Highland Beach
A narrow barrier island between Boca Raton and Delray Beach offers exclusive beachfront living with wide sandy beaches, Atlantic views, low-density development, and a peaceful residential vibe. With well-kept parks and easy access to upscale mainland dining, shopping, marinas, golf, and cultural amenities, it appeals to buyers seeking privacy and refined coastal living for second homes or full-time residences.
Highland Beach
A 1.1-square-mile barrier island town between Boca Raton and Delray Beach, with the Atlantic on one side and the Intracoastal on the other. There is no public beach access and almost no commercial development — which is precisely the point. Highland Beach is residential by design, and one of the most private addresses on the South Florida coast.
The ocean side of A1A is almost entirely condominium towers, many built in the 1970s and 1980s and since renovated. Because the town is substantially built out, new oceanfront inventory is essentially fixed — what exists is what will exist.
East of A1A — Direct Atlantic Frontage
45 Ocean
4505 & 4511 South Ocean Boulevard + Read moreFormerly known as Ambassadors South, 45 Ocean sits directly on the Atlantic at the southern end of town. The rebranding accompanied a repositioning of the property, and buyers researching older listings should know both names refer to the same address.
Ambassadors East
3201, 3215 & 3221 South Ocean Boulevard + Read moreOne of the first large oceanfront communities built in Highland Beach, dating to the early 1970s. Three ten-story buildings hold one- and two-bedroom residences with views spanning both the Atlantic and the Intracoastal — a dual exposure the narrow island makes possible.
Casuarina
3450 South Ocean Boulevard + Read moreA boutique oceanfront building with a low unit count, favored by buyers who want direct beach access without the scale of the larger towers. Residences feature open-concept layouts and balconies framing ocean and pool views.
Highlands Place
South Ocean Boulevard, built 1988 + Read moreA late-1980s building positioned directly on the sand, consistently rated among the town's strongest oceanfront addresses. Its vintage puts it in the sweet spot between the original 1970s stock and the handful of newer properties.
Regency Highland
South Ocean Boulevard + Read moreOne of the town's long-established oceanfront buildings, part of the generation of towers that defined Highland Beach's skyline. Units here typically offer more square footage per dollar than newer product, which appeals to renovation-minded buyers.
Highland Beach Club
South Ocean Boulevard, built late 1990s + Read moreA late-1990s community combining condominium and townhouse residences, with an eleven-story mid-rise holding 84 units. The mix of product types is unusual for the ocean side and gives buyers a townhouse option where nearly everything else is a tower.
Nearby schools
- J.C. Mitchell Elementary
- Boca Raton Community Middle
- Boca Raton Community High
- Saint Andrew's School
- Gulf Stream School
School assignments vary by street and are subject to change — confirm current boundaries with the School District of Palm Beach County.
The west side of A1A is where the boating market lives. Most Intracoastal communities here carry deeded dockage or marina access, and several still deliver ocean views across the road — the advantage of an island barely three blocks wide.
West of A1A — Intracoastal Frontage & Dockage
Toscana
West side of A1A, built 2000–2004 + Read moreThree towers holding 455 residences and the most significant new construction the town has seen in decades. Sited on the Intracoastal with nothing blocking the sightlines, units capture both the waterway and the ocean beyond, and residents have private beach access across A1A.
Boca Highland Beach Club & Marina
4801 South Ocean Boulevard + Read moreThe town's largest gated development — a multi-subdivision community spanning condos, townhouses, and single-family homes, with both an oceanfront beach club and a full-service Intracoastal marina. Deep-water slips accommodate vessels up to 100 feet, and the beach club adds an oceanfront pool and spa, sun deck, and banquet room.
Braemar Isle
4740 South Ocean Boulevard, within Boca Highland + Read moreOne of the most established buildings in Highland Beach, positioned directly on the Intracoastal for wide water views. Residents get a fitness center, pool and sauna, 24-hour security, and access to the on-site marina with private boat slips.
Dalton Place
Within the Boca Highland gates + Read moreOne of the Boca Highland subdivisions, trading independently while sharing the master community's beach club and marina privileges. Buyers comparing options inside the gates typically weigh Dalton Place against Braemar Isle on layout and exposure.
Aberdeen Arms & Carron House
Within the Boca Highland gates + Read moreTwo smaller Boca Highland subdivisions offering a lower entry point into the gated community without giving up beach club or marina access. Their scale keeps them quieter than the larger buildings on the property.
Ocean Place Villas
Along the Intracoastal side of A1A + Read moreA small villa community offering a low-density alternative to the towers, with the maintenance profile of an attached home rather than a single-family estate. Turnover is limited, so availability tends to be sporadic.
Nearby schools
- J.C. Mitchell Elementary
- Boca Raton Community Middle
- Boca Raton Community High
- Saint Andrew's School
- Pine Crest School
School assignments vary by street and are subject to change — confirm current boundaries with the School District of Palm Beach County.
Single-family homes are the rarest product in Highland Beach — a handful of small enclaves scattered between the condominium towers. Most sit on deep-water canals with private dockage, and turnover in any given year is measured in a few sales.
