Highland Beach & Manalapan Real Estate —
Oceanfront Luxury
Looking for homes for sale in Highland Beach, FL? Discover luxury oceanfront estates, direct beach access homes, Intracoastal properties, and great investment opportunities. Work with trusted local expert Blaise Punturo with over 25 years of experience who knows the Highland Beach market inside and out.
South Florida’s Most Exclusive Coastal Enclaves
These are not typical South Florida towns. Highland Beach has no commercial district. No
nightlife. No shopping center. What it has is water on both sides of a single road — A1A — and
a residential population that values privacy, ocean access, and the quiet that comes from living
in a community whose zoning exists to protect that character. Manalapan goes further: Forbes
rated it the most elite zip code for multi-million-dollar waterfront homes in America. Of its
approximately 200 homes, 192 have direct water access. The Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa —
formerly the Ritz-Carlton, now owned by Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison — anchors the town’s
northern boundary. And the town’s deliberate resistance to large-scale development ensures
that each estate retains the exclusivity and privacy its residents came for
Highland Beach Real Estate in 2026
Highland Beach’s market in 2026 is characterized by the structural scarcity that defines barrier
island communities. The average sale price sits at approximately $2.78 million at $799 per
square foot, though the range spans from condominiums in the $400,000s for smaller units in
older buildings to direct oceanfront estates exceeding $25 million. Approximately 1,600 of the
town’s 1,836 dwelling units are condominiums — mostly in oceanfront or Intracoastal-front
high-rise and mid-rise buildings along A1A. The remaining units are single-family homes and
townhomes concentrated in gated enclaves like Byrd Beach Estates, Bel Lido Island, and
Ocean Place Estates.
The condominium market has been stabilizing after several years of assessment-related
disruption across South Florida’s condo sector. Post-Surfside structural inspection requirements
forced many buildings to undertake significant reserve funding and concrete restoration
projects, which temporarily affected pricing and buyer confidence. As buildings complete these
projects, the condo market is returning to a firmer footing. For buyers, this creates a window:
units in buildings with completed structural work and fully funded reserves represent strong
value relative to the permanently constrained waterfront location they occupy.
Single-family homes in Highland Beach are exceptionally scarce. Communities like Byrd Beach
Estates and Camelot on the Atlantic offer direct oceanfront homes starting around $5.7 million,
with the most significant estates commanding $25 million and above. Bel Lido Island, a gated
Intracoastal enclave, features estates with private docks and deep-water access, typically
starting at $5 million. The combination of ocean, Intracoastal, and canal frontage within a
1.1-square-mile municipality means that virtually every property in Highland Beach offers some
form of water access — a density of waterfront living that is unmatched in Palm Beach County
outside of the barrier islands themselves.
Market Snapshot — Highland Beach
| Product Type | Price Range | Avg. Days on Market |
|---|---|---|
| Oceanfront Estates | $10M – $25M+ | 90 – 180 days |
| Bel Lido Island (Intracoastal) | $5M – $15M | 60 – 150 days |
| Byrd Beach / Camelot Estates | $5M – $15M | 60 – 150 days |
| Luxury Oceanfront Condos | $1.5M – $5M | 60 – 120 days |
| Mid-Rise / Intracoastal Condos | $600K – $1.5M | 45 – 90 days |
| Entry-Level Condos | $400K – $700K | 45 – 90 days |
Highland Beach Communities
Byrd Beach Estates & Ocean Place
Byrd Beach Estates occupies one of the most prestigious sections of Highland Beach’s
oceanfront, featuring custom-built estates with direct beach access, panoramic ocean views,
and architectural styles ranging from Mediterranean to contemporary modern. Homes in this
enclave typically start at approximately $5.7 million for smaller oceanfront properties, with the
most significant estates reaching $25 million and above. Ocean Place Estates and Ocean Place
Villas offer similarly positioned properties with direct oceanfront access and the kind of privacy
that only a low-density barrier island community can deliver. These communities attract buyers
for whom the ocean is not a view but a daily experience — sunrise from the terrace, morning
walks on private beach, and the sound of waves as a permanent backdrop.
