14 incredible private islands on Airbnb to rent in 2022

There's a much larger selection of private islands on Airbnb around the world than you might realise.

From cabins in Canada to a beach-side bungalow in Belize, renting your own private island is on a par with staying in the best luxury hotels in the world when it comes to bucket list experiences.

Complete with amazing swimming pools, speedboat transfers and even private chefs, these private islands offer a 5-star experience but with an Airbnb price tag.

So whether you choose to rent a private island on Canada’s undiscovered Sunshine Coast, a traditional Finnish cottage or a thatched-roof bungalow on the beach, these private retreats on Airbnb are sure to provide a vacation you won’t forget in a hurry...

Incredible private islands on Airbnb to rent in 2022 

1. East Sister Rock Island, USA

Jet off to East Sister Rock Island in the Florida Keys for a tropical getaway. The three-bedroom property boasts 5000 square feet of living area, plus a 2700 square foot covered veranda to soak in the views of the Atlantic Ocean. Whether you want to arrive here by powered boat or helicopter, this property’s got you covered with a dock and helicopter pad. Despite the island's size, there's plenty of things to do if you're planning a family vacation to Florida. Take advantage of snorkeling and scuba diving opportunities, learn to kiteboard, or laze on your own private beach on the white sands that surround the entire property.

Prices start from $1700/night with a 7-night minimum stay. Book your stay here.

2. Emerald Island, USA

Aptly named for the shimmering green waters that surround this one-acre private island, Emerald Island enjoys a scenic location on Flathead Lake in Montana. This newly renovated property features a spacious patio equipped with a grill and inviting hot tub, and the upper level’s expansive floor to ceiling windows boasts uninterrupted views of the lake. The rental comes with a 12-foot aluminium boat with an electric motor to get you to and from shore, as well as kayaks and paddle-boards.

Prices start from $1095/night with a 2-night minimum stay. Book your stay here.

3. Katinka Lake, USA

This 3,400 square foot timber frame home sits on a four-acre private island on Katinka Lake in Wisconsin and offers its guests total serenity. The network of stone paths make for easy exploring of the island, and the property comes with access to two kayaks and one canoe, which you can take fishing. The property’s sunroom is surrounded by three large windows with incredible lake views and is equipped with a wood-burning stone fireplace. 

Prices start from $891/night with a 7-night minimum stay. Book your stay here.

4. Nelson Island, Canada

This bohemian glamping site is situated on a private island in British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast. An exclusive retreat, the three units that make up the property accommodate up to six guests, though their dock allows for outdoor gatherings of up to 20 so you can enjoy dining al fresco. Spend your days hiking through the rainforests, paddleboarding, kayaking or swimming, or enjoy a boat tour around the region’s scenic inlets.

Prices start from $604/night with a 3-night minimum. Book your stay here.

5. Little Chimney Island, Canada

Atop the island’s highest point, this home on Little Chimney Island offers sweeping views of the St. Lawrence River in Ontario. Its spacious deck invites guests to enjoy a hot cup of coffee with a view in the mornings and to watch the stars under the glittering night sky. Visit neighboring Zavikon Island, which connects the Canadian island to an American one via a 32-foot long bridge — the world’s smallest international bridge.

Prices start from $555/night with a 7-night minimum. Book your stay here.

6. Strum Island, Canada

Perched on 10 acres of land, this luxurious lodge boasts six airy bedrooms, each with its own ensuite bathroom, and comfortably accommodates 12 guests. Head to the deck on the fourth floor with 360-degree views over Strum Island, soak in the wood-fired hot tub overlooking Mahone Bay and the neighboring Westhaver Island, or fix a drink at the handcrafted walnut bar and relax by the fireplace. The property’s lobster temple, which is designed specifically for boiling lobster, makes this property an authentic Nova Scotia getaway. 

Prices start from $4638/night with a 3-night minimum. Book your stay here.

7. Bigwood Island, Canada

Five cottages reside on the 36-acre Bigwood Island north of Parry Sound in Ontario, and the ample fresh air and open space make this a blissful hideaway. The number of guests that can be accommodated on the island changes throughout the year. The island is best visited in July, August, and over the Labour Day long weekend when a maximum of 16 guests can stay with all five cottages are open in July. 

