Marlon Brando's private island in French Polynesia

In 1960, while filming the movie Mutiny on the Bounty, Marlon Brando stumbled upon the island of Tetiaroa in French Polynesia. Smitten by the beauty of the local nature, the Polynesian lifestyle and his co-star Tarita Teriipia, who became his third and last wife, Brando decided to buy this piece of paradise.

In 1967, he acquired Tetiaroa, an atoll near Tahiti, consisting of 12 small Polynesian islands lying in a stunningly beautiful serene lagoon.

Having renamed the island "Brando", the actor spent the next 50 years of his life, tenderly caring for its nature.

But this piece of paradise was available not only for the actor and his "entourage" — environmentalists and archaeologists could also work on it.

Brando really wanted to preserve the natural beauty of Tetiaroa, its biological diversity and cultural richness.

He was trying to find a way to make the island a center for research and education, as well as a model of reasonable sustainable development.

He was sure that this small atoll could benefit the whole planet.

"I always calm down when I imagine sitting at night on my island in the South Sea. If I could, I would forever preserve the pristine nature of Tetiaroa, as a place that reminds the Tahitians who they are and who they were a few centuries ago," said Marlon Brando.

Despite the fact that the actor built 12 huts with palm roofs along the coast of one of the islands — Motu Onetahi, it was very far from what he intended.

Now that more than 10 years have passed since the actor's death, Brando Island has passed into the hands of a Tahitian developer. In July 2014, the island reopened as one of the best eco-friendly resorts in the world.

Along the coast of Motu Onetahi Island there are 35 private villas, two gourmet restaurants, two bars, a luxury spa and an orchard. Brando Island is a truly self—sufficient luxurious environment in which the life principles of the actor Brando are supported.

Instead of building villas on the water, as they do in other island resorts of Polynesia, developers decided to build villas away from the beach so as not to interfere with sea turtles in their natural habitat.

And to protect the reef and its inhabitants, you can only get to the island by private jet of the resort.

How to get here: Airlines around the world fly to Papeete International Airport, Tahiti. And from there, the hotel's private jet will take you directly to Tetiaroa. The flight lasts 20 minutes.

How much does it cost:

Prices for one-bedroom villas on Brando Island start from 2400 euros per night. The maximum cost per villa is 7,200 euros (three bedrooms). All prices include food and drinks, as well as daily spa treatments and various leisure activities.