"On the beach I walked to the end of one of the islands. Extending from it was a long, narrow sandspit stretching five hundred yards into the sea, and at one end, near the water's edge, was a small palm tree only a few feet high. It was dark by then, and I decided to lie down under the tree. Coconuts were scattered near its base, and I noticed they were triangular-shaped. I picked one up and realized that by working it into the sand, I could make a wonderful pillow. I lay back with my head on the coconut, my feet in the water, and looked up into the sky while a sensuous breeze blew across me.

The temperature of the water was almost exactly the same as the air around me. Then for a moment, I remembered the great, worn face of Mr. Underbrink scowling at me from behind the principal's desk at Libertyville High School as he lectured me about how I would never amount to anything.

If you're so smart, Mr. Underbrink, I thought, why don't you have an island?"

Richard Evanson, discussing his first visit to Turtle Island. - - The dictionary defines island as “land surrounded by water”, but no island-lover would ever allow such a commonplace description to detract from the romantic sound of the word and all that it conveys to the imagination. Islands, like emerald yachts on a powdered sapphire sea, are places of magic, for there is something unpredictable about an island. Owning your own island is the dream of many people looking to get away from it all. Surrounded by water the wind, sand, and the occasional sounds of nature, you can sit back and relax without worrying about the everyday problems of land people. If you choose the right island, you can escape the madness of modern society for no more than you'd pay for a really nice big (really-really nice and really-really big!) house on the mainland. You can buy a small island with nothing on it but trees and pitch a tent or buy a big island with a sprawling tropical home complete with it's own power plant, motor yacht and lagoon swimming pool. It all depends on what you can afford.

OK enough fantasizing, for every person who has achieved the dream of living on a tropical island, there are hundreds who tried and failed. Even the people who successfully managed to live on islands for many years often had to put up with things which most people would find unpalatable.

Can you live comfortably in isolation with no stores or restaurants within walking (or swimming) distance? Are you able to handle boats, love the sea - even when it’s at its worst? Are you prepared to travel by boat just to get supplies? Be prepared to be stuck on your island for days in a time if the weather turns bad? You must be prepared for all of these things, and a host of others, if you really wish to live on your own island.

Although many people dream of their own little island paradise, few are actually capable of doing so. Island ownership is best suited to those with a particular set of traits. It is good for people who are active and want to organize things themselves—you must take care of your own meals, for example. You must be able to handle boats, love the sea and water and you must like nature very much. maintenance of facilities and accessibility to necessities become pricey and complicated.

Island life can be a major, and often traumatic adjustment. To the uninitiated island-goer, living on an isle, no matter how short the visit, means a daily sameness. Plus there's the separation factor,  that all-too-common sense of isolation, which prompts premature returns to the mainland. The sense of isolation can be overwhelming. Once you're on the island, you're aware that there are only two ways you can leave— by boat or by air if there's a landing strip— or you can swim, and the mainland is usually too far away for that.

“Before there was land, there was nothing but sea and sky, and a great bird that flew in the sky. By and by the bird grew tired it is endless flights and began to search for a place to rest its wings. When it found none, it provoked a war between the sea and sky.

The raging sea hurled a tempest of great waves at the sky.  The sky threw down a rain of giant boulders and gemstones.  The boulder became the great continent.  The gemstones became the islands of the Philippines.”

The Philippines Creation Myth

If you thought that was just a dream, then how would you like to own your own island, located just 1 hour from an airport for under US$100,000? Then come to Palawan!  Palawan has 1,781 islands, a full 1/3 of the Philippines 7,017 islands, which are arguably the last set of "undiscovered" islands in the world. They are pristine gems, still isolated from the tourist hordes, a limited commodity. And that makes them valuable.

“The Philippines is an archipelago of more than 7,000 islands -- and some of them are on the block. Last year plastics tycoon William Gatchalian bought a 100-hectare isle for $1.3 million. Former congressman Leonardo Guerrero acquired an 18-hectare islet for $700,000. Andres Soriano III, CEO of beer giant San Miguel, purchased Amanpulo island years ago. It is now an exclusive resort visited by the likes of Hollywood star Elizabeth Taylor.

