The most exclusive private islands for hire in the Caribbean

A 60-piece orchestra? A stonking firework display? A fashion show? No request is off limits at this lush 32-hectare Caribbean hideaway, which sits just off Grenada’s southern coast. Calivigny Island prides itself on curating unique experiences and has a bevy of staff at your disposal – including celebrity fitness trainers, international entertainers, nannies and a Chelsea Flower Show-winning floral designer. The undeveloped island was purchased by its current owners in 2001 and was initially intended to be a family retreat – until it seemed too good not to share. Guests can enjoy the island’s two outdoor pools, swim-up bar, fitness centre, floodlit tennis court, football pitch, basketball court and biking and jogging trails. There is also plenty of action to unleash on the water with a fleet of boats and toys, including jet skis and jetpacks.

Buyout price: Up to 40 guests can have the island all to themselves at a price of $132,000 per night.

How to get there: Moor your superyacht just off the island and tender ashore – or nearby Secret Harbour Marina can accommodate yachts of up to 60 metres.

Who better to design a private island retreat to the highest standards than a superyacht owner? And, as you would expect from the man who has owned stunning yachts including 54.6-metre Marie, Ed Bosarge’s vision doesn’t disappoint. At 30 hectares, this remote former fishing outpost can welcome up to 30 guests in its four contemporary villas, each set on a private beach. The most lavish of the properties is Meridian House, which has a whimsical rococo-styled interior including a conservatory with a Steinway grand piano. It’s surrounded on three sides by a wraparound infinity pool and has a 12-seat cinema, a massage suite and beauty salon and a state-of-the-art gym.

Perfectly positioned in the Exumas, Over Yonder Cay offers white sand beaches and an interior forested with palm trees and dotted with native flora. The turquoise waters, however, are the main draw and the island’s divemaster, sailing and watersports instructor and fishing guides will be on hand for any aquatic adventures that take your fancy. And, if you are still missing your superyacht, 35-metre sailing yacht Tenacious is permanently based at the island for your pleasure.

Buyout price: POA

How to get there: Over Yonder Cay has its own deep-water marina, which can dock multiple yachts up to 55 metres.

Guana Island lacks the celebrity cachet of nearby Necker Island, but trumps it in size and good looks. Marketed as the island to “imagine the Caribbean before it went public”, Guana Island boasts seven white beaches and miles of tropical forest, mountains, hills and valleys. Up to 32 guests can enjoy unlimited use of the tennis courts, amazing hiking trails, sailing boats and water toys during their stay on the island and can punctuate activities with stop-offs at the bar for snacks of fresh fruit and a cocktail.

Guests will sample sumptuous cuisine for the duration of the trip, complete with wine pairings, while some days will offer up a treat such as a beach barbecue or a special castaway picnic in a secluded bay. Therapists are also on stand-by to help you unwind after an exhilarating day of exploring, offering everything from yoga classes to shore-side massages and treatments on Guana's White Bay Beach.

Buyout price: A single group of up to 32 people can hire the island out exclusively, with summer season rates starting from $23,500 per night.

How to get there: Take a commercial flight or a private jet over to Beef Island and then it's just a ten-minute boat journey to this little slice of paradise.

Set in a quiet corner of the Exumas in the southern Bahamas is Musha Cay, one of the most exclusive private islands owned by celebrities. Aside from the soft white sand, aquamarine waters and incredible marine life, the owner is famous magician David Copperfield and he's added a number of personal twists to his private island paradise for up to 24 guests. Guests are invited to explore and familiarise themselves with this picturesque island with the help of a treasure hunt created by Copperfield himself; this involves an immersive three-hour tour of the islands with ‘pirate guides’, who will lead you to hidden beaches, secret caves, rugged cliff edges and even a petrified lake. Come nightfall, guests can relax in front of a movie at Dave’s Drive-In, an ocean-side, outdoor movie theatre under the stars.

