Island type
Leasehold Private Islands for Sale
In much of the South Pacific, Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean, long-term leasehold is the normal way to hold an island. Underlying land may belong to customary owners, a community or the state, and the lease grants exclusive use for a defined period under agreed conditions.
Leasehold is not a lesser form of ownership by default. Many long-established resorts operate on leases. What matters is the remaining term, how renewal works, what rent reviews look like, and whether the relationship with the underlying owners is documented and healthy.
Who this suits
- Buyers focused on regions where freehold is unavailable to foreigners
- Investors with a defined project horizon rather than perpetual ownership plans
- Resort operators who are comfortable underwriting a lease-based asset
- Buyers willing to trade tenure certainty for location quality
Where to find them
- Fiji and Vanuatu, where customary land is leased on long terms
- Maldives, where resort islands are held on government leases
- Indonesia and the Philippines, through lease and use-right structures
- French Polynesia, where communal ownership is common
- Parts of Africa and the Indian Ocean under concession arrangements
Key considerations
- Confirm the exact remaining term and whether renewal is a right or a negotiation
- Understand rent review mechanics and any indexation
- Check consent requirements for assignment, mortgage and subletting
- Review development or operating obligations written into the lease
- Identify who the underlying owners are and how decisions are made
Infrastructure
- Improvements may revert to the landowner at lease end, which affects investment planning
- Financing can be harder and typically requires a term comfortably longer than the loan
- Insurance and capital planning should be aligned with the lease horizon
Ownership notes
- Leases are often registered, and registration status is a key diligence point.
- Some jurisdictions require government approval for lease transfers to foreign parties.
- Community relationships can be as important in practice as the written document.
Countries to consider
CountryFijiPrivate islands in Fiji: freehold and native lease tenure, island groups, foreign investment approvals, infrastructure and access.CountryVanuatuPrivate islands in Vanuatu: leasehold tenure over custom land, island groups, access, infrastructure and purchase steps.Countrythe MaldivesPrivate islands in the Maldives: government leases for resort development, licensing, infrastructure and investment considerations.CountryIndonesiaPrivate islands in Indonesia: land rights for foreign investors, main island regions, tourism licensing and infrastructure realities.Countrythe PhilippinesPrivate islands in the Philippines: ownership restrictions for foreigners, lease structures, main island regions and infrastructure.CountryFrench PolynesiaPrivate islands and motu in French Polynesia: family land ownership, lagoon settings, French legal framework and access considerations.
Related guides
GuideFreehold vs Leasehold Private IslandsHow freehold and leasehold island tenure differ in practice, and how to assess a long lease on its term, renewal rights and consent requirements.GuideCan Foreigners Buy a Private Island?How foreign ownership rules differ between island markets, including permits, leases, corporate structures and the questions to ask locally.GuideBuying an Island for a ResortEvaluating an island for hospitality use: licensing, access economics, staffing, capacity and the diligence a resort transaction requires.GuidePrivate Island Investment GuideHow to assess a private island as an investment, including value creation routes, holding costs, liquidity and risk factors.
Frequently asked questions
How long are island leases usually?
Terms vary widely by jurisdiction and asset. What matters is whether the remaining term supports your intended use, financing and eventual resale.
Can a leasehold island be resold?
Generally yes, though consent from the landowner or a government body is often required, and the remaining term strongly affects value.
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