Owning a private island is the stuff of daydreams for many, but if you know where to look, it might be more achievable than you think. From unspoiled rural gems in New Jersey to dazzling multimillion-dollar estates in Florida, these aspirational isles have just hit the market in America's most idyllic locations. Swap bricks and mortar for your own patch of paradise as we explore the exceptional islands for sale right now. Click or scroll on for more...
Aptly named No Mans Island, this sizable and attractive strip of land lies in Wildwood, New Jersey, and is entirely undeveloped, offering a wealth of investment opportunities. The perfect option for someone looking to design and build their own secluded retreat, the 19-acre isle is available through Private Islands Online for the bargain price tag of only $125,000 (£107k).
Currently, the private island sits just three feet above the water level, but it could easily be raised once the proper permits are in place. Once elevated to the correct height for construction, the island would be suitable for numerous developments, including private holiday homes or a secluded island mansion for a VIP resident. Plus, the lot has a very low tax rate of less than $360 (£311) per year, making it a pretty affordable real estate opportunity.
Just a short boat ride away, the resort city of Wildwood offers five miles of beaches, boardwalk attractions, and 160 annual events. This idyllic spot is sure to be an unexpected hit with music fans too, as Wildwood is known as the doo-wop capital of the world—a genre of R&B music developed in the 1940s. On the mainland, just moments away from No Mans Island, Bill Haley and His Comets first performed 'Rock Around the Clock' and Chubby Checker first sang 'The Twist'.
With this popular and historic resort town within easy reach, and with infinite development possibilities, this scenic strip of land is a bargain for any investor looking to build their own private hideaway without sacrificing the convenience of civilization.
For the price of a large family house, you could snap up your very own private island in the wilderness of Minnesota. On the market for $640,000 (£553k), Sandpoint Lake Island is a picturesque natural oasis encompassing two acres of wooded and developed terrain. The dock is situated on the northeast side of the island and can accommodate a number of boats so there's plenty of space for friends and family to visit.
Over in New York's Thousand Islands, this gorgeous 2.4-acre private island is situated along the aptly named Millionaire's Row and is currently listed for just under $1.9 million (£1.6m). The property includes two fully furnished residences, which sleep up to 16 people. Other outbuildings include a storage garage, boathouse, and even a lookout tower perfect for observing the freight ships and private yachts which pass nearby.
In addition to its multiple buildings, the island also boasts extensive grounds and deep water docks perfect for outdoor activities. The island is easily traversable by means of paved cart paths that connect its various facilities. It's also within easy reach of the mainland, where guests can enjoy shopping, dining, and golf.
With 360-degree water views to enjoy, the property includes multiple decks and patios from which to enjoy sunrises, sunsets, and consistently breathtaking views of the river and surrounding islands. With various dining and seating areas, these outdoor spaces are ideal for entertaining, or just enjoying some family time in this peaceful haven.
Perhaps the island's greatest attraction is its location. The Thousand Islands region boasts a rich history, including one of the oldest post offices in the US, a restored opera house, and countless antique shops full of treasures from several centuries' worth of island inhabitants. Other attractions include annual events such as Pirates Weekend and the Poker Run, a regatta of colourful cigarette boats.
This private island in Turtle Bayou offers 15 acres of both sandy and verdant terrain, phenomenal fishing and birding opportunities, and excellent hurricane protection provided by nearby barrier islands. Promising balmy ocean breezes and a warm climate year-round, Turtle Bayou Island is currently on the market for just under $2 million (£1.7m).
The island is located roughly 26 miles north of Corpus Christi, and just three miles south of Downtown Rockport, which has recently been named both one of the best small towns and one of the best retirement communities in the United States. It also boasts a burgeoning reputation as a fishing, birding, and art hub.
In addition to the island itself, the parcel also includes a 9.8-acre mainland lot with 966 feet of waterfront just across the channel. Both the island and the adjoining lot are currently undeveloped, but well suited to be turned into either a private family retreat or a larger holiday home settlement.
With development potential across not one but two lots, a desirable location within easy reach of a charming and up-and-coming small town, and the fact that island real estate is a rare commodity in Texas, this property is likely not long for the market.
Currently listed for $2.3 million (£2m), Mark Island has been home to islanders since the 1930s. Complete with its own historic lighthouse, this 2.75-acre island in the heart of Acadia is a unique and remarkable property just off the coast of Winter Harbor, Maine, which can be reached in minutes by boat.
The island includes a classic New England shingled homestead dating back to 1956, but updated to incorporate modern amenities and technology including solar power. However, the house still maintains much of its historic charm through original details including two antique stoves, numerous pieces of antique furniture, and original hardwood flooring throughout.
In addition to the three-bed, three-bath lighthouse keeper's cottage, the property includes two other outbuildings that can be used for storage, as well as the lighthouse itself, which is still operational and includes a small study on the first floor. There's also a private deep-water dock suitable for swimming, diving, and boating.
While stunning ocean views and glimpses of Acadia National Park are accessible across the entire property, they can be enjoyed best from the comfort of an Adirondack chair on the sloping lawn, or from the shade of the back deck while enjoying a fresh catch and a glass of local wine. For lovers of coastal living or historic homesteads, this property is truly a one-in-a-million find.
