Cirque du Soleil co-founder Guy Laliberte’s French Polynesian resort, Nukutepipi, is a real fantasy island

When Guy Laliberte, co-founder of Cirque du Soleil, decided he wanted to buy a piece of paradise he could call his own, he went straight to the Pacific — and kept going and going. The billionaire businessman and part-time astronaut scoured the remote expanses of French Polynesia for an entire decade, searching for that singular unspoiled and untamed place. Finally, in 2007, he settled on Nukutepipi, a pristine haven for rare birds and flora, complete with a primary forest laced with powder-white sand and a serene lagoon protected by a thriving coral reef.

Find your Zen in these elegant, fully appointed suites where wood, stone, water and light come together in an ode to nature

From sharing al fresco lunches at the beach bar to sipping cocktails by the coconut palms or gathering in the game room for some friendly competition, there’s plenty here to entertain

Nukutepipi’s beach bungalows are a lesson in laidback luxury

Slide open your doors for views of golden Polynesian sands, swaying coconut palms and emerald waters

But his work wasn’t done just yet. It would be another 10 years before he’d put the final touches on his private-island escape. Rather than keep it all for himself, however, Laliberte has turned it into one of the world’s most exclusive resorts, where just one group of up to 52 guests at a time can roam the far-flung atoll—for about US$1.1 million (S$1.5 million) per week.

Nukutepipi is a short flight away from Tahiti Faaa International airport, which can accommodate private jets

Try your hand at everything from snorkeling and sailing to kite surfing and paddleboarding in the crystal clear lagoon

There’s plenty to keep you occupied: Think tennis courts, bike trails, bee colonies, stargazing, Tahitian dancing and more

No doubt, Nukutepipi is nice (it better be for that rate). In fact, it might just be giving Richard Branson’s Necker Island a run for its money. “Nuku,” as the island’s 100-strong staff calls it, features 18 beachfront bungalows and villas offering elegantly pared-down accommodations with high-tech amenities and artworks by local and blue-chip artists alike. Tucked into tropical foliage, the secluded Master Villa was built for Laliberte himself: At more than 560sqm, it’s a billionaire’s playground boasting a private pool, home cinema, hot tub, kitchen and bar, and original artwork by Damien Hirst. (Laliberte is quite the art collector.)

The island’s lush, sprawling grounds are punctuated with artworks and sculptures paying tribute to the rich Oceania cultures

Meet at this Mississippi table to brush up on your shuffleboard skills

Curl up in the movie theater and catch the latest flicks

Try your luck at deep-sea fishing, scuba dive in the breathtaking coral reefs, or go whale watching for a chance to see humpbacks in their natural habitat

But you don’t go to Nuku to stay inside watching movies all day. Guests can go kitesurfing, outrigger canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding, sailing, deep-sea fishing, or whale-watching. On land, there’s biking, birding, archery, tennis, stargazing at the island’s observatory, Pilates and yoga, and spa treatments. When it comes to cuisine, everything is surprisingly progressive, from motu (islet) picnics and food-truck feasts in the forest to fine dining on the beach. Worlds apart from the ubiquitous Asian-fusion fare served at most Tahitian resorts, the food here is truly global, from Mexican to shabu-shabu, making the most of the day’s catch. But more than anything, Laliberte’s slice of paradise is a place of escape, away from the circus of daily life. Here, no acrobatic feats are necessary.

Nukutepipi