What I love about living in South Florida:
* I live 1 mile from the beach.
* Year-round warm weather.
* Lotsa sun.
What I hate about living in South Florida:
* Pretty much everything else.
If I win the lottery, I would keep this home, buy an island, renovate it into a ultra-laid back beach bungalow hideaway, invite chilled-out people to come enjoy it with me, and drink sundowners all day long. Naturally, I’d still write for Gadling, because the praise I receive as a result of my work here is a currency with infinite value.
Anyway, here are 5 islands that would be on the top of my list for purchase:
Mystery Cay
Located 8 miles north-east of Dangriga, Mystery Cay is a mere 10-20 minute wind-in-your-face boat ride from Belize’s coast. Included in the $725,000 purchase price are a number of mangrove islets, plenty of flat surfaces for building on, and perhaps some of the clearest water on the planet. The coral reef (second in size only to Australia’s) is only 4 miles away, which means that you could easily construct the Mystery Cay Dive Resort — “where great diving is no mystery.” I like it. I like it a lot.
Leaf Cay
Though perhaps the water surrounding the Bahamas’ Leaf Cay isn’t quite as gin-and-tonic-clear as that surrounding Mystery Cay, the benefit of this island is that it’s already developed. In addition to the island’s 1500-foot-long private runway, Leaf Cay boasts already-installed freshwater wells and underground cisterns, and hookups with Bahamas Electricity Corporation. Moreover, the island has 19 buildings (including a main residence, guest quarters, office, and various storage buildings), not to mention a boat dock and a tiki hut. A tiki hut! Situated in the chain of islands south of Eleuthera, Leaf Cay would make an excellent resort for serious anglers. Interested? Luxist points out that the auction for the property is June 28; the starting bid is $12 million.
Melody Key
If the other islands are too far away for you, then you might want to consider Florida’s Melody Key. Owned by Nick Hexum — lead singer for 311 — the $10 million island comes with a fully-furnished 3-story house, two boats, and a canal lot on the mainland, which is only one mile away. Formerly known as Money Island — after the pirate booty that was reportedly stashed on its shores — the island retreat would make an excellent base for people wishing to take canoe trips out among the mangroves; anglers who want somewhere special to dangle their worms; or anybody who loves boating.
Kwaikans IslandLocated in British Columbia’s Queen Charlottes/Haida Gwaii,
Kwaikans Island may not be much to look at, but when you consider that the island lies in protected waters; sports two natural harbors; has fresh water; features approximately 1.7 million cubic feet of standing timber; and boasts an old crown grant to “low tide mark” for easy access and development, suddenly Kwaikans sounds like a dream. Ideal for a wilderness retreat with its excellent hunting and fishing, or for a fishing shack for gathering the local shrimp and crab available in the bay, the site might also make a nice retreat for avid whale watchers. Asking price: $2.8 million.
Dunbar Rock VillaLocated in Honduras,
Dunbar Rock Villa reputedly hides some of Blackbeard’s
buried treasure, so investing may make you even wealthier. Teetering atop this rock pinnacle, the bedrooms of the resort are so close to the water, that you can fish out your window. Located only 10 minutes from Guanaja Airport and only a 2-hour flight from Houston, Dunbar Rock Villa is the ideal place for a dive resort.
What are you waiting for? Call your friends, pool your money, and build your own resort destination!
Other island-y goodness: