Necker Island

Is Necker Island for rent, and what does it cost?

Necker Island is a 74 acres resort / operating business private island in British Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands. It is offered for whole-island rental: US$140,000 / night · sleeps 48. This is an editorial profile drawn from public record, clearly attributed, not our listing.

Summary

Necker Island is Richard Branson's Balinese-style retreat in the British Virgin Islands, offered as a whole-island buyout for up to 40 adults and rebuilt after 2017 into a renewable-powered estate. Full-island nights are widely estimated in the region of USD 140,000, while shared 'Celebration' weeks let individual couples book rooms when the island is not taken privately. The proposition is a fully staffed, activity-rich private island with a strong hospitality track record. For a family office it functions as a turnkey flagship venue — celebrated, heavily serviced and priced at the top of the Caribbean rental market.

Land & Waterfront

The island occupies 74 acres in the sheltered North Sound near Virgin Gorda, ringed by white-sand beaches such as Turtle Beach and calm, protected water. The setting is a natural fit for kite-surfing, wind-surfing, water-skiing, paddleboarding and snorkelling, with moorings and a watersports centre on site. Beyond the beaches, the island keeps flamingos, lemurs and giant tortoises as part of a long-standing wildlife programme, lending the grounds a curated-menagerie character alongside the classic BVI seascape.

Access & Utilities

There are no large-jet arrivals in the BVI, so guests reach Necker via private charter into Tortola and then transfer by boat or helicopter across the North Sound. Following the 2017 rebuild the island is widely reported to run on a solar-and-wind microgrid with battery storage, a notable feature for a property of this scale; water and communications follow the resort pattern with desalinationMaking fresh water from seawater — the standard supply on dry islands, priced in energy. and satellite-backed Wi-Fi. A large resident team supports the estate, and the takeaway is a well-provisioned island reached only by pre-arranged transfer.

Ownership & Use

Necker is a rental only; no ownership interest is available. The core model is exclusive use — one group holds the Great House, seven Bali Houses and Temple House along with the full staff — for up to 40 adults plus children. Shared celebration weeks provide a lower-commitment route for couples when the island is not privately booked. Amenities include two pools, tennis, a spa and comprehensive watersports, all staffed. The appeal is a proven, high-service flagship suited to large celebrations, retreats or multi-family gatherings, with pricing and provenanceThe traced history of ownership and price — who held it, what was paid, and when. to match.

Provenance

Purchased by Richard Branson in 1978 for USD 180,000 after negotiating down from a $6M asking price, then developed into a Balinese-style resort by the mid-1980s; the Great House burned down in August 2011 and was rebuilt by October 2013, then Hurricane Irma devastated the island in September 2017 ahead of an October 2018 rebuild into a solar/wind-powered estate. Still wholly owned by Branson via Virgin Limited Edition, offered rental-only and never for sale.

Specification

Status	Available
Offering	For rent
Region	Caribbean · British Virgin Islands
Country	British Virgin Islands
Size	74 acres · 30 ha
Development	Resort / operating business
Holding-cost band	Operating business — staffed payroll
Access	boat, helicopter
Nearest airport	Private charter to Tortola/Beef Island, then boat or helicopter
Power	solar + wind microgrid with battery storage (reported post-2017 rebuild)
Water	desalination (reported, not listing-confirmed)
Communications	satellite / Wi-Fi
Structures	Balinese Great House, 7 Bali Houses, Temple House, 2 pools, tennis court, spa
Marina / mooring	Yes
Publicly marketed	since 2010

Price record

Documented public figures over time — asking prices, reported sales and reductions, each attributed. This record is maintained editorially and may lag the market.

The full traced record — ownership lineage and every dated event back to the earliest public mention — is in The Ledger, for members.

From above: 2010 vs today

Legal & Ownership Notes

Rental only — no ownership transfer

Satellite reference: ESRI World Imagery / Google Earth — Necker Island, BVI.

Common questions

How much does Necker Island cost?

Necker Island is profiled at: US$140,000 / night · sleeps 48. Figures reflect public record at time of writing and may change; the profile keeps a dated price record.

How do you get to Necker Island?

Access is by boat, helicopter. Nearest airport: Private charter to Tortola/Beef Island, then boat or helicopter.

How big is Necker Island?

Necker Island is approximately 74 acres (30 hectares).