Highland Beach

Highland Beach is a small coastal town between Boca Raton and Delray Beach, offering oceanfront, Intracoastal, and waterfront residential properties in a predominantly residential setting. Housing ranges from condominiums and townhomes to single-family residences and luxury estates, with beaches and boating forming a central part of the area’s character. With limited commercial development within the town itself, nearby Boca Raton and Delray Beach provide extensive dining, shopping, entertainment, and services. Prices: typically $1.5M–$10M+, with exceptional oceanfront and waterfront properties reaching significantly higher.

Palm Beach County

Explore Highland Beach condos and waterfront homes for sale, including boutique oceanfront towers, Intracoastal estates, and luxury townhomes. Nestled between Boca Raton and Delray Beach, Highland Beach offers a quiet coastal setting with direct beach access, yacht-friendly waterways, and proximity to two of South Florida’s most dynamic downtowns.

Interesting Facts

Small coastal town: Highland Beach occupies a compact stretch of Palm Beach County between Boca Raton and Delray Beach.
Ocean-to-Intracoastal setting: The town extends between the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway, with many residences offering water views, beach access, or boating access.
Coastal environment: Highland Beach’s shoreline provides important sea turtle nesting habitat, reflecting the environmental significance of this section of Florida’s coast.
Limited commercial development: Highland Beach is primarily residential, with shopping, restaurants, and major commercial districts located nearby in Boca Raton and Delray Beach.
Library by the sea: The Highland Beach Library provides a distinctive community amenity close to the Intracoastal and oceanfront.
Luxury real estate: Housing includes oceanfront and Intracoastal condominiums, waterfront estates, and other high-value coastal residences.
Residential amenities: Many condominium communities offer pools, fitness facilities, beach access, club spaces, and other resort-style amenities within a quieter coastal setting.

History

Incorporated in 1949, Highland Beach developed along the narrow barrier island between Boca Raton and Delray Beach. Residential growth accelerated during the second half of the 20th century, particularly with the construction of oceanfront and Intracoastal condominium buildings during the 1970s and 1980s. Waterfront single-family homes and properties along canals added another dimension to the town’s coastal residential landscape. Highland Beach has remained primarily residential, with limited commercial development and no major hotel or entertainment district. Today, its low-density character, Atlantic beaches, Intracoastal frontage, waterfront residences, and proximity to both Boca Raton and Delray Beach continue to define the town.

Lifestyle Snapshot

Highland Beach offers resort-style amenities within a predominantly residential coastal setting. Days might include beach walks, boating, cycling along A1A, swimming at an oceanfront condominium pool, or heading onto the Intracoastal from a waterfront dock. The town itself remains quiet and low-key, while restaurants, shopping, arts, and entertainment are readily accessible in nearby Delray Beach and Boca Raton. The atmosphere is secluded and residential, combining Atlantic Ocean frontage, Intracoastal access, luxury residences, and limited commercial development.

Why Live in Highland Beach

Highland Beach offers a predominantly residential coastal setting with extensive Atlantic Ocean and Intracoastal frontage. Many condominiums are positioned directly along the ocean, while waterfront homes and residences provide access to boating and expansive water views. With limited commercial development within the town, the atmosphere remains quiet and low-density, while restaurants, shopping, arts, and entertainment are readily available in nearby Boca Raton and Delray Beach. For buyers exploring Highland Beach real estate, the area combines beachfront living, privacy, waterfront views, luxury residences, and convenient access to neighboring coastal destinations.

Why Buyers Choose Highland Beach

Ocean-to-Intracoastal living

Highland Beach’s narrow barrier-island setting places many residences between the Atlantic Ocean and Intracoastal Waterway, with expansive water views and direct coastal access.

Luxury amenities

Oceanfront condominiums commonly feature beach access, pools, fitness centers, concierge services, and other resort-style amenities.

Boating lifestyle

Intracoastal and canal-front properties provide opportunities for private docks and convenient access to nearby inlets.

Municipal services

Highland Beach provides dedicated municipal services within its compact coastal boundaries.

Residential coastal setting

The predominantly residential town offers a low-density coastal environment with convenient access to Boca Raton, Delray Beach, I-95, and regional transportation.

Limited coastal inventory

Highland Beach’s compact geography and extensive waterfront create a finite collection of oceanfront, Intracoastal, and coastal residential properties.

What to Consider

Limited walkable retail

Highland Beach is predominantly residential, so most restaurants, shopping, and everyday services require travel to neighboring Boca Raton, Delray Beach, or surrounding areas.

