Fancy your very own Caribbean island? Buy one online for R12.7-million

A private Caribbean island off the coast of Belize was recently up for sale on eBay, with a starting bid of almost R7-million.

The 1.6ha Virginia Caye is owned by Englishwoman Willow Reed, whose ad on ebay.co.uksays, "It's with a heavy heart that I put this land up for sale, but to the right person it will be a wonderful escape and a great investment potential."

The mangrove-filled island - 20 or 30 minutes by boat off the coast of Belize in Central America - is located within the Blue Ground Range, which is famed for its crystal waters and fantastic fishing, bird-watching and snorkelling.

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There is a house on the island with sleeping accommodation, as well as a small cabin, a water-collection system, two wooden structures and a solar system with back-up generator (rarely needed).

Lonely Planet says the island enjoys an average temperature of 26°C year-round.

Bidding was set to open at £400,000 (about R6.7-million) but there had been no bids at the time of going to print. The "buy it now" price is £750,000 (about R12.7-million).

"There are beautiful corals around the caye and dolphin spotting is a daily occurrence," the ad says.

Posted under the title "3.98 Acre Caribbean Island Off The Coast Of Belize", the ad was written by Reed. She says: "I've been living on a caye off the coast of Belize for three years. I've been sympathetically restoring it and due to unforeseen circumstances have decided to move back to UK."

The Daily Mail reports that Reed, 40, has owned it since 2012, having bought it for £150,000 (about R2.5-million) with the help of inheritance money from her mother, Virginia.

She went to Belize to mourn her mother's death and ended up discovering - and buying - the island, then named it after her mom.

"I spent a couple years trying to transform it. But in the end I realised it would need millions to really transform it," Reed said.

UPDATE: Bidding has now closed on this item. Reed did not receive a single bid.