Window to the world: exclusive islands special

This month, we’ve gathered the ultimate exclusive islands to visit with a different one to suit your every holiday mood, including romantic escapes, adventure-packed paradises, and luxurious retreats.

Denis Private Island

A paradise for honeymooning couples looking for a quiet retreat, Denis Private Island in the Seychelles is ideal for kicking back and taking it easy. A 30-minute plane journey away from the main island of Mahe, Denis Private Island has 25 private cottages to choose from, which are spaced out so you feel like you’re the only ones there. You feel very connected to the surrounding nature in this setup, with outdoor showers rooms and a self-sufficient farm that grows a large proportion of the food served there, such as the vegetables in the Creole fish soup.

What’s more, the island is known for its world-class deep sea game fishing so be sure to take advantage if you enjoy casting a line or two.

Musha Cay in the Bahamas

Musha Cay in the Bahamas, owned by David Copperfield who spends about eight weeks of the year there with his family, is one of the most secluded island escapes available set in over 700 acres of blissful wilderness. Musha Cay is one of 11 islands on Copperfield Bay and has five incredible plantation-style villas for you to make use of. The Landings overlooks the dock and acts as a central restaurant and guest clubhouse, which includes a games room and breakfast veranda. Untouched neighbouring islands are ideal for exploring, which you can get to with one of the jet boats on hand for excursions. Mr Copperfield has endeavoured to bring his favourite discoveries back with him to the island, selecting ornaments from his travels for the accommodation such as Balinese-style couches and Hindu statues. Your stay will include a night at Dave’s Drive-In – a movie theatre on the beach that serves popcorn.

Banwa Private Island in the Philippines

Banwa Private Island is a new resort in the Philippines and is one of the most exceptional island resorts in the world. The 15-acre island sits in the archipelago of Palawan and can be accessed by a two-hour helicopter or seaplane ride from Manila. Idyllic and secluded, the island has six beachfront villas (ranging from one to four bedrooms) all with a private infinity pool and jacuzzi. There are also 12 garden rooms and a top-level residential suite. In total, the island can accommodate up to 48 people.

The wine list has some premium wines for guests who like to enjoy the finer things in life, and a host of chefs are on hand to cook with vegetables from the on-site organic farm and fish caught from the surrounding Sulu Sea. The resort even makes its own honey! Guests can use the island’s concierge service and can enjoy unlimited spa treatments. If you’re not one to sit about during your holidays, then there’s plenty of activities to enjoy like snorkelling, kayaking, jet skiing, scuba diving, sailing, yoga, and tennis. There is an on-site marine specialist to talk about the local wildlife, including protected native animals like Hawksbill sea turtles and Tabon birds.

Makepeace Island in Australia

Perfectly positioned upstream from the world-renowned Noosa on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, the Makepeace Island accommodates for up to 22 guests. Unlike Necker Island, this is not a well-known holiday destination despite also being owned by Mr Branson. In 2011, it opened to the public and hosted the likes of Justin Bieber and will.i.am but after emerging from a multi-million dollar refurbishment last year, the new-look island resort is set to welcome a wider range of high-paying guests. Expect organic beef carpaccio and Tasmanian salmon for dinner, with cocktails to follow. The resort boasts plenty of spaces from the media room, tennis court, pools, outdoor cinema, a 15-person spa, and the two-storey open-air Balinese wantilan “for relaxing and gatherings.”

You might be forgiven for thinking that the island has a rather cutesy name, but it was actually named in honour of Hannah Makepeace, a delightful housekeeper who inherited the island in the ’30s from its childless owners.

Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands

Necker Island is well known for being Sir Richard Branson’s private retreat, which has hosted everyone from Kate Winslet to Mick Jagger. Despite being in the limelight, there’s still a lot to be said for the island as a tranquil retreat, where you can stroll along pristine white beaches and listen to the sounds of local calypso bands.

The Great House atop Devil’s Hill offers eight beautifully furnished bedrooms, whilst the six additional Balinese houses can accommodate for twenty-eight guests. For parties and special occasions, Necker Island can be hired out exclusively throughout the year with a team of ninety staff on hand to take care of your guest’s every need. Enjoy champagne brunches, beach barbeques, and elegant candlelit dinners on the beach. Take a swim in the 135-foot freshwater pool or enjoy a game on the floodlit tennis courts. There’s also a range of watersports available to book during your stay, with sailing, kite surfing, windsurfing, kayaking, snorkelling, sea fishing, and boating excursions to neighbouring islands.

Frégate Island Private in Seychelles

This pristine island can be found in the middle of the Indian Ocean, a tropical retreat that will captivate you with its natural, untouched beauty. Seventeen villas with private pools and sun decks are available, hidden on the rocky hills above the island’s beaches so that they can make the most of the expansive sea views. Keeping privacy and exclusivity in mind, the villas are spaced apart and each comes equipped with its own private buggy for easy transport.

There are seven pristine beaches to choose from on the island, some with lively sunset bars and some with quiet and comfortably furnished beach huts. If you want to indulge your inner adventurer, then book a day with one of the resident biologists for an exciting hike through the jungle to the top of Mount Signal where you can enjoy some astounding views of the island.