Animal Crossing: New Leaf/Tortimer Island

Tortimer Island is not available from the start of the game. The player has to complete various tasks in order to open up the option. It is possible to unlock it as early as the 4 day in game.

When you are visiting the Island there are many things you can do - going on Tours, catching rare bugs & fish, collecting fruit or flowers. It's always tropical on the Island which means you can possibly catch bugs & fish out of season.

Unlocking the Island
To unlock the island, the player who is the mayor must first pay off his or her initial mortgage, upgrading from a tent to a house. That player must then pay off the first home loan at the ABD. The next time you boot up your game, Isabelle will introduce you to Tortimer, the former mayor of your town and the owner of the island. You must go to the dock on your town's beach to talk to him in person. The next day, Kapp'n will be sitting in his boat by the dock. You can talk to him to go to the island for 1,000 Bells.