The best place to shop: the 1,200-island Palawan chain to the west. "Half the islands are available to the highest bidder," says Edward Hagedorn, mayor of the provincial capital of Puerto Princesa. "The going rate is $1.90 to $3.80 per square meter, more after Asiaweek tells the world about them." He owns one himself. Only Filipinos can buy an island fiefdom, but foreigners can acquire one through a corporation 60%-owned by Filipinos. Or they can marry a Filipino national and buy in their spouse's name. There is no divorce in the Philippines.”

Asia Week Magazine 1996, www.asiaweek.com/asiaweek/96/0202/biz4.html

The islands here possess every quality of some of the hottest tourist destinations around the world. In Palawan, El Nido’s islands are exactly like those of the famed Krabi Bay in Thailand or Ha Long Bay in Vietnam. The islands of Siargao are identical to such tourist hotspots as Belize or Honduras in Central America, but without the political instability. Let me put this opportunity in context for you. Imagine if you could go back in a time machine and buy beachfront land in Hawaii 100 years ago, Florida 50 years ago, or buy an island in the Caribbean 30 years ago, and that will give a realistic idea of the immense tourism, and investment potential of the Philippines.

The Guardian, Saturday December 23, 2000

INVESTMENT POTENTIAL OF ISLANDS

There’s an old joke in Real Estate “And on the 7th day God stopped making Islands!” Its true though, islands are a limited commodity, and offer an incredible investment as they appreciate rapidly. Demand is a so an important factor. Indeed, the supply-demand balance is perhaps much more significant than for other real estate as one cannot just create another island.  Good islands don't come cheap. Islands are like diamonds and are a unique one-of-a-kind investment. Over the last 10 years the price of islands in the Caribbean has increased by up to 300%, that’s over 30% per year, a great investment in any terms.

Even 70 years ago islands were recognized for their investment potential. "As a symbol of great possession, the privately owned island may yet supplant even the steamship." predicted Dwight Macdonald, 1st issue of Fortune Magazine, 1926.

As far as I’m concerned islands are THE best form of property investment for the following reasons.

1: “And on the 7th day God stopped making islands!” That’s my little joke, but its true. Islands are THE most limited real estate commodity on the planet. They can’t be created and as the world’s population grows, less and less become available. 

2: Many countries prohibit the sale of islands for security or national interest, that means that the available market for islands is even more limited. This makes islands in countries that allow their sale (such as the Philippines) decidedly more valuable.

3: Privacy. An island offers the ultimate in privacy. It’s your very own castle, protected by the nature’s own moat. You have the utmost sense of privacy in that you can patrol the boundaries of your little kingdom and see that you are lord of all that you survey.
 

4: Exclusivity. Theirs is nothing that can match the exclusivity of an island. An island by its very nature excludes and keeps out others. But it’s more exclusive in the sense of being special. What do many people do upon gaining great wealth? Buy their own island. From the Roman Emperor Tiberius’ island of Capri, to Hollywood’s stars of today, every person of wealth or celebrity dreams of owning their own island.

5: Safety: Again, the very nature of the island, being surrounded by water, gives you the additional safety of being able to keep out those who may threaten the safety of you or your family.

6: Romanticism: There is nothing more romantic, or idealistic than the dream of owning your own island. It’s the dream of every little boy (and some not so little) to run away to some island and live like Peter Pan, and the Lost Boys. Buying an island is an emotional, not a rational decision, and that’s why they sell so well. 

7: Unique: Each island is unique. Like a woman they are all beautiful and have their own unique characters and appeal. Also each island has it’s own name and history. They are unlike any other form of property in that they are entire unto themselves.

8: Prestige: There is no more prestigious property in the world than a private island. A Castle on the Rhine, Private Villa in Bali, Mansion in Beverly Hills, Pied a Tierre in Paris, they all pale in comparison to the prestige of having your very own Private Island. Also buying owning your own island the universal law of most countries is that you can rename the island whatever you want. What better than naming the island after you wife or daughter? Or after yourself for that matter? 

