You can buy your own island in Canada for one-third the price of an average home

The great thing about Canada is that you don’t need to be a bigwig CEO or tech billionaire to own a private island.

Some private islands, it turns out, are a whole lot cheaper than the sky-high home prices in most big Canadian cities.

It’s no surprise that Canada ranks among the most unaffordable housing markets in the world.

According to the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), the national average home price in 2026 is around $686,710, and is expected to climb to $694,164 in 2027. For seven years straight, the average home price has hovered close to the $700,000 mark — yeesh!

What if you only had a third of that amount? If you fancy yourself a quiet, relaxing retreat, you could put those hard-earned dollars toward your very own private (albeit small) island.

Private Islands Inc., a global marketplace for private island sales and rentals, lists hundreds of private islands for sale across Canada, and a surprising few are currently listed for under $200,000.

Butternut Island, Ont.

Butternut Island is described as a “rare” 22.5-acre private river sanctuary on the Ottawa River. It’s currently undeveloped, which means it’s essentially a “blank canvas” for the potential owner to build their dream home. And rest assured, there’s a beautiful sandy beach on the property, too.

Getting there seems pretty easy, with just a scenic boat ride from the public launch in Lapasse. Plus, the town of Pembroke is only about 30 minutes away, so if you need to stock up on supplies, you’re not exactly stranded on a deserted island like Gilligan.

Listing price: $114,900

Canal Lake Archipelago, Ont.

Why buy one private island when you can get three for the price of one? These three small islands in the Kawartha Lakes are completely undeveloped, offering a private escape in the popular cottage region of Ontario.

The caveat is the LSR zoning only allows for low-impact structures like raised tent platforms or small cabins, meaning you’re unable to build a traditional cottage here. There are also no water, sewage or electrical services, so you’ll really be embracing the off-grid life.

On the plus side: the islands are close to the Centennial Park Road boat launch, and property taxes are remarkably low, just $752 a year.

Listing price: $129,900

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Stuart Lake Island, B.C.

This island is a one-acre private retreat offering total seclusion and breathtaking 360-degree views of one of B.C.’s largest natural freshwater lakes. It’s also close to the town of Fort St. James, if you want to grocery shop or hit up the bar scene.

Unlike some of the other islands we’ve seen, this one comes with a fully furnished cabin built in 2013, so there’s no need to shop for furniture once you get the keys.

The 374-square-foot cabin has vaulted ceilings, a 100-square-foot loft for extra sleeping space, a wood stove, and a propane-heated shower. There’s also a covered deck where you can take in the sunrise and/or sunset, and the annual property taxes come in at under $800.

Listing price: $169,000

MacLellon’s Island, N.S.

This one is a little pricier, but you get what you pay for: 15 acres of private island in the Atlantic. The listing says the inlet is perfect for kayaking, birdwatching, and shallow-water fishing, while the island itself features dense natural forest, elevated terrain, and plenty of oceanfront shoreline.

It’s accessible by a short boat ride from East Chezzetcook, and is just a 45-minute drive from Halifax if you ever crave civilization. Because the property is currently vacant land, the future owner (maybe that’s you?) has plenty of freedom to decide what to build and where.

Listing price: $199,000