From the bustle of the Caribbean islands to the far reaches of the South Pacific and Indian Ocean, these private island residences and resorts are redefining what it means to get away.
Luxury travel is always finding new ways to deliver the ultimate in comfort, style, and relaxation for the highest fliers. Below Deck pulled back the curtain on mega-yacht charters through the Caribbean and the Great Barrier Reef, while The White Lotus illuminated the decadence of island getaways at five-star wellness resorts in Sicily and Thailand. But for those dreaming about their next vacation—one removed from the hubbub of fellow guests and lookers-on—another frontier of deluxe has long been de rigueur for those in the know: decamping to a private island.
A private island offers an intimate, deeply personalized sanctuary. It is a setting where nature sets the rhythm and where the noise of daily life is replaced by the hum of waves and rustling palms. Whether you’re unwinding in a secluded villa nestled among lush foliage or waking to sunrise yoga on a stretch of untouched beach, a private island offers the perfect canvas for rejuvenation. Here are four private island residences and resorts that are redefining what it means to get away.
Relish Saltwater Thrills in the British Virgin Islands
Only a 15-minute boat ride from Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport, the journey to Moskito is a quick trip to blissful solitude. Owned by Sir Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group who’s also known for neighboring Necker Island, Moskito opened its doors for bespoke private group visits in 2021. With four villas on the 125-acre parcel of land, the property sleeps 76 guests, and each of the four estates comes with its own dedicated staff of 15. Guests can traverse the island by Moke, a zippy open-air vehicle resembling a Jeep. Booking all four estates makes for a luxe corporate retreat or destination wedding— private events are a staple of the guest experience.
The private resort is designed to be an “exclusive all-inclusive,” and it’s outfitted with all the toys of a saltwater playground for adrenaline junkies: Seabobs, stand-up paddleboards, eFoil boards, and kite surfing. Landlubbers will be at home with private tennis lessons, HIIT and bootcamp classes, cricket, and guided hikes. And after high-intensity leisure, the team can arrange meditation sessions, yoga flows, and spa treatments. Though it’s difficult to imagine wanting to leave the island, water taxis are available to nearby CocoMaya and Virgin Gorda for access to local nightlife and dining.
“The 6-square-mile private island, surrounded by vibrant coral reefs and endless turquoise waters, emerges like a dream from the South Pacific.”
—Gary Henden, general manager, COMO Laucala Island
Uncover Volcanic Rejuvenation in Fiji
COMO operates island resorts in the Maldives, Turks and Caicos, and Thailand, and for those looking to stay on a private island without booking it in its entirety, their property on the Fijian island of Laucala is a South Pacific oasis, set apart for its commitment to privacy and cultural authenticity.
“The six-square-mile private island, surrounded by vibrant coral reefs and endless turquoise waters, emerges like a dream from the South Pacific—a lush, mountainous sanctuary fringed by powder-white beaches and swaying coconut palms,” says Gary Henden, the hotel’s general manager. “Each of the island’s 25 villas is a masterpiece of Fijian craftsmanship, designed with natural materials and tucked into its own stretch of beach, rainforest, or hilltop. Luxury doesn’t intrude—it blends seamlessly with the land.”
Myriad amenities make the property friendlier for families: private lounge access at the airport, a “Tau”—Fijian for “friend”—for every residence, in-residence dining, a kids club, and babysitting services. Whether for families or solo travelers needing to decompress, the team delivers a highly customized experience for every guest.
“The island’s own organic gardens, working farm, and vanilla plantations supply its kitchens; the spa draws from indigenous healing traditions; even activities—from horseback riding on the beach to sailing, diving, or exploring the island’s volcanic heart—are curated to your pace and preferences,” says Henden.
Presiding over the resort’s wellness offerings is its COMO Shambhala philosophy—an expert-led desire to “meet you wherever you are on your wellness journey.” On Laucala, this could include a massage with hot river stones or the Fijian Bobo massage—a technique that employs the therapist’s hands, elbows, and even feet. Body wraps draw from Fijian botanicals—the micro algae wrap detoxifies skin and can ease aches and pains, while the volcanic body wrap is said to offer anti-inflammatory benefits and brighten the skin.
Laucala’s five restaurants and bars serve COMO Shambhala options for guests looking for nutritious and healthful meals, and source ingredients from local produce and livestock—they even bottle their own honey and volcanic mineral water.
Connect with UNESCO World Heritage in the Seychelles
Arriving on Félicité is a lesson in swagger. Visitors to the Six Senses Zil Pasyon on the Seychelles’ fifth largest island, located 30 nautical miles from the international airport in Mahé, venture to the resort by a 20-minute helicopter or speedboat ride.
For those unfamiliar, 115 islands comprise the Seychelles, an archipelago more than 1,000 miles northeast from Madagascar into the Indian Ocean, meaning Zil Pasyon guests can unwind in a quiet corner within a quiet corner of the world.
“Unlike traditional resorts, a private island offers a deeper connection to the environment, a slower pace, and a rare opportunity to disconnect from the world while reconnecting with yourself. It’s not just a getaway—it’s a transformation,” says Dina Dawood, marketing and communications manager, Six Senses. “The island feels like your own secluded paradise, where lush tropical landscapes meet the crystal-clear waters of the Indian Ocean. What truly sets it apart is the intimacy of the experience: With only a limited number of villas, personalized service becomes the norm, not the exception. Every detail is thoughtfully curated, from your private infinity pool to bespoke wellness rituals and immersive nature experiences.”
Guests are well-appointed in one of the hotel’s 30 one- or two-bedroom villas. Three private residences designed by Richard Hywel Evans of studio RHE in London are the property’s signature offerings for guests seeking even more seclusion in the jungle. The Six Senses’ Seychellois edition marries the brand’s signature expertise in luxury wellness with the island’s distinct offerings. The spa rises high above the island’s granite boulders, and guests can enjoy cooking classes, island-hopping, sport fishing, or exploring UNESCO World Heritage Site Vallée de Mai, filled with the suggestive and gigantic coco de mer. The world’s largest nut, which can weigh about 75 pounds, coco de mer is affectionately called “coco fesse,” or the derriere nut, for its bodacious contour.
“Unlike traditional resorts, a private island offers a deeper connection to the environment, a slower pace, and a rare opportunity to disconnect from the world while reconnecting with yourself.”
—Dina Dawood, marketing and communications manager, Six Senses
Sync Up with the Environment in the Maldives
From the Seychelles, voyage about 1,300 miles northeast into the Indian Ocean, and you’ll arrive at Joali Maldives on Muravandhoo Island. Within the Raa Atoll, the island is situated in an oasis for coral and fish. While the property boasts opportunities for guests to get intimate with the landscape through sunset cruises and snorkeling trips, Joali sets out to be a steward for the surrounding environment and encourages guests to adopt a coral frame or participate in a private coral planting and adoption session.
As the “first and only art-immersive luxury island resort in the Maldives,” Joali invites guests to unwind by dialing into their surroundings. They carefully installed works of art commissioned by international creatives throughout the property while also showcasing local craftsmen in their boutique. Crafty guests can even get busy with a project or workshop in the art studio led by the artist-in-residence.
Central to the “Island of Joy” is the Joali Being Cure, their wellness program organized around four pillars: mind, skin, microbiome, and energy. The spa offers an array of treatments, embedded within the environmental synchronicity that characterizes the property. Certain spa ingredients grow in their healing garden, and the relaxation lounge sits in a garden along the beach, promoting wellness through attunement to the natural world.