Reality check—you’re probably not a billionaire. The good news? You don’t have to be a card-carrying member of the global elite in order to buy your very own island!
While isle living isn’t free, there are a few land masses surrounded by water that are available at a range of price points—some for not much more than a traditional land-based home.
With that in mind, we’ve found 10 islands for sale that are worth being stranded on. Set sail with us and have a look.
97500 Nevin Is, Greenwood, MN
Price: $269,900
Isle of delights: Nevin Island is tucked into a small cluster of islands. This particular property includes a rustic, one-bedroom cabin—and by rustic, we’re pretty sure there’s no bath. However, there are living, dining, and cooking areas. Outside, there’s a deck with a picnic table and a dock. Rock outcroppings on the west side of the island offer incredible sunset views.
42176 Twin Iss, Clayton, NY
Price: $525,000
Isle of delights: Located on a slice of land on the Saint Lawrence River, this four-bedroom home was built in 1922. Original features remain, including the fireplace, wainscoting, and an enclosed porch to watch the ships and sunsets. The property comes with a deep-water dock and a boathouse with guest quarters. Bonus: Most furnishings are included.
6524 Willow Ct, Waterford, WI
Price: $1,790,000
Isle of delights: Welcome to Rock Island! You’ll have to cross a private bridge to find this four-level, five-bedroom home. There are three private suites, two kitchens, and multiple outdoor living spaces.
1 Crescent Is, Sanibel, FL
Price: $2,599,000
Isle of delights: For those of you who’ve dreamed of owning a spit of land off the Florida coast, look no further. This 4-acre island with docks, a private beach, and hiking trails could be all yours. The Key West–style home has three bedrooms, wraparound porches, high ceilings, and custom wood detailing. The lucky new owner can look forward to fishing from the property’s deep-water dock or setting sail to the nearby islands.
2915 McIntyre Is, International Falls, MN
Price: $750,000
Isle of delights: True, this 10.5-acre island is in Minnesota, but it actually offers six private, sandy beaches. The year-round residence in the “Land of 10,000 Lakes” has an open floor plan with a large living room, formal dining room, den, and wood-burning fireplace. The outdoor space includes a wraparound deck, dock, and garage. The isle is just a five-minute boat ride from the marina.
1 Old House Cay Is, Hilton Head Island, SC
Price: $3,000,000
Isle of delights: Located along the western shoreline of Hilton Head Island, the Old House Cay property consists of 3 acres distributed among three small islands. The “thoughtfully designed and carefully constructed” main residence measures 1,800 square feet and features an open kitchen and family room, dining room, wraparound decks, and outdoor fire pit. You can catch the sunset from the three-story observation tower.
1674 Cuba Island Ln, Hayes, VA
Price: $1,975,000
Isle of delights: This 18-acre island paradise is near the mouth of the York River and has views of Chesapeake Bay. The main home, which sits in the center of the island, overlooks a dock and fire pit. The brick Colonial measures 6,400 square feet. There’s also a detached garage/workshop with a caretaker or guest apartment, a garden storage building, and a well house.
1 Johnson Is, Waldoboro, ME
Price: $1,700,000
Isle of delights: Located 170 miles from Boston, this 14-acre private island includes a mainland base with a boathouse, two apartments, a pier, and moorings. The camp-style spread includes two seasonal cottages, outhouses, and a well. Here, residents can enjoy sandy beaches, old-growth trees, boating, and swimming all summer long.
Montanas Shelter Is, Rollins, MT
Price: $13,950,000
Isle of delights: Montana’s Shelter Island estate sits on 22 private island acres in the middle of Flathead Lake and comes with 6,000 feet of lakefront access and multiple boat docks. Built in 2011, the 18,646-square-foot luxury home has a great room with a 45-foot-high ceiling, a second-story observatory, commercial-grade kitchen, wine cellar, conservatory, and indoor shooting range.
10 Cannon Pt Key Largo, FL
Price: $95 million
Isle of delights: It’s clear the seller of this slice of paradise in the Florida Keys is not willing to compromise on price. We picked up on this tropical nirvana a couple of years ago when it was first on the market, and, here it is, still searching for a buyer at the same sky-high price.
Pumpkin Key is a 26-acre private island located just 10 minutes by helicopter from Miami’s South Beach. Along with a white-sand beach surrounded by palm trees, there’s a tennis court that doubles as a helipad. The island includes a main home, two caretaker homes, and a dockmaster’s apartment. There’s a 20-slip marina, which can also accommodate a megayacht.
