Community Spotlight: Palm Island

A five minute car ferry trip is the only thing separating you from an incredible “off-the-grid” lifestyle.

Palm Island is about 9 miles south of Englewood, a barrier island positioned just off the coast of Cape Haze. This where you will find the car ferry that provides the sole public transportation to the island, in just under 5 minutes.

But, the majority of visitors and even residents choose to forego a vehicle. There’s isn’t much in the way of roads - many ride bicycles, walk along the beach or take golf carts, a common sight on the island.

Palm Island was actually made up of 3 separate islands, up until the 1960s that is. They include Knight Island in the north, home to the popular Palm Island Resort. Don Pedro is in the middle, where homebuyers will find high-end luxury homes. The properties here are set on dredged canals, providing great water access. Little Gasparilla is the southernmost section and is by far the most remote.

Of course, there’s also Thornton Key, further north than even Knight Island. This section of the island is made up almost entirely by the Thornton Key Nature Preserve and is otherwise uninhabited.

All in, the whole island is approximately 7 miles long and features an absolutely beautiful and pristine beach along its Gulf side, perfect for extended barefoot walks. The interior sections of the narrow island are filled with lush and mature mangrove forests, brimming with an impressively diverse bird population.

The Palm Island Real Estate Market

The Palm Island homes market is surprisingly diverse. Considering the lack of direct road access and the fact that building supplies will need to be ferried in, the island’s supply of homes comes in a broad range, ideal for many different need. Homebuyers can choose from larger estate properties to attached villas, duplexes and condos that make great, part-time vacation properties or investment rentals.

The properties here are pure, classic old-Florida style. Taking influence from iconic southern colonial architecture, detached properties often have the added feature of being built on pilings, the bottom levels are then used as either garage or patio space. This extra height also serves to create even better ocean views.

Depending on where you look too, the style of available property and architecture will vary widely as well. As noted, Don Pedro Island features the large, luxury estate properties with deep-water canal access. Knight Island (home of the Palm Island Resort) is known for its stellar beaches and unrivaled vacation properties. Little Gasparilla in the south is without a doubt the most remote, featuring mainly more modest single-family homes, with a small selection of condos and townhomes to round things out.

Featured Palm Island Real Estate Listings

REDUCED

141 Bocilla Drive, PLACIDA, FL

$2,395,000

Residential, Single Family Residence

• 3 Beds
• 4 Baths
• 2,548 SQFT
• 270 DOM

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Welcome To Palm Island Paradise! This Stunning Waterfront Property, Built In 2019, Offers A Unique And Meticulous Design With Exquisite Attention To Detail Both Inside And Out. The Home Boasts Soaring Ceilings And An Open Floor Plan, Complemented ...

REDUCED

3 Pointe Way, PLACIDA, FL

$2,275,000

Residential, Single Family Residence

• 3 Beds
• 3 Baths
• 3,491 SQFT
• 144 DOM

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Welcome To A Waterfront Paradise On Palm Island, Where Coastal Living Meets Luxury In The Exclusive Enclave Of "pointe Bocilla." This Meticulously Remodeled Residence Offers An Unparalleled Blend Of Privacy, Water Access, And Modern Amenities. Sit...

REDUCED

301 South Gulf Boulevard 407, PLACIDA, FL

$2,220,000

Residential, Single Family Residence

• 2 Beds
• 2 Baths
• 1,258 SQFT
• 149 DOM

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Please Don't Miss This One! The Position Of This Home Provides One Of The Best Views On Palm Island! Come Experience The Constant Gulf Breeze When Visiting. Come And Feel Captivated Every Time You Gaze Into The Gulf Waters Looking For The Nex...

View All Palm Island Property Listings

Palm Island Attractions & Amenities

The star of Palm Island is the beach, without a doubt. Not only is it a stellar location for fishing, it’s also become home to numerous beautiful shells and shark teeth, just waiting to be discovered. Simply put, it's a beachcombers paradise.

Thornton Key that makes up the northern tip of the island is primarily composed of protected preservation land in the form of the Thornton Key Preserve. This area of the island is wonderfully wild and boasts an incredible variety of bird life, not to mention the natural mangrove forest.

In stark contrast to the nature preserves and the other natural wonders of the island, the Palm Island Resort is a popular destination both for vacationers and locals. The luxury resort features 4 beautiful pools, 11 tennis courts, a fitness center, as well as a restaurant and general store.

Are you interested in learning more about the Palm Island? Please contact Gulf Shores Realty online or call 941.488.6644 to learn more!