Currently on the market for just less than $2.7 million (£2.3m), this 15-acre private island boasts stunning views of the surrounding Alexandria Bay. The property is located in the Thousand Islands, an archipelago straddling the American-Canadian border which became a popular playground for the wealthy during the 19th century. It's home to several architectural novelties including Singer Castle, and the neighbouring Boldt Castle.
The island includes a beautiful, modern home, which features cathedral ceilings, hardwood flooring, a recently renovated kitchen with Corian countertops and white cabinetry, and an open floor plan. The living area also boasts a wall of sliding glass doors overlooking the river and leading out onto a spacious wraparound porch.
In addition to its sprawling acres, the property includes a detached garage, extensive shoreline access, and spacious protected deep-water dockage perfect for boating and swimming. Much of the island also boasts views of the famous Boldt Castle, a German-inspired architectural attraction, situated on a neighbouring island.
In addition to the many amenities available on the island itself, the property is also within easy reach of the charming Alexandria Bay village, another popular tourist attraction, which offers shopping centres, fine dining, groceries, and transport links. According to the listing, the island is a rare find in a highly coveted area.
For the first time in 40 years, this scenic island on Lake Winnipesaukee is back on the market, with a list price of $3.3 million (£2.9m). Hermit Island offers just under 2.3 acres, as well as 1,300 feet of waterfront. Also included in the parcel is a corresponding mainland quarter-acre waterfront lot with a garage just 200 feet away.
The island includes a recently renovated log cabin-style home overlooking the lake, which features brand new flooring, a kitchen, bathrooms, a deck, and even a new roof. The house also comes fully equipped with high-speed internet via an underwater cable. A long dock leads directly from the front yard out into the water, perfect for swimming, sunbathing, or boating.
In addition to the beautifully renovated island house, the mainland garage also offers sleeping quarters upstairs, which can serve as either storage or extra guest rooms. Both buildings are plumbed for unlimited lake water use, however, the garage is not currently fitted with toilet facilities.
Lake Winnipesaukee is one of New England's most exclusive and desirable summer retreats, with a correspondingly competitive housing market. A property like this is a rare find and would make an ideal summer getaway spot, or even a year-round residence given its easy access to the mainland, with four slips on the island, and three more on the mainland.
Marathon Island, a 15-acre private island in Florida, has just been listed for $3.9 million (£3.3m). The island, tucked between nearby Crawl Key and Grassy Key, is located within the city limits of Marathon City in the desirable Florida Keys region, plus it's situated only 80 feet from Highway US1.
The island is currently undeveloped, but given its size and proximity to the popular Florida Keys resort area, it's ideally suited to a variety of business opportunities. It could make the ideal site for a luxury hotel, a condominium development, or an exclusive private housing compound.
To further increase the island's accessibility, there is also the possibility of connecting the property to the highway via a bridge, the permissions for which have already been granted by the State of Florida. This kind of accessibility would support a tourism venture, should the buyer decide to go in this direction.
With 15 lush acres, the surrounding warm Florida waters, and easy access to the luxury shopping, dining, and golfing facilities in nearby Marathon City, this property stands to be a highly lucrative investment for a developer keen to venture into the resort market.
The pinnacle of luxury, this 26-acre private island in the tropics of Card Sound Bay in the Florida Keys region is now available to buy for a whopping $95 million (£82m). A ten-minute boat ride from its dockage at Ocean Reef, a private club in Key Largo which also offers an airstrip for private jets, Pumpkin Key offers maximum seclusion, but is still only a 10-minute helicopter ride (if you happen to have one!) from the famous South Beach.
The billionaire island currently features a three-bed, three-bath, 5,000-square-foot home that dates back to 1985, and features a spacious screened-in porch. The property also includes two caretaker's cottages, and a dockmaster's office and apartment.
Outdoor facilities include tennis courts which double as a helipad, a beautiful stretch of sandy beach with a palm frond cabana, and easy access to nearby fishing and lobster fishing holes, and North America's only living coral barrier, which provides phenomenal snorkelling and scuba-diving opportunities. The island is easily traversable by means of paved golf cart paths.
The island also boasts a 20-slip marina, which includes room to dock a mega yacht, and is therefore well-suited for development into a larger family compound, or even a family club. However, the listing also specifies that the property offers safety and security as well as seclusion, making it an appealing purchase for a high-profile house-hunter.
Just nine miles off the western shores of Door County, Green Island is the largest privately owned island in Green Bay, which has long been a popular hotspot for its warm temperatures and calm seas. The island is centrally located, providing easy boating access to Marinette, Green Bay, Sturgeon Bay and the entire Door County peninsula.
Door County, which is nestled between Green Bay and Lake Michigan, is a popular seaside escape for roughly two million tourists every summer and is frequently referred to as the Cape Cod of the Midwest. The island is therefore ideally situated for development into holiday homes, campgrounds, or even a large hotel or event venue.
The island is easily accessible by means of more than 20 nearby marinas, as well as via a proposed ferry system operating out of the nearby Sturgeon Bay and Marinette. The seller envisions the island as a destination, equipped to play host to many guests with a range of interests both on land and on the water.
With 68 acres of verdant, undeveloped land, Green Island offers endless possibilities for a developer with an eye towards the hospitality industry, or even a private buyer looking to create their own sanctuary. However, the listing indicates that the property price is available only upon request, which suggests that the parcel comes with a substantial price tag.
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