Skorpios

Skorpios

Skorpios is a small private island in the Ionian, just off the coast of Lefkada, about 0.8 square kilometres of forest and beaches in the strait between Lefkada and Meganisi. Densely wooded with pines, it has three small houses and a harbour on its east side, and is part of the larger Onassis island group including Skorpidi and Sparti.

Famous as Aristotle Onassis’s private island from 1963, where he married Jackie Kennedy and was later buried, Skorpios was sold to the daughter of Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev in 2013. Closed to the public for decades, it is currently being developed into a luxury resort, and remains visible only from passing boats and the Lefkada coastline.

The 74-acre private Ionian island bought in 1963 for 3.5 million drachmas

Skorpios or Scorpios is a private island in the Ionian Sea off the western coast of Greece and just to the east of Lefkada, less than 2 miles off Lefkada coast, administratively part of municipality of Meganisi in Lefkada regional unit. It is a small pine-covered island, heavily forested south to north, green and wooded with highest point 81 metres, with some sandy beaches most notably East Beach which was created by Onassis who brought sand from Salamis or Salamina Island for this purpose.

It covers just 74 acres, also listed as 200-acre island, 205-acre floating playground, essentially barren before development. The 2011 census reported population of five inhabitants. Bought in 1963 by Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis who had long dreamt of establishing exclusive hideaway, for relatively modest sum 3.5 million drachmas equivalent about $14,000 today. Onassis spent money converting it into personal paradise, imported 200 different types of trees, brought sand, and bought mountain on another island for water supply. In 1968 former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy married Aristotle Onassis here, making it synonymous around world with luxury and privilege, destination for international jet set.

In 2013 Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev bought island from Aristotle Onassis granddaughter Athena for $153 million, with plan to turn into upscale tourist destination and ultra-luxury resort rivaling Mustique, with €184M development, though designated as Natura meaning no more than 5 percent can be built, development in harmony with environment, preserving iconic Onassis family pink villa.

This is for you if you want to glimpse world’s most exclusive private island, not to stay unless ultra-luxury resort opens. It is not for independent landing; it remains private.

Why Jackie Kennedy’s wedding island has imported sand and 200 tree species

FYI Skorpios was essentially barren before Onassis — he created the beaches and forest you see now, importing 200 tree types and sand from Salamis, and even buying a mountain elsewhere for water. ICYMI Jacqueline Kennedy married Aristotle Onassis on Skorpios in 1968, and the chapel that houses Onassis family tombs remains as reminder per his last will, which is why sale to Rybolovlev was scrutinised by Greek authorities for contravening wishes. Nuance: despite 74 acres being tiny, at 200 acres count sometimes quoted, the island is designated Natura so only 5% buildable — the jet-set myth of massive development is limited, with old pink villa preserved, and East Beach sand import is the reason it looks Caribbean in Ionian.

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Last Updated on September 2, 2026 by admin