Top 20 islands for property investment
New research identifies the world’s top 20 islands for property investment.


Bermuda has claimed the top spot in a new list of the world’s top 20 islands for UNHWI (ultra high-net-worth individuals) property investment.
The report – produced by Candy & Candy, Savills World Research and Deutsche Asset & Wealth Management – analysed the global property market based on volume of UNHWI property holdings, transport links to mainland markets, sources of capital and occupiers, tax regime and property prices.
“A private island is the ultimate trophy asset,” says Nicholas Candy, CEO, Candy & Candy. “But financial return is not the primary motivation. These buyers are seeking the ultimate hideaway and a chance to shape their own world. For them, the qualities “remote” and “private” are priceless.”
Yolande Barnes, Director of Savills World Research agrees: "The last 10 years were the decade of prime urban property investment; the next 10 years will see a growing appetite for island real estate investment and lifestyle. For the world’s wealthy, the pinnacle of achievement is to own what is exclusive and rare, so an island property goes hand-in-hand with a luxury apartment in a prime city.”
Bermuda, where the price of a typical four bedroom property now exceeds $4 million, is closely followed by the Hawaiian islands, the Florida Keys, Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard.
The Top 20 Islands 1. Bermuda 2. Bahamas 3. Channel Islands 4. British Virgin Islands 5. Antigua 6. Islands ajoining the west coast of Florida 7. US Virgin Islands 8. Hawaiian Islands 9. Islands ajoining the east coast of Florida 10. Cayman Islands 11. Islands ajoining the Carolinas 12. Florida Keys 13. Nantucket 14. Saint Martin 15. Fijian Islands 16. Saint Barthelemy 17. Martha's Vineyard 18. Seychelles 19 Man made islands off Dubai 20. San Juan Islands & Whidbey Island
Sign up for the Country Life Newsletter
Exquisite houses, the beauty of Nature, and how to get the most from your life, straight to your inbox.
Agnes has worked for Country Life in various guises — across print, digital and specialist editorial projects — before finally finding her spiritual home on the Features Desk. A graduate of Central St. Martins College of Art & Design she has worked on luxury titles including GQ and Wallpaper* and has written for Condé Nast Contract Publishing, Horse & Hound, Esquire and The Independent on Sunday. She is currently writing a book about dogs, due to be published by Rizzoli New York in September 2025.
-
Six rural properties with space, charm and endless views, as seen in Country Life
We take a look at some of the best houses to come to the market via Country Life in the past week.
By Toby Keel Published
-
Exploring the countryside is essential for our wellbeing, but Right to Roam is going backwards
Campaigners in England often point to Scotland as an example of how brilliantly Right to Roam works, but it's not all it's cracked up to be, says Patrick Galbraith.
By Patrick Galbraith Published