4 Private Island Resorts You Can Actually Book (An Honest Breakdown)

When you book a private island resort, the glossy brochure rarely matches the final invoice. Four names dominate this corner of the travel world: Ambergris Cay, Coco Plum, Fowl Cay, and Kamalame Cay. While blogs often lump them together, only three are genuinely all-inclusive. The fourth has a major catch. This guide breaks down what your nightly rate actually covers, the hidden fees to expect, and how you actually get there.

What "private island resort" actually means here

In this guide, a private island resort means a property that claims its entire cay. Your only neighbors on the sand are resort staff and a handful of other travelers. You are not necessarily paying for gold-plated faucets; you are paying for the total absence of crowds. Each of the four properties below sits on its own private slice of land, hosts fewer than 60 guests at once, and requires a boat or charter flight to reach.

The tricky term is "all-inclusive." Resorts love to stretch this label. Here is how they actually stack up:

These rates were verified on September 28, 2026. Because none of these properties publish a standard, year-round rate sheet, use these figures as a realistic ballpark rather than a formal quote.

Ambergris Cay, Turks and Caicos

Ambergris Cay offers the most comprehensive all-inclusive package on this list. It is also the only property where a private plane can land directly on the island. Located on Big Ambergris Cay, a 1,100-acre island roughly 15 miles southeast of South Caicos, the resort features 31 bungalows and 12 villas. Booking a bungalow gets you your own private, heated plunge pool.

Your nightly rate pays for meals at both oceanfront restaurants, premium liquor, watersports, boat excursions, yoga sessions, tennis, and pickleball. It even covers your private flight from Providenciales. To get here, you will fly into Providenciales (PLS) and board the resort's private plane for a 10 to 20 minute flight to the island's 5,700-foot runway. Alternatively, American Airlines now operates flights from Miami to South Caicos, which include an onward transfer.

What to watch for: the sticker price is misleading. Turks and Caicos levies a 12% tourism tax, and the resort tacks on a 10% service charge. You need to budget an extra 22% on top of a rate that already sits in the four-figure range.

If you want to explore mainland alternatives, we have ranked the best all-inclusive resorts in Turks and Caicos. Keep in mind that knowing when to go is crucial for planning this trip.

Check current rates for Ambergris Cay on Expedia→

Coco Plum Island Resort, Belize

For an adults-only getaway, Coco Plum is the most affordable true all-inclusive option. The resort sits on a 16-acre coral cay roughly 9 miles off the coast of Dangriga, Belize (many online guides mistakenly place it near Placencia). The property consists of 18 oceanfront cabanas and a single three-bedroom overwater villa. Guests must be at least 18 years old, unless you book a full island buyout, which allows kids.

The standard rate includes three Belizean meals daily, unlimited local beer, cocktails made with local spirits, soft drinks, and access to kayaks, paddleboards, Hobie Cats, and snorkel gear. It also covers taxes, resort fees, and two to four guided snorkel excursions, depending on the length of your stay. If you want imported liquor or premium wine, you will pay extra, though they are discounted by 20% during the 4pm to 6pm happy hour. Rates start around $929 per night per cabana rather than per person.

What to watch for: a major policy change took effect on August 31, 2026. Individual bookings no longer include the domestic puddle-jumper flight. Instead, the resort provides a shared ground shuttle, which means a 90 to 120 minute drive from Belize City airport (BZE) to the marina, followed by a 30-minute boat ride. Plenty of older travel blogs, booking platforms, and outdated resort pages still claim that local flights are included. They are wrong. If you want the quick 20-minute flight, you have to buy the ticket yourself.

Fowl Cay Resort, Bahamas

Fowl Cay stands out for one incredible perk: every villa comes with its own dedicated powerboat and unlimited fuel. Nestled in the Exuma Cays near Staniel Cay, this 50-acre island features three private beaches. The resort hosts a maximum of 28 guests across six oceanfront villas, which scale from one to three bedrooms.

Your booking covers all meals, snacks, premium spirits, a fully stocked kitchen, and a wet bar. You also get a golf cart, access to the pool and tennis court, snorkel gear, kayaks, paddleboards, Hobie Cats, wakeboards, and water skis. A personal host will keep your villa restocked, and the boat transfer from Staniel Cay is fully covered. You will only pay extra for fishing guides, private tours, spa services, and premium wines. Rates run between $1,200 and $3,000 per night depending on the villa, with a five-night minimum stay. To get here, take a scheduled or charter flight to the Staniel Cay airstrip, which is 90 minutes from Fort Lauderdale or 40 minutes from Nassau, followed by a 10-minute boat ride.

