Do billionaires own islands?

The idea is nothing new: From Peter Thiel, who planned to build a floating city off French Polynesia, to Larry Ellison, who owns 98% of the Hawaiian island Lanai, several members of the uber-wealthy class have poured millions into attempting to build their own fiefdoms.



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From Richard Branson's celebrity haunt on Necker Island to Mark Zuckerberg's sprawling Hawaiian hideaway, these pristine private islands are where the mega-rich spend their holidays. Grab your sunglasses and let's take a tour of the ultimate retreats of the world's wealthiest people.

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It's very much a purchase of passion. It goes beyond cachet: it allows owners to make their own mark, to do something that no one else has done.” Here's a sampling of some billionaire-owned private islands, from pristine secluded havens—ideal for modern day Robinson Crusoes—to tropical eco-friendly luxury resorts.

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Lanai Island In Hawaii Lanai Island is the most costliest island in the world. Famous as the Pineapple Island, this island was bought by the owner of Oracle, Larry Ellison.

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Pamela Anderson – Island off Dubai coast Other famous actors who have their own private islands include Tyler Perry, who bought the White Bay Cay in The Bahamas to fly his private plane. Even Steven Spielberg has two islands in Madeira Archipelago, off the coast of Portugal.

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A private island is a disconnected body of land wholly owned by a private citizen or corporation. Although this exclusivity gives the owner substantial control over the property, private islands remain under the jurisdiction of national and sometimes local governments.

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You can experience 360-degree views on some islands; that's impossible with mainland waterfront. Time goes by slower when you are on your own island, and spending time on your island with friends and family brings you closer together. And there is higher rental-income potential than with mainland waterfront properties.

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You typically own the own island subject to some nation's sovereign claim. If they want property taxes from you, you pay them. Or you won't have your island much longer.

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Yes, there are many unclaimed lands in the world and the biggest unclaimed territory is Antarctica. Can you claim an unclaimed island? The answer is yes, you can claim unclaimed islands but it is going to be difficult. Unclaimed islands are usually unclaimed for a reason and are mostly declared national monuments.

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Which states in the U.S. have the most islands? Maine and Alaska are the U.S. states with the most islands. Maine has 3,166 coastal, including the largest and the smallest islets. Alaska has approximately 2,670 named, many of which are included in the list of the largest islands in the U.S.

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Islands in the Oceania region are more expensive at $18,537 on average per acre, while they are $23,516 on average per acre in North America. Europe ranks as the second most expensive continent to purchase a private island, with the average cost per acre over $68,000.

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Prices can range from approximately US $1 to $3 million for smaller islands up to upwards of US $30 to $75 million for much larger islands (over 250 acres) in the most popular locations such as the Exumas, the Abaco Islands and the Berry Islands.

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Life on an island is often more expensive than mainland living—almost everything has to be imported, after all. But relative to the rest of the Caribbean, Roatán offers excellent value. Daily life, lived well, is affordable on Roatán—a budget of $2,000 to $2,500 a month, all in, for an average retired couple.

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Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have reportedly bought their own private island in Nhakeel's The World project in Dubai.

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