Private island purchase agreement wording: jurisdictional and access issues

Buying a private island may evoke visions of solitude, but the legal documentation is anything but simple. Purchase agreements must address jurisdictional authority, maritime access rights, and whether submerged lands are included in the title. In some coastal states, governments retain ownership of tidal areas regardless of adjacent deeds.

Contracts should also consider easements for docking, airstrip use, or utility connections. Insurance and liability for environmental hazards, such as oil spills or endangered species habitats, can complicate closing. For international islands, treaties and foreign ownership restrictions may apply. Clarity in wording prevents a dream purchase from turning into a legal quagmire.