9: An island is never liable to property of boundary disputes with neighbors, it’s boundaries are clearly delineated by it’s shoreline.

In late 1991, Australian Ken Druitt sold his half of Bedarra Island (12ha of freehold tropical island off Australia’s Great Barrier Reef) for about $1 million, almost 30 times the price he paid in the early 1950s. The late actor Raymond Burr (TV’s Ironside) purchased Naituba Island, in the Lau group east of Fiji, for $US16,000 in 1969. He sold it in 1983 for a reported $US3 million, nearly 200 times his original purchase price! But were you to buy an undeveloped tropical island and develop it the returns can be even greater!

"The value of an island also depends on various factors, including location, size, proximity to the mainland, accessibility, climate and topography, existing infrastructure like electricity and water supply, other developments, communities on the island, redevelopment potential, political stability of the mainland country and the legal and taxation implications of owning an island, says Gillian Tso, Director of Sotheby's International Realty in Hong Kong.   Sotheby's Tso estimates that the largest supply is "generally off the coasts of Canada, the coasts of New England, and to a lesser extent in the Caribbean, the South Pacific and Europe. Very few are available in South-east Asia." Almost Paradise", by Bee Ong, Property Review, Singapore, July 1998.

Right now, there are less than a thousand islands for sale around the world, some have houses, electricity and water, some have nothing but sand and a few palm trees. However, around the world the price of the cheapest tropical island is at least 3 times, and up to 10 times the cost of a similar island in the Philippines. The Philippines offers islands at bargain basement World Prices, yet as beautiful as any tropical location in the World.

If you don’t believe us here are the links of other realtors around the world selling islands. Please examine their websites carefully and see if you can find an island as beautiful as the islands we have for sale at a comparable price anywhere else in the world.

http://vladi-private-islands.de/
www.privateislandsonline.com/
www.levet.com/
www.private-islands.de/
www.island.net.com/~klund/islands/
www.hgchristie.com/
www.pacislands.com
www.islandforsale.com
www.bcoceanfront.com/private-isl.html
www.emeraldfutures.com/
www.tropicalproperties.com

THE WORLD’S MOST EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY

There is nothing more exclusive and sought after in the world than having your own private island, it becomes effectively you own little kingdom. From Riccardo Montalban's Fantasy Island to Dr. No's Crab Key, private islands are exactly that - private. Roberto Rossellini and Ingrid Bergman loved the Italian island of Stromboli. Princess Margaret found peace and quiet on the island of Mustique. Richard Branson, Marlon Brando and Malcolm Forbes (whose Laucala Island in Fiji is on the market at $10 million) all created their own Private Island Kingdoms for peace, privacy and tranquility. Some companies buy islands for corporate getaways and to hold seminars. The quickening pace of the information age and technology that makes it easier to stay in touch from afar means demand from harried professionals for remote getaways is unlikely to fade.

Islands of the Rich & Famous

Marlon Brando   Te’tiarao, French Polynesia
Richard Branson     Necker Island, the Caribbean
Ted Turner – Founder of CNN  St Phyllis Island, Sth Carolina
Bill Gates - Microsoft  25 acre Sleepy Cove - Nova Scotia 2,000 acre Forsythe Island NZ
Aristotle Onassis    Skorpios Greece
John Wayne     Taborcillo Island, Panama
Errol Flynn     Navy Island - Port Antonio - Jamaica
Tony Curtis     Rocky Island, Nova Scotia
Rodolf Nureyev     Li Galli Islands, gulf of Naples, Italy
Rock band “Abba”   Island in the Baltic Sea 
Bacardi Family    Island near Granada
Disney family     Echo Island, San Juan islands - Washington 
Du Pont family     Cherry Island, Chesapeake bay Maryland
Robinson family     Nihhau Island Hawaii
Peggy Rockerfeller    Buckle island Maine
Bjorn Borg     Kattilo - Sweden
Baron Rothschild    Bell Island the Bahamas

PRIVATE ISLAND RESORTS

Some individuals have also developed their private islands into resorts. Karl Kohlbecker, the German engineer who bought Little Water Caye, in Belize and has been transforming the 40,000sqm island into a holiday destination since last year. The island is about 45-minute boat ride from Belize. www.littlewatercaye.com  Kohlbecker has been living on the breezy island for a year to oversee the development of three cabanas, a seawater desalination plant, solar energy system, wind-powered generator, and other amenities. 

