A private island in the Bahamas previously linked to international music star Shakira has been listed for sale for approximately €25 million, bringing a long-dormant luxury development project back into the spotlight in the Caribbean property market.
The undeveloped island, known as Bonds Cay, is located in the Berry Islands chain north of Nassau and is being marketed as a large-scale private retreat or resort opportunity.
The listing revives a site once acquired by a group of celebrity investors in the mid-2000s with plans to create an exclusive artists’ retreat combining luxury residences, hotels, and cultural facilities, a project that never progressed beyond early planning stages.
Bonds Cay returns to the market
Bonds Cay spans roughly 650 acres and features extensive beachfront, shallow turquoise lagoons, and largely untouched natural terrain. Real estate agents promoting the property describe it as one of the larger privately held islands in the Bahamas currently available for purchase.
The island lies about 37 miles north of Nassau and is accessible by boat, seaplane, or helicopter, placing it within practical reach of the Bahamas’ main tourism hub and international air connections. Its location in the Berry Islands, a quieter region known for fishing and low-density development, positions it differently from more heavily built-up areas such as Paradise Island or Grand Bahama.
The current asking price of around €25 million, roughly equivalent to about $30 million, reflects a significant increase from the estimated $16 million paid by the original investor group nearly two decades ago. The rise mirrors growing global demand for private islands, particularly in the Caribbean, where high-net-worth buyers increasingly seek secluded destinations following shifts in luxury travel preferences.
When the island was purchased in the 2000s, investors announced ambitions to transform Bonds Cay into a creative sanctuary featuring eco-conscious villas, boutique hotels, performance spaces, and art studios designed to attract musicians, writers, and visual artists from around the world. Despite early publicity surrounding the concept, development approvals and financing hurdles slowed progress, and construction never began.
Over time, the island remained largely untouched, preserving its natural state but also leaving the original retreat concept unrealized. Industry analysts note that large private islands often face complex regulatory, environmental, and infrastructure challenges that can delay or derail ambitious resort projects.
Current marketing materials emphasize flexibility rather than a fixed development plan, positioning Bonds Cay as suitable for a single private owner, a high-end eco-resort, or a mixed-use hospitality project, subject to Bahamian planning approvals.
The Bahamas has seen renewed investor interest in private islands in recent years, driven by expanding luxury tourism, improved air connectivity, and rising demand for ultra-exclusive destinations. Several high-profile island transactions across the Exumas and Berry Islands have closed since 2023, often attracting international buyers from North America and Europe.
Whether Bonds Cay will finally be developed or remain a private escape will depend on the next owner’s vision and financial commitment. For now, the island’s return to the market highlights the continued appeal of Caribbean private properties and the enduring value of large undeveloped coastal assets in a competitive luxury real estate landscape.
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