Buying guide
Private Island Access: Docks and Airstrips
Access is the single most important practical attribute of an island. It determines how often the property is used, what it costs to maintain and how easily it can be sold.
By Private Island Listings Editorial Team · Last updated 2026-08-20
Docks and landings
Feasibility depends on water depth, seabed composition, tidal range, exposure and permitting. On shallow banks, a shallow-draft landing or a floating pontoon may be the only practical option, and that constrains which vessels can serve the island.
Air access
- Helipads require modest space and are usually simpler to permit than a runway
- Airstrips need length, terrain, clear approaches and regulatory approval
- Floatplanes and amphibious aircraft serve many markets without infrastructure
- Customs and immigration arrangements matter for international arrivals
The mainland base
Almost every island depends on a mainland facility: parking, a slip or marina berth, storage and somewhere to receive deliveries. Whether those rights are owned, leased or informal should be established before purchase, because they are part of the asset in practice.