The celebrities' secret islands: private paradises far from the world

In the heart of the Bahamas,the Exuma archipelago has established itself as one of the most exclusive destinations for celebrities seeking to disappear from the map. With pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and absolute privacy, the Caribbean paradise has become a magnet for Hollywood stars.

Legend says that whoever walks on those sands will only see their own footprints. That level of solitude has made it the ideal place for those fleeing media noise, camera flashes, and scandals.

Actor Johnny Depp was one of the first to fall under its spell. In 2004, he bought Little Hall’s Pond Cay, a private island of 18 hectares (44.5 acres) for $3.6 million. With six pristine beaches, the actor described it as his most intimate refuge: "Here I can be completely normal. Nobody looks at me."

Just an hour's flight from Florida, the area went viral on social media for offering such unusual experiences as swimming with wild pigs, as well as dolphins and sharks. A postcard as eccentric as it is irresistible.

Exuma: a Caribbean corner with more than 360 pristine islands

The Exuma district, in the Bahamas, is made up of more than 360 islands or cays, many of them uninhabited. The largest is Great Exuma, which is 60 kilometers (37.3 miles) long, where George Town is also located, the main city of the archipelago.

George Town, founded in 1793, has about one thousand inhabitants and is located right on the Tropic of Cancer, which makes it a privileged destination due to its climate. In total, the chain of islands stretches for 209 kilometers (129.9 miles) and covers about 72 square kilometers (27.8 square miles) of nearly untouched nature.

Shakira, Cage, and others who bought their own paradise

Colombian singer Shakira was not satisfied with less.In 2011, together with Roger Waters (Pink Floyd) and Alejandro Sanz, she acquired Bonds Cay, an island of 283 hectares (699.4 acres) for $16 million. Although it had hotels, condominiums, and even a golf course, the group chose not to develop the tourist infrastructure.

Instead, they decided to preserve the environment as an exclusive artistic refuge for millionaires, including themselves. Shakira's then-boyfriend, Antonio de la Rúa, was key in the operation. Thanks to his connections in the music industry and his partnership with J. Todd Morley at G2 Investment Group, he managed to position Bonds Cay as a VIP destination.

Actor Nicolas Cage also invested in the region, although with a more discreet profile. The same goes for Eddie Murphy, who in 2007 bought Rooster Cay for $15 million. His property is just five minutes from Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas, but retains the atmosphere of a pristine and inaccessible corner.

Meanwhile, Tyler Perry indulged in an even more ambitious treat: he acquired White Bay Cay, an island at the entrance to the archipelago. There he built a 1,300-square-meter (13,993-square-foot) Balinese-style mansion, a spa, guest bungalows, and even a private harbor.