A remote private island in the Bahamas, previously owned by global pop superstar Shakira, has been listed for sale at a substantial £22 million. This figure represents double the amount the celebrated Colombian singer and songwriter originally paid for the tropical paradise two decades ago.
Island Paradise with Celebrity Pedigree
Bonds Cay is a sprawling 650-acre slice of pristine paradise located in the northern Bahamas archipelago, approximately 125 miles from the bustling coast of Miami, Florida. The island was reportedly purchased by Shakira, the 48-year-old Hips Don't Lie icon, for £11 million back in 2006. The current listing is managed by the prestigious real estate firm Corcoran CA Christie Bahamas.
Unparalleled Natural Beauty and Amenities
The island boasts an impressive 13 miles of stunning turquoise blue waters and brilliant white sand beaches. Its features include protected coves and high vantage points that offer breathtaking, panoramic views of the vast Atlantic Ocean. A number of well-established neighbouring islands, each equipped with their own airstrips and customs facilities, can be easily accessed by private jet, helicopter, or luxury yacht.
British music legend Roger Waters, best known as the bassist and primary lyricist for the iconic rock band Pink Floyd, also had significant ties to Bonds Cay. Both Shakira and the 82-year-old Waters invested in the island with an initial vision to develop an exclusive artists' retreat, complete with luxury hotels and private residences. Although these ambitious plans ultimately did not proceed, the island offers immense privacy and considerable potential for future development.
Expert Insights on a Rare Opportunity
Gavin Christie of Corcoran CA Christie Bahamas provided detailed commentary on the listing. 'Bonds Cay feels wonderfully remote, yet it’s only 37 miles from Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas, and 155 miles from Fort Lauderdale, Florida,' he stated.
Christie elaborated on the island's potential, noting, 'Previous master planning on the island highlights how development can be both ambitious and environmentally sensitive. With thoughtful design, new ownership can create something exceptional here while preserving Bonds Cay’s ecological soul.'
He described Bonds Cay as 'one of the most breathtaking private islands in the entire Bahamas' with 650 acres of untouched natural beauty, from powder-white beaches to expansive turquoise shallows. Christie emphasised that it is 'incredibly rare' to find an island of this considerable size that remains virtually untouched by major development.
'Whether it be a world-class resort, an exclusive residential enclave, or an ultra-private family retreat, the scale of the island allows for extraordinary vision without compromising its natural beauty,' he added, outlining the versatile opportunities for a prospective buyer.
A More Affordable Island Alternative
For those intrigued by island ownership but unable to meet the £22 million price tag for Bonds Cay, a more accessible option exists in a remote Scottish region. Eilean Mor is located within Loch Sunart, on the scenic west coast of Scotland near the Ardnamurchan Peninsula.
This entire island, complete with wooded areas, sandy beaches, and diverse wildlife habitats, was first listed in 2024 with a guide price of £325,000. It has since been reduced to £275,000. Remarkably, this price for an inhabited stretch of land is approximately the average cost of a home in the United Kingdom. According to the latest data from Zoopla, the average British house price is around £268,400.
Furthermore, the island's asking price is around half the cost of an average London flat. Data from 2024 indicates that the average price for a flat in the capital was an eye-watering £545,000, making Eilean Mor a comparatively modest investment for a unique piece of real estate.
