"Resort Living on Anna Maria Sound — Without the Bridge Traffic."

Harbour Isle sits on a 220-acre man-made island on Anna Maria Sound, directly across from Anna Maria Island just close enough to see the island, but far enough from the bridge bottleneck to matter. It was originally planned under a different developer as 'SevenShores,' but stalled during the 2008 recession before Canadian developer Minto Communities took it over in 2011 and built it into what became, for five consecutive years, the 'Best Overall Community' winner at the Manatee-Sarasota Building Industry Association's Parade of Homes.

The community is organized into distinct neighborhoods: Mangrove Walk, Edgewater Walk, and Marina Walk, each with their own pool facilities, and all connected to the 23,000-square-foot Beach Club that sits directly on Anna Maria Sound. The Beach Club includes a Sky Bar lounge, resort pool, a sandy beach with kayak launch, a fitness center, and a yoga lawn. The views across the Sound to Anna Maria Island are, practically speaking, what residents are buying. Two miles of walking paths circle the island. Manatees, dolphins, ospreys, and roseate spoonbills are not unusual sightings.

Importantly for buyers thinking long-term: Harbour Isle was built without Community Development District (CDD) financing, which means there are no CDD assessments on the annual tax bill — a meaningful distinction compared to most master-planned communities in the region. The community is also notable for its proximity to all mainland conveniences: within one mile of the main gate, you have grocery stores, restaurants, banks, and schools.

Local Insider: The community sits on the Manatee Avenue corridor (SR 64), which is the main approach road to Anna Maria Island, meaning inbound bridge traffic during season backs up past the entrance. Residents heading east are unaffected. Anyone heading to the island on weekend afternoons should plan accordingly.