Nothing screams “I’ve arrived” quite like owning your very own private island. For celebrities, these hideaways are the pinnacle of status symbols—offering seclusion from flashing cameras, the perfect backdrop for extravagant parties, and even the chance to name a beach after your idols. But among all the A-lister retreats out there, which ones stand above the rest in 2025? Pack your virtual suitcases—here are 10 of the most breathtaking celebrity-owned islands, each of which oozes luxury, exclusivity, and a dash of bold ambition.
10. Ricky Martin – Angra dos Reis, Brazil
Ricky Martin’s beach retreat off Brazil’s shore is pure bliss. The pop star shelled out $8 million for this green paradise, located in the trendy resort town of Angra dos Reis. With emerald-colored bays and crystal water, it’s the perfect family hideaway with still relatively easy access to Brazil’s high-end resorts. That is, complete anonymity—add glamour.
9. Pamela Anderson – Dubai
Pamela Anderson’s island has a love story behind it—Tommy Lee once gifted it to her in a dramatic gesture to rekindle their romance. Nestled within Dubai’s ambitious World Islands project, the island was at one point slated to become an eco-resort. While Pam has kept her exact plans under wraps, the location alone—staring out at the glittering Dubai skyline—cements its wow factor.
8. Shakira – Bonds, Cay, Bahamas
Shakira, Roger Waters, and Alejandro Sanz shelled out $16 million for Bonds Cay, a 700-acre Bahamian getaway. Their fantasy? An artist-friendly, eco-friendly retreat with luxury villas, art studios, and secluded coves. Bonds Cay is a mix of sustainability and creativity—an island created as much for innovation as for recreation.
7. Eddie Murphy – Rooster Cay, Bahamas
Comedy legend Eddie Murphy only bought one island. His second purchase in the Bahamas, Rooster Cay, was $15 million. Located next door to Nassau, this 15-acre tropical haven is essentially a blank canvas, giving Murphy the best of both worlds: seclusion when needed, but instant access to the thrill of the capital city whenever the mood strikes.
6. Johnny Depp – Little Halls Pond Cay, Bahamas
Johnny Depp’s island hideaway seems to have been taken straight out of Pirates of the Caribbean—fitting, as he happened upon it while filming. For $3.6 million, Depp purchased Little Halls Pond Cay, with six beaches, each named for loved ones and friends like Hunter S. Thompson and Marlon Brando. To Depp, it’s “instant freedom”—a secluded sanctuary where Hollywood commotion disappears into the distance.
5. Mel Gibson – Mago Island, Fiji
Mel Gibson purchased a giant buy. Mago Island in Fiji is 5,400 acres wide and one of the largest privately owned islands in the Pacific. Gibson bought it for $15 million, allegedly, but instead of turning it into a gaudy paradise, he’s left the island alone. With volcanic hillsides, lagoons, and unspoiled reefs, Mago is more about unvarnished natural beauty than glamour.
4. David Copperfield – Musha Cay, Bahamas
Magician David Copperfield did not just buy an island—he bought 11. Musha Cay and the surrounding “Islands of Copperfield Bay” are now one of the world’s most exclusive private getaways. Priced at around $50 million, the vacation spot has everything from private beaches to custom firework displays. With a $42,000 price tag per night, Musha Cay has treated Oprah and Google co-founder Sergey Brin like royalty—it’s essentially a playground for the ultra-rich.
3. Larry Ellison – Lanai, Hawaii
It’s not surprising that Oracle billionaire Larry Ellison would acquire nearly a whole Hawaiian island. For $300 million, Ellison acquired 97% of Lanai, the sixth-largest island in Hawaii. With less than 3,000 inhabitants, Lanai has two Four Seasons resorts, professional-grade golf courses, and farm-to-table dining. It’s a blend of local culture, untainted landscapes, and high-end living.
2. Leonardo DiCaprio – Blackadore Caye, Belize
Leonardo DiCaprio’s Blackadore Caye project is as much about restoration as excess. DiCaprio bought the 42-hectare Belize island for $1.75 million and is turning it into an eco-resort powered by high-tech innovation. Amenities will consist of artificial reefs, biodesigned villas, and a focus on restoring the island’s delicate balance of nature. For DiCaprio, it’s having his cake and eating it too: green living and travel luxury.
1. Richard Branson – Necker Island, British Virgin Islands
And finally, the crown jewel: Richard Branson’s Necker Island. Purchased for a paltry $180,000 back in 1979, nowadays it’s one of the world’s most celebrity hideaways. It accommodates 28 in Balinese-inspired villas and has hosted royals, rock legends, and all points in between. Coral reefs and an in-island marina encircle Necker, and it’s still the gold standard of island living.
It’s not just about the money—although, admittedly, that doesn’t hurt either. The real draw is in privacy, the potential to build your own little world, and the chance to escape the unwavering glare of the spotlight. Most of these sanctuaries marry up luxury with wellness, adventure, and culture—so much more than beach resorts.
All that being said, island life is not always quite as glamorous as sipping champagne in the evening. Stars who buy them have gigantic logistical problems to contend with, from building infrastructure to fending off the paparazzi and snooping yachts. Consider Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, for example, who basically had to build their own little town. Still, for someone who has the means to do it, a private island is the ultimate status symbol—a retreat where dreams, parties, and serenity of mind all coexist on one perfect piece of sand.