text: He has shown himself to be quite a philanthropist. And Leonardo DiCaprio is planning to improve the ecosystem of an entire island in his latest crusade as an environmental activist. The 40-year-old actor is launching a project that will transform a small island off the coast of Belize into an eco-resort and conservation area. According to a Friday report from the New York Times, the Wolf Of Wall Street star, along with a partner, purchased the 104-acre Blackadore Caye nearly a decade ago for $1.75 million. But he recently  teamed up with Paul Scialla, the chief executive of New York development firm Delos, to create the eco-conscious resort, with plans to open in 2018. 'It was like heaven on earth,' DiCaprio told the New York Times of his visit to the island in 2005. 'And almost immediately, I found this opportunity to purchase an island there.' Scroll down for video . Environmental mission: Leonardo DiCaprio bought Blackadore Caye, an unpopulated, private 104-acre Belizean island, in 2005 for $1.75 million, and now plans to build a luxury eco-resort there. Pictured here is an artists impression of a private villa on the island . 'It will change the world': The resort will have villas on a platform over the water, as well as artificial reefs with 'fish shelters' and other features that hope to rehabilitate the ailing area. It is set to open in 2018 . Ambitious: Renderings of the project show an arc-shaped platform with villas and artificial reefs and fish shelters underneath . The ambitious project, which they will be calling 'Blackadore Caye, a Restorative Island,' will be much like many other luxury resorts and include sprawling villas, infinity pools and beautiful views. But not only will the island revitalize its visitors, but also help restore the land itself, as it has endured deterioration from over-fishing, deforestation and an eroding coastline. The aim of DiCaprio and his partners is to rehabilitate the ecosystem of the area. Renderings of the ambitious project show an arc-shaped platform with villas over the water with artificial reefs and fish shelters underneath. The daily also reports that other features will include a nursery that will grow indigenous marine grass to support a manatee conservation area and mangrove trees replanted to replace invasive species. 'The main focus is to do something that will change the world,' said the Titanic actor. 'I couldn’t have gone to Belize and built on an island and done something like this, if it weren’t for the idea that it could be groundbreaking in the environmental movement.' Activist: DiCaprio, who earned a reported $25 million pay packet for The Wolf Of Wall Street, is known for working on environmental causes . The Times reports that the plan is to build 68 resort villas and 48 private house. Some will are expected to be sold privately, and cost between $5 million and $15 million each, while the others will be available to guests. Nearby luxury resorts cost about $2,000-a-night. The project will also be monitored by a talented team of scientists, designers and engineers who along with landscape architects will closely monitor the resort's impact on the island's environment. After a scuba diving trip in Belize back in 2005, DiCaprio bought the Blackadore Caye for $1.75million with Jeff Gram, who owns Cayo Espanto Island Resort, which is a luxury vacation spot nearby. Private island: The nearest town to Blackadore Caye is San Pedro, which is a 15 minute boat ride away. The tiny Blackadore Caye is currently unpopulated . Big plans: Blackadore Caye (pictured) is a 104-acre island in the Caribbean Sea owned by DiCaprio and a business partner. The two plan to work with scientists and a NYC design firm to develop a resort that will 'rehabilitate' the area, which is suffering . Tropical: DiCaprio hopes the island, when completed, will not only revitalize its visitors, but also help restore the land itself, as it has endured deterioration from over-fishing, deforestation and an eroding coastline. The Blood Diamond actor previously had an agreement with Four Seasons Hotels but the deal ultimately fell through, according to the publication. No doubt the ecotourism venture is right up DiCaprio's alley as the project's aim will certainly follow resorts before it that minimizes negative impact on a location and seeks to preserve natural resources. The actor is currently filming an adventure drama, The Revenant, alongside Tom Hardy. 'Paradise': The closest port to DiCaprio's island is the town of San Pedro, on the southern part of the island of Ambergris Caye in Belize . Tourism: San Pedro is a known vacation spot in Belize. Vistors would take a 15-minute boat ride from here to DiCaprio's resort .
target: Actor bought Blackadore Caye, an unpopulated, private 104-acre Belizean island, in 2005 for $1.75 million .
  He announced Friday he is now building a luxury eco-resort there to open in 2018 .
  The resort will have villas over the water, artificial reefs with 'fish shelters' and a nursery growing marine grass .
  DiCaprio plans to rehabilitate the area, which has been over-fished and suffers from sand erosion .
  He is working with the NYC developers Delos to build 68 resort villas and 48 private house .
  They will cost  between $5 million and $15 million each .