NO HEADLINE.(International Edition; REAL ESTATE)(private islands on sale)

Byline: Sonia Kolesnikov-Jessop

They may not be tropical, but private islands are for sale all over the world--and at every price point.

An Island of One's Own

The words "private island" often conjure visions of sun-streaked beaches, palm trees and warm water. But getting away from it all doesn't always require flying halfway across the globe or spending millions of dollars. There are thousands of private islands for sale all over the world, at every price point. And they're getting cheaper, mirroring the housing market at large. "In recent months, we've started to see many dramatic price reductions," says Alexis Pappas, director of operations at Private Islands Inc. "Some island owners have definitely had their portfolios hit by the credit crisis and are looking for quick sales."

Not surprisingly, location is everything. The lowest-priced islands are typically found in Nova Scotia, Canada; areas of Maine and Michigan; and certain parts of Central America, while the more expensive are found in Europe, the Bahamas and the Oceanic countries like French Polynesia. Current offerings include the untouched Long Island (West) off the east coast of Nova Scotia, which is on the market for $106,000. North of Stockholm, a wooded private island with a cozy ...