Soaring above the sea, around 150 nautical miles northeast of Singapore, lush green islets contrast beautifully with the turquoise waters. As a small archipelago comes into view, a seaplane gently touches down, welcoming visitors with a wave of balmy heat to Bawah Reserve.

Opened in late 2017 by Singaporean shipping magnate Tim Hartnoll and eight investors, Bawah Reserve tops a growing list of small-scale island getaways in Indonesia. This remote resort and marine reserve exemplifies the trend of exclusive island retreats owned by millionaires and billionaires.

Indonesia, with its 17,000-odd islands, boasts a range of these luxurious properties, including Nihi Sumba, Pangkil, Pulau Joyo, Wakatobi, Nikoi, and Cempedak. While their styles and price tags vary, these properties share a commitment to sustainability and support for local communities through job creation and educational programmes.

Andrea Oschetti, founder of Hong Kong-based luxury travel company Blue flower Inspired Travels, views these developments positively. “Hotel developments on small remote islands usually mean that the owners want to take care of the island and its natural resources,” he says.

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Tim Hartnoll, an avid boater, sailor, and diver, grew up in Singapore, spending much of his free time on the water. During a diving trip in2006, he discovered a unique mini-archipelago within the Anambas Islands group.“I knew that Bawah was the one the moment I set foot on the island,” Hartnoll tells CNN Travel.

Hartnoll, who owns the $395 million global shipping company X-Press Feeders, acquired the six-island cluster, which features three lagoons and over a dozen beaches. He and his team secured a long-term lease and dedicated themselves to a sustainable development plan.

Initially, the waters around Bawah were nearly barren due to dynamite fishing, but Hartnoll and his colleagues worked with the government to establish a marine reserve, banning fishing and anchoring in the area. They spent over five years constructing the 35-room property, using low-impact tools and avoiding heavy machinery to minimise environmental damage.

The result is a definition of barefoot luxury, with bamboo common areas, stone pathways, and open-air restaurants. The resort features various eco-friendly initiatives, including a permaculture garden, waste recycling programme, rainwater harvesting, and water filtering system. Additionally, they use glass bottles and solar-powered buggies. Approximately 95% of the hotel's staff are from Indonesia, with 32.3% coming from the local community.

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Another notable development is Nihi Sumba, a 38-roombeachfront retreat owned by US billionaire Christopher Burch. Located about 50 minutes by plane from Bali, Nihi Sumba is surrounded by rugged jungle. Burch, CEO of Burch Creative Capital and co-founder of Tory Burch, discovered the island about a decade ago while vacationing in Bali.

Burch, along with hotel entrepreneur James McBride, transformed a small six-room hotel into a luxurious resort featuring traditional thatched roofs, muted colours, beautiful woods, and elegant stone foundations. Despite numerous construction challenges, Nihi Sumba was completed in four years and now employs roughly 93% of its staff from nearby towns and villages. The resort also supports the Sumba Foundation, which combats poverty and malaria on the island.

In terms of environmental efforts, Nihi Sumba operates a desalination plant, waste management programme, and protects turtle eggs from poachers. Burch and his family visit the island twice a year, maintaining a strong connection to the community.

Antony Marden, owner of Pulau Pangkil private island resort and Pulau Joyo boutique resort, discovered these islands over two decades ago during a sailing trip around Southeast Asia. Marden, a former shipping magnate, developed these islands into exclusive getaways for families, weddings, and corporate retreats.

Pulau Pangkil, designed for Singapore expat families, opened in 2003 and features beach palaces, a restaurant, bar, pool, and watersports equipment. Pulau Joyo, developed a decade later, offers a luxurious boutique experience with individual villas, golden sands, a spa, and countless outdoor activities.

These millionaire-owned island retreats in Indonesia not only offer unparalleled luxury but also demonstrate a commitment to sustainability and community support, making them standout destinations in the world of luxury travel.

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