HOA costs

Full-service oceanfront condominium towers can carry substantial monthly fees reflecting amenities, staffing, insurance, reserves, and coastal maintenance.

Limited commercial development

Local land-use patterns maintain a predominantly residential environment but also limit the number of shops, restaurants, and other commercial conveniences within town boundaries.

Coastal due diligence

Oceanfront properties should be evaluated for impact protection, flood and wind exposure, insurance requirements, master-policy coverage, deductibles, reserves, and building maintenance.

Market comparisons

Buyers considering Highland Beach may also evaluate oceanfront properties in Boca Raton, Delray Beach, and other nearby coastal communities, making building condition, amenities, fees, views, and location important comparison factors.

Car-oriented daily life

Although A1A provides direct coastal access, many everyday errands and destinations require driving.

New Construction & Pre-Construction

New construction in Highland Beach is limited by the town’s compact geography and established residential development, so opportunities generally consist of boutique oceanfront residences, smaller condominium projects, waterfront townhomes, and redevelopment of existing properties. Newer residences typically emphasize expansive terraces, ocean or Intracoastal views, pools, fitness and wellness facilities, concierge services, private elevators, and other luxury amenities. Waterfront single-family properties may also be rebuilt as contemporary estates with private docks and indoor-outdoor living. Nearby coastal development in Delray Beach and Boca Raton provides additional new-construction options. Buyers should verify current project location, municipal boundaries, development status, inventory, pricing, association structure, and delivery information rather than assuming nearby projects are located within Highland Beach itself.

Places to Go & Things to Do

Highland Beach shoreline

Atlantic beachfront with dune crossovers and beach access governed by public, municipal, association, and property-specific rules depending on location.

Intracoastal Waterway

Boating, waterfront views, and access toward Boca Raton and Boynton Beach inlets.

Spanish River Park (nearby Boca Raton)

Beachfront park with nature areas, walking paths, picnic facilities, and Atlantic Ocean access.

Atlantic Avenue (Delray Beach)

Restaurants, boutiques, galleries, nightlife, and community events north of Highland Beach.

Mizner Park (Boca Raton)

Restaurants, shopping, Boca Raton Museum of Art, public spaces, and cultural programming south of Highland Beach.

Gumbo Limbo Nature Center (Boca Raton)

Coastal environmental center with boardwalks, marine education, conservation programs, and natural habitats.

Places to Go & Things to Do

Highland Beach shoreline — Atlantic beachfront with dune crossovers and beach access governed by public, municipal, association, and property-specific rules depending on location.

Intracoastal Waterway — Boating, waterfront views, and access toward Boca Raton and Boynton Beach inlets.

Spanish River Park (nearby Boca Raton) — Beachfront park with nature areas, walking paths, picnic facilities, and Atlantic Ocean access.

Atlantic Avenue (Delray Beach) — Restaurants, boutiques, galleries, nightlife, and community events north of Highland Beach.

Mizner Park (Boca Raton) — Restaurants, shopping, Boca Raton Museum of Art, public spaces, and cultural programming south of Highland Beach.

Gumbo Limbo Nature Center (Boca Raton) — Coastal environmental center with boardwalks, marine education, conservation programs, and natural habitats.

Practical Tips

Transportation & daily needs— Highland Beach is primarily residential, so restaurants, major shopping, and many everyday services may require short drives to Delray Beach, Boca Raton, or surrounding areas; compare distances from the specific property.
Rental rules— Minimum lease terms, rental frequency, tenant approvals, and short-term rental eligibility vary by condominium, association, and applicable regulations; verify current requirements individually.
Pricing— Oceanfront, Intracoastal, and other Highland Beach properties can differ substantially from inland Boca Raton and Delray Beach in price per square foot; compare recent property-specific sales rather than relying on a fixed premium.
Insurance & condominium due diligence— Review wind and flood coverage, association master policies, deductibles, reserves, assessments, structural reports, and applicable inspection requirements.
Location & activity— Highland Beach has limited commercial development within the town; evaluate proximity to restaurants, nightlife, beaches, recreation, and surrounding destinations based on your individual property and routine.

