A MAN has revealed what it’s really like to live on your own private island – and says it isn’t as glamorous as people think.
Craig Beckley, 56, bought Worthington Island off the coast of Queensland in Australia during the pandemic.
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He spent $385,000 (£206,000) on the island, which is a 30-minute boat ride from the mainland.
However, while he says there are some great perks, he admitted it isn’t always smooth sailing.
Not only is he always battling bugs like mosquitoes and midges, he said living on the island is more like glamping.
He told the Guardian: “I call it a shack, a nine-metre-by-four-metre timber floor, timber frame, off-grid shed with an awning.”
He says he has to use solar and wind energy, as well as generators, to run his fridge and stove.
There also isn’t a jetty to moor his boat, so he has to park it in the mangroves.
Craig added: “It’s not all palm trees and white sand.”
Private Islands Online Australia director Richard Vanhoff, who sold the island, said people often underestimate how much work they take to renovate.
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Some may require a helicopter or plane to access, meaning they need a new airstrip, while many have no internet, power or running water.
Worthington Island was the cheapest he sold, but some sell for as much as £20.3million – and still need work.
Despite the more basic way of living, Craig has no regrets about buying the island.
Not only is it laid-back, but he even spots animals like dolphins and dugongs, similar to manatees.
He said: “It’s just so lovely – you can crank up your beatbox as loud as you want [as] you’ve got no neighbours.
“Sometimes you just feel like turning up the tunes, sometimes it’s just chilling in the hammock watching the world go by.
“You just kick back, read a book, go fishing – it’s island time, everything slows down. There’s some sort of magic to it.”
We recently went to Corona’s own private island which is opening to the public this year.
Closer to home, there is a private island near Estonia which you can rent for just £75pp, or some private islands you can rent in France, Spain and Greece from just £12pp a night
And in the UK, there is a private island off the coast of Essex which is loved by celebs.
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