Living on the South Florida Intracoastal Waterway: Everything To Know
Stretching along the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts in South Florida is the Intracoastal Waterway. This waterway is incredibly diverse, and features saltwater rivers, bays, natural inlets, and manmade canals. It is one of the oldest and most impressive US coastal features, spanning an estimated 3,000 miles in length.
The Intracoastal Waterway is split into two sections: the Atlantic intracoastal, which flows from Boston, Massachusetts, to Key West, Florida; and the Gulf Intracoastal, which begins in Brownsville, Texas, and ends in Appalachee, Florida.
Why Intracoastal Living is So Popular
Land on the Intracoastal Waterway is highly priced, and the area boasts a multi-million-dollar real estate industry. In South Florida, waterfront property is very highly sought-after, as for many people, it represents the ultimate dream.
Intracoastal land is more widely available than actual coastline, with thousands of miles of waterfront building potential. This means that for those looking to build a luxury home in Florida, the Intracoastal Waterway is the more obtainable choice.
Benefits of Living on the Intracoastal Waterway
The Intracoastal Waterway offers a slower paced, relaxed way of living that incites widespread appeal amongst couples and families of all ages. Notably, some of the benefits of living on the Intracoastal Waterway include:
- UNBEATABLE VIEWS
The reason why so many people opt to build a luxury home on the Intracoastal Waterway is for the views. No matter where you choose to build, if you’re on the waterfront, you’ll be guaranteed uninterrupted views across the water.
- BOAT DOCKS
One of the clear advantages to living on the waterfront is the boating potential. If you choose to have your own private boat dock at the site of your luxury home, you’ll be able to access the water from your own backyard. Many luxury homeowners enjoy taking a leisurely boat tour around the Waterway and admiring the incredible architecture of their neighbours’ homes.
- WATERSIDE DINING
To add to the vacation feel of living on the Intracoastal Waterway, many restaurants offer waterfront dining – and have their own boat docks if you want to arrive in style. The majority of the Waterway’s restaurants also serve up fresh, local produce straight from the very waters you live on.
Building Luxury Property on the Intracoastal Waterway
Waterfront property on the Intracoastal Waterway is, unsurprisingly, high in value and relatively rare. Finding a luxury home that’s already built, meets your exact requirements, and doesn’t come with a hefty long-term price tag is near-impossible. That’s why many people choose the simpler option – purchasing a plot of land and building their own bespoke waterfront home.
The price of land on the Intracoastal Waterway is high, but there’s plenty of it available, so you’ll be able to find a spot that’s ideal for your intended living situation.
When looking for land, it’s worth considering several factors to ensure you can live safely in your custom-built luxury home long into the future. Watch out for flood zones and wetlands, and make sure the land you’re building on is sturdy enough to hold your home’s foundations. You should also take note of the specific restrictions you may face when building on a particular area of the waterfront.
Interested in learning more about building a luxury home in Delray Beach? See some of our breath-taking past projects here as well as those for sale and in construction currently.