In brief
- Lanai in Hawaii is the most expensive island deal, with Larry Ellison paying a reported $300 million for 98% in 2012.
- Tarpon Isle in Palm Beach was listed at $218 million in 2023.
- Vatuvara in Fiji ($155 million) and an island off Phuket ($153.8 million) were listed in 2021.
- Asking prices change often, so each figure carries its year.
As of October 2026, the most expensive island on record is Lanai in Hawaii, where Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison bought 98% of the land in 2012 for a reported $300 million. Tarpon Isle in Palm Beach, listed at $218 million in 2023, is the priciest private island put on the open market.
Private island prices depend on size, distance from a major airport, fresh water and power, and whether there is already a house or resort. The figures below are reported sale prices or published asking prices. Asking prices can change, and some of these islands may since have sold, so the year of each figure is shown.
Most expensive islands in the world: summary table
| Rank | Island | Location | Price | Year and type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lanai | Hawaii, USA | $300 million | 2012, reported sale |
| 2 | Tarpon Isle | Palm Beach, Florida | $218 million | 2023, asking |
| 3 | Vatuvara Private Islands | Fiji | $155 million | 2021, asking |
| 4 | Private island off Phuket | Thailand | $153.8 million | 2021, asking |
| 5 | Cave Cay | Exuma Cays, Bahamas | $110 million | 2010, asking |
| 6 | Blue Island | Exuma Cays, Bahamas | $95 million | Asking, reported by SCMP |
| 7 | Pumpkin Key | Florida Keys, USA | $95 million | 2021, asking |
| 8 | Long Caye | Belize | $75 million | 2021, asking |
| 9 | Ifuru | Raa Atoll, Maldives | $65 million | 2021, asking |
| 10 | Spectabilis Island | Exuma Cays, Bahamas | $62 million | 2021, asking |
1. Lanai, Hawaii: $300 million
Lanai is the sixth-largest Hawaiian island, covering about 140 square miles, with a population of about 3,400 at the 2020 census. In June 2012, Larry Ellison bought 98% of it from Castle & Cooke for a reported $300 million.
Also readLuxury Gifts for Men 2026: 12 Premium Picks Worth BuyingThe state of Hawaii and private homeowners own the remaining 2%, including the harbour and residents’ homes. Ellison’s holdings include the Four Seasons Resort Lanai at Manele Bay.
Lanai is far larger than any other island on this list and has a town, an airport and working infrastructure. That is why its price is in a different league from most private islands.
2. Tarpon Isle, Palm Beach: $218 million
Tarpon Isle is the only private island in Palm Beach, Florida. It is human-made, built in the 1940s, and protected by a high sea wall.
CNBC reported in March 2023 that developer Todd Michael Glaser and his partners relisted it for $218 million, after buying it for $85 million in 2021. The new estate has more than 21,000 square feet of living space, 11 bedrooms, a 98-foot pool, tennis courts and a dock large enough for a superyacht.
3. Vatuvara Private Islands, Fiji: $155 million
This listing covered four islands in Fiji’s Lau group: Vatuvara, Kaibu, Kanacea and Adavaci. The National reported an asking price of $155 million in 2021, the highest of any island on its list that year.
Buying several islands together gives an owner control over the waters and reefs between them, which adds to the price.
4. Private island off Phuket, Thailand: $153.8 million
This whale-shaped island lies off the east coast of Phuket in the Andaman Sea. It covers about 110 acres, with white beaches and tropical forest.
The National listed its asking price at $153.8 million in 2021. Its closeness to Phuket’s international airport makes it easier to reach than most islands at this price.
5. Cave Cay, Bahamas: $110 million
Cave Cay is in the Exuma Cays and covers about 220 acres. It has a deep-water harbour, a private marina and an airstrip.
Superyachts.com reported an asking price of $110 million in 2010, with plans for a resort, clubhouse and marina. By 2021, The National listed it at $60 million, showing how far island prices can fall when a sale takes years.
6. Blue Island, Bahamas: $95 million
Blue Island is a 700-acre island in the Exuma Cays. The South China Morning Post reported an asking price of $95 million and described it as the largest private island in the Bahamas.
It has about 5 km of beaches, a main house, a guest house, a pool and its own jet landing strip with customs and immigration facilities.
7. Pumpkin Key, Florida Keys: $95 million
Pumpkin Key is a 26-acre island in the Florida Keys, about 10 minutes by helicopter from Miami’s South Beach. It has a three-bedroom house and a private marina.
The National reported an asking price of $95 million in 2021. Its location within US territory and close to Miami adds to its value.
8. Long Caye, Belize: $75 million
Long Caye is a 40-acre island about 20 km off Placencia in Belize. Its deep-water access is suited to mooring superyachts.
It was listed at $75 million in 2021, according to The National.
9. Ifuru, Maldives: $65 million
Ifuru is a 168-acre listing in the Raa Atoll of the Maldives. The sale included a 150-villa resort, a working airport and an untouched neighbouring island.
It was listed at $65 million in 2021. Unlike most islands here, it came with an operating business.
10. Spectabilis Island, Bahamas: $62 million
Spectabilis Island in the Exuma Cays has 12 beaches, a helipad and a seaplane ramp, with space for a private airstrip.
The National listed it at $62 million in 2021 and noted that its neighbours in the Exumas include celebrities and billionaires.
How we ranked these
We ranked islands by the highest reported sale price or published asking price we could confirm with a named source. Where a price has changed, we used the higher figure and noted the change. We left out islands without a confirmed price, such as Richard Branson’s Necker Island. For other big-ticket property, see the most expensive houses in the world and the most expensive yachts in the world.
Sources: Wikipedia: Lanai, CNBC via NBC, The National, South China Morning Post, Superyachts.com.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most expensive island in the world?
Lanai in Hawaii is the most expensive island deal on record. Larry Ellison bought 98% of the island from Castle & Cooke in June 2012 for a reported $300 million. The island covers about 140 square miles and includes the Four Seasons Resort Lanai.
How much did Larry Ellison pay for Lanai?
Larry Ellison paid a reported $300 million for Lanai in 2012. He owns 98% of the island, while the state of Hawaii and private homeowners own the remaining 2%, including the harbour and residents’ homes.
What is the most expensive private island for sale?
Tarpon Isle in Palm Beach, Florida, was relisted at $218 million in 2023, according to CNBC. The owners bought it for $85 million in 2021 and built an estate with over 21,000 square feet of living space, 11 bedrooms and a superyacht dock.
What is the largest private island in the Bahamas?
Blue Island in the Exuma Cays has been described by the South China Morning Post as the largest private island in the Bahamas. It covers 700 acres, has about 5 km of beaches and its own jet landing strip, and was listed at $95 million.
Why are private islands so expensive?
Island prices depend on size, access to an airport, fresh water, power, existing buildings and how close the island is to a major city. Islands with an airstrip, deep-water harbour or working resort, such as Ifuru in the Maldives, cost far more than bare land.
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