When you have a net worth in the billions, a mansion in the Hamptons or a penthouse in London just doesn’t cut it anymore. The ultimate status symbol is your very own island.
A new map visualizes some of the most extravagant private islands across Hawaii, the Caribbean, Australia, Fiji, and the Bahamas. What is fascinating isn’t just the size of these parcels, but the jaw-dropping disparity in what these ultra-wealthy individuals paid per acre. From tech titans to magicians, here is a tour of the world’s most exclusive billionaire playgrounds.
Lana’i, Hawaii – The Tech Mogul’s Kingdom
The owner is Larry Ellison, the Oracle co-founder. The island spans roughly 90,000 acres, and he paid 300 million dollars for it in 2012. Ellison famously bought 98 percent of the entire island of Lana’i, making him the de facto owner of a community with schools, utilities, and hotels. At roughly 3,333 dollars per acre, it was a strategic steal for someone looking to build a sustainable tech utopia.
Laucala, Fiji – The Red Bull Retreat
This island belongs to the Mateschitz family, the heirs of Red Bull. It covers about 3,500 acres and was purchased for 10 million dollars back in 2003. This is the bargain of the list. Purchased by the late Dietrich Mateschitz, this Fijian paradise is now a luxury eco-resort. With a price of roughly 2,857 dollars per acre, it is a reminder that timing is everything in real estate.
Orpheus, Queensland, Australia – The Massive Down Under Estate
Owned by Chris Morris, this island spans roughly 4,200 acres. While the purchase price remains undisclosed, owning over 4,000 acres of Great Barrier Reef-adjacent land puts Morris in an exclusive club alongside the world’s biggest names.
Dunk Island, Queensland, Australia – The Atlassian Getaway
The owner is Annie Cannon-Brookes, wife of the Atlassian co-founder. The island covers about 2,471 acres and was acquired in 2022 for A$23.65 million, which is roughly 16 million US dollars. This relatively modern acquisition shows that the post-COVID desire for private, untouched spaces is still very much alive.
Necker and Moskito Islands, British Virgin Islands – The Branson Duo
Owned by Richard Branson of Virgin Group, these two islands total 199 acres combined (74 and 125 acres respectively). He paid roughly 68.8 million US dollars across purchases made in 2011 and 2017. Branson’s Necker Island is the most famous private island on the planet. Combining it with neighboring Moskito, Branson has created a hospitality empire. Unlike Ellison’s massive estate, Branson’s compact 199 acres cost a hefty 345,000 dollars per acre, proving that prime Caribbean land is worth its weight in gold.
Musha Cay and Cays, Bahamas – The Magician’s Playground
The owner is David Copperfield, the famous illusionist. This Bahamian property totals roughly 700 acres and cost 50 million dollars in 2006. Copperfield turned these cays into a high-end, exclusive resort that rents out for six figures a week. At roughly 71,000 dollars per acre, even illusionists know a solid investment when they see one.
Great St. James and Little St. James, U.S. Virgin Islands – The Controversial Reboot
The owner is Stephen Deckoff, a developer. These two islands total roughly 400 acres and were purchased for 60 million dollars in 2023. This pair of islands made headlines for their previous notorious owner. In 2023, Deckoff scooped them up with plans to transform them into a luxury resort, proving that even the most tainted real estate can get a second lease on life.
The Price Per Acre Perspective
Laucala and Lana’i offered enormous land mass for relatively small checks, making them the best value on the list. Meanwhile, Branson’s Necker and Moskito commanded the highest price per acre at roughly 345,000 dollars, largely due to their location in the ultra-desirable British Virgin Islands.
Whether it is a tech playground, a resort destination, or a controversial renovation, these islands represent the absolute peak of wealth. While the rest of us are looking at mortgage rates, these billionaires are looking at tide charts.