Historically speaking (at least from the perspective of a fictional television series), it’s safe to say Gilligan missed the boat completely when it came to island choices. Foliage and crowd-free beaches, yes, but — as anyone who remembers those leaky, palm frond huts and monotonous buffets of coconut and banana entrées can attest — sorely lacking in indulgent perks.

There’s something about islands that tickles our collective imagination, whether it’s the lure of fabled and forgotten kingdoms from childhood or the idea of a space set apart from the rest of the world where anything might be true. Now that you’re all grown up, you can actually have an island of your own — even if you do have to eventually give it back. If you’re after extreme luxury, elegant seclusion and warm seas rippling in a multitude of turquoise blues, here’s where to chart your course.

LOCATED OFF THE NORTHERN coast of Viti Levu, the private 13-acre retreat of Dolphin Island rises like a lush garden from Fiji’s azure seas. Four elegant bures, positioned in pairs around a main pavilion, easily accommodate up to eight people. En-suite bedrooms feature solid timber floors; king-sized beds decked out with down-and-feather pillows; large dressing rooms; air-conditioning and ceiling fans; and bathrooms finished with stone tile floors, free-standing tubs, shell and coral mirrors, and both indoor and outdoor showers.

There’s also the option to fall asleep counting stars in a romantically appointed sleep-out bure on a small hillside. A combination of lanterns and candles seductively illuminates the thatched, open-air sleeping room.

The team of New Zealand interior designer Virginia Fisher and Auckland landscape designer Suzanne Turley thoughtfully enhanced the island’s innate natural beauty. Island host Dawn Simpson and her hospitality team provide discreet, personal service, including arranging dining and activities. All meals and standard bar items are included, along with the use of a Hobie Cat catamaran and sea kayaks to explore nearby locales. Water activities include snorkeling, tank diving, sailing and swimming. On dry land, guests can visit nearby villages to participate in cultural activities such as a tapa cloth-making class or kava ceremony; to shop and sightsee in traditional villages; or even visit the tomb of Udreudre, Fiji’s last cannibal chief.

There’s even more: trawling trips to fish the outer reefs, adventure excursions to go bamboo rafting and guided world-class diving in Bligh Waters surrounding the island. Back at the bures, massages, facials and other spa treatments are also easily arranged.

Private vehicle transfer from Nadi International Airport on Viti Levu brings visitors to Rakiraki, about a 2.5-hour drive. From here, guests travel by private launch on a half-hour voyage to the island. Dolphin Island has its own helipad, and both helicopter and seaplane transfers can be arranged for an additional fee.

Wakeboarding at Motu Teta, French Polynesia © Motu Teta

MOTU TETA’S HUES of blue reflect enough variety to make even the keenest of island devotees swoon with pleasure. Part of the Rangiroa atoll in French Polynesia, the tiny islet of Motu Teta offers a magnificent opportunity for an exclusive Tahitian experience. The main villa, carefully designed to incorporate a true sense of its tropical setting, includes two master suites and a guest bedroom. Should you decide to share your island with others, there’s additional space in Bungalow Royale consisting of one double and one king-sized bed, a bathroom en suite and separate private deck with bar.

Glistening hardwoods, open beams and luxury fabrics blend seamlessly with modern amenities that include flat-screen televisions and a fully equipped kitchen. Not that you need to know where the kitchen is: Your stay includes gourmet meals provided by island manager and chef Celine Oopa, a Tahitian native trained in classic French cuisine. In addition to a full-service staff, stays include beverages and alcohol and a robust selection of activities and excursions. Close to your doorstep choose from kayaking, kiting, spear fishing, wakeboarding, snorkeling, water skiing, lobstering and windsurfing. Unique to Motu Teta, there’s also a small, protected resident population of fascinating coconut crabs, the world’s largest living arthropod.

Since you’ll have both an experienced guide and a fleet of boats docked and ready (ranging from a 16-foot Hobie Cat to an 18-passenger motorboat), you can also head farther from shore for deep-sea fishing, picnics on nearby uninhabited islets, excursions to Ote Pipi village, or diving on guided jaunts arranged with local diving centers Raie Manta Club Rangiroa and Blue Dolphins Diving Center.

After arriving at Papeete on the main island of Tahiti, guests take a 45-minute inter-island flight to Rangiroa Airport and then a 1.5-hour water crossing to Motu Teta by private boat.