The most spectacular of these private islands belongs to a member of the family of the Shah of Iran, who bought a coconut plantation island named D’Arros in the Seychelles, along with the neighboring atoll of St. Joseph in the Amirantes group. The Iranian Prince Sharam built an elaborate house there, along with a landing strip, conveniently within executive-jet range of Teheran. It was to become a valuable hideaway when the imperial family's fortunes collapsed in 1979, and it has since been a productive source of income: When the prince is not in residence, the island is rented out for millionaire holidays at $5,000 a night.

For those wishing to start a resort, a private island is undoubtedly the very finest investment money can buy. Island by their very nature are exclusive, in the true sense of the word – they exclude. There are many famous island resorts in Palawan including Amanpulo, and El Nido Resorts and Palawan certainly offers much scope for the canny investor. At present prices for island in Palawan are at rock bottom and those with hard cash can pick the island of their dreams, often for less than the price a luxury house in the US.

For those interested in starting a small island resort, here are some links to some of the smaller, very exclusive island resorts throughout the world.

www.turtlefiji.com/ 
http://www.maravu.net/ 
www.grenadines.net/ 
www.com/carib/deadmans.htm
www.island-specialplaces.com/ 
www.capecairo.com/mnemba.html 
www.wildafrica.co.za/inhaca.html 
www.seasoninstyle.co.uk/fregate.htm 
http://vahine-island.net/ 
http://mai-moana-island.com/ 
www.wadagi.com
www.netilus.com/fijiisland.matagi 
www.chinaseaisland.com 
www.skyinet.net/~travelvision/pansukian 
www.queenslandislands.com
www.haggerstoneisland.com
www.haggerstone.com 
www.slh.com/slh/island.html 
www.twinislandresort.com/ 

CHOOSING AN ISLAND

The potential for price appreciation, though, varies from island to island. Location is the most important factor affecting the value of an island, when you buy an island. You're not just buying an island, you're buying its surroundings. There should be a village nearby where one can get supplies and an airport close at hand, for instance. In other words, what makes an island feasible is the infrastructure that is available to it.

An island with buildings on it will usually need an on-site caretaker, who will water the plants and keep the houses clean. Building infrastructure on an island can also be more costly than on the mainland as all supplies and workmen must be transported by boat. 

When shopping around, you have to not only consider the price of the island but how much it's going to cost to bring it up to livable standards if it's not already livable. Is there fresh water? Is a home included? If not, construction costs will run about thirty-percent or more over land-based homes. How do you get back and forth? Can you live comfortably in isolation with no stores or restaurants within walking (or swimming) distance?

You'll find water is the most important element on an island. Every island has some variety of options to obtaining fresh water. Look for a ground water table high enough to dig a well. If a well already exists, have it inspected to insure it's dependable. Fresh water can often be gotten from a cistern and catchment arrangement for collecting rainwater. Check the annual rainfalls. The estimated amount of water needed annually for part-time island living is 30,000 to 100,000 gallons for full-time living which will require about forty inches of annual rainfall."

DEVELOPING YOUR ISLAND

OK, that the bad news, now for the good news.  Everyone has either read the story of Robinson Crusoe, or is at least aware of the story.  A lone man washed up on an inhabited island, with just a few tools, and his wits to battle the elements, and build a home for himself.  Well luckily for you, you’re living in the 21st century, not the 17th-century, and the rapid development of alternative technology during the 1990’s has made living even on the most remote island, a realistic goal.