Bel Lido Island
Bel Lido Island is Highland Beach’s gated Intracoastal enclave, a private island community with
direct deep-water access to the Intracoastal Waterway and, via the Boca Raton Inlet, to the
Atlantic Ocean. Estates feature private docks capable of accommodating significant yachts, lush
tropical landscaping, and the security of a gated community within an already private barrier
island town. Prices start at approximately $5 million and extend well above $15 million for the
most prominent waterfront positions. For buyers who prioritize boating lifestyle — with the ability to dock substantial vessels steps from their front door — Bel Lido offers an infrastructure that few mainland communities can match.
Oceanfront Condominiums Along A1A
The majority of Highland Beach’s residential inventory consists of condominium buildings lining
A1A between the ocean and the Intracoastal. Toscana, one of the most recognized buildings,
offers luxury units with resort-style amenities including private beach club, pools, fitness centers,
and marina access. Numerous other buildings — ranging from boutique mid-rises to larger
oceanfront towers — provide options from approximately $400,000 for smaller units in older
buildings to $5 million and above for premier oceanfront residences with direct views. Many
buildings offer private beach clubs, pools, tennis, and boat slips. For buyers seeking
lock-and-leave convenience with guaranteed ocean access, Highland Beach’s condo inventory
delivers a lifestyle that stand-alone single-family coastal living cannot match.
Manalapan — The Vanderbilt Barrier Island
Manalapan’s character is defined by what it does not have: commercial development,
high-density construction, or any of the resort-town energy that characterizes its larger
neighbors. The town deliberately resists scale. What it offers instead is oceanfront and
Intracoastal-front estates on generous lots, many with ocean-to-Intracoastal through-lots that
provide both sunrise and sunset water views, private docks, and the kind of uninterrupted
privacy that requires an entire barrier island to achieve. The average age of residents is 53. The
atmosphere is family-friendly despite the price points. And the Eau Palm Beach Resort —
anchoring the town’s northern boundary — provides resort-quality dining, spa, fitness, and
recreation without requiring residents to leave the community.
Market Snapshot — Manalapan
| Product Type | Price Range | Avg. Days on Market |
|---|---|---|
| Ocean-to-Intracoastal Estates | $30M – $150M+ | 120+ days (often off-market) |
| Direct Oceanfront Estates | $15M – $50M+ | 90 – 180 days |
| Intracoastal Estates | $5M – $20M | 60 – 150 days |
| Hypoluxo Island Homes | $3M – $10M | 45 – 120 days |
Manalapan Real Estates
The most significant properties in Manalapan are the ocean-to-Intracoastal through-lot estates, homes that span the full width of the barrier island with frontage on both the Atlantic Ocean
and the Intracoastal Waterway. These estate compounds, which can include main residences,
guest houses, pools, tennis courts, private beaches, and deep-water docks, represent some of
the most valuable residential real estate in the United States. A listing at $150 million places
Manalapan among only Palm Beach Island and a handful of other American markets for
trophy-estate pricing. The architectural range includes Mediterranean Revival, contemporary,
Bermuda, and traditional Florida styles, with custom construction the norm. Many estates
feature Jonathan Adler interiors, reflecting the resort-design aesthetic that the Eau Palm Beach
established.
Hypoluxo Island
Hypoluxo Island is the western portion of Manalapan, a separate island in the Intracoastal
connected by bridge to the barrier island and to the mainland. The island features approximately 200 additional homes with Intracoastal frontage, marina access, and a more residential character than the oceanfront estates to the east. Prices range from approximately $3 million to $10 million, making Hypoluxo Island the most accessible entry point into the Manalapan community. The island’s marina and its proximity to the Plaza del Mar shopping center which includes boutiques, restaurants and the town library provide daily conveniences without disrupting the privacy that defines the broader community.
