swim in. However, the regular and most popular holiday indulgence of shopping is possible only if the island is close to civilization.