Caribbean Private Islands Guide Released
A new roundup spotlights seven of the most luxurious private island resorts in the Caribbean, from Pine Cay in Turks & Caicos to Petit St. Vincent in Grenada. These destinations promise total privacy and personalized service, though the guide notes that ultra-secluded resorts come with tradeoffs including limited dining variety and no quick trips to town.
- Several exclusive Caribbean islands are owned by high-profile figures, including Necker Island, which belongs to Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson, and Musha Cay in the Bahamas, which is owned by illusionist David Copperfield. - Pine Cay, an 800-acre private island, was the site of the first tourist development in the Turks and Caicos Islands, planned in the 1950s, and its Meridian Club is the longest continuously operating hotel in the country. - Environmental conservation is a key feature at some resorts; Petit St. Vincent is home to one of only two Jean-Michel Cousteau dive centers in the world and runs a coral rejuvenation project for the surrounding reefs. - To promote tranquility, some private islands intentionally limit connectivity; the 22 cottages at Petit St. Vincent, for instance, do not have internet, phones, or televisions. - Sir Richard Branson purchased Necker Island in 1978 for approximately $180,000, with a government stipulation that he develop a resort within four years; today, the island can be rented for over $100,000 per day and is served by a staff of about 100. - Transportation on some islands is restricted to preserve a serene atmosphere; Pine Cay enforces a no-car policy, with all travel done by electric golf cart and bicycle. - Jumby Bay Island off the coast of Antigua is a significant nesting site for the endangered hawksbill sea turtle, and guests can participate in a "turtle watch" program between June and November. - The concept of a private island getaway dates back decades; Austrian explorer Count Ferdinand Czernin discovered Pine Cay in the 1950s and began developing it for friends seeking to escape metropolitan life.