Top Nearby Schools

Public Schools

J.C. Mitchell Elementary (Boca Raton)

8/10

Boca Raton Community Middle

7/10

Boca Raton Community High

9/10

Private Schools

Saint Andrew’s School (PK-12, Boca Raton)

A+

Pine Crest School (Fort Lauderdale)

A+

American Heritage (Delray Campus)

A+

Proximity

Airports

Palm Beach Intl (PBI) ~20 mi; Fort Lauderdale (FLL) ~25 mi.

Rail

Brightline Boca Raton (~7 mi).

Beaches

Direct beachfront throughout Highland Beach.

Key hubs

Delray Beach ~5 min N; Boca Raton ~5 min S; Palm Beach ~25 min N; Fort Lauderdale ~30 min S.

Compare Nearby Neighborhoods

Not sure about Highland Beach? Compare with: Delray Beach (Downtown): Walkable nightlife + arts scene. Boca Raton Oceanfront: Larger city with more luxury high-rises. Gulf Stream: Ultra-exclusive, small-town luxury just north. Palm Beach Island: Iconic, historic luxury further north.

FAQ

Which celebrities have homes or have lived in Highland Beach?

Highland Beach has had residential connections with prominent figures from sports and entertainment, including Jeff Gordon, Mariah Carey, and Oprah Winfrey.

What is the typical price range for luxury real estate in Highland Beach?

Condos can start around $1M–$1.5M, with luxury residences reaching approximately $3M–$6M and exceptional oceanfront and ocean-to-Intracoastal estates reaching $10M–$25M or more.

Pricing varies significantly by property type, building, size, condition, view, water frontage, amenities, and current inventory.

Is Highland Beach walkable?

Highland Beach's A1A corridor provides access for walking and cycling, while the beach is accessible from many residential properties.

Restaurants, shopping, and many everyday services are concentrated outside the town, so driving or rideshare is useful for most errands and regional travel.

Do condos here allow short-term rentals?

Rental policies vary by condominium and property.

Minimum lease terms, rental frequency, tenant approvals, licensing requirements, and other restrictions should be verified through current association documents and applicable regulations for the specific property.

How do prices compare to Boca Raton or Delray Beach?

Highland Beach has a limited coastal housing supply dominated by condominiums and waterfront residences, while Boca Raton and Delray Beach offer larger and more varied housing markets.

Current pricing should be compared using similar property types, locations, water frontage, condition, amenities, and recent comparable sales.

What’s the lifestyle setting?

Highland Beach is a small coastal municipality located between Boca Raton and Delray Beach, with Atlantic Ocean and Intracoastal frontage, condominium communities, waterfront residences, beach access, and limited commercial development within the town itself.

Are there single-family homes?

Yes. Highland Beach includes single-family residences as well as condominiums and townhomes, with select properties offering oceanfront, Intracoastal, canal, or dock access.

Location

Similar neighborhoods

Coral Gables

Miracle Mile — Coral Gables’ central shopping and dining corridor with restaurants, boutiques, galleries, and the historic Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre.

Venetian Pool — Historic coral-rock swimming pool and architectural landmark.

The Biltmore Hotel Miami Coral Gables — Landmark resort with golf, spa, dining, and event facilities.

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden — Extensive tropical gardens, educational programming, exhibitions, and seasonal events.

Books & Books — Independent bookstore, café, author events, and literary programming.

University of Miami — Major educational, cultural, athletic, and performing-arts destination.

Shops at Merrick Park — Open-air luxury shopping and dining center with designer retailers and restaurants.

Palm Beach Shores

Palm Beach Shores beachfront — Atlantic shoreline, walking areas, dune landscaping, and beach recreation within the town.

Sailfish Marina Resort (nearby Singer Island) — Marina, waterfront dining, fishing charters, boating services, and access toward Peanut Island.

Peanut Island Park — Intracoastal island park offering snorkeling, paddling, boating access, picnic areas, camping, and historic sites.

Phil Foster Park & Blue Heron Bridge — Waterfront park recognized for snorkeling and scuba diving, including an underwater trail.

Palm Beach Shores Community Center — Municipal venue for programs, meetings, recreation, and community events.

Ocean Reef Park (nearby Singer Island) — Oceanfront park with beach access, picnic facilities, playground areas, and coastal recreation.

Downtown Miami

Bayfront Park — Downtown Miami waterfront park with lawns, walking paths, public art, festivals, concerts, and community programming along Biscayne Bay.

Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) — Modern and contemporary art museum overlooking Biscayne Bay.

Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science — Science museum combining aquarium exhibits, a planetarium, and interactive galleries.

Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts — Major performing-arts venue presenting Broadway productions, ballet, opera, concerts, and other live performances.

