10 Amazing Private Islands You Can Book Through Airbnb

Vacationing on your own private island — as in, an entire island, just for you and whomever you want to invite — might seem Kardashian-level, but there are actually numerous islands with lodgings you can book through Airbnb, and not all of them are exorbitant.

Have we got your travel wheels turning? Read on for our list of 10 private islands — on five different continents — that you can book through Airbnb.

Ilha dos Desejos (Wish Island) is a lush, rocky islet close to the biodiversity hotspot of Ilha Grande State Park. On this whimsical little island, there are few boundaries between the indoors and outdoors; each of the three sleeping quarters and living area is designed in an open-air style for maximum integration. A maze of lantern-filled pathways wind under trees filled with tropical birds and take you to wooden decks and platforms overlooking waters frequented by sea turtles.

In the 1800s, New York’s elite retreated to the “Thousand Islands” region, named for the more than 1,800 islands occupying the head of the St. Lawrence River. The red historic lodge, surrounded by trees and perched on the granite rocks of Whiskey Island, is a throwback to those days. Built circa 1875, the eight-bedroom lodge has several fireplaces, two staircases, five porches outfitted with wicker deck chairs, a piano, and antique stained glass fixtures.

Find your own private slice of the sea in one of Europe’s hottest tourist destinations. Ravna Sika, a less than a quarter-mile island in the Adriatic Sea, is an unspoiled island with a traditional stone cottage and grapevine-covered terrace. The island is close to Kornati National Park and, for a small fee, guests can rent a small speedboat and partake in that ultimate Mediterranean summer pastime — island hopping.

John Jones Island is located in the estuary between the barrier island of Emerald Isle and mainland North Carolina in the southernmost part of the Outer Banks. This tiny slip of an island comes with a one-bedroom wood-frame eco house. There’s a 40-foot long dock, screened-in porch, kayaks, and of course, a 360-degree view of the stunning Outer Banks.

Selkäsaari is a tiny forested island in Finland’s Lakeland region. In true Finnish style, the island consists of two simply but impeccably decorated wood cabins, a sauna, and plenty of outdoor seating areas. A hot tub sits under a stand of birch trees and a dock with chairs overlooks Tuomiojärvi Lake. Two rowboats are included with the rental and the town of Jyväskylä is only a 10-minute boat ride away.

You’ll feel at one with the ocean — and the sunset — when you stay on East Sister Rock, an ancient coral reef and sand island with a large home and swimming pool situated in the shallow Florida Keys waters. The large three-bedroom house surrounded by a 12 foot covered verandah and deck chairs has a pool table, bar, and fireplace. The island is encircled by a rock jetty, creating your own personal moat for those ocean dips. At $1,700 a night (depending on dates) using one of the best credit cards for booking an Airbnb would be a smart move.

Note: No longer on Airbnb, the East Sister Rock Island is now being rented only directly through their own website. 

Hog Island is a pine tree-covered 3.5-acre island in the middle of Damariscotta River in Maine. This region is famous for its oysters (both wild and fresh) and the estuary waters teeming with fish, bringing seals and bald eagles to the region. There’s even an active bald eagle nest on the island. The two-bedroom house is a quintessential clapboard and white-washed pine cottage with a covered porch and excellent views of the river.

Victor Island is just off the east coast of Australia in the Great Barrier Reef region. The tiny island — a little more than a half-square mile — has wide sandy beaches, lush vegetation, and is surrounded by the turquoise waters of the Coral Sea. The four-bedroom house has several sets of sliding glass doors that open onto a large wooden deck and landscaped grounds.

The one-square-mile Macias Island is in the Patagonia region in the middle of General Carrera Lake. The island rental comes with a three-bedroom wood-and-glass house. The open living and kitchen area has a wood-burning stove and floor-to-ceiling glass doors that open onto a deck, which gives unobstructed views of the dramatic landscape.

At a little more than $300 a night — depending on the dates — for up to 10 people, this island is a great deal. Even more so if you book this Airbnb with points.

Talacanen Island is one of the 7,000 islands in the Philippines archipelago, situated in a quiet bay of the Sulu Sea. At Floral Island Resort, a private retreat where you’ll be the only guest, there are bungalows perched on rocky cliffs, a sandy beach, an in-house masseuse, and a chef serving traditional Filipino meals three times per day.

The minimum booking is four guests and the resort can sleep up to 16 people. The waters surrounding the island are warm and shallow, with a long wooden pier that puts you right into the snorkeling action.

There are some fantastic private islands to rent through Airbnb. We found these properties by searching in countries with a lot of islands and checking “island” under the “Unique Stay” filter. Not all of the islands listed will be categorized correctly, so double-check Google Maps and the reviews to weed out the non-private islands. When in doubt, contact the owner.

Of course, to bring the cost of your private island trip down, consider using one of the best travel credit cards to book this vacation.