Transportation, communication, electricity and fresh water were once complicated concerns to consider when developing an island, but today, these are non-issues. Thanks to the proliferation of low-cost tourism, direct flights are available to practically every corner of the world. Where island residents once had to communicate with crude radiophones, or VHF radio, wireless technology now enables them to talk and work as well as if they never left the office. Cellular telephones, satellites, the Internet and pre-fabricated homes have made even remote islands palatable. Solar and wind-powered utility equipment and advances in water purification systems also have made extended island stays easier and more comfortable. A $20,000 desalination unit will provide enough fresh water for a household of four. To set up a roof with solar cells will cost less than $2,000; a wind generator between $2,000 and $10,000, depending on size.

When considering the purchase of an island you have to not only consider the price of the island, but how much it's going to cost to bring it up to liveable standards if it's not already liveable. Is there fresh water? Is a home included? If not, construction costs will run about thirty-percent or more over land-based homes. Good soil and vegetation can make living on your island much more enjoyable. Severe climates, hurricanes, tidal waves and abnormally high tides should be investigated before you make your decision. 

How do you get back and forth? To access your new island home and most islands, you'll need either a boat, helicopter or seaplane. Because of the tides, swimming back and forth is not recommended.

You'll find water is the most important element on an island. Every island has a variety of options to obtaining fresh water. Even a small sandy island will often have a ground water table high enough to dig a well, this is because fresh water is lighter than salt and will create a lens-shaped pool under an island, which will even extend below sea-level. If a well already exists, have it inspected to insure it's dependable. Fresh water can often be obtained from water cisterns and other catchment arrangement s for collecting rainwater. Palawan has good annual rainfalls. The estimated amount of water needed annually for part-time island living is 30,000 to 100,000 gallons for full-time living, which will require about forty inches of annual rainfall. If you decide to just holiday there obviously less water is required.

The quickening pace of the information age and technology that makes it easier to stay in touch from afar means demand from harried professionals for remote getaways is unlikely to fade.

Jeanne and Mark Foley were part of a Sydney-based syndicate that came together in 1988 to purchase tiny Pataiera Island, 70km west of Tahiti. The couple read an advertisement in a newspaper seeking parties to outlay a combined total of $250,000 for the island. Eight families participated, at a cost of a little over $30,000 each. “Pataiera is only half a kilometer long and wide with waving palm trees and white sand beaches," says Mark Foley. “There were initial problems," Jeanne adds. "No water, no buildings, and transport of materials was as expensive as it was infrequently available." A fishing boat captain transported their equipment there in return for a few days' holiday on the island. A thatched building to hold 10 people has recently been completed and a bore sunk.

TRY BEFORE YOU BUY

An island is a big investment and we wouldn’t want you to purchase an island to find out later that you don’t like travel by boat, or having to rely on your own power and facilities. , So, one solution is to rent an island and try out island living before you lay down your money. 

Basic islands come with nothing but trees and sands, so plan on bringing along a sleeping bag, tent, food and water. Spending a few days on a tropical island will make you a believer or change your mind quickly. Luxury islands come with houses, use of a boat, fresh water and everything you need to enjoy yourself and live in luxury (hence the name, luxury island). Basic islands come with nothing but trees and sands, so plan on bringing along a sleeping bag, tent, food and water. Spending a few days on island will make you a believer or change your mind quickly. 

For the more adventurous type you may try the full Robinson Crusoe style existence quite easily in Palawan as it has 1,707 the Philippine’s 7107 islands. It's the least populated group of islands in the Philippines if not all of Southeast Asia. There's countless islands there which haven't even been named yet.  Paradise Island, of the west central coast not far from Port Barton was called "Bruno Island" after a French backpacker who decided to build a native house and live there. He leased it for a pittance from a local fishing family. Since he hasn’t been back in years they now run it as a small resort. As far back as the 1970’s a Japanese guy built a "bahai kubo" a small native house not much larger than a king sized bed to stay a few months each winter on tiny Colocoy Island, slightly to the north.

“Far offshore on idyllic Tamlagun Island, a German called Frederick lived a real-life Robinson Crusoe existence surrounded by all kinds of animals until his death in May 1994. A Philippine family now lives in his tropical Garden of Eden.” Philippines Travel Guide, Jens Peters, 2001, p 780.

For the really adventurous who are considering buying an island we can arrange the rent of your own Robinson Crusoe style uninhabited tropical island. Contact us for details.

