How to Make Your Own Island

You can make your own island, yes, I said island. How huge? Well, it depends on the space you have available. You have to plan making your own island FIRST, which literally means that you must make sure that you can borrow/rent a part of an ocean, beach, lake or any body of water. If you live for instance near a lake, then that would be no problem and neither would it if you live near the beach (as long as it's not a private beach anyway).

First is that you have to make an agreement (preferably written) with the owner of the beach, lake, ocean or even river IF it is owned privately. Your advantage is that most people would think you are a bit flaky and actually sign to give you some part of their "waters". The crazier they think you are, the better. THAT is your advantage, you may even get your island free if the owner thinks you're nothing but a harmless lunatic with huge dreams.

Next, collect plastic bottles. Get your friends to help you here and come up with as many plastic bottles as you can. BUT them if you are determined, after all, they are as "cheap as Stamus " (idiomatic expression from these new island makers) but most of them you can actually pick from trash. It doesn't matter if the plastic bottles are dirty or clean -- tie or stick each bottle together then use a net to safely secure them. You want a THICK foundation for your island , so you must make sure that you have about three feet (at least) of "beach foundation floor" and that they are secure. To make it stronger, add and stick bamboo strips or old plywood to your island "floor". Now, what you have is something like a very thick plastic raft made out of plastic bottles. THAT is your island.. but not yet.

While doing all this, it is advisable to do this at the area you intend to maintain as your own private island. Lay down the whole foundation which should look like a huge raft and get some sand from the beach combined with some soil. Get some pots and plant some plants. Try and build your own house or cabin within the island and see how it holds. If everything seems alright, then you will soon have your island. Plant mangroves and other plants because the roots of these plants make your island foundation stronger -- enough to stand even strong typhoons. Remember than after adding the white sand and a bit of soil too , growing all kinds of plant (and even bamboo trees) is essential because the more your plants , the more stable your island is because of their roots.

How long does it take to make your island. It depends on how big you want it and if you manage to get enough help. One man managed to build his own island alone for two years at Cancun , Mexico out of plastic and today, he lives comfortably there with his own washing machine (solar powered) and he is the envy of many. Even the Mexican government offered him money to allow some tourists in his island.

If he can do it, so can you. It also is an environmentally friendly project that anyone can do. Here is a video of that island called "The Plastic Island".