What to watch for: having a private boat means you are your own captain. Driving yourself around the Exumas is incredible on calm days, but it can be stressful when the weather turns. Guests also frequently note that the villa furnishings show some wear given the high price point. There is no on-site spa, the communal pool is small, the nightly dinner menu often limits you to two choices, and the WiFi can be spotty. Remember that your money is buying the private island access and the boat, not a flawless five-star hotel.

If you want to experience the country without these prices, check out our guide to the best all-inclusive resorts in the Bahamas.

Kamalame Cay, Bahamas

Let us clear up a common misconception: Kamalame Cay is not an all-inclusive resort, even though its own website sometimes suggests otherwise. When you book, you pay for the room first. Then, you choose whether to purchase a dining plan. The Standard plan costs $200 per adult per night, while the Premium plan is $300. Both plans cost $100 per night for kids aged 3 to 15. You can also skip the plans entirely and order your meals a la carte.

The setting is spectacular. This 96-acre, three-mile barrier island sits off Staniard Creek on North Andros, right next to the world's third-largest barrier reef. The property features roughly 21 seaside rooms spread across bungalows, cottages, and villas, along with the only overwater spa in the Bahamas. A beach cottage starts around $725 per night before taxes.

What to watch for: the real surprise is the tax bill. Kamalame adds a combined 32% in taxes and gratuities to both the room rate and the dining plans, plus a 10% VAT on goods and services. That means a $725 cottage with a standard dining plan for two adults actually costs closer to $1,250 per night. On top of that, airport transfers are not included and must be paid in cash. Budget $60 from Fresh Creek or $100 from San Andros each way for the first two guests. This is after you fly from Nassau to Andros, take a 20-minute taxi, and board a short ferry.

These details do not make it a bad choice; they just mean you have to calculate the total cost differently than the other options. Before booking, check our guide on The best time to visit the Bahamas, especially since the peak season runs from December 15 to April 30.

Three more private islands worth knowing

If the first four options do not fit your plans, these three islands are also worth considering, though they require a much larger budget or a full buyout.

• Jumby Bay Island, Antigua. This is the most accessible, classic private island resort in the Caribbean, offering everything from beach cottages to massive estates. It is a great starting point if the other options on this list feel too isolated.
• Necker Island, British Virgin Islands. Richard Branson's famous private retreat is entirely all-inclusive, covering your room, meals, drinks, and boat transfers. You can book individual rooms during designated Celebration Weeks starting around $5,150 per night for two guests.
• Musha Cay, Bahamas. Owned by David Copperfield, this Exumas retreat includes all meals, wines, and spirits, but it is only available for full buyouts. Rates start around $57,000 per night for up to 12 guests, with a five-night minimum stay.

FAQ

Are private island resorts all-inclusive?

It depends on the property. Ambergris Cay, Coco Plum, and Fowl Cay bundle meals, drinks, and activities into their base rates. Kamalame Cay, however, charges separately for its dining plans, which run between $200 and $300 per adult each night.

How much does a private island resort cost per night?

For a standard room or villa at the four resorts listed above, expect to pay between $725 and $3,000 per night before taxes. Exclusive-use islands like Musha Cay start around $57,000 per night.

Which private island resort is best for families?

Ambergris Cay and Fowl Cay are both family-friendly options. Fowl Cay even provides snorkel gear sized for children as young as three. Coco Plum Island Resort is strictly adults-only and requires all guests to be at least 18.

Do private island resorts include airport transfers?

Policies vary, and one major resort recently updated its rules. Ambergris Cay and Fowl Cay still include your final transfer to the island. Kamalame Cay requires cash for transfers, and Coco Plum stopped including domestic flights in its rates on August 31, 2026.

What is the cheapest private island all-inclusive?

Coco Plum Island Resort in Belize is the most budget-friendly option, starting around $929 per night per cabana, which includes meals, local drinks, and snorkel excursions. Just keep in mind that it is an adults-only property.

The Bottom Line

For the most straightforward vacation on this list, choose Ambergris Cay. It offers the most comprehensive all-inclusive package and the convenience of flying directly onto the island. If you want the best value, Coco Plum is the clear winner, provided your group is over 18 and you do not mind the longer ground transfer. Pick Fowl Cay if having your own powerboat matters more than pristine villa decor. Finally, Kamalame Cay is a beautiful choice, but only if you factor in the dining plans and the 32% tax rate before signing the contract.

Rates at this level of luxury fluctuate constantly and are rarely published openly. This is exactly the kind of trip where professional planning pays off. Vacation Vault members enjoy complimentary concierge planning. Just let us know your preferred island and travel dates, and we will put together a complete quote that includes all of your transfers.