Buying guide
Buying an Island for a Resort
A resort island is a business first. Land quality matters, but licences, access economics and staffing determine whether the project works.
By Private Island Listings Editorial Team · Last updated 2026-08-20
Licensing and tenure
- Confirm tourism licences, permitted capacity and whether they survive a change of control
- Establish tenure security and, for leases, the term against the investment horizon
- Check environmental approvals covering wastewater, reef protection and construction
- Understand local employment and training obligations
Access economics
Guest transfer cost is part of the price a guest pays. A long seaplane or boat transfer raises the effective rate and narrows the addressable market, which should be modelled explicitly rather than treated as a detail.
Operating diligence
- Three years of trading data, adjusted for one-off events where possible
- Occupancy patterns by season and channel mix
- Staff numbers, accommodation and payroll obligations
- Utilities and fuel consumption per occupied room
- Capital expenditure history and forward requirements
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