An Island For Two: The Best Private Islands For Valentine’s Day

Staying on a secluded island, off in the middle of an ocean, a river or bay is one of the most romantic travel experiences: surrounded by water with no one else around. While there are a variety of resorts on private islands around the world, several are intentionally intimate, meant to accommodate only one couple (or group or family) exclusively or small enough to take over on your own. Some are in countries that have closed their borders or imposed severe quarantine restrictions but others are in destinations that with certain protocols are welcoming travellers.  Here are several, worth escaping to.

Ithaafushi-The Private Island Any resort in the Maldives could qualify as a romantic retreat given the supply of isolated resorts surrounded by the world’s best turquoise water and powdery white beaches. This eight-acre private island offshoot of Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi which opened last month is the largest private island in the country and one of the most conveniently located: a 40-minute yacht ride or 15-minute seaplane flight from the airport in Male. Guests can choose villas over water or on the beach and for activities have personal concierges to arrange an array of watersports. They can also request bespoke menus from the chef on island, try one of the restaurants at the main resort nearby (including one featuring a culinary plan devised by the Michelin starred chef of Singapore’s restaurant Burnt Ends) or be transported by boat to a sandbank in the middle of the ocean for a sunset dinner.

Four Seasons Maldives Private Island at Voavah  Elsewhere in the Maldives, the five-acre, seven-room Voavah has a particularly rarified location within the UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll, one of the richest coral reef systems in the world, home to a dense supply of marine life including manta rays and green and hawksbill turtles. Guests of the exclusive use island have their choice of two beachfront villas or two suites and are attended to by a staff of 25. A 62-foot yacht is also around for tooling around the other atolls and dining choices include a selection of international cuisines prepared by the island chef or at the restaurants at the island’s sibling Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru, a 20-minute boat ride away.

The Aerial BVI The British Virgin Islands are also a prime destination for private islands and this is the newest entry, opening in March on Buck Island, a 43-acre island off the east coast of Tortola. The five residences are intended to fit into the environment, built of natural wood and reclaimed stone. Among the group of island hosts are activity coordinators and wellness consultants to help guests achieve more balanced lifestyles through meditation, immune-boosting treatments, yoga and other disciplines and treatments. Meals composed of ingredients from the island gardens or from local growers are all farm to table, intended not only for enhanced flavours but to help the local economy.

Moskito Island Richard Branson’s second island in the BVI, where he and his family periodically take up residence, is fully opening in the spring but his family’s estate, a three villa compound, is open for rental now.  The villas, each inspired by members of the family, are a combination of styles: the Caribbean, palm-fringed architecture; Balinese furnishings; modern conveniences ranging from an elevator to elite sound systems.  Activities on and around the 125-acre island include tennis courts, kite surfing, snorkelling and sailing Hobie Cats. Dining is entirely bespoke and arranged in various locations: by the boat pavilion, by the beach or one of the island’s salt ponds.

Necker Island Richard Branson’s original BVI island two miles from Moskito recently reopened after a two-year closure and rebuild after being decked by Hurricane Irma. A celebrity hideaway since the 1980s (more recently the site of a post-Presidency visit by Barack and Michelle Obama and a much-publicized kitesurfing challenge between the former President and Branson), it set the standard for luxury private island resorts in the region. Known for its service (such as stashed bottles of Veuve Clicquot in coolers at points along hiking trails of the 74-acre island), an array of toys for watersports and striking Balinese design, the island is adding new elements this year including a new Balinese residential structure and new pools for villas.

andBeyond Mnemba Island It takes an effort to get to andBeyond Mnemba Island (flying to Zanzibar through Europe, Kenya or the Middle East followed by a rough road ride across that island and a 15-minute boat ride to Mnemba) but once you get there, the sense of seclusion and serenity is overwhelming. Further relaxation is from the immediate removal of shoes: this intimate island is constructed on sand and barefoot is the only way to go. The island is tiny, less than a mile, with 12 rustic cottages woven from palm fronds and nestled between a tropical forest and the white sand. But as simple as the setup looks, the service is sophisticated with personal butlers arranging activities from snorkelling trips to observations of the turtles that come to nest on the beach to sunset sails aboard a traditional dhow.

Sweet Bocas This 15-acre private island in the UNESCO World Heritage Site archipelago Bocas del Toro in the northwest of Panama is the ultimate seclusion. The main structure is a seven-bedroom wooden villa decorated whimsically and colourfully built on stilts out in the water connected to the island by a spindly walkway. On the edge of the island is another building with a gym and swimming pool, another option from the surrounding turquoise Caribbean. Activities include fishing, surfing lessons, snorkelling and scuba, tennis on the island courts or meditation and yoga. Meals are created from ingredients produced on the island or caught in the waters around it. And after dinner, the staff sets up a movie screen out on the water for guests to view favourite films under the stars, homemade ice cream included.

North Island, a Luxury Collection Resort, Seychelles A recent addition to Marriott International’s Luxury Collection, this 497-acre island is devoted equally to providing relaxed luxury to its guests and working toward ecological progress and conservation of the area’s natural resources; guests are likely to encounter large turtles sauntering around the grounds. The 11 villas are constructed of natural materials uncovered on the island but decorated with a mix of local artefacts and colourful designer touches. The menu is a mix of international favourites, local preparations such as Creole curries or whatever guest requests. Seychelles is also the first country to allow travellers who have received both doses of one of the four major vaccines to travel there without quarantine or taking a COVID 19 test. The only hitch is that they have to stay in one of a list of specific hotels—and North Island is one.

Cayo Espanto This private island off the coast of Belize is 15 minutes from a world-famous dive site in the second largest coral reef in the world, the reason it’s popular with travellers who want to spend their days snorkelling and scuba diving. Fishing enthusiasts also flock here for spirited battles with bonefish. Others spend their time sailing catamarans or relaxing on the beaches or the docks near the seven villas. And then dining on selections created for them individually every day.

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