Kaseya Center — Home of the Miami Heat and a major venue for concerts and entertainment events.

Bayside Marketplace — Open-air waterfront destination with restaurants, shops, entertainment, and sightseeing-boat departures.

Miami Worldcenter — Large mixed-use district adding restaurants, retail, public spaces, residences, hotels, and pedestrian-oriented streets to Downtown Miami.

Fort Lauderdale Beach

Las Olas Boulevard — Restaurants, shops, galleries, entertainment, and nightlife connecting Downtown Fort Lauderdale with the beach area.

Fort Lauderdale Beach Promenade — Oceanfront walking and biking corridor with restaurants, hotels, beach access, and recreation.

Hugh Taylor Birch State Park — Coastal state park offering kayaking, paddling, trails, picnicking, natural areas, and beach access.

Bonnet House Museum & Gardens — Historic estate featuring art, architecture, gardens, exhibitions, and cultural programming.

Fort Lauderdale Water Taxi — Hop-on, hop-off transportation connecting waterfront districts, marinas, restaurants, hotels, and Downtown Fort Lauderdale.

Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show — Major annual marine and yachting event held across multiple waterfront venues throughout Fort Lauderdale.

Homestead

Everglades National Park — Nearby access to South Florida’s Everglades ecosystem through trails, wildlife viewing, paddling, ranger programs, and visitor facilities including the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center.

Biscayne National Park — Boating, snorkeling, diving, islands, mangrove shoreline, and coral-reef experiences east of Homestead.

Coral Castle Museum — Historic limestone landmark created by Edward Leedskalnin.

Fruit & Spice Park (Redland) — Tropical botanical park featuring hundreds of varieties of fruits, vegetables, spices, herbs, and other plants.

Homestead-Miami Speedway — Major motorsports venue hosting racing and automotive events.

Historic Downtown Homestead — Restaurants, shops, public spaces, events, and the historic Seminole Theatre.

Florida Keys — Key Largo and the Upper Keys provide additional boating, diving, dining, and island destinations south of Homestead.

Pompano Beach

Pompano Beach Fisher Family Pier & Fishing Village — Oceanfront district with beach access, restaurants, shops, public spaces, and entertainment.

Shipwreck Park — Offshore artificial-reef and wreck-diving destination accessible through local dive operators.

Intracoastal & marina areas — Boating, fishing, waterfront dining, marina services, and yacht facilities throughout coastal Pompano Beach.

Pompano Beach Cultural Center — Performing arts, exhibitions, cultural programs, and community events.

Pompano Beach Amphitheater — Outdoor concert and entertainment venue.

Pompano Beach municipal golf & recreation facilities — Golf, tennis, pickleball, parks, and other recreational amenities throughout the city.

Nearby destinations — Las Olas and Downtown Fort Lauderdale to the south and Mizner Park and Boca Raton to the north.

Juno Beach

Juno Beach Pier — Oceanfront pier for fishing, walking, and Atlantic views.

John D. MacArthur Beach State Park (nearby) — Coastal state park with beaches, nature trails, paddling, environmental programs, and estuarine habitats.

Jonathan Dickinson State Park — Large natural area offering hiking, paddling, biking, equestrian trails, camping, and access to the Loxahatchee River.

Juno Dunes Natural Area — Protected coastal habitat with hiking trails through scrub and dune ecosystems.

Juno Beach cafés & local businesses — Restaurants, surf and beach-oriented shops, and neighborhood services along and near the coastal corridor.

Jupiter & Palm Beach Gardens (nearby) — Additional restaurants, shopping, entertainment, marinas, and cultural destinations within a short drive.

Singer Island

John D. MacArthur Beach State Park — Coastal state park with kayaking, paddling, snorkeling, trails, beaches, environmental education, and protected natural habitats.

Peanut Island Park — Intracoastal island park offering snorkeling, paddling, boating access, picnic areas, camping, and historic sites.

Sailfish Marina Resort — Marina, fishing charters, waterfront dining, boating services, and recurring events on Singer Island.

Ocean Reef Park — Oceanfront park with beach access, picnic facilities, playground areas, and coastal recreation.

Phil Foster Park & Blue Heron Bridge — Waterfront park recognized for snorkeling and scuba diving, including an underwater trail.

Singer Island resorts & beachfront dining — Hotels and resorts along the island provide restaurants, spa services, beach access, and hospitality amenities subject to individual property policies.