Spend your days kayaking, fishing, and hiking in the surrounding pine forests. Dine al fresco by the stone barbecue grill, which showcases exceptional sunsets and views of the bay and La Cloche mountains. 

Prices start from $1704/night with a 3-night minimum. Book your stay here.

8. Gladden Private Island, Belize

A short four-hour journey from Miami and off the eastern coast of Central America in the Caribbean Sea, Gladden Island in Belize offers guests an all-inclusive luxury resort experience. Enveloped by shimmering turquoise waters and fine white sands, this elegant villa accommodates up to two couples at a time and offers total serenity. Spend your days sipping on fine wines, gorging on local specialities prepared by a gourmet chef, scuba diving, and indulging in rejuvenating spa treatments. The team of dedicated staff who cater to guests’ every whim reside on a smaller island behind Gladden.

Prices start from $4571/night with a 4-night minimum. Book your stay here.

9. Little Peter Oasis, Belize

Situated some eight miles off the coast of Central Belize, the thatched roof overwater bungalow on this three-acre island makes for the ideal tropical getaway. The rental comes with a private concierge, two caretakers, and a private chef who whips up three gourmet meals a day. With the island completely protected by coral reef, it’s possible to see and swim with tens of thousands of fish, including giant rays and nurse sharks in your backyard. Otherwise, this oasis is just a 15-minute boat ride away from Belize Barrier, the world’s second-largest barrier reef.

Prices start from $1495/night with a 3-night minimum. Book your stay here.

10. Fort Morgan Cay, Honduras

Escape to this 40-acre private island off the coast of Roatan in the stunning Port Royal Bay in Honduras. The eight-bedroom property is run by a local team of eight staff members who dish up three meals a day with the freshest local ingredients and help arrange a variety of excursions, including diving, fishing, and kite surfing. Guests are invited to laze on the island’s three white sand beaches and use the property’s snorkel equipment, 14-foot catamaran, kayaks, and stand up paddle boards.

Prices start from $260/night with a 4-night minimum. Book your stay here.

11. Nuottisaari Island, Finland

For a stay in a traditional Finnish cottage, head to the island of Nuottisaari, on lake Pieni Tallusjärvi in the country’s west. Each of the three cabins has been recently remodelled, though it retains elements of a classic mökki, or cottage, like a dry toilet and wood-burning sauna. Each cabin is equipped with a large terrace, and floor to ceiling windows that display uninterrupted views of lake Pieni Tallusjärvi. Revel in the area’s deafening silence, fish for pike and bream in the still waters, or forage for mushrooms and berries in the surrounding forests when seasons allow.

Prices start from $194/night with a 7-night minimum. Book your stay here.

12. Vis Island, Croatia

This luxury seaside villa is found on Host Island in the Adriatic Sea, Croatia, one of the best places to visit in Europe for crystal blue waters, warm sunshine and island-hopping adventures.

Four bedrooms are spread over two floors at this villa, accommodating a maximum of 10 guests at a time. Covered in pine forests and home to a pebble beach, a getaway here is all about experiencing the islet’s natural beauty. For the ultimate pampering experience, complement your stay with a pre-arranged private chef or yoga instructor. There's also the option to book a speedboat with a skipper that can transport you to some of the other natural gems along the coastline.

Prices start from $623/night with a 4-night minimum. Book your stay here.

13. Valle Falconera, Italy

This dreamy 50-acre private island lies in the charming Venetian lagoon. Its dusty pink facade makes this a classic Venetian farmhouse, with adorable donkeys, chickens, and other farm animals that roam the property. Elsewhere, you’ll find fish farms, beehives, and pear and fig trees. Sample traditional Italian dishes while surveying the picture-perfect vista. 

Prices start from $312/night. Book your stay here.

14. Brother Island, Philippines

The Philippines is a fantastic affordable luxury vacation destination and this private island on Airbnb is no exception. 

This secluded vacation rental in the Sulu Sea two hours from El Nido has been welcoming guests since 1991. Their 'worry-free' package, or all-inclusive deal, features three meals a day in traditional Filippino style. The host and the staff, who are on hand to assist you throughout your stay, live on the other side of the island. Spend your days snorkeling or kayaking around Brother Island, tanning on the white sand beach, or exploring the nearby bamboo forest.

Prices start from $390/night with a 2-night minimum. Book your stay here.