17 Private Island Resorts Worth Visiting in 2023
Worthwhile Private Island Getaways
If visiting a private island is on your travel bucket list and you’re fresh out of celebrity friends who own one, you’ll have to make your dream trip happen through other means. Fortunately, a range of resorts own their own private islands that you can visit, and some resorts are even located on private islands you can only access by plane or boat. There are also cruise lines that have their own private islands, which you can visit if you book an itinerary that stops there.
That said, the private island visit you ultimately plan for the year should depend on your budget, the type of trip you want to take and the region of the world you hope to visit. You’ll also need to decide if you’re willing to pay a premium to actually spend your entire trip on a private island, or if a few hours or a day trip to an island will suffice.
Either way, we did some digging to find a range of private island getaways you can book in 2023. Some are offered through cruise lines like MSC Cruises and Royal Caribbean International, whereas others can be visited through a traditional resort stay.
Before you book the remainder of your travel plans for 2023, consider these 17 cruise line and resort private islands.
Sandals Royal Bahamian’s Barefoot Cay, Nassau, Bahamas
If you’re in the midst of planning an exclusive honeymoon retreat and you’re looking for a resort that offers both privacy and exclusivity, Sandals Royal Bahamian should be on your radar. This Nassau, Bahamas property offers an upscale all-inclusive experience, and every room on the property is geared to romance. The resort also has its own private island called Barefoot Cay, which can be reached with just a short boat ride from the property. This private island offers the same all-inclusive experience you get at the main property, yet with amazingly clear waters for swimming and snorkeling, secluded beaches and plenty of extra space for relaxation.
Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba Resort, Aruba
Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba Resort is the only resort on the island of Aruba that also has its own private island. Renaissance Island, as it is called, offers three separate beaches for families, adults-only and for weddings. Other notable features on Renaissance Island include its private waterfront cabanas and pink flamingos, as well as its island-themed restaurants and bars. Visitors from the resort to Renaissance Island can spend the day relaxing in an overwater hammock, snorkeling, kayaking or simply floating in the water.
Calala Island, Nicaragua
Calala Island in Nicaragua is both a private island and a hotel, and it is part of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World Collection. Guests who visit can spend their days relaxing in their own private hammock, or in one of just four luxurious beachfront suites complete with floor-to-ceiling windows. With minimal lodging available on the island, this property is perfect for travelers who want to get away from it all in a naturally beautiful setting. Also note that almost everything is included in a stay here, including gourmet dining, breakfast mimosas, refreshing frozen cocktails and more.
MSC Cruises Ocean Cay Marine Reserve, Bahamas
MSC Cruises guests who depart on a Caribbean cruise almost always make a stop at the cruise line’s private island in the Bahamas, Ocean Cay Marine Reserve. This laid-back island is perfect for a day of relaxation, and it makes for an affordable day trip since all your meals are included and your drink package applies. Ocean Cay Marine Reserve has several different beaches to choose from, including a stretch of oceanfront surrounding a lagoon that’s absolutely perfect for swimming or snorkeling since it’s absolutely wave-free. The island even has its own private beach area and restaurant for members who book a room in the exclusive Yacht Club area of its ships.
Nayara Bocas Bali, Panama
Nayara Bocas Bali is a private island resort in the Bocas del Toro area off the coast of Panama, and it’s only available to adults. The property is all-inclusive, and it has 16 overwater villas as well as the world’s first overwater beach. This island features several beautiful beach areas with powder white sand and palm trees, as well as two unique restaurants and two bars on-site. There are endless activities to partake in as well, including paddle boarding, snorkeling and kayaking among the mangroves.
Gili Lankanfushi, Maldives
Gili Lankanfushi is a luxurious private island resort in the Maldives that’s only a 20-minute boat ride from Malé, yet it feels like it’s a world away. This property features 45 recently refurbished overwater villas, as well as three unique restaurants and endless activities to partake in if you want to. For example, guests can participate in surf lessons, family adventures, snorkeling trips and more. The resort’s Private Reserve villa is another standout feature as it is the largest standalone overwater villa in the world and only accessible by boat.
Princess Cruises’ Princess Cays, Bahamas
Princess Cruises also has its own exclusive port of call in the Bahamas known as Princess Cays. This fun beach stop is actually on the island of Eleuthera in the Bahamas, which is one hundred miles long and only two miles wide. Princess Cays itself is spread across 40 acres and features more than a half of a mile of white sand beaches. Princess Cays is best for lazy beach days and fun water activities like snorkeling, kayaking and floating in the water. Visitors can also enjoy a game of beach volleyball or book a stingray beach encounter or fishing trip.
Sandals Royal Caribbean’s Offshore Island, Montego Bay, Jamaica
Jamaica’s Sandals Royal Caribbean is another resort that boasts its own private island you can get away to. The private island is just a short boat ride from the resort, and it has its own white sand beaches, a luxurious spa, a Thai restaurant and a pool with a swim-up bar. This adults-only, all-inclusive property from Sandals also offers some of the only overwater bungalows available in the Caribbean, plus several rooms with swim-up options or their own tranquility soaking tubs.