Canal & Waterfront Enclaves
Bel Lido Isle
Deep-water canals branching off the Intracoastal + Read moreThe town's signature boating enclave: 71 homes on the Intracoastal or adjoining canals, many with 125-foot docks. There are no fixed bridges between the docks and the Boca Raton Inlet, so large vessels reach the Atlantic unimpeded — and unusually, the community carries no HOA oversight and no HOA fees. Custom builders have steadily replaced original homes with ultra-modern construction.
Byrd Beach
Waterfront, along the Intracoastal side + Read moreHome to some of the largest waterfront estates in Highland Beach, sitting at the top of the town's single-family market. Scale and water frontage set it apart from the more modestly sized homes at Bel Lido, and listings here are infrequent and closely watched.
Grand Cay Estates
Within the Boca Highland gates + Read moreThe single-family component of Boca Highland Beach Club & Marina, combining estate homes with the security of the master community's gates plus its beach club and marina access. It offers a level of privacy that's difficult to assemble elsewhere on the island.
Boca Cove
Waterfront, southern end of town + Read moreA small waterfront enclave at the Boca Raton end of the island, close to the inlet. Its size keeps it under the radar relative to Bel Lido, which can work in a buyer's favor on competition.
Highland Beach Isles
Canal-front, west of A1A + Read moreA canal-front single-family pocket offering dockage and Intracoastal proximity in a low-density setting. One of the few places in town to find a waterfront house rather than a condominium.
Ocean Place Estates
Along A1A, mid-island + Read moreThe single-family counterpart to Ocean Place Villas, offering estate-scale homes in a compact setting. Like most of Highland Beach's house inventory, supply is thin and comes to market irregularly.
Nearby schools
- J.C. Mitchell Elementary
- Boca Raton Community Middle
- Boca Raton Community High
- Saint Andrew's School
- Gulf Stream School
- Pine Crest School
School assignments vary by street and are subject to change — confirm current boundaries with the School District of Palm Beach County.
Life in Highland Beach
Highland Beach is residential almost to the exclusion of everything else — one resort restaurant, a library, and a great deal of quiet. Everyday life happens a few minutes up A1A in Delray Beach or a few minutes down in Boca Raton, which is exactly the trade most buyers here are making.
Highland Beach Library
The town's civic heart, relocated to its current Intracoastal site in 2006. A reading rotunda with leather chairs, two screened porches over the water, and a community room hosting film nights, book groups, and art exhibitions.
Latitudes at Delray Sands
The only restaurant in town, inside the oceanfront resort — which tells you most of what you need to know about how residential Highland Beach really is.
Private Beach Access
There is no public beach access anywhere in town. Every stretch of sand belongs to a residence, condominium, or beach club, which keeps the shoreline unusually quiet year-round.
Boca Highland Marina
The town's full-service marina, with deep-water slips accommodating vessels up to 100 feet and quick Intracoastal access to the Boca Raton Inlet.
Latitudes
Oceanfront dining at Delray Sands Resort, and the only restaurant within town limits.
Atlantic Avenue
A few minutes north: Delray's main restaurant corridor, from Lionfish and Deck 84 to Dada and Tramonti.
Deck 84
Intracoastal-side coastal cuisine with one of the best al fresco settings in the county.
Mizner Park
A few minutes south: Boca's open-air dining plaza, mixing upscale rooms with casual options.
Chops Lobster Bar
Prime steaks, a raw bar, and an award-winning wine list in Royal Palm Place.
Lionfish
A James Beard Smart Catch Leader for sustainable, sea-to-table seafood on Atlantic Avenue.
Rosewater Rooftop
Rooftop cocktails and sunset views at The Ray Hotel, minutes north on A1A.
The Wine Room Kitchen & Bar
Tasting-machine pours by the ounce, with artisanal cheese and charcuterie.
The Funky Biscuit
A premier live music venue spanning blues, jazz, progressive rock, and soul.
Biergarten Boca Raton
Craft beer and communal outdoor seating in Royal Palm Place.
Library Exhibitions
Rotating local art shows, film nights, and book discussions in the library community room.
Arts Garage
Live music, theater, and rotating gallery shows in downtown Delray.
Pineapple Grove Arts District
Public artwork, working studios, and galleries across a walkable creative district.
Boca Raton Museum of Art
Contemporary and modern collections in the heart of Mizner Park.
Mizner Park Amphitheater
Open-air concerts and community events year-round.
The A1A Corridor
The town's three-mile stretch of A1A is a favorite for walking, running, and cycling, with water on both sides for nearly its entire length.
Spanish River Park
Ocean-to-Intracoastal parkland with an international Blue Flag water quality certification.
Red Reef Park
A favorite for snorkeling and swimming directly off the beach.
Delray Municipal Beach
Two miles of public shoreline along A1A for residents who want a livelier stretch of sand.
Atlantic Avenue
Delray's boutique corridor, anchoring the whole downtown experience just north of town.
Pineapple Grove
Walkable boutiques, cafes, salons, and galleries.
Mizner Park & Royal Palm Place
Boca's two signature retail and dining districts, a short drive south.
Town Center at Boca Raton
The area's flagship mall, with Neiman Marcus, Saks, Nordstrom, and Bloomingdale's.
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