Most celebrities buy beach houses when they want a tropical escape, but Leonardo DiCaprio went much bigger. In 2005, he reportedly purchased Blackadore Caye, a 104-acre island off the coast of Belize, for $1.75 million — a move that instantly stood out from his other real estate buys.

This was not just about owning a private island for vacations. From the beginning, the property was tied to DiCaprio’s interest in environmental causes and sustainable living. Instead of simply creating a luxury hideaway, he had a much more ambitious idea in mind: turning the island into an eco-conscious destination.