Ocean Reef Club vs Fisher Island: Choosing South Florida’s Most Private Lifestyle

Two of Florida’s most controlled-access enclaves deliver radically different versions of privacy: a 2,500-acre Keys campus built around boating, golf, and aviation, versus a ferry-served island minutes from Miami Beach. This MILLION Luxury guide compares access, amenities, membership economics that are publicly disclosed, and what today’s pricing signals can and cannot tell you.

Top 5 Yacht-Friendly Communities in Palm Beach County for Luxury Buyers

For South Florida buyers who measure a home by its wake, Palm Beach County offers a rare mix of private docks, club life, and quick Intracoastal access. Below, MILLION Luxury ranks five standout communities where boating is not a weekend hobby, but a design principle, then outlines how to diligence dockage, marina services, and lock-and-leave alternatives for owners who split time between land and sea.

Fisher Island vs. Ocean Reef Club: Two Florida Enclaves Where Ownership Is the Invitation

Fisher Island and Ocean Reef Club represent two of Florida’s most tightly held private club lifestyles, each built around controlled access, equity-style membership, and a daily rhythm designed for members first. One is a 216-acre island just offshore from Miami Beach, reached primarily by ferry and private boats. The other is a sprawling, member-owned Key Largo community with an on-site private airport, marina life, and multi-generational continuity baked into its membership framework. For buyers weighing privacy, convenience, and legacy, the distinction is less about amenities and more about how you want to arrive, live, and belong.

Ocean Reef Club, Key Largo: A Discreet Buyer’s Guide to the Florida Keys’ Most Private Club Address

Set on roughly 2,500 acres at the northern tip of Key Largo, Ocean Reef Club pairs a controlled membership model with deep amenities: two 18-hole golf courses, a 175-slip marina, tennis, dining, and even private aviation access. For South Florida buyers who already know the coastal condo-and-club circuit, Ocean Reef reads less like a resort and more like a self-contained, member-governed neighborhood where privacy is the product and convenience is the architecture.

Las Olas Isles vs. Harbor Beach: Two Waterfront Lifestyles in Fort Lauderdale

For buyers shopping Fort Lauderdale’s premier waterfront addresses, Las Olas Isles and Harbor Beach offer two distinct definitions of luxury: one built around walkable, downtown-adjacent canals; the other centered on gated privacy, beach access, and efficient ocean runs. This MILLION Luxury editorial breaks down the practical differences that matter most: boating logistics, daily lifestyle, privacy, and how to interpret market signals when metrics differ by source.

The Residences at Shell Bay, Hallandale Beach: Auberge's Private Golf Sanctuary

Set within 150 acres along the Intracoastal, The Residences at Shell Bay is a 20-story, Auberge-branded sanctuary that unites modern design with private club living. Just 108 homes by Kobi Karp with AvroKO interiors feature Molteni&C kitchens, Gaggenau appliances and expansive terraces. Shell Bay Club delivers an 18-hole Greg Norman course with a 12-acre practice facility and a 9-hole Par-3, a racquet program, and a 48-slip marina, all backed by Auberge services. Vertical construction is underway; completion is anticipated in 2027.