Necker Island is Richard Branson's private resort in the British Virgin Islands. The billionaire entrepreneur opened up his home to Australian fashion and celebrity photographer Russell James for his new book, "A Virgin Island." 
Branson (right) relaxes with James. They met by chance on a flight between Sydney and Los Angeles in 2009. 
Featuring over 150 deluxe photographs, James' book reveals Necker Island's idyllic beaches and spectacular tropical wildlife. 
Branson purchased the island for $180,000 in 1979 and opened a luxury resort there facility in 1984. The entire island can be rented out for the princely sum of $64,000 a night. 
Famous guests over the years include Nelson Mandela, Diana Princess of Wales, Eddie Murphy, Robert De Niro and former U.S. president Jimmy Carter. 
A statue balances on the edge of a cliff on Necker. In February 2014 the island hosted a summit of financiers, politicians, energy companies and lawyers in an attempt to encourage green energy practices in the Caribbean. 
Google co-founder Larry Page hired out Necker for his wedding in 2007. The island is so small, however, that he had to house some guests on the nearby Virgin Gorda. 
Branson has invested in restoring Necker's wildlife to its former glory. When he arrived, previously prominent species of plants and animals had disappeared. 
Giant tortoises, white and scarlet ibis, parrots, flamingos and rock iguanas have all been reintroduced. 
Although private visitors can hire the island, Branson still resides on Necker for around two months each year and considers it one of his primary residences. 
A fire destroyed much of the infrastructure on Necker in 2011 after one of its residences was struck by lightning, but the island has since been restored to its former glory. 
Branson credits Necker for inspiring him to come up with the idea for his space tourism venture, Virgin Galactic. "One clear night as I gazed at the stars, I thought, 'Wouldn't it be wonderful for people to travel through space,' " he says in the photo book's introduction.
- Richard Branson has opened up his Caribbean Island home for a new book
- Branson purchased Necker Island in 1979 for just $180,000
- Visitors to the island over the years include Nelson Mandela, Princess Diana and Tony Blair
(CNN) -- Richard Branson has never been one to shy away from sharing his ostentatious exploits with the wider world.
Over the years, the billionaire entrepreneur has invited us to follow his attempts to hot-air balloon around the globe, delve the deepest recesses of the oceans and cross the Atlantic on a speedboat.
Now the founder of the Virgin Group has provided access to his very own private Caribbean resort, Necker Island, for a new book by Australian fashion and celebrity photographer Russell James.
Featuring more than 150 deluxe images, "A Virgin Island" reveals Necker's idyllic beaches and spectacular tropical wildlife as well as dipping inside Branson's luxury residences.
Branson purchased the British Virgin Island retreat in 1978 for a knockdown price of $180,000, setting up a home in which he still stays for at least two months of every year.
Ride aboard Virgin Galactic spacecraft 
Branson continues to break down barriers In 1984, he opened a luxury resort on Necker that has since welcomed a long line of rich and famous guests.
Those reported to have spent their vacation time there include the late Diana Princess of Wales, Hollywood stars Kate Winslet, Eddie Murphy, Geena Davis, Kate Moss and Robert De Niro as well as statesmen such as Jimmy Carter, Nelson Mandela and Tony Blair.
Google co-founder Larry Page, meanwhile, married his girlfriend on the island in an elaborate 2007 ceremony.
Today, a stay on Necker is possible for anyone with the means, although prices rise to a prohibitive $60,000 a night to rent out the entire island.
If you're short a buck or two, we suggest clicking through a selection of James' best photos in the gallery above as a more fiscally prudent way of attaining the Necker experience.
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