Tropical islands available for private hire in Belize, Australia, Madagascar and more

If you’re looking to truly get away from it all when travel reopens, one of these dreamy private islands might fit the bill. 

Drenched in sunshine and surrounded by azure waters, these Robinson Crusoe-esque tropical retreats, from Belize to Australia, are an ideal base to let your cares slip away. 

Scroll down and allow that dampened wanderlust to reignite… 

Little Harvest Caye, Belize – from £1,838 per night

The 1.5-acre island can accommodate 12 guests in five well-appointed private suites

 All of the lodges boast sublime sea views and feature a blend of traditional and contemporary furnishings

There’s a communal building with a bar, kitchen and a freshwater pool with a sundeck 

Little Harvest Caye is a delicious slice of paradise off the coast of the Placencia peninsula in southern Belize. 

The 1.5-acre island can accommodate 12 guests in five private suites that all have a blend of traditional and contemporary furnishings – and sublime sea views. There are only seven structures on the island after all.

There’s also a communal building with a bar, kitchen and a freshwater pool with a sundeck. 

All stays include a private chef, daily maid service and the use of paddleboards and kayaks. For those who want to stay in touch with the outside world, the island has Wi-Fi and the fishing village of Placencia is just a five-minute boat ride away. 

Talacanen Island, Philippines – from £1,615 per night

Up to 16 people can stay at a sublime resort on Talacanen Island in the northern Philippines

Airbnb host Philipe tells MailOnline Travel that guests love the privacy of the island

In total there are eight lodges nestled amid lush foliage, with natural materials used throughout, from bamboo to hardwoods

Stays include meals, water that has been ferried from the mainland, and the use of snorkelling and kayaking gear

Up to 16 people can stay at this sublime resort on Talacanen Island in the northern Philippines. 

Airbnb host Philipe tells MailOnline Travel that guests love the privacy of the island, which is blessed with white-sand shores. In total, there are eight lodges nestled amid lush jungle, with natural materials used throughout, from bamboo to polished hardwoods.

Stays include meals, water that has been ferried from the mainland, and the use of snorkelling and kayaking gear. Massages can be arranged for an extra fee, along with tropical cocktails. The island can also be booked for weddings and private events. 

Nosy Saba, Madagascar – from £12,936 per night

Described as ‘one of the most seductive spots in Madagascar’, Nosy Saba island is located in a Unesco Marine Reserve six miles off the country’s northwest coast in the heart of the Mozambique Channel 

The island, which can accommodate up to 100 guests, can be accessed by boat or plane

There are 27 suites scattered around the shores in varying categories and each of the chic eco-lodges includes a king-size bed, an ensuite bathroom, a terrace with direct access to the beach and a spacious garden

For nature lovers, there are some spectacular dive sites around the island and the forested mainland is home to many endemic species, including blue-eyed lemurs

Described as ‘one of the most seductive spots in Madagascar’, Nosy Saba island is located in a Unesco Marine Reserve six miles off the country’s northwest coast in the heart of the Mozambique Channel.

There are 27 suites with room for 100 guests and each of the chic eco-lodges includes a king-size bed, an ensuite bathroom, a terrace with direct access to the beach and a spacious garden. 

Other amenities include two restaurants, a spa, an Olympic-size swimming pool and a watersports centre. For nature lovers, there are some spectacular dive sites around the island and the forested mainland is home to many endemic species, including blue-eyed lemurs. 

It’s available to rent through Vladi Private Islands. Visit www.vladi-private-islands.de, call +49 40 33 00 00 or email travel@vladi.de.

Urraca Private Island Eco-Lodge, Panama – from £1,020 per night 

Sleep amid the mangroves on this peaceful island, which is part of the Bocas del Toro archipelago, on the northern Caribbean coast of Panama

The adults-only Urraca Private Island Eco Resort has six hot pink overwater bungalows with traditional thatched roofs 

Four of the lodges sleep two, one is designed for honeymooners and a larger hut has been designed for groups of up to six 

The property has a ‘lobster garden’ where guests learn how to catch their own crustacean for dinner

Sleep amid the mangroves on this peaceful island, which is part of the Bocas del Toro archipelago, on the northern Caribbean coast of Panama.

The adults-only Urraca Private Island Eco Resort has six hot pink overwater bungalows with traditional thatched roofs. Four of the lodges sleep two, one is designed for honeymooners and a larger hut has been designed for groups of up to six people. 

All rooms include electric fans and there is free Wi-Fi throughout the property. Other perks include decks for sunbathing and yoga, a shallow natural pool with a volleyball net, complimentary kayaks and snorkelling gear and an enclosed ‘lobster garden’ where the team can teach you how to catch your own crustacean for dinner.  

Lissenung Island, Papua New Guinea – from £1,727 per night

A dreamy combination of white sand beaches, palm trees, fragrant flowers and magnificent sunsets await you on this tiny private island off the coast of Papua New Guinea

The adults-only resort, which can be hired exclusively for 16 guests, started life in 1996

A description for the outcrop on the Vladi Private Islands website states: ‘Other than a handful of local staff, you won’t see another soul [and] you can easily circumnavigate the entire island in about 15 minutes’

There are four two-bedroom bungalows featuring thatched roofs and traditional woven walls

A dreamy combination of white sand beaches, palm trees, fragrant flowers and magnificent sunsets await you on this tiny private island off the coast of Papua New Guinea. 

