Dreaming of escaping to a private island once this is all over? Here’s some of the most exclusive island escapes for the Bucket List.

Mnemba Island – Tanzania

Beautiful, remote, Mnemba is where Bill Gates takes his family for a wind down. Barefoot decadence is on offer at this magical escape off the coast of Zanzibar. It’s a bit of a trek to get there from Ireland but well worth it. Flying into Abeid Amani Karume International Airport in Zanzibar and a 40 minute drive through the countryside and coastline for a boat trip across azure blue waters to a pristine beach on Mnemba, The cool Island team will take your sandals and you won’t see them again until you leave. The chef chooses a menu daily, local fish caught fresh that morning and magnificent tropical fruits. Evening  Dhow cruises, all manner of water sports and daily yoga make this an island heaven. The island is also an eco-sanctuary with hundreds of species of birds, green turtles, tiny deer and giant coconut crabs that nest in the forests. This is an exclusive paradise featuring twelve beachside bandas, for just 24 guests. Visit andbeyond.com

Turtle Island – Fiji

Fun fact, the American romantic survival film The Blue Lagoon starring Brooke Shields, was filmed on this island. This island paradise is the perfect romantic and topical getaway with room for only 14 couples at a time. Turtle island provides guests with luxurious villas all facing the beach and the beautiful ocean. The name comes from the main  inhabitants of the island - the turtles. There are plenty more wildlife and marine life species to discover on this eco-island with over 1,000 species of fish to discover in this glorious underworld. Local islanders supply the fresh fish and the resort has a three-acre organic vegetable garden. For night time adventures you can choose between dinner parties with fellow guests and locals or romantic dinner for two on a floating pontoon in the lagoon. Visit turtlefiji.com

Denis Island – Seychelles 

The Denis Private Island in the Seychelles is a beautiful little speck of paradise in the Indian Ocean. This remote island is digital-free, no mobile signal and no cable tv - just glorious nature at its best. The islanders value the tranquility and slow pace of life, and soon you will be gazing in wonderment at the pristine beaches and breath-taking scenery. You can bathe in the warm sea, lose hours snorkeling in this sea turtle sanctuary or wander through the groves to spot some of the rarest birds on earth. For the more active visitors a spot of sport-fishing at the edge of a continental ocean drop-off is a once in a lifetime experience.  Visit denisisland.com

Velaa Private Island – The Maldives

Located in the Noonu Atoll in the Maldives, the Velaa Private Island is a step up when it comes to  luxurious island retreats. With 45 private villas and residences, you can choose from either beach or overwater villas, all with private pools. Velaa Private Island also caters for families, which is a pleasant change from the focus on couples! There’s a kids club for private moments and no end of water sports activities from hover-boarding to dolphin watching. There is something for everyone at Vella Island from golf, to tennis, yoga and lots of great dive sites. Visit velaaprivateisland.com

Guana Island Resort - British Virgin Islands

A rare gem in the British Virgin Island and one of the few private islands, Guana offers a complete digital detox in a beautiful tranquil setting. The island is sizable with  850 acres, seven beaches, mountains, gardens, organic orchard, dozens of hiking trails, and even a flock of flamingos. Better still guests have the island all to themselves which the resort says “has made this a hideaway retreat for a century’s worth of luminaries from the worlds of art, literature, politics, and industry.” And you could join them for your own spell in this splendidly beautiful island. With only 36 rooms, guests are dropped off by boat from nearby Beef Island. The rooms are beautiful with wicker furniture, painted concrete floors but better still they have  no televisions or phones.  Visit guana.come