Picture paradise and you’ll see Necker Island. Located in the British Virgin Islands just north of Virgin Gorda, Necker Island is an idyllic, privately owned island acquired by Sir Richard Branson – an entrepreneur, space explorer, billionaire and author turned tour guide. Keen to impress his girlfriend Joan (who he ended up marrying 11 years later), 27-year-old Branson bought the island in 1979 for $180,000 when he spotted the island from the helicopter during a Caribbean trip.

The British billionaire is said to have spent a whopping $10 million to transform the 74-acre island into the luxury resort it is today. This secluded hideaway is essentially the fulfillment of everyone’s dream tropical island vision. Its natural scenery ranges from vista-rich hilltops and bold headlands to the encircling necklace of coral reefs. Its amenities and activities check every box, from beachfront dining and watersports to spa bliss-outs and swim-up bars.

Accommodations

Elegant Balinese-style houses compliment the ambiance of the paradise and to keep things comfortable and private. Only 48 adults and 6 additional children can stay on the island simultaneously. 

They’re offered four complexes: the Great House, two different clusters of Bali Houses and the Temple House. Each room is then furnished to the tee with Balinese art, bamboo furniture and colonial antiques created by the brains of some of the most elite designers in the world. 

Luxury suites and villas sit atop the building, where residents can enjoy a fantastic panoramic view of the Caribbean Sea, the Atlantic Ocean and the nearby islands.

Activities

The watersports available here cover all the bases, from kitesurfing, wakeboarding and water-skiing to stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking and sailing. The coral reefs wrapping around Necker Island make for fabulous snorkeling, with masks, fins and snorkels available at Main and Turtle beaches. Scuba-diving opportunities are also rich, with a variety of reef and shipwreck dives available as well as nighttime diving.

Dining and Leisure

Naturally, there are a number of paradise-worthy nooks for a sip of a high-end cocktail or other suitably refreshing libation. Among Necker Island’s signature dining experiences is the floating sushi bar and a mouthwateringly laden, ice-packed kayak serving lounges in the main pool. As if being on Necker wasn’t relaxing enough, the island also boasts the beautiful Bali Leha and Bali Samudra spa treatment rooms, combining fabulous treatments with an incredible setting. 

A stay on Necker Island is indeed the ultimate tropical luxury escape. The island has a dedicated team of staff and its own flock of flamingos too, so the sky’s the limit for what can be arranged.

 After all, many famous faces have taken a break at the island, including the likes of Princess Diana, Mariah Carey, Kate Winslet, Kate Moss, Nelson Mandela and Michelle Obama. 

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