10 of the most expensive private islands for sale right now

From one of the largest isles in the Bahamas to an atoll in the Maldives, these are the priciest private islands currently on the market

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  1. Vatuvara Private Islands, Fiji - $155 million. Own not one, but four private islands in the Pacific Ocean including Vatuvara Island, Kaibu Island, Kanacea Island and Adavaci Island. Courtesy Vladi Private Islands

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  2. Private Island Paradise, Thailand - $153.8 million. This 110-acre whale-shaped island is located off the east coast of Phuket and comes with white beaches, tropical forests and incredible views of the Andaman Sea. Courtesy James Edition

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  3. Pumpkin Key, Florida, US - $95 million. Offering privacy without isolation, this 26-acre island in the Florida Keys is 10 minutes by helicopter to Miami's South Beach. It also comes with a three-bedroom mansion and its own marina. Courtesy Private Islands Online

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  4. Long Cay Private Island, Belize - $75 million. Some 20 kilometres off the coast of Placencia, one of Belize's most popular tourist destinations, this 40-acre island also has deep-water access perfect for mooring super yachts. Courtesy Engel & Volkers Belize

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  5. Ifuru Resort, Raa Atol, Maldives - $65 million. A 168-acre island in the Indian Ocean that boasts a 150-villa resort, operational airport and a pristine virgin island. Courtesy Private Islands Online

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  6. Spectabilis Island, Bahamas - $62 million. This Exuma Cays island has 12 beaches, a heli-pad, seaplane ramp and space for a private air strip. It also comes with several celebrity and billionaire neighbours. Courtesy Private Islands Online

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  7. Cave Cay, Bahamas - $60 million. This 220-acre private island in the heart of the Exuma Cays has a deep-water harbour, private marina and aircraft landing strip. Courtesy Private Islands Online

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  8. Water Cay Private Island, Turks and Caicos - $49 million. The most accessible cay in the Turks and Caicos, Water Cay is a 432-acre island complete with more than 200 metres of uninterrupted beach and water frontage. Courtesy Sotheby's International Realty Affiliates LLC

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  9. Motu Tane, French Polynesia - $39 million. Ten minutes from Bora Bora, this island spans 10 acres of beaches, tropical foliage and coconut groves surrounded by the South Pacific. It's also home to 22 traditional thatched Polynesian cottages. Courtesy Private Islands Online

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  10. Pakatoa Island, New Zealand - $35.9 million. A rare find, this secluded island in Haruaki has been on and off the market for years, but now has a reduced price. Just 15 minutes by helicopter from Auckland, it has three private beaches, resort facilities and a nine-hole golf course. Courtesy Vladi Private Islands

With social distancing now the norm, holidaying on a private island could be one safe solution for those keen to get away.

For anyone with more than a bit of spare change in the bank, buying a private island would guarantee year-round holidays and sunshine served in stunning isolation.

One of the largest islands in the Bahamas has become the latest secluded paradise to hit the market and become top contender for a safe holiday hotspot for the world's elite.

Little Ragged Island, also known as St Andrew's, is one of the biggest private islands currently for sale in the Caribbean.

Little Ragged Island is billed as a developer's dream with space to build a luxury retreat, private accommodation and an 18-hole golf course with land leftover. Courtesy Concierge Auctions

Located about 220 kilometres north of Cuba and 600km south-east of Miami, the island spans 295 hectares and is home to rolling hills and endless stretches of beaches, all surrounded by the blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean.

Listed for $19.5 million, with no reserve price, the island is going under the hammer on March 26.

Bidders will need a $100,000 deposit to take part in the auction, which will result in a new owner of the southernmost island of the Caribbean's Ragged Island Chain.

Billed by Concierge Auctions as "a perfect blank canvas" for developers, the island has plenty of space to build a luxury resort, an 18-hole golf course, residential properties and still have land leftover.

With kilometres of beaches, freshwater ponds and forested hills, St Andrew's also comes with access to prime snorkelling and sailing grounds. On its eastern side, it also has deep water access, making it easy for yachts, superyachts and large ships to dock. And getting to the island by air is easy, too, as it's just a 10-minute boat ride away from the nearest private airstrip.

From the Maldives to the South Pacific: the world's most expensive private islands

If the Bahamas isn't your dream destination, but escaping the pandemic to a private island paradise still appeals, there are plenty of other secluded retreats up for grabs.

With asking prices up to an eye-watering $155m, here are 10 of the world's most expensive private islands for sale today.

1. Vatuvara Private Islands, Fiji – $155m
2. Private Island Paradise, Thailand – $153.8m
3. Pumpkin Key, Florida, United States – $95m
4. Long Caye private island, Belize – $75m
5. Ifuru Resort, Raa Atoll, Maldives – $65m
6. Spectabilis Island, Bahamas – $62m
7. Cave Cay, Bahamas – $60m
8. Water Cay Private Island, Turks and Caicos – $49m
9. Motu Tane, French Polynesia – $39m
10. Pakatoa Island, New Zealand – $35.9m

Click through the gallery above to find out more about each private island.

Whether you fancy your own islet in the Maldives, are craving an 44.5ha retreat off the coast of Thailand or want to unwind in French Polynesian waters, if you have the capital then the world's island real estate market likely has the perfect spot for you.

And for the rest of us, there's nothing like a spot of island-induced daydreaming or paradise musing to get you through another week at home.