One need not travel to the ends of the earth or spend $10M to secure a decent private island paradise, but, at least in the case of Fiji's Nananu-i-Cake Island, it sure doesn't hurt. The 600-acre isle sits just a short boat ride from the Fijian mainland, but is a nearly totally pristine example of conservation, save, of course, for the five-bedroom hilltop mansion, designed by architect Murray Cockburn. That grand house includes six bedrooms, a library, great room, a swimming pool, and a separate bure—a straw hut—used for outdoor dining. To make things easier on the millionaire buyer, the island comes in turn-key condition, including "staff quarters, tables, horse and sheep paddocks inclusive of stock, boats, jeeps," and a deep-water jetty.
? This tiny island in the Florida Keys, known as Melody Key, might not have the five white sand beaches of its Fijian counterpart, but it is cheaper, far closer to home, and has some celebrity provenance attached. Formerly owned by 311 frontman Nick Hexum, who sold it in 2011, the island has a solar-powered three-bedroom home that towers over the surrounding palms, providing views of the water beyond. Melody Key is currently listed for nearly $6M.
? Fans of Wes Anderson's The Life Aquatic or handy buyers looking for a fixer-upper would do well to check out this currently run-down island in the Bahamas. Located just off the coast of North Eleuthera and across a bay from the discrete hamlet of Harbour Island, the 3.5-acre island is currently home to several decrepit buildings and a cesspool-like inlet, but is priced accordingly, at $1.5M.
? For something more substantial in the Bahamas, try Williams Cay, a 180-acre isle in the Exumas, not far from the island owned by A-lister Johnny Depp. The main house is a particularly bold shade of pink, but its 5,000 square feet hold six bedrooms and seven baths. The island receives shore power thanks to an undersea cable, but should there be a power disruption, a 100kw generator is available to provide backup. Further peace of mind comes from "1000 gallon underground diesel storage tank, two underground 1500 gallon gas tanks and a reverse osmosis water system." Listed for $21.9M, the island comes complete with boats and golf carts.
? This 510-acre undeveloped island lies off the north coast of St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands and packs in nearly every desirable island feature—multiple sandy beaches, lush greenery, turquoise water, and a mountain from which to take it all in—but it is one hell of a project. First, it's listed for a whopping $29.5M. But it is the fact that the island is completely undeveloped that's the real trouble, meaning everything from a dock to an undersea electrical cable to water treatment would have to be installed, at great expense, by the buyer. Good luck lottery winners!
· Nananu-i-Cake Island [Knight Frank]
· Off-The-Grid Private Island Perfect for Latest Powerball Millionaires [Realtor.com]
· Wonderful location near Harbour Island [Christie's International Real Estate]
· Williams Cay [Sotheby's International Realty]
· Great Hans Lollik [Private Islands Online]
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