Amilla Maldives Resort, Maldives
Amilla Maldives Resort sits on its own private island and is surrounded by azure blue waters and endless open skies in every direction. This property lets travelers get up close and personal with the ocean, yet it also has its share of leafy jungle paths and lush green areas to explore. Plenty of overwater bungalows are available as expected, and this property also has a huge waterfront infinity pool to take a dip in. Guests can even spend an evening stargazing from their own climate-controlled bubble tent.
Petit St Vincent, St Vincent and the Grenadines
Petit St. Vincent is a private island in St. Vincent and the Grenadines with only 22 luxurious cottages, paving the way for ultimate privacy and tranquility. There is no internet access at this resort, nor will you find telephones or television. Instead, the private island blocks out all these distractions with the goal of helping you unwind and enjoy the two miles of white-sand beaches offered just outdoors. The cottages on offer at the property can be beachfront or on a secluded hillside, and they each have one or two bedrooms. Petit St. Vincent is also home to one of two Jean-Michel Cousteau dive centers available worldwide, making it a top destination for diving and marine exploration.
Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay, Bahamas
If you’re planning a cruise this year and hoping to escape to a private island for at least one day of your itinerary, you can look for cruises that stop at Royal Caribbean International’s Perfect Day at CocoCay. This private island offers nearly anything you could want if you’re seeking a fun and relaxing day, including a huge pool and swim-up bar, an on-site water park and even overwater villas you can rent for the afternoon. Since this private island is located in the Bahamas, Royal Caribbean itineraries that visit mostly depart from cruise terminals in Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Port Canaveral and Tampa, Florida.
Jumby Bay Island Resort, Antigua
Jumby Bay Island Resort is a private island paradise just off the coast of Antigua. Made up of 300 beautiful and lush acres and surrounded by the Caribbean sea, this island is all-inclusive and geared to guests who want space to relax and unwind. The resort itself features 40 suites, 14 villas and 22 luxurious private residences to choose from. The all-inclusive experience here is also on the high-end side with inclusions like gourmet food and drink, rum tastings, Caribbean cooking classes, water sports and more.
Montage Cay, Bahamas
Montage Cay is a new private island resort from Montage Hotels & Resorts that will debut in 2023. This 53-acre resort is located in the Abacos Islands region of the Bahamas, and it is also located less than one mile off the coast of Marsh Harbour. Guests who plan a visit will find 50 all-suite accommodations, a 46-slip marina and beautiful white sand beaches that stretch in every direction. The property will also offer all-day dining including a signature restaurant only for dinner meals, two beach bars and grills, a pool bar and a spa cafe.
Casa Morada, Islamorada, Florida
If you’re angling for a private island experience but wanting to stay in the United States, a visit to Casa Morada in Islamorada, Florida may be in order. This Florida Keys resort is located between Miami and Key West, and it features its own small private island with a freshwater pool, a waterfront bar and a yoga pavilion. The boutique property only has 16 suites, so it never feels overrun or crowded. Plus, guests can access complimentary kayaks, paddle boards and bicycles. Free breakfast is also included in each stay, and children ages 16 and older are welcome.
Turneffe Island Resort, Belize
Turneffe Island Resort is located on a private island off the coast of Belize, and it offers only 22 guest rooms and villas to choose from. This means guests are never crawling over one another or running short on space, and that everyone has privacy to enjoy the beautiful beaches and all the activities offered at the resort. Two rooms on the island (the Presidential Villa and Honeymoon Villa) also come with their own infinity plunge pools. This island is also just 30 miles away from the world-renowned Great Blue Hole, which makes it a popular resort for travelers who love diving and water exploration.
Pangkor Laut Resort, Malaysia
If you’re looking for a private island escape that offers more than just a single resort, you can visit Pangkor Laut Island off the coast of Malaysia and book a stay at Pangkor Laut Resort. This property boasts the best spot on the island and offers 143 private rooms with romantic surroundings. Several private beaches are available for guests, and the water surrounding the island is incredibly turquoise and clear. In between reading and snorkeling sessions, guests can relax outdoors while taking in the unique sounds of macaque monkeys in the background.
Nanuku Resort, Fiji
While the island nation of Fiji is actually made up of 333 islands of its own, Nanuku Resort Fiji has its own private island called Nanuku Island that was once featured on the cover of Conde Nast Traveler’s Readers Choice Awards. Resort guests can escape to the island for a half-day or full-day experience, which they can spend snorkeling in the crystal-clear waters, exploring the jungle beneath a shaded rainforest canopy or relaxing on the beach. The resort itself is also located on a roomy, 500 acre estate with beautiful beaches and swaying palms. Visitors can book suites, villas or residences depending on their needs.