For those of you out there looking for remote living at its best, why not consider purchasing your own private island? In fact, islands are for sale all over the world and often times it's simply the purest form of off grid living. From the Caribbean, to San Francisco and beyond private islands are available for the taking.
For island owners like Richard Branson, it wasn't as costly as you may think. And there are also those privately owned islands that have been passed down in families almost like oversized estates or trust funds. Dotting the globe like specks of dust, these simple paradises leave many a bystander in awe.
1. Necker Island
Photo: Creatas Images
Necker Island is a small island in the British Virgin Islands just north of Virgin Gorda. All of the land on the island is owned by Sir Richard Branson of Virgin Records. The entire island operates like a resort and can accommodate up to 26 guests. Branson paid about $140,000 for the island in 1978 and he spent $10 million to turn the 74 acre island into a luxurious island oasis.
2. Gardiners Island
Photo: iStockphoto
Gardiners Island is a small island in the town of East Hampton, New York. It's 6 miles long and 3 miles wide and has been in the Gardiner family as a royal grant from the English crown for nearly 400 years. The 3,000 acre island has the largest strand of white oak in the Northeast as well as rare birds and Indian artifacts,
3. Niihau
Photo: Hemera
Niihau is the smallest of Hawaii's inhabited islands. Elizabeth Sinclair purchased Niihau in 1864 for $10,000 from the Kingdom of Hawaii and private ownership passed on to her descendants, the Robinson family. Hawaiian is still exclusively spoken on the island and it's nicknamed the "Forbidden Isle" because it's generally off limits to the public. The island is also home to the endangered monk seal.
4. Red Rock Island
Photo: iStockphoto
Red Rock Island is an uninhabited, 5.8 acre island in the San Francisco Bay. The island has been passed down between private owners and is now for sale for $22 million. It's a habitat like no other, made of solid red rock with no natural source of water. The island is located in three counties San Francisco, Marin, and Contro Costa.
5. Pakatoa Island
Photo: John Foxx/Stockbyte
Pakatoa Island comprises 60 acres of exclusive island in Aucklands Waitemata Harbour along the New Zealand coastline. It's a 15 minute helicopter ride to Auckland City. The island was developed in the 1950's with a restaurant and coffee bar, lounge bars, and a hotel but it's just waiting to be updated. You can purchase it all for a meer $23 million.
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