BY THE TIME YOU’VE wiggled your toes in the beach sand of Necker Island, Sir Richard Branson’s private island escape in the British Virgin Islands, you’ll have a full-blown case of island fever. This treasure of an island has enough lodging choices to bring friends and family without ever actually having to see them. Altogether, the property comfortably accommodates 30 adults. The six private, air-conditioned Bali Houses — Bali Hi, Bali Cliff and Bali Beach on the cliffs overlooking the sea; and the centrally located Bali Buah, Bali Kukila and Bali Lo — offer a heady blend of luxury and seclusion.

Bali Buah house, Necker Island, British Virgin Islands © Necker Island

The main structure, appropriately dubbed the Great House, rests atop Devil’s Hill. Designed as a luxurious Balinese villa, it includes an infinity pool, a rooftop terrace, expansive outdoor space with hammocks and sofas and a shortcut to Turtle Beach below via a zip line.

The two-level, 3,800-square-foot Beach Pavilion overlooking the tennis courts features dining space and a state-of-the-art media center with cinema and bar. Further amusement includes a bespoke spa treatment, sailing, kite-surfing, windsurfing, water skiing, power boating, fine-tuning your tennis game with a pro, or slipping off-island for a round at Mahogany Run Golf Course or Carambola Golf Course.

You’ll be sharing the island with resident Madagascan lemurs, soldier crabs, flamingos and red-footed tortoises. Fees include private transfer from Tortola, activities, entertainment, up to 70 full-time staff and all food and drinks including wine and Champagne. Resident chefs are happy to cater to your specific culinary desires or create meals for you that can be served formally with crystal and china, or informally by the pool — or in a shady spot of your choosing.

The closest international airport is on Virgin Tortola (Beef Island). Necker Island is about 30 minutes from Tortola and about 10 minutes from Virgin Gorda by boat. There is a helipad on the island, and those arriving by yacht can anchor offshore.

ON THE CENTRAL AMERICAN island of Cayo Espanto (“Spirit Island”) in Belize, the staff-to-guest ratio is two-to-one, and each of the six villas comes equipped with a private pool, a walled-in tropical garden, a sundeck or veranda and a personal houseman. Practical amenities include Yves Delorme linens, plush Turkish robes, mahogany wood details, wide hammocks, air-conditioning, WiFi, extensive CD libraries and a personal yoga mat. Fitness equipment is available for the asking, and add-ons range from massages and bird-watching tours to trips into the jungle and visits to nearby Mayan ruins.

Enjoy the included three meals a day along with unlimited access to the chef’s pantry. Chefs create new menus daily, catering exclusively to your requests and showcasing a vast selection of local fruits, seafood and other fresh ingredients.

Private overwater dining at Cayo Espanto, Belize © Cayo Espanto

The island itself is a mere four acres in size, but the vibrant blue seas stretching away from its shores encompass the second-largest barrier reef on the planet. The waters are renowned for bonefish, tarpon, barracuda and parrotfish. Snorkel, swim and kayak to your heart’s content; or arrange for additional activities from choices such as scuba diving, sailing, windsurfing, golf and chartered fly-fishing.

From Miami or Houston, Belize City is about a two-hour flight. From Belize City, it’s a short flight to San Pedro on Ambergris Caye, and then about eight minutes by private boat to Cayo Espanto. Helicopter transport can also be arranged.

ONCE YOU’VE ARRIVED at Maura Sound’s tranquil shores, the stage is set for a slice of otherworldly serenity. Created in the 1970s by British interior designer Dennis Bellote and partner Keith Paske, Tavanipupu Private Island Resort in the Solomon Islands can be rented in its entirety, with space for up to 30 guests (or just two).

Accommodations among the coconut palms are Robinson Crusoe-perfect, with thatched roofs and canopied four-poster beds. Live the lagoon life with leisurely swims, snorkeling the crystal-clear waters, sea kayaking or lounging on the white-sand beaches. There’s even a small spa with a full selection of massages and tropical-themed body therapies.

The variety of pastimes and diversions extends to charter fishing tours, cycling adventures on the bush tracks located on the Guadalcanal mainland, boating forays to nearby deserted islands, deep-sea fishing and cultural trips to native villages.

In the dining room, the focus is on fresh seafood, bounty from the island’s own organic gardens and just-laid eggs from the carefully tended brood of Tavanipupu chickens. A private chef prepares meals, and there’s a full-service bar and extensive wine cellar.

Tavanipupu Private Island Resort is located about 25 minutes by plane from Honiara, the Solomon Islands capital. From there, Solomon Airlines provides small-craft service to Marau Sound.