Shakira and Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters once planned to transform a 650-acre Bahamas island with boutique hotels, luxury residences and an artists’ retreat; it is now listed for $30 million |

A private island in the northern Bahamas was once at the centre of an ambitious property venture involving Colombian singer Shakira and Pink Floyd co-founder Roger Waters. The plan was to create a destination where artists could stay and work, alongside boutique hotels and luxury residences. The project never progressed as intended, leaving Bonds Cay with a different story from the one its investors had envisaged. According to Mansion Global reports, this 650-acre island is being offered for $30 million, bringing renewed attention to a property that has remained largely undeveloped despite its association with two internationally recognised musicians. Its existing facilities include beachside bungalows and a bar, while the surrounding waters are known for sport fishing.

How Shakira and Roger Waters became linked to Bonds Cay

Bonds Cay, part of the Berry Islands in the northern Bahamas, was previously owned by a group of investors that included Shakira and Waters. The island was listed for $16 million in 2006, according to Mansion Global, which reported that the group intended to develop it into an artists’ retreat supported by hotels and residential properties. This brought together a private-island purchase and a larger commercial vision, with accommodation and cultural activities forming parts of the same development.The island’s association with the musicians dates back to a period when the property was being considered for substantial redevelopment. Their involvement placed Bonds Cay among the unusual property ventures connected with figures from the entertainment industry. However, the purchase did not lead to the planned destination, and the available reporting does not establish precisely when the investors’ involvement ended or who owns the island today.

A master plan blending luxury stays with the arts

The proposed development went beyond building holiday accommodation across a tropical island. Rafael Viñoly Architects was commissioned to prepare a master plan for Bonds Cay, which stretches approximately 4.25 miles in length, as reported by Rafael Viñoly Architects. The architectural practice described a proposed resort community designed to operate throughout the year, with arts and cultural programming forming a central part of the scheme.The idea was to combine hospitality and residential development with space for creative work. Hotels and luxury apartments would have given visitors somewhere to stay, while the arts programme was intended to distinguish the project from a conventional island resort. The plans offered a way to develop the property commercially while giving it a defined cultural identity.

What the $30 million asking price covers

The island is now being marketed for $30 million, according to Mansion Global, which reported the proposed sale in January 2026. The asking price is almost twice the $16 million figure at which Bonds Cay was listed in 2006, although the two amounts refer to different market periods and do not establish a verified change in the property’s value.Note: The current owner’s identity, the date of the most recent transfer or the price paid in any subsequent transaction is not being specified.Listing agent Gavin Christie of Corcoran C.A. Christie Bahamas presented the property as a large private holding with extensive beaches and shallow turquoise waters. At 650 acres, Bonds Cay offers substantial space for a future owner to consider a range of uses, subject to the relevant development requirements. Its size is central to the current marketing, particularly for buyers considering a resort or a private residential project.Christie identified several possible directions for the island, including a luxury resort, a residential enclave or a secluded family retreat. These are potential uses rather than confirmed developments. There is no indication that a new owner has committed to reviving the original artists’ retreat proposal.

Bungalows and a beachfront bar remain on the island

Although the larger development failed to materialise, Bonds Cay is not without existing facilities. The property has bungalows arranged for glamping, a form of accommodation that combines outdoor surroundings with more comfortable overnight stays. A beachfront bar is also in place, providing a facility for guests and gatherings.Access is possible by boat, seaplane or helicopter, according to the listing details. The island’s relative isolation is part of its appeal, but it is not entirely removed from major travel centres. Christie said Bonds Cay is about 37 miles from Nassau, the Bahamian capital, and 155 miles from Fort Lauderdale in Florida.Those distances provide context for the island’s potential as a holiday destination. A buyer could explore retaining the existing accommodation or pursuing a more extensive redevelopment, depending on the intended use.

The surrounding waters and wildlife add to its appeal

Bonds Cay sits within the Berry Islands, a group of islands and cays in the northern Bahamas. The surrounding waters are popular with sport-fishing enthusiasts and support several sought-after species, including blue marlin, white marlin, sailfish, wahoo and tuna. That marine environment is one of the property’s established attractions, separate from any future construction plans.The island also has a distinctive natural feature on land. According to the Mansion Global report, Bonds Cay is the exclusive habitat of a land-snail species discovered there in 1921. Its presence adds another consideration for any prospective development, particularly if plans were to involve substantial changes to the island’s natural landscape.Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available reports. The Times of India has not independently verified the information presented. The $30 million figure is the reported asking price, not a confirmed sale value.