I've been "shopping" for islands for years on privateislandsonline.com (no, I'm not trying to promote that site.) Ever since I first realized I could buy an island for the price of a 1 bedroom apartment in Manhattan, something that still seems a far off dream but somehow more doable the longer I live here, I've been considering different islands and developing them in my mind. I look for a deep water area on at least one side to be able to bring larger boats in, an elevation of at least 30 feet above sea level, good beaches, near enough to an airport that in a life or death emergency you could get help, at least a few acres, etc. I go back and forth on whether I want to spend the extra money for one with an existing source of fresh water and whether I'd prefer there was at least a little hut built there or if I want to build everything from the ground up. Having some kind of other islands or reefs as a bulwhark against strong winds and/or hurricanes is another plus. I've seen some that boast 1,000 teak trees and their own special monkey population.