Peace of Paradise

We challenge anybody to try and find a holiday home in a more dreamy location than this one. Perched on a spot of Stocking Island with a crystal-clear lagoon on one side and two miles of white-sand beach on the other, staying at this villa is as close to owning a private Caribbean island as the majority of people will ever come.

Once you've arrived by private boat, guests are free to fill their days with watersports on the calm waters using the equipment provided, including kayaks, paddle boards and snorkelling gear. Once you're in need of a little relaxation, you can take it easy on the deck overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and perhaps fire up the barbecue. Don't worry if you're not in the mood to cook – you can book a private chef to take care of that, as well as plenty of other personalised services and experiences.

We've got this far without mentioning the home itself, although that's not to say we've been avoiding the subject. Refurbished in 2021, the contemporarily styled interior is finished in bright white, which will be perfectly cooling on a sweltering hot afternoon. Despite the isolated location, don't think you'll be missing out on any of the mod-cons, either – there's everything from air conditioning and wi-fi to a super-sleek kitchen.

Although you're more than welcome to pass your time here in peaceful solitude, there are a couple of beach clubs and restaurants on the island that are easy to reach via shuttle boats. You can also hire a vessel and a captain, who will help you see a little more of the surrounding cays of Exuma.


Home truths:
*Non-motorised watersports equipment and pre-arrival concierge service is provided by the host
*The home is a twelve-minute boat journey from George Town and the host will help arrange this leg
*The home has the option of a housekeeper available
*There's room to park if you rent a car, although due to the size of the island and local transport services, it isn't vital to do so