The Eau Palm Beach Resort & La Coquille Club
The Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa is Manalapan’s cultural and social anchor. Originally built as
the Ritz-Carlton and now owned by Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, the 309-room oceanfront
resort holds a five-star Forbes rating and a five-diamond AAA rating. The 42,000-square-foot
Eau Spa has been ranked among the 25 best spas in the world by Condé Nast Traveler. The
resort features four restaurants, two swimming pools, 32,000 square feet of meeting and event
space, and an eight-acre oceanfront campus designed by Jonathan Adler
For Manalapan residents, membership in the La Coquille Club, a private club affiliated with
the Eau that provides access to the resort’s spa, fitness center, members-only pool with cabanas, a private club room and terrace, specialty dining and tennis facility. The La Coquille
membership transforms the Eau from a neighboring hotel into an extension of the residential
community, and for many Manalapan buyers, the club access is a significant component of the
property’s value proposition. The ability to walk to a world-class spa, dine at resort-quality
restaurants, and use professional fitness and tennis facilities without leaving the community is
an amenity that most barrier island towns simply cannot offer.
Why Buyers Choose Highland Beach & Manalapan
Buyers who choose Highland Beach and Manalapan have made a specific decision: they want the ocean, the privacy and the barrier island exclusivity without the social infrastructure, the
club hierarchy and the seasonal intensity that define Palm Beach Island. These are communities where the lifestyle is water-centered
rather than socially-centered. Where the morning routine involves a beach walk rather than a
committee meeting. Where the neighborhood governance is minimal because the communities
are small enough to manage informally. And where the permanent supply constraint of the
barrier island geography ensures that the privacy and character residents value will endure
Frequently Asked Questions
Average sale price approximately $2.78 million at $799 per square foot. Condos from
approximately $400,000 for smaller units to $5 million-plus for premier oceanfront residences.
Single-family homes start at $2.4 million and reach $25 million-plus for direct oceanfront
estates.
An ultra-exclusive barrier island town of approximately 200 homes incorporated in 1931 by
Commodore Harold Vanderbilt. Forbes rated it the most elite zip code for multi-million-dollar
waterfront homes in America. 192 of 200 homes have direct water access. Home to the Eau
Palm Beach Resort & Spa. Estates range from $5 million to $150 million-plus.
Formerly the Ritz-Carlton, now owned by Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison. Five-star Forbes,
five-diamond AAA oceanfront resort in Manalapan. 42,000-square-foot spa ranked among the
world’s 25 best. Manalapan residents can join the La Coquille Club for resort amenities including
spa, fitness, pools, dining, and tennis.
Byrd Beach Estates (direct oceanfront single-family from $5.7 million), Bel Lido Island (gated
Intracoastal estates with deep-water docks), Ocean Place Estates (oceanfront villas), Toscana
(luxury high-rise condos), and numerous oceanfront condominium buildings along A1A with
private beach clubs.
Highland Beach is larger (1,836 units in 1.1 square miles) with condos from $400,000 and
estates to $25 million-plus. Manalapan is smaller and more exclusive (200 homes, 2.4 square
miles) with virtually every home on the water, estates from $5 million to $150 million-plus, and
the Eau Palm Beach resort as its community anchor.
Yes. Both are permanently supply-constrained barrier island communities with irreplaceable
waterfront inventory. Location between Boca Raton and Palm Beach along the most in-demand
luxury corridor in Florida supports durable appreciation. Manalapan’s trophy-estate segment
competes directly with Palm Beach Island at more accessible pricing relative to comparable
oceanfront scale.
Explore Highland Beach & Manalapan with Blaise Punturo Real Estate
Highland Beach and Manalapan reward buyers who understand the micro-market distinctions
between oceanfront condos and Bel Lido Island estates, between Highland Beach’s broader
price range and Manalapan’s ultra-exclusive through-lot compounds and between buildings that have completed structural work and those still in process. Blaise Punturo brings over 30 years
of real estate and financial services experience, dual Connecticut and Florida licensure and the
analytical approach that complex waterfront transactions require. For clients pursuing an
acquisition in either community whether an oceanfront estate, a Bel Lido yacht home, a
Manalapan through-lot compound, or a Highland Beach condominium, Blaise provides the expertise and the Florida-Connecticut dual-market perspective that these demanding markets
require.
Quick Facts
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