World Island Info

Jason Notte of TheStreet.com reports that the economic crisis is driving down the cost of private islands.

Alexis Pappas of the island real estate firm Private Islands reports that many islands have dropped by half in price. Granted, it’s still not bargain basement time: while the owners of 4.4-acre Monarch Caye off Belize asked for $5 million, they still got $1 million for the island. And, while the Onassis family didn’t get $21 million for Nafiska Island, they are still asking $10 million.

A rather shifty-looking island on New Zealand is coming up for sale. A river island, it is nonetheless a double.

The 20 hectare (50 acre) island is in the Dart River in the southern end of the South Island, northwest of Queenstown — here.

I heard from Cheyenne Morrison, a noted broker of private islands, today.  He has a blog about buying and living on your own island here.

For the less wealthy, the virtual world Second Life offers islands, beginning at $1,250 for 16 acres.  Sixty-four acres can be had for $5,000.

The new owner can choose from “six different topologies,” name his island, and choose the rating (PG or M).  Unlike most real islands, the new island can be moved, for a fee.

Of course, for about the same price as a small virtual island, you can rent Ranguana Caye, Belize, for a week.

“Paradise can be yours for as little as $225,000,” says a recent article from Money. (The Web version omits the pictures from the printed article, alas.)

Actually, islands can be had for far less than that, if you are willing to settle for cool climates or a freshwater island.