07/05/09

Island Is Your Land
Private Islands for Less Than a Hotel Room

Where some people see a glass half empty, you see more champagne. And where some people choose to stay in a hotel room, you choose an island. Your island. Especially if that island costs less than a hotel room...

THE ADRIATIC LIGHTHOUSE

Sv. Ivan Na Pucini Island

This Croatian island might be a bit rockier than you had in mind, but at 45 bucks a day it's basically the Comfort Inn of private islands. And thanks to the 70-foot lighthouse (which doubles as your bedroom), you'll be able to see all the way to Venice on a clear day…provided you aren't distracted by the occasional shipwreck and dolphin sighting.

411:: $180/night for up to 4, or $45 per person per day; 30min from Rovinj, Croatia

THE PACIFIC PLAYGROUND

Enedrik Island

You can hang out with the stuff nature films are made of at this Marshall Islands spot, where beginner divers can expect to run across schools of 10,000 fish, zero boat traffic and only the nice species of sharks. As a bonus, there's a private reef house and clothing is optional…although we're sure the wildlife would appreciate it.

411:: $499/week for up to 8, or $9 per person per day; Arno Atoll, Marshall Islands

THE SPANISH CASTLE

Castillo de la Isla del Burguillo

Less of an island getaway than a castle with a ten thousand gallon moat, this medieval mansion is reachable only by rowboat—so you might want to practice your oarsmanship. But once you're there, you'll have two stories of parapets, balconies and other chivalrous architecture at your disposal.

411:: $3920/week for up to 10, or $56 per person per day; an hour outside Madrid

THE CARIBBEAN VILLA

Isla Kiniw

It might be a BYO-yacht kind of hideout, but anyone with the means to get there will find a bona fide summer home dropped in the middle of some of the best diving and game-fishing waters in the Western hemisphere. It even comes with its own guest quarters…but you might have to BYO-butler.

411:: $4950/week for up to 8, or $88 per person per day; Spanish Water Bay in Curaçao

THE WHALE WATCHERS

Mounu Island

This island marks the northern tip of the southern humpback whale's annual migration, which means if you drop by any time in the second half of the year, you'll see the full population frolicking just outside your sun deck. They'll even let you charter a yacht if you want a closer look—or if you have a score to settle. As a little bonus, your Kingdom away from home is the first place in the world to see the sunrise—champagne, anyone?

411:: From $1750/week for 2, or $125 per person per day; Vava'u, Kingdom of Tonga

THE PIRATE COVE

Dunbar Rock Villa

This Honduran bay was once a favorite hideout of Blackbeard the pirate, but it's since been turned over to bloodthirsty (you know, nature-loving) divers willing to shell out for the use of their own private coral reef, and a chance to see Davy Jones' Locker up close.

411:: From $3988/week for 4, or $142 per person per day; Guanaja, Honduras (includes 3 tank dives daily, all meals, dive guide and boat, maid and cook.)

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