The adults-only resort, which can be hired exclusively for 16 guests, features four two-bedroom bungalows with thatched roofs and traditional woven walls. Other structures include an open-sided dining room with local specialities, including mud crabs, crayfish and octopus, on the menu. 

A description for the outcrop on the Vladi Private Islands website states: ‘Other than a handful of local staff, you won’t see another soul [and] you can easily circumnavigate the entire island in about 15 minutes. A bottle of wine on the beach at sunset time is the perfect way of ending an exciting day of diving.’ 

It’s available to rent through Vladi Private Islands. Visit www.vladi-private-islands.de, call +49 40 33 00 00 or email travel@vladi.de.  

Wilson Island, Australia – from £6,046 per night

Play at being a willing castaway on the white sand shores of Wilson Island. This photogenic outcrop is located around 50 miles off Gladstone on Australia’s Queensland coast

There are nine safari tents that blend into the surroundings, with the luxury dwellings featuring sea views and private terraces

The toilets and washrooms are located in separate cabins, but every tent has its own shower

Play at being a willing castaway on the white sand shores of Wilson Island. This photogenic outcrop is located around 50 miles off Gladstone on Australia’s Queensland coast.

When it comes to nature, this coral cay scores top marks, with its pristine waters host to a wealth of marine life. On land, there is a green turtle nesting site and rare bird species nest amid the foliage. 

There are nine safari tents that blend into the surroundings, with the luxury dwellings featuring sea views and private terraces. The toilets and washrooms are located in separate cabins, but every tent has its own shower.

On the food front, there is an open-sided dining room called the Longhouse and sunset drinks and canapes are served each evening on the beach.  

It’s available to rent through Vladi Private Islands. Visit www.vladi-private-islands.de, call +49 40 33 00 00 or email travel@vladi.de. 

Matamba Island, Colombia – from £1,626 per night

Hop over to Matamba Island off the coast of Colombia for unparalleled sea views and friendly hospitality

Emily, who stayed at the Airbnb in 2019, said in her review: ‘If you are looking for an exclusive island experience with impeccable service and gourmet food, Isla Matamba checks all of the boxes’

This private outcrop can sleep up to 16 people across six lodges – with quirky furnishings as standard

The living areas have a charming, rustic feel, with natural woods and glazed tiles that match the colour of the sea

Amenities on Matamba Island include multiple sundecks, a putting green, a hot tub, a kitchen, and an open-sided dining room

Hop over to Matamba Island off the coast of Colombia for unparalleled sea views and friendly hospitality. 

This private outcrop, which can sleep up to 16 people across six lodges, is described in the Airbnb listing as a ‘heavenly place’. The rooms have a charming, rustic feel, with natural woods in abundance and turquoise tiles that match the colour of the sea. Many of the bedrooms look out over the jewel-hued waters. 

Amenities include multiple tanning decks, a putting green, a hot tub, a kitchen, and an open-sided dining room. Emily, who stayed at the Airbnb in 2019, said in her review: ‘If you are looking for an exclusive island experience with impeccable service and gourmet food, Isla Matamba checks all of the boxes.’  

Bungalow les pieds dans l’o Rangi, French Polynesia – from £163 per night

Plonk yourself on the shores of this picture-perfect island and soak up the serene atmosphere without breaking the bank

This private outcrop, which is available on Airbnb, features a bungalow that can accommodate two adults and a child and stays come in at £163 per night

And relax: There’s not much to do other than soak up the prime sea views

Plonk yourself on the shores of this picture-perfect island and soak up the serene atmosphere without breaking the bank. This private outcrop, which is available on Airbnb, features a bungalow that can accommodate two adults and a child and stays come in at £163 per night. The interiors are simple but have a colourful and homely feel and there’s not much to do other than soak up the prime sea views. 

For those who fancy a break from being castaway, the nearest village is 20 minutes away by boat. Danil, who stayed on the island in November 2020, left a glowing review, writing: ‘If you’re looking to spend some time away from civilisation, with nobody nearby and no connectivity, this is the place. You’re surrounded by water, Ilona’s amazing dogs, and no people!

‘Ilona is a wonderful host who showed us how to catch urchin, eat it raw, contacted local tour agencies for us, took us around the island and so on. This was a trip we’ll never forget.’  

Forsyth Island, New Zealand – from £1,724 per night

Forsyth Island is one of the largest entirely privately owned islands in the South Pacific, with 1,853 acres to explore

In terms of accommodation, there is a three-bedroom lodge (pictured) serving up wonderful panoramic views

This island serves as an ideal base for outdoor types, with hiking, fishing trips, dolphin watching tours, kayaking, and more on the menu. Above, views from one of the lodge’s bedrooms Above, views from one of the lodge’s bedrooms 

Forsyth Island is one of the largest entirely privately owned islands in the South Pacific, with 1,853 acres to explore. 

It is situated in the Marlborough Sounds, a helicopter ride from New Zealand’s capital, Wellington. In terms of accommodation, there is a three-bedroom lodge serving up wonderful panoramic views and a charming cottage that sleeps four located on the beach.

For outdoors types, this island serves as an ideal base, with hiking, fishing trips, dolphin-watching tours, kayaking and more on the menu.

Available to rent through Vladi Private Islands. Visit www.vladi-private-islands.de, call +49 40 33 00 00 or email travel@vladi.de.