Inside Richard Branson’s private island paradise, now open to the public: the Virgin billionaire’s Necker Island has hosted Harry Styles and Barack Obama – now rooms are available to book for Christmas

Dec 3 , 2023

Necker Island is Richard Branson’s private paradise in the Caribbean. Photo: Handout

The Virgin Group founder bought the Caribbean island in 1979 when he was 29 years old, for US$180,000 (down from US$6 million), and converted it into a private island resort

Necker Island has been available only to Branson’s close friends or those who could reserve the whole place, but for the first time this Christmas, individual rooms are available to book too

Necker Island, better known as Richard Branson’s private paradise in the British Virgin Islands, is an unspoilt and carefully protected area in the Caribbean. It sits on 30 hectares (74 acres) of turquoise waters, and Branson has said the island is not only his favourite hideaway, but also his home, per Virgin’s website.

Branson recently announced that, for the first time, Necker Island would be open to the public for the next two months, per People. The island has previously only been available to Branson’s close friends or for those who could reserve the entire island.

Guests on Necker Island can take a mangrove conservation tour. Photo: Handout

Necker Island is famous for its celebrity and high-profile guests including former US president Barack Obama, Kate Winslet, Harry Styles and Nelson Mandela, per Virgin’s website. Most recently, Kevin Costner visited the Caribbean island to attend the Necker Cup, an exclusive annual tennis tournament, per British media. Costner, whose divorce from his wife of 19 years Christine Baumgartner was finalised in October, was reportedly on the island with Jewel, Emma Watson and Michael Bolton.

So just why is Necker Island such a draw? Let’s take a look inside the paradise that the wealthy love to escape to.

Necker Island is an incredible luxury island

Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands is the private property of Richard Branson. Photo: Tim Graham

Coral reefs, white sandy beaches and clear waters surround Necker Island. It lies to the east of Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. Considered one of the most luxurious private islands on the planet, it sleeps 48 adults and six children.

The public will be able to book individual rooms on the island from November 18-25, and December 11-26, per People, with rates starting from US$5,400 and US$5,850 each respective month.

Richard Branson bought it in 1979

British billionaire Richard Branson carries model Ashleigh Warwick from the surf while promoting the maiden flight of his flagship airline, Virgin Atlantic, from London to Australia in 2004. Photo: AFP

Branson, now 73, who is the founder of the Virgin Group, bought the island in 1979 when he was just 29 years old. Per CNN, Branson paid US$180,000 for the island, converting it to a private island resort in 1983. According to CNBC, Branson said he heard that Necker was for sale and reached out to the property agent even though he could not afford it – the island was listed for US$6 million.