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Phoenix Kwong

They may sound like the ultimate status symbol, but private islands are no longer solely for the super rich. An increasing number of investors lower down the wealth ladder are buying private islands overseas in pursuit of a holiday retreat and a reliable investment.
“I see good potential for islands [as an investment] as prices have yet to see a sharp rise,” said Zou Gang, the head of an immigration consulting company in Shenzhen.
“It’s quite a bargain as you can spend just a few million yuan to buy an island, while an apartment in Shenzhen actually costs the same.”
Zou was among the visitors at the Luxury Properties Showcase in Guangzhou last week, where he was on the lookout for islands in the South Pacific where he and his friends could holiday.
Wang Haiyang, general manager at Vladi Private Islands, an international island broker, said an increasing number of Chinese entrepreneurs had expressed an interest in investing in islands in recent years.

“They have noticed that this type of land resource is rare, and every island is unique with its own ecosystem and environment,” Wang said.
"Wealthy Chinese hope to own a piece of private territory in the world and they can even name their own island – something they cannot do on the mainland.”
The pristine environment and fresh air were also attracting buyers, who were seeking an escape from the near-permanent smog that blankets most mainland cities, Wang said.
Investors preferred islands that were not too remote and priced from tens of millions of yuan to 100 million yuan (HK$121.6 million), Wang said, but added selection was limited.
As the supply is rare, the investment offers good appreciation value
Wang Haiyang, Vladi Private Islands
“There are just a few dozen of those available on the market. As the supply is rare, the investment offers good appreciation value.”
Fiji in the South Pacific and Canada were among popular choices, Wang said.
Grammy Leung, an information technology expert in Guangzhou bought a small island in Canada last year for no more than 1 million yuan. He said the outlay was manageable for him.
“I think it’s a good place for my family to spend holidays. My two children can enjoy the seaside environment and culture on the island,” he said. Finding a flat at that price in mainland China would be difficult.
The island was small and he would need to build a house and basic facilities such as a power generator, but Leung said he was optimistic about its future worth.
Another investor attending the expo was Mike Garnham, a businessman from New Zealand whose company owns one-third of Nananu-i-Ra, an island in Fiji. He was seeking to sell land parcels to Chinese investors.
“There are a lot more wealthy Chinese travelling to see what else the world has offered,” Garnham said, adding some were in the market for beachfront properties as a second home.
Fiji had emerged as a top choice, he said, due to its relatively liberal ownership and visa rules, he said.


With home prices rising in China, investors turn to cheaper alternative – private islands

Yonder Cay, available from US$54000 a night, is a private island in the Exumas archipelago in the Bahamas. Some Chinese are looking at such properties as good investments. Photo: SCMP Pictures

Necker, the private property of Virgin boss Richard Brandson, in the British Virgin Islands. Photo: SCMP Pictures 

Family offices flourish as China’s ultra-rich strive to preserve their wealth for generations

Andrew Yen, founder of the Shenzhen-based Fusion Family Office, helps the ultra-rich set up organisations to manage their family fortune. Photo: SCMP Pictures

Hong Kong ‘still top choice for China’s rich’ investing outside the mainland and overseas

Hong Kong beat the United States and Australia into second and third place as the favoured place for rich Chinese to invest. Photo: Edward Wong

Hong Kong beat the United States and Australia into second and third place as the favoured place for rich Chinese to invest. Photo: SCMP

Hong Kong is a popular choice for investment in stocks.

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China

Money & Wealth

With prices as low as 1 million yuan, even middle-class Chinese can own a piece of paradise in places such as Fiji or Canada


With prices as low as 1 million yuan, even middle-class Chinese can own a piece of paradise in places such as Fiji or Canada


With home prices rising in China, investors turn to cheaper alternative – private islands

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}With prices as low as 1 million yuan, even middle-class Chinese can own a piece of paradise in places such as Fiji or Canada

With prices as low as 1 million yuan, even middle-class Chinese can own a piece of paradise in places such as Fiji or Canada