Shakira and Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters once owned a 650-acre private island in the Bahamas. Visioned to build boutique hotels and luxury apartments; now up for sale at $30 million

Imagine an island where world-famous musicians could escape the spotlight, create art and live surrounded by white-sand beaches and turquoise waters. That was the vision behind Bonds Cay, a private island in the Bahamas once acquired by a group of celebrity investors, including Colombian singer Shakira and Pink Floyd co-founder Roger Waters. Nearly two decades after plans for an exclusive artists’ retreat were reported, the undeveloped island is back on the property market with an asking price of $30 million. The ambitious project never materialised, leaving a rare opportunity for a wealthy buyer to decide what happens next to this secluded Caribbean property.

Inside Bonds Cay, The 650-Acre Private Island In The Bahamas

Located in the Berry Islands in the northern Bahamas, Bonds Cay offers extensive beaches, shallow turquoise waters and a remote setting within reach of major destinations. According to Realtor.com, the island covers approximately 650 acres and lies around 37 miles from Nassau and 155 miles from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Despite its isolation, it is accessible by boat, seaplane or helicopter.

The property is largely undeveloped, although it has a handful of existing structures, including glamping-style bungalows and a beachfront bar. Its scale and natural surroundings make it suitable for a private retreat or a potential hospitality development, subject to government approvals. Listing agent Gavin Christie of Corcoran C.A. Christie Bahamas described Bonds Cay as an unusually pristine property, saying, “It’s incredibly rare to find an island of this size that remains entirely pristine.” The asking price of $30 million places it among the Bahamas’ notable private-island listings.

Why Shakira And Roger Waters Wanted To Build An Artists’ Retreat

Bonds Cay’s celebrity history dates back to 2006, when a group of investors that included Shakira and Waters acquired the island. Their vision extended beyond owning a secluded holiday destination: they reportedly wanted to create an exclusive community combining luxury accommodation with a place for artists to work and exhibit their creations. Plans included a boutique hotel, luxury apartments, private homes, beaches and an artists’ retreat where creative professionals could share their work with wealthy residents and visitors.

Spanish newspaper EL PAÍS reported on the project in 2008, describing plans involving Shakira and other musicians, including Alejandro Sanz and Miguel Bosé. The idea was to bring together artists and create a destination where creativity and luxury could coexist. However, the proposed development never became a reality. Bonds Cay remained largely untouched, and the island eventually returned to the market.

From A $16 Million Listing To A $30 Million Asking Price

Bonds Cay was last publicly listed in 2006 for $16 million, around the time the investor group acquired it. Its new asking price represents a substantial increase, although the island’s current ownership and any intervening private transactions are unclear. The failed development also means a prospective buyer would need to consider more than the purchase price.

Building a luxury resort, residential community or artists’ retreat on a remote island would require substantial additional investment, infrastructure and regulatory approvals. Christie has suggested that the property could accommodate a luxury resort, an exclusive residential enclave or a private family retreat, depending on the buyer’s plans and the permissions granted.

What Happens Next To The Celebrity-Linked Island?

Bonds Cay now presents a choice between preserving its largely untouched landscape and developing it into a high-end destination. Its beaches, remoteness and celebrity-linked past may appeal to buyers looking for something more unusual than a conventional luxury home.

Yet the island’s story is also a reminder that even ambitious projects backed by famous names do not always come to fruition. The original vision promised a secluded haven where artists could create and share their work, but the development remained unrealised. For $30 million, a new owner could take that idea in a different direction or leave Bonds Cay as a private escape from the outside world. Whatever its future, the island’s next chapter will depend on whether a buyer can turn its extraordinary natural setting into a lasting vision without losing the qualities that make it special.