Five of the world's most expensive private islands

Buying an island is not an everyday occurrence. Those who can afford to purchase their very own beach-laden paradise will probably only do so once in their lifetime, so a prospective buyer won't want to skimp on the amenities, whether it's transport links, accommodation or the landscape itself.

Here are some of the most expensive islands on earth available to buy right now, as listed on Private Islands Online:

Rangyai Island, Thailand - $160m (£129.8m)

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With 110 acres of rainforest, lazily resting in an archipelago in west Thailand, Rangyai Island is among the priciest islands on offer. It may seem small for the price tag, but the amenities suggest otherwise.

Rangyai sits in a chain of well-populated islands, meaning its transport links are second-to-none. The island is only 20 minutes by plane to Phuket and 10 minutes by boat to the nearest town. Easy access is just the start of Rangyai's attractions, as the island includes fresh water, an electricity generator and a mobile phone signal.

Macapule Island, Mexico - $95.3m (£77.3m)

Relative to its size, Macapule Island in western Mexico seems almost a bargain with its whopping 23km-diameter stretch of untouched wilderness.

An ideal location for a golf course or an activity-based resort of some kind, Macapule is separated from mainland Mexico by only a small strip of water, allowing for ease of access. The nearest international airport is only 33 miles away.

Pumpkin Key, USA - $95m (£77.1m)

Jumping across the Gulf of Mexico, we land on Pumpkin Key in the state of Florida. The smallest island on our list by a considerable distance, this cosy 26-acre island is a beacon of luxury and class in a highly sought after area for property.

Sitting just off the coast of North Key Largo, and only 20 minutes' drive from mainland Florida, Pumpkin Key still retains enough exclusivity to feel secluded. As Private Islands Online[1] suggests, the island "offers the opportunity for privacy without isolation".

Apo Island, Philippines - $72m (£58.4m)

Imagine a typical island paradise: palm trees, white sand, coconuts – the traditional vision of a perfect island. You just imagined Apo Island in the western Philippines: 2,147 acres of jagged reds and greens rising out of the ocean and descending to a picture-perfect shoreline.

This is not a straightforward investment, though, as Apo Island is for the most intrepid island-hoppers only. The island is more than an hour and a half by boat from the nearest town, and has no drinking water or electricity. It has not yet been developed. But what better time to start than now?

Spectabilis, Bahamas - $62m (£50.3m)

Rounding off the list is Spectabilis Island in the Bahamas. Around 60 miles from the capital Nassau, Spectabilis is an island sanctuary in the Atlantic Ocean. At first glance it looks like a barren, rugged outcrop of white sand and shrubland, but within the island lies enormous potential.

With the Bahamas's status as a major tourist destination, Spectabilis is positively crying out for development. This untouched island hosts more than enough space for an airstrip for flights from Nassau and also sits in a deep-water channel that allows for easy docking for incoming boats. Before you know it Spectabilis could be the next buzzword in the Bahamas.