Richard Branson, the founder of Virgin Group and pioneer in commercial air travel has created a private island where people can vacation without any contact with the outside world.
Richard Branson’s Moskito Island Oasis Estate is a private island in the Caribbean. The estate features a beach, an infinity pool, and a boat dock. Richard Branson has been on this property for over 30 years.
Sir Richard Branson bought Moskito Island, near Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands, in 2007. It’s close to his Necker Island. The origins of the name are unknown, although it is said to have originated with the Miskito Indians who journeyed across the Caribbean from Central and South America. Shortly after leaving office in 2017, President Barack Obama learnt to kiteboard there.
Stays on the island are now available via Virgin Limited Edition, and the place has received a lot of attention as an extravagantly beautiful (and pricey) getaway.
I just returned from a stay at the Oasis Estate, which costs $19,000 per night in low season and $28,000 per night in peak season and is one of four bookable villas on the island. Meals and most activities are included in the package, as are boat transfers from Beef Island Airport, and up to 18 guests may stay on the resort.
Here’s their new Oasis Estate promotional film, which I’d like to point out features genuine Oasis Estate employees.
The British Virgin Islands are a must-see destination for anybody visiting the British Virgin Islands.
The resort is largely accessible through Beef Island Airport on Tortola, however I’m informed that the British Virgin Islands is working on giving direct transfers from St. Thomas (where you’d pass British Virgin Islands immigration prior to departure, so no issues on arrival).
In the meanwhile, I took an American Airlines flight to Saint Thomas. It’s just a 29-mile flight from there. I had to register ahead of time on the Island’s tourist site, submit a negative test done within 5 days before my trip, and display my QR code when I arrived.
Prior to visiting Beef Island, I had to produce confirmation of complete immunization and perform another Covid-19 antigen test (US$50). After that, it was only a short bus journey to the boat pier for the trip to Moskito Island.
On the way back, I flew from Beef Island to San Juan with Cape Air ($300 one-way, 45 minutes in the air). My negative Covid-19 test on arrival was still valid for departure to the United States since I was only in B.V.I. for three days, but another antigen test was issued for the day before departure. I believe that more documentation for bureaucratic procedures is usually a good thing.
I’m not sure how I ended up on Moskito Island.
I don’t do junkets, as long-time readers know. If there’s an event I’d want to attend but can’t afford to pay for, I’ll make a charity gift to offset the costs. I don’t take ‘freebies,’ but I will accept lunch delivered to a conference room as part of a press conference, for example.
For the events I do attend, I also pay for my own airfare. For example, in 2017, I paid for my own airfare to Singapore to attend the launch of their new business and first-class items. I perform some consulting, usually for investment companies, and if I’ve ever consulted on a product, I make sure to mention that whenever I write about it.
So, how did I get myself in the British Virgin Islands’ Moskito Island? Moskito is one of Sir Richard Branson’s two nearby islands, the other being Necker Island.
From Moskito Island, a view of Necker Island
For the time being, Moskito does not have any redemption possibilities. On Moskito, there are a half-dozen estates, and the one where I’d be staying, now called the Oasis Estate, was just added to Virgin Holidays. Previously, it was known as the Jain Estate.
A new loyalty program has been launched. Ankur Jain launched Bilt, a company that caters to renters (and whose new credit card offers one point per dollar on rent payments, which is handled without charge). He also invited a group of people (including Frequent Miler) to the island to discuss the program and provide comments.
I wouldn’t have gone if it hadn’t been for Richard Kerr (previously of Award Travel 101 and The Points Person), who was the one who asked, and Richard is a fantastic guy. A handful other pals joined us on the journey as well. So, after some deliberation, I purchased my tickets. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but an executive from one of Bilt’s points transfer partners who had been to the island the week before sent me evidence of life. As a result, I went.
What’s the Best Place to Visit on Moskito Island?
The Branson Estate is located directly on the sea, which is fantastic. That suggests it’s close to water sports, which, based on what I’ve seen of Richard Branson, makes sense.
Moskito Island’s Branson Estate
However, I believe that the Oasis (Jain) Estate’s position at the top of the island, with 360-degree vistas from practically every direction, is the greatest.
The house itself is stunning, with plenty of glass and outdoor rooms.
Of course, the attraction is the outdoors.
On the island, recreational activities such as sport courts are shared. Golf carts are simple to rent. The Virgin Holidays Limited Edition staff is quite pleasant. On top of that, there’s a chef on staff. His cuisine is also outstanding, and the service is always courteous and prompt. Olivia Callaghan, the island’s head of guest services, is a special gem, anticipating my departure, which was earlier than the rest of the party, and sought me out with information without my having to ask.
Whether inside or at the swim-up bar, coffee, drinks, and snacks are always available. Breakfast consists of fresh juices, pastries, and ordering from a menu, while lunch and supper are prepared by the chef. Everything has been taken care of for you.
Moskito Island Is A Fantastic Experience, But It Will Cost Me Too Much To Return.
I had my own room, but the bathroom was communal. The door lock on the room didn’t function, but there was no one to be scared of on the island. The shower in the bathroom didn’t become very hot, but the outdoor shower off of it did.
At The Oasis Estate, My Room
Even if I amortized it over the maximum number of people (‘sleeps 18’ but I believe they’re adding another cottage with bunk beds for youngsters), it’s still more than $1000 per person each night. But it was undeniably a spectacular location. And, as lovely as the scenery is, it was the people I was with that made the vacation memorable, not the location.
More From the Wing’s Perspective
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who owns property on Moskito Island?
A: The government of Moskito Island owns all property on the island.
How much does it cost to rent Richard Bransons island?
A: You can rent Richard Bransons island for $2.99
Can you stay on Richard Bransons island?
A: Unfortunately, I am not allowed to stay on Richard Bransons island because of the terms and conditions that the government has laid down.