I'm looking to buy a small island in the caribbean, does anyone have any advice?

Question

I'm interested in purchasing a small island in the caribbean. I've done a bit of research and have a basic idea of where I'm going with this... I'm not too picky, but I don't want to buy a multimillion dollar getaway. Basically, I just want some land capable of building a house on... Mainly, I'd like some info on websites where I might find islands for sale...

Answer 1

Go to,

http://www.privateislandsonline.com/

Answer 2

Find out from the country which you are buying from if the island is growing or shrinking. Many islands have started to chart their shorelines by GPS imaging due to global warming.

For example if you are buying a sandbar and a hurricane turns up within a few hundred miles you have to be prepared to lose some of your beach in wave errosion.  You would want an island with lots of coral reefs around it also so that the sand is likely to be brought back naturally by the ocean otherwise you will have to keep having a barge come-in to transplant sand.  If you have a small island and storm surge of 2 metres hit you need to also look at if water will be washing through your back/front doors you may need to build your house on stilts in-case a significant amount of the island washes away during a storm.

Answer 3

If you just want a house why not buy property on  a main island. I hear Antigua has a booming real estate industry with loads of celebrities buying land their. But Caribbean people are picky about selling their small offshore islands and u might encounter problems.

Answer 4

There are a number of islands in the Bahamas that are privately owned.  They have even given them away as advertising promotions.  Check with the Bahamian Consulate and get further information

Answer 5

Check www.cariblot.com