Picture this: you’ve packed your bags and headed off on holiday to an exotic island location.
The sun is shining, the water is bright blue, your phone is set to ‘do not disturb’ – and there’s not another soul for miles.
Sound good?
Well, you could secure this dreamlike reality for yourself – as you can literally book a stay off the grid without another person in sight.
So if you fancy a really spectacular holiday, here are the private islands you can rent out in their entirety…
Osea Island, UK
First up is one impressive location that’s not so far from home – Osea Island in Goldhanger, Essex.
Richard Young, 50, the co-founder of selfcatering.co.uk, shared this secluded island stay from his company’s collection, which is a celeb favourite that can accommodate up to 188 guests.
Osea Island, in Goldhanger, Essex, is an exclusive option available for whole island private hire
Located just 90 minutes from London, the island is comprised of four event spaces and 28 self-catering properties
Located just 90 minutes from London, the island is comprised of four event spaces and 28 self-catering properties, with prices starting at £48,000 for a week’s stay, and varying depending on the season.
The island has a heated outdoor swimming pool, saltwater lido, tennis court, cinema room, games room and gym – and there are acres of private grounds to explore, with communal bikes dotted throughout the island, and 4.5 miles of coastline with private beaches.
Due to its extraordinary size, it’s a perfect choice for a wedding, special occasion, or corporate event – and X Factor star Olly Murs even hired it out for his big day in 2023.
But he’s not the only celeb to have visited.
Actress Sienna Miller and model Poppy Delevingne have holidayed on the island, as well as some of music’s biggest names – such as Stormzy and Rihanna – as it’s home to a state-of-the-art recording studio.
Eilean Sionnach, Isle of Skye
A tiny island just off the Isle of Skye, close to the village of Isleornsay, is available on Airbnb for a secluded stay or via its website.
Eilean Sionnach Lighthouse Cottage was listed in The Times’ list of the Best Places to Stay in Scotland in 2023 – and it’s easy to see why, given its unique and disconnected location.
Eilean Sionnach, a tiny island just off the Isle of Skye, close to the village of Isleornsay, is available on Airbnb for a secluded stay
The property was in The Times’ list of the Best Places to Stay in Scotland
If you book a stay here, you’ll get access to the whole house and four-acre island.
The views are spectacular, promising scenes across the water for miles.
The listing also adds you must be able to climb in and out of a boat and walk across a rocky shore to reach the accommodation.
The island costs from £395 a night, and you must book three nights minimum.
Prince Island, Belize
Up-and-coming travel destination Belize has bright blue waters all around it – and some tiny luxury islands you can rent out in their entirety.
Just off San Pedro, Prince Island is an eight‑acre private retreat offering complete exclusivity, accessible via a short domestic flight from Belize City to San Pedro, and a 30‑minute boat transfer.
The island’s accommodation has capacity for up to 18 adults and four children, based around a central social hub with an infinity pool, shaded lounges, and a pool table.
Just off San Pedro, Prince Island is an eight‑acre private retreat offering complete exclusivity, accessible via a short domestic flight from Belize City to San Pedro, and a 30‑minute boat transfer
The island’s accommodation has capacity for up to 18 adults and four children, based around a central social hub with an infinity pool, shaded lounges, and a pool table
Prince Island’s prices are available on request.
But its all‑inclusive package covers gourmet meals prepared by a private chef, curated cocktails, daily housekeeping, and excursions.
Hvaler, Vesterøy, Norway
A private island is available to book in the beautiful archipelago of Hvaler, the municipality with the highest number of sunny days per year in Norway, according to its listing on Host Unusual.
A private island is available to book in the beautiful archipelago of Hvaler the municipality with the highest number of sunny days per year in Norway
The secluded getaway has small private beaches at low tide, plenty of bare rock faces and a small privy, in addition to the cabin and a small side building containing a kitchen.
Unlike some of the more glamorous locations, this Norwegian stay provides more humble settings – with a price tag to match.
It costs from £248.87 per night to rent, with a minimum of three-night stays.
Cycladic Private Island, Greece
Nestled in the Aegean Sea, the Cyclades islands are known for their traditional towns and beaches – and here’s one you can have all to yourself.
Avoid the tourist traps of Greek islands such as Mykonos or Santorini with a secret getaway on Cycladic Private Island, which sleeps up to 20 people.
Larger groups and private events for up to 500 guests can also be arranged on request, with additional accommodation on the mainland.
The owner and staff can be on hand as little or as much as you like, depending on your personal desires, and there’s lots of hiking on the island to keep you occupied if you so wish.
Avoid tourist traps with a secret getaway on Cycladic Private Island, which sleeps up to 20 people
Athens is within easy reach by boat, making this island an ideal base from which to explore the mainland.
Prices begin at €5,000 (£4,340) a night on this island.
The Island in Oxfordshire, England
Oxford and the Cotswolds are known for their quiet villages and small towns, not their island-like atmosphere.
But there’s a tiny island you can stay at if you’re in the area, located at Hardwick Parks, a popular holiday and watersports venue.
You’ll need to drive the motorboat provided for a two-minute journey across to the island.
Drivers must be aged 25 and up, and hold a valid drivers license.
The Island can fit up to 22 guests, making it perfect for a big group getaway.
There’s a tiny island you can stay at if you’re in the area, located at Hardwick Parks, a popular holiday and watersports venue
And there’s lots to do as the island has an Arctic spa hot tub, a barbecue and pizza oven, a table tennis table and a kids’ play area.
Stays on this UK island start from £3,500 for a four-night stay, depending on the season.
Necker Island, British Virgin Islands
You might, perhaps, have heard of this ultra-luxe private island located in the British Virgin Islands in the Caribbean.
That’s because it’s one of the world’s most luxurious islands, and is owned by Sir Richard Branson.
It sleeps up to 48 guests across 24 rooms, and guest accommodation includes bedrooms in the Great House and individual Balinese houses around the island.
Necker Island can be booked exclusively for up to 48 adults and six children, or at certain times of the year, you can book individual rooms.
Its 74-acre land is covered in white sand beaches and surrounded by the turquoise waters the region is so famed for.
Necker Island can be booked exclusively for up to 48 adults and six children, or at certain times of the year, you can book individual rooms
It’s one of the world’s most luxurious islands, and is owned by Sir Richard Branson
For exclusive use of the island, prices begin at $6,043 (£4,516) per night, making it a pricy getaway.
But there are also dates throughout the year when you can book individual stays in the accommodation, without hiring out the entire island.
Necker Island is the flagship of the Virgin Limited Edition collection.
El Coyol, Lake Nicaragua
Located just a 10-minute boat trip away from the city of Granada – a UNESCO World Heritage site – is El Coyol, a private island in the freshwater Lake Nicaragua
El Coyol sleeps up to eight adults and has a true immersed-in-nature feel to it
Located just a 10-minute boat trip away from the city of Granada in Nicaragua is El Coyol, a private island in the freshwater Lake Nicaragua.
El Coyol sleeps up to eight adults and has a true immersed-in-nature feel to it.
The property has a stunning 12-metre infinity pool as well as plenty of quiet spots to soak up the island ambiance.
There are double and single kayaks available for exploring the waterways and surrounding islands.
And, from £600 a night with a minimum of two nights, it’s a luxurious option for a celebration or romantic getaway.
