As current travel opportunities are limited by the coronavirus pandemic, new research by Spaseekers shows “private islands” are seeing an increase with 156% in search demand over the last year. In August alone there were over 8,100 searches for ‘islands for sale’ an increase of +124% on last year.
Interest in islands in the UK, Bahamas and Caribbean are most popular with many looking to escape reality to a luxurious location. The data also reveals searches for ‘how much does it cost to buy an island’ have increased by 200% over last year as people look for isolated locations to get away to.
Searches for private islands have spiked in the following locations, highlighting where in the world is most in-demand…
- UK – 320%
- Bahamas – 250%
- Caribbean – 126%
- Scotland – 250%
- Europe – 188%
- Philippines 133%
- Cornwall – 125%
- Florida – 54%
- Greece- 29%
- Dubai – 29%
Research by Spaseekers also ranks the worlds biggest and most expensive islands featuring the uber-rich and famous including Beyoncé, Leonardo DiCaprio, Shakira and more.
For many of the world’s elite, a private island is the ultimate sign of wealth, with exclusive locations across Hawaii, Greece and the Bahamas setting you back millions and providing a vacation in the isolation away from the restrictions of COVID-19.
This new data ranks the world’s wealthiest private island owners based on how much they paid for their slice of paradise, how many acres they own, and how much their island is worth today.
The research reveals the top ten most expensive islands and is topped by Larry Ellison who’s island was valued at a whopping £214 million!
- Lanai, Hawaii – owned by Larry Ellison – £214million
- Skorpios, Greece – owned by billionaire heiress Ekaterina Rybolovea – £74million
- Musha Cay, The Bahamas – owned by David Copperfield – £39million
- North Island, Seychelles – owned by Mikhail Prokhorov – £25million
- Indigo Island, The Bahamas – owned by LVMH Chairman, Bernard Arnault – £25million
- Grand Bogue Caye, Belize – owned by Bill Gates – £18million
- 12.5 acre island in the Florida Keys owned by Beyoncé and Jay-Z – £16million
- Necker Island, BVI – owned by Richard Branson – £13million
- 5.5-acre private island in England owned by George & Amal Clooney – £11million
- Bonds Cay, The Bahamas – owned by Shakira & Rodger Waters of Pink Floyd – £11million