Further amenities on this island retreat include a tennis court, fully-equipped gym, stunning luxury accommodation and a number of high-end dining options with incredible ocean views and the finest food. There’s an incredible coral reef for snorkelers and divers to explore, while the island has a number of water toys and a catamaran for guests to venture out on the ocean with. Private events, firework displays or live music performances can also be arranged.

Buyout price: Rates start at $50,000 per night for up to 12 guests during the summer season, with a minimum stay of five nights. A total of 24 guests can take over the entire island for a rate of $68,000 per night.

How to get there: For those arriving by sea, Copperfield Bay can accommodate yachts up to 60-metres in its protected anchorage facilities. Additionally, guests can fly from Miami to Great Exuma, where they will be picked up either by private plane or boat to get to Musha Cay.

At the southern tip of the Grenadine chain, far away from the typical tourist track, this 47-hectare tropical island is scattered with 22 one- and two-bedroom cottages perfect for an island retreat of up to 56 guests. Each cottage is ideally situated to make the most of its idyllic surroundings, with some hidden amongst the hills or perched on bluffs to take in the views, while others are just a few sea-breeze scented steps to the white sand beach.

Petit St Vincent is also one of the top resorts to escape to for a full digital detox: swap phone reception for flag signals (as each cottage comes with a flag to call staff) and be prepared to go off the grid as there are no televisions or phones in any of the rooms. If yoga, watersports and the Jean-Michel Cousteau Diving Caribbean centre aren’t enough to keep you distracted, the resort also has one of the best wine cellars to visit by superyacht. Guests can work their way through the 4,500-bottle fine wine cellar while rum lovers can enjoy a remarkable selection of barrel-aged varieties sourced from across the Caribbean.

Buyout price: POA

How to get there: Barbados is the principal gateway to Petit St. Vincent. From Grantley Adams International Airport, fly to nearby Union Island, where staff will be waiting to escort you via a 20-minute boat ride to the private island.

Sir Richard Branson’s hideaway in the British Virgin Islands has welcomed royalty, rock stars and the odd naked kitesurfer. This is barefoot luxury in a setting that’s just about as exclusive as it gets, able to host up to 30 guests in the island's balinese-style luxury accommodations. From dining on the beach to eating from a floating sushi bar in the pool, there's plenty of opportunities to indulge while surrounded by the island's beautiful scenery.

One of the biggest draws of Necker is arguably the flourishing flora and fauna. Branson is a celebrity who is passionate about supporting ocean and wildlife conservation, so the island has become a rehabilitation centre for endangered species. During feeding times, trained staff can introduce you to the resident madagascan lemurs, scarlet ibis birds, giant tortoises and endemic iguanas. You'll likely spot some flamingoes during your stay as well; the island boasts a successful breeding programme with a population of around 250 of these brightly-coloured birds.

Buyout Price: Nightly rates during the summer season start from $128,000 for up to 48 guests.

How to get there: Located just north of Virgin Gorda, guests have the option to arrive at Necker via private jet, superyacht or helicopter.

Located in the Berry Island chain of the Bahamas, Little Whale Cay can accommodate up to 12 guests in three secluded villas amid lush green trees facing out to a turquoise sea — a must for anyone spending more than a few days in the Bahamas. Guests can indulge in whatever cuisine takes their fancy, from sushi to barbeque, alongside plenty of the island’s signature rum punch.

Work off your sumptuous meals with a spot of water-skiing, deep-sea fishing or sailing, or even head over to one of the neighboring islands to explore some beautiful hidden gems, such as Queen’s Beach, which has a reef with the greatest number of exotic fish in all the Bahamian islands. Guests can also relax with a massage, facial, manicure or pedicure provided by the on-site staff or have a nap in the sunshine next to one of the private pools.

Buyout price: POA

How to get there: For those arriving by air, Little Whale Cay can cater for light twin aircrafts, but private jets will need to land at nearby Chub Cay. From there, guests can transfer into a small plane to get to Little Whale Cay or travel by one of the island’s private boats.