On Island Time

	Scipio Caye, Belize
	Photo: Private Islands Online

We've all had that moment when a tropical vacation turns sour.

There's the waiting with the hordes to be seated for dinner, getting a faceful of sand from unleashed dogs on the beach and competing for prime lounge chairs at the pool.

If you're tired of the routine at the same old crowded getaways, there is another option.

Join the ranks of Marlon Brando, Ted Turner and the Du Pont family and vacation on your own private island.

Island ownership offers an unparalleled experience: "One feels a sense of independence and the ability to create [his or her] own reality," says Renee Redmond, director of operations at Private Islands Online.

Since 1990, Private Islands Online has catered to both those looking for exclusive retreats and others seeking to fulfill the dream of island ownership. The three hundred islands the company currently has available range from just $25,000 in Nova Scotia to $45 million in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

For the most part, private islands are used either as a deluxe haven for family and close friends, or developed into resorts. In either case, they offer potentially good investment returns.

While those who sell islands offer no guarantees on long-term returns, Redmond notes that natural islands are a limited, finite resource. ...