Moskito Island in the British Virgin Islands is set to reopen in the spring of 2021

Moskito Island goes beyond conventional villa rental, with exceptional personal service in a secluded and private Caribbean setting. The island currently features a recreation area, beach and private Estates, some of which are available to hire on an exclusive use basis. The Branson Estate was inspired by Necker Island, only a short boat ride away, and can accommodate up to 22 guests.

For guests looking for a perfect balance of that ‘home away from home’ feeling combined with the full range of services you’d expect from a luxury resort, Moskito Island is designed to cater to every taste.

Welcome to your very own private paradise: 125 acres of natural beauty in the turquoise waters of the Caribbean. I hope you will enjoy it as much as I do. – Sir Richard Branson

Despite the name, Moskito Island is no different from the rest of the British Virgin Islands when it comes to any flying creatures you might encounter. The first printed reference to the island labelled it as ‘Musketa’ which was likely an old anglicised spelling of the word musket. By the mid-nineteenth century, the name as it was written had evolved to Moskito, and was even rumoured to be related to an indigenous group of people but this population never travelled much beyond the coast of Honduras in Central America.

Moskito Island is approximately 125 acres in the North Sound of the British Virgin Islands. The shared recreation area is situated on the eastern side of the island and the Branson Estate is just a short walk away. The Branson Estate includes Headland House (3 bedrooms), Mangrove Villa (4 bedrooms) and Beach Villa (4 bedrooms).

Headland House

Perched on an outcrop at the northeast tip of Moskito Island is Headland House, the heart of the Branson Estate. This impressive villa is arranged with three bedrooms and living space on the ground floor leading up to the Great Room on the upper floor. All areas of Headland House are accessible by elevator.

The most striking feature of the ground floor at Headland House is the wrap around infinity pool that meanders from just left of the main entrance around to the Master Suite. You can quite literally step out of bed in this room and straight into the pool! The shared living space on this floor includes a sitting area with TV, kitchen and circular bar just off the pool.

Beach Villa

This cluster of houses was inspired by Richard’s daughter, Holly, and has an enviable sheltered position just above a sandy beach with views out to sea and up to Headland House. The elevated rooms are set back from the water and connected by a raised wooden walkway that also leads across to neighbouring Mangrove Villa.

The main house features a fully equipped kitchen with a full-size fridge, separate temperature-controlled wine fridge and an additional mini-bar to keep all your favourite drinks and snacks cool. There are two breakfast bars around this open-plan space, so you can show off your cooking skills to an audience.

Lunch or dinner can be served at the dining table which comfortably seats eight and can be set up for al fresco meals on the deck just in front of the infinity pool. The wrap-around deck has an additional dining table just outside the kitchen and facing the island’s shared Recreation Area – this space gets the morning sun so is perfect for breakfast or later on for lunch in the shade.

Beneath the guest house that goes by the name ‘Gecko’ is a further shaded dining area right on the beach. Back inside the house there is also a spacious lounge area for relaxing in the shade or for watching TV if there’s a game you just can’t miss!

The house is fully air conditioned and is wired for sound so you can plug in your device and stream your own music. Wireless internet access is available throughout the villa. You can also use the touchscreen panel to control the lights and set the mood, and activate the hot tub that sits within the outdoor heated infinity pool.

Mangrove Villa

This villa was inspired by Richard’s son Sam, and all guest rooms face east towards Necker Island and to the island of Virgin Gorda. Nestled in amongst the mangrove trees, all rooms are elevated and connected both to Headland House and to the neighbouring Beach Villa by wooden walkways. The rich wood interiors make for a cosy feel with Balinese style objects and carvings throughout.

On the ground floor of the main villa is a large lounge, fully-equipped kitchen, two breakfast bars and dining table, all looking out onto a deck which leads directly onto the infinity edge pool and hot tub. With a full-size fridge, separate temperature-controlled wine fridge and additional drinks fridge in the kitchen, you only have to worry about keeping yourself cool. Luckily if the sea breezes aren’t enough, the villa is fully air-conditioned and there’s always the pool of course.

If you’re an early bird then an early breakfast on the terrace as the sun rises is a must. Lunch or dinner can be served behind the kitchen on the deck facing Beach Villa, inside in the dining area or in front of the infinity pool with views out to sea. When the torches are lit this is a very romantic space.

The house is wired for sound so you can plug in your device and stream your own music. Wireless internet access is available throughout the villa. You can also use the touchscreen panel to control the lights and set the mood, and activate the hot tub that sits within the outdoor heated infinity pool.

With steady trade winds, warm turquoise waters, beautiful trails and two tennis courts, Moskito Island is the perfect playground for dozens of activities on land or on the water of course.

The closest international airport is on Tortola (Beef Island – airport code EIS) which is a 35-minute flight from San Juan and a 1 hour 20 minute flight from Antigua. It is possible to fly to the British Virgin Islands via many parts of the Caribbean, with the most popular routes being via San Juan, Antigua and St. Thomas. Private jets can land at Beef Island and at the airport in St. Thomas (STT).

By private launch Moskito Island is approximately 30 minutes from Tortola and 10 minutes from Virgin Gorda where there is another smaller airport, however flights to this airport are limited and the runway is not paved.

For more information, visit virginlimitededition.com