Every couple needs a romantic escape now and then. And if you really want to escape, might I suggest heading to a resort on a private island? The beach is never far away when you’re literally surrounded by water, and the seclusion you’re afforded by a private island resort makes it easy to recharge and reconnect. You can find these secreted spots in tropical locations all over the world as well as right here in the U.S. These are my top picks for luxury private island resorts where romance and seclusion go hand in hand.
JUST A SHORT FLIGHT AWAY: These secluded overwater bungalows are a lot closer than French Polynesia or the South Pacific
Turtle Island Resort
Nanuya Levu, Fiji
With just 14 luxury villas (or “bures”) designed for couples, the adults-only Turtle Island all-inclusive private island resort offers a truly intimate getaway. A dedicated “Bure Mama” or “Bure Papa” looks after you throughout your stay, taking care of daily laundry, stocking your villa with favorite drinks and snacks, and basically anticipating what you need before you do.
With 12 private beaches on the 500-acre island, there’s a new experience awaiting each day. You can curate your stay to your desired vacation experience, with activities like sunrise horseback riding, floating pontoon dinners, scuba diving, kayaking, and cave excursions among the options. The resort is Wi-Fi free, but there’s just one access point on the island to encourage days filled with sun and sand, not staring at a screen.
Baros Maldives
Malé, The Maldives
After a speedboat ride from the airport in Malé, you’ll be greeted with a signature drink as you check in at Baros Maldives. An array of appealing suites and villas at the luxury private island resort includes overwater bungalows with private pools, daybeds, and stairs down to the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean.
Three restaurants and two bars offer cocktails and meals with amazing views, but you can dine anywhere on the tropical coral island upon request. For couples, a private dinner for two on a secluded sandbank is a recipe for a romantic evening. Spend your days relaxing at the spa, striking yoga poses by the shore, or snorkeling or diving the reef surrounding the resort.
LIFE BEGINS AT 50: The top luxury resorts for empty nesters and travelers over 50
COMO Parrot Cay
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos
White sand and crystal-clear water are easy to find at COMO Parrot Cay, but when you book a beachfront suite or one-bedroom beach house, everything’s right outside your door, along with your own pool and deck for even more ways to soak up the sun. Couples can enjoy an active private island escape here, with activities like yoga and Pilates sessions, complimentary non-motorized water sports, tennis, snorkeling, fishing, and diving. Or you can slow things down with a reflexology treatment or massage at COMO Shambhala Parrot Cay spa overlooking the North Caicos Channel. Enjoying a glass of wine on a sunset cruise is another relaxing way to reconnect.
Peter Island Resort
British Virgin Islands
The renovated and reimagined Peter Island Resort respects and preserves its scenic setting in the British Virgin Islands while still offering you an unforgettable tropical vacation. Luxurious accommodations overlook the water, including eight premium beachfront rooms with private outdoor hot tubs. Five powder-sand beaches provide opportunities for swimming, paddleboarding, kayaking, snorkeling, or simply enjoying ocean breezes and a good book.
The on-site spa also boasts enviable views, especially from its ocean-side jacuzzi. Throughout 2026, you can take advantage of the resort’s five-night Private Island Romance package, which includes a couples massage, a morning or afternoon on the island’s White Bay Beach in a private cabana with a Champagne picnic, a dinner under the stars on the beach, and the resort’s Sunset Loop Experience to enjoy 360-degree views atop one of the island’s highest peaks.
TAKE A DIVE: Caribbean resorts with the best snorkeling and diving experiences
Little Palm Island Resort & Spa
Florida Keys, Florida
You don’t need a passport for a tropical island escape at Little Palm Island Resort & Spa. You’ll arrive by motor yacht or seaplane to this adults-only private island resort in the Florida Keys, where kayaks, paddleboards, beach floats, and snorkeling and fishing gear are at the ready for enjoying the water.
There are just 30 thatched-roof bungalow suites at the resort, offering a sense of seclusion for a romantic getaway. Each bungalow has a private sundeck and outdoor shower, with no telephones and TVs for truly getting away from it all. Add to the bliss with a Balinese spa treatment or Thai body ritual at the resort’s SpaTerre, and book a private chef-curated dinner for a beachside meal amid the glow of tiki torches.
The Aerial, BVI
British Virgin Islands
With a maximum of just 32 guests on the island at any one time, The Aerial, BVI is the exact opposite of a crowded resort. It’s easy to feel totally secluded here, whether you’re swimming and sunbathing at the private beaches and cliffside saltwater infinity-edge pool or stargazing from your private deck or balcony.
Adventurous activities include snorkeling, night paddleboarding on glow-in-the-dark boards, and guided hikes, while the on-site spa offers soothing options like the 90-minute “Above the Clouds” body journey that includes mindful stretching, meditation, and sound-healing. Meals at the seven distinct dining settings across the island feature produce, fruit, and herbs grown in the resort’s own gardens, with cuisine guided by a pescatarian-forward, farm-to-table philosophy.