PRIVATE ISLAND RESORTS IN PALAWAN

For the less adventurous we suggest staying a few days on a private island resort to get a feel for the area. Here are some of our favourites.

Paraiso - Albaguen Island
www.paraiso.ch/flashed.htm 

Capsalay - Pagdanan Bay 
www.goldnet.it/palawan-island/splash.htm

Coconut Garden Resort – Cacnipa Island 
www.uni-hohenheim.de/~patricka/texte/palawan.html 

Lamud Island - Busuanga
www.lamudisland.com/welcome.html 

Discovery Island Resort   Decanituan Island
www.ddivers.com 

Evergreen Diving Resort Popototan Island Busuanga
www.evergreen-diving.de/ 

Malapackun Island, Quezon, Palawan

Flower Island Resort, Taytay

PRIVATE ISLANDS AROUND THE WORLD FOR RENT

http://realestate.escapeartist.com/Properties/Islands/For_Rent/ 
www.unusualvillarentals.com/islandrentals.shtml
www.tahiti-nui.com/islands/tuamotu/Sauvage.asp 
www.dream-island.com 
www.littlewhalecay.com 
www.littlethatchisland.com
www.taprobane.com 
www.cairnsinfo.com/accom/villas/bedarra/index.htm 
www.ndirect.co.uk/~forrest/ 
www.gardencay.com 
www.bahamsvg.com/wellman.html
www.legasse.com/dolphinisland/ 
www.bandos.com
www.te.com/carib/deadmans.htm 
www.royalvacation.net/yourown.htm 
www.channelcay.com/ 
www.darbyisland.com 
www.myna.com/~dphilip/raguana1.htm 
www.teatablecay.com/ 
www.goin2travel.com/compasscay.htm 

SPECIAL LAWS REGARDING ISLANDS IN THE PHILIPPINES

There are special laws regarding the ownership and development of islands within the Philippines as they are regarded as national assets. By Presidential Proclamation all islands in the Philippines have a Moratorium on their status, this means that if they are currently Tax Declared or Alien and Disposable they can’t be upgraded to Fully titled. The result of this is that there are very few Fully Titled islands in Palawan. Also, no island under 5 hectares may be developed for commercial purposes, although this doesn’t prevent a residence being built there.

The same laws which apply to the development of beaches apply to the beaches of an island. Therefore, the surrounding shoreline of an island is the property of the Philippines Government, the owner of an island must apply for a “Foreshore Lease”. This covers the area from the Low Tide mark, to 30 metres from the Low Tide mark.

THINGS YOU CAN DO ON YOUR OWN PRIVATE TROPICAL ISLAND

Impress your friends- Laugh at those back home- Live a healthier lifestyle - Eat a natural diet- Have independence - Live the castaway experience- Beach-comb - Have a slower pace of life - Be self reliant  - Live a free life - Isolate yourself - Build an unusual house - Garden - Have sunshine every day - Cool breezes - Be spiritual - Find yourself - Have time alone - Write poetry - Write a book  - Be Hedonistic - Cook in the open air  - Get a tan - Get naked - Spend time with children - Picnic and climb trees - Indulge in art - Go fishing - Indulge in a hundred water-sports - Camp - Bird-watch - Explore the jungle - See marine life - Cheap holidays for all your friends and family  - Be the biggest fish in your pond - Disappear - Make a fresh start - You can rent or resell.

THINGS YOU WILL NEVER FIND ON YOUR OWN PRIVATE TROPICAL ISLAND

Theft - Disease - War - Dangerous animals - Terrorism - Vandalism - Tourists - Busy roads - Pollution - Snow - Rheumatism - Noise - The need to lock your doors - Tarmac- Cement- Concrete - Plastic - Oil slicks - Relatives (unless you want them)- Fluoro lighting - Pressures on your marriage - Litter.

Cheyenne Morrison, the author, has the Elysian Fields website with real estate in the Philippines - They specialize in islands and have addition information on living in the Philippine Islands - Vist their website at Elysian Fields Real Estate