We’d Rather Be At These Luxury Desert Island Escapes Right Now
Dreaming of your next holiday? Preferably somewhere warm and tropical? Same. Here are The Handbook’s top ten picks for the most unbelievable luxury island destinations. From stargazing in the middle of the ocean to villas where jumping into the sea straight from your bed is the only way you’ll be getting to breakfast.
Castaway Island
This Fiji island resort is an award-winning iconic private island escape embodying the heart and soul of the South Pacific. The island’s 174 acres are covered in rich tropical rainforest, surrounded by white sand beaches, vibrant coral reefs and azure waters. You will likely spend your mornings drifting over stingrays in the shallows before the staff pull you into an impromptu sunset serenade over fresh coconut cocktails.
This Fiji island resort is an award-winning iconic private island escape embodying the heart and soul of the South Pacific.
Where: Fiji
Website: www.castawayfiji.com
Carlisle Bay
Set on Antigua’s serene southern coast, Carlisle Bay offers a seamless balance of tropical wilderness and understated Caribbean luxury. The resort features 82 light-filled suites complete with louvred plantation shutters, cool grey-and-white accents, and private terraces opening toward the ocean. Guests can spend their days paddleboarding across calm waters, hiking rainforest trails, indulging at the serene Blue Spa, or dining across four distinct venues, from Pan-Asian fine dining at East to relaxed, beachfront lunches at Indigo on the Beach.
It manages to feel completely family-friendly while still preserving those quiet, breezy corners where couples can unwind with a rum punch firmly in hand.
Where: Antigua, Caribbean
Website: www.turquoiseholidays.com
Hayman Island
Hayman Island is a private island resort in the heart of the Whitsundays. The nearest island to the Great Barrier Reef, it’s ideal for nature-based activities. Featuring 160 guest rooms, suites, villas and penthouses across three main accommodation wings, Hayman Island creates the ultimate barefoot luxury.
Hop on a helicopter straight from the resort helipad to see Heart Reef from above, then return just in time for poolside oysters and chilled Australian Riesling.
Where: Whitsunday Islands, Queensland
Website: www.haymanisland.com
Amanpulo
Cerulean sky and turquoise sea merge at Amanpulo, a whisper-quiet private island retreat in the Philippines. With views to Manamoc Island, the restaurants serve simply prepared cuisine made from ingredients grown in the luxury resort’s gardens. Each secluded casita comes with its own buggy so you can cruise along the powder-soft shoreline entirely uninterrupted.
With views to Manamoc Island, the restaurants serve simply prepared cuisine made from ingredients grown in the luxury resort’s gardens.
Where: Philippines
Website: www.aman.com
Necker Island
One of the more famous islands on the list for reasons we don’t even need to explain, Necker Island is available for private hire all year round. There is no end of things to do on the island, and whether you want to be in, on, or by the water, there is an activity tailored for you.
As the day comes to a close, you’ll be swapping the beach for the dance floor, as Necker is known for its truly outrageous parties. You might find yourself sharing breakfast alongside the resident flamingos before gearing up for another evening of champagne flowing well past midnight.
Where: British Virgin Islands
Website: www.virginlimitededition.com
Mnemba
AndBeyond Mnemba Island Lodge is an extremely high-quality beach lodge set on a private island off Zanzibar, renowned for its superb relaxed hosting and barefoot luxury. The very simple build and structures allow guests to feel close to and a part of its beautiful surroundings. Expect shoes to become entirely obsolete the second your boat touches the sand, leaving you with little to do besides spotting green turtles and eating freshly caught seafood right on the shore.
Where: Zanzibar
Website: www.andbeyond.com
Soneva Jani
Soneva Jani encompasses a collection of Water Villas and Island Sanctuaries set within a lagoon of crystal-clear waters, fringed by pristine beaches and blanketed in lush tropical greenery. As if the place wasn’t magical enough, why not experience a night under the stars at the first overwater observatory in the Maldives? Learn about the secrets of the night sky with Soneva Jani’s very own Astronomer. When you are not looking up at distant galaxies, you will probably be sliding straight into the turquoise lagoon via the giant waterslide attached to your bedroom deck.
Where: Maldives
Website: www.soneva.com
Voahva
A truly private escape, this little gem is owned by the Four Seasons, so you can expect first-class service to shine through in every aspect of this resort. At Voavah, there are no neighbours, no prying eyes and no limits. It is just you and your private yacht. Having an entire UNESCO biosphere reserve completely to yourself means you can swim alongside manta rays all afternoon without bumping into a single other tourist.
Having an entire UNESCO biosphere reserve completely to yourself means you can swim alongside manta rays all afternoon without bumping into a single other tourist.
Where: Maldives
Website: www.fourseasons.com
Isles of Scilly
Nestled just 35 miles off the coast of Cornwall, these islands are like nowhere else in England. Outstandingly beautiful, uncrowded and unspoilt, they seem like a world apart from everyday life, yet they are in touching distance of home. You can bike from cove to cove on Tresco or St Mary’s, stopping at beach shacks for crab sandwiches that rival anything you would find across the Mediterranean.
Where: Cornwall
Website: www.visitcornwall.com
St Kitts
From misted rainforest trails and volcanic ATV tracks to quiet, turquoise coves, St. Kitts effortlessly blends outdoor thrill with relaxed Caribbean warmth. Between ziplining canopy tours and sunset boat charters, St. Kitts is an inviting island escape that moves at your own pace. Cap off an adventurous afternoon by pulling up a chair at a laid-back beach bar on Frigate Bay to listen to live reggae with the locals.
Where: St Kitts, Caribbean
